Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Informational Meeting For Students

Most readers will be aware of this by now, but an announcement of a meeting for students:

Four Union Informational Meeting for Students

5:00 PM Wednesday, 10/5, Lawson 141

This is a union meeting, so of course we will emphasize our side of the story. But I'll be one speaker and, as is my wont, I'll try to explain as clearly and accurately as I can the issues at stake, without demonizing the other side. We'll include ample time for student questions and comments. 

6 comments:

  1. "I'll try to explain as clearly and accurately as I can the issues at stake, without demonizing the other side."


    One can only hope!

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  2. There is no need for "demonizing the other side" since Rita is already doing that on her own volition!

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  3. The venom comes mostly from the FA supporters side and is directed at pretty much anyone that does not agree with them. It is the FA that has divided the faculty!!!!

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  4. Switching topics to a more serious matter: Chancellor Cheng just a few hours ago, stated that the BOT bargaining team put forth a proposal last Friday on tenure.

    "Fact 2: The Administration provided a proposal to the Faculty Association bargaining team on Friday, September 30, 2011 which specifically states that tenured and tenure-track faculty may only be laid off as a result of financial exigency declared by the Board of Trustees. Further, this proposal indicates that any declaration of financial exigency will be in accordance with the Board of Trustees Policy as it existed on July 1, 2011." "

    Before everything gets hay-wire in the rumor mill, is this accurate?

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  5. "The venom comes mostly from the FA supporters side and is directed at pretty much anyone that does not agree with them. It is the FA that has divided the faculty!!!!"

    Switching back to a more juvenile topic (Sorry, Joe): Seriously, Anonymous 5:56? You want to play a game of "you started it"? And in a comment that demonstrates what it denies?

    I'm glad to hear there is some progress at the bargaining table. I'm sorry that took a strike authorization vote to mobilize that. Such progress, if genuine and maintained, will be good for all faculty, united not divided.

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  6. While it may not have been well expressed in some cases, the intent of the anonymous comments above is correct. The FA and its supporters have consistently engaged in a pattern of demonizing and expressing contempt for anyone that does not agree with them or support their positions. That is not to say that they have not been at the receiving end of some similar treatment (presumably from disgruntled faculty that feel outed by the FA), but the weight of the venom is definitely on the FA side. This tactic has deeply divided the faculty and created the toxic atmosphere of intolerance that is pervasive on campus at present. If Dave's comment in the header to this thread is an announcement of a change in tactics, then that is both welcome and long overdue.

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I will review and post comments as quickly as I can. Comments that are substantive and not vicious will be posted promptly, including critical ones. "Substantive" here means that your comment needs to be more than a simple expression of approval or disapproval. "Vicious" refers to personal attacks, vile rhetoric, and anything else I end up deeming too nasty to post.