If you've been missing our blog updates, do not despair because the award-winning Southwestern College Sun is on the job!
The latest issue (just out today) provides updates on recent concerns:
Speaking Up: coverage of the suspensions and aftermath
Governing Board Members Face Recall (need we say more?)
Filner, ACLU, FIRE Join to Blast College's Restraint of Free Speech
Computer Glitches Drop Thousands of SWC Students (a follow-up to our previous blog post. It should be noted here that VP of Student Affairs Angelica Suarez has not made good on the promise quoted from her email below. Students who were dropped in error are not being reinstated. Instead, they've been told there's nothing to be done.)
Sun Editorial: Board Needs to End Chopra Era, Begin to Repair Damage
For more on what's happening on campus, including more budget and program cuts, visit the Sun at http://www.southwesterncollegesun.com/
Thank you, Sun reporters, for continuing to provide outstanding coverage!
Showing posts with label students. Show all posts
Showing posts with label students. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
The Panic, The Board, and The Spin (Part 1)
The Panic of November 2009
Faced with 25% fewer class offerings, SWC students and hopefuls rushed Spring registration with unprecedented fervor.
Registration opened on Monday, Nov. 9, by appointment. Students were given a specific date and time register and could do so any time at or after their appointment--or so they thought.
Unfortunately, even those with priority registration status were greeted with one of the following messages when they tried to log in to Web Advisor, the college's online registration system: "Too many sessions. Try again later" or "System Error Detected," ironically framed with the words "Enroll Today. Succeed Tomorrow."
Students tried frantically to register for classes, waiting up to ten hours to access the system. Many missed classes as they stayed at their computers while others recruited friends and family to stand by should Web Advisor become available. Some students gave up on Web Advisor altogether and traveled to the typically deserted Otay campus to register. Others braved long lines at Admissions on the main campus to register the old-fashioned way.
These newly-registered students' collective sigh of relief was cut short, however, when Web Advisor began churning out "you've been dropped" notices over the weekend. Traditionally given five working days to pay fees, hundreds of students were caught off-guard by a new five calendar day policy--and this in a week with a mid-week holiday.
Worse, the system was set up to count the five calendar days to include the day of registration. Students accustomed to a (rarely enforced) five working day deadline were then broadsided with just four days to pay, including days that the cashier wasn't even open.
The college now admits that the day count was a technical error, and in an email addressed to the college's deans, Vice President of Student Affairs Angelica Suarez writes,"The system was corrected yesterday [Wednesday] to ensure that students have a full, five calendar days before being dropped for non-payment (120 hours). As a result of this issue, Student Services staff has been working with students who may have been dropped prior to the five days."
However, to our knowledge no statement has gone out to students informing them of this error or the possibility of remedy. There is no mention in Web Advisor, nothing on the college's home page.
Students: If you were among the hundreds dropped in error, go to the One Stop Center and ask to see Angelica Suarez (office: S105A; phone: 619-421-6700 X6315) to get your classes reinstated.
Coming up next: Full House at the Board
Faced with 25% fewer class offerings, SWC students and hopefuls rushed Spring registration with unprecedented fervor.
Registration opened on Monday, Nov. 9, by appointment. Students were given a specific date and time register and could do so any time at or after their appointment--or so they thought.
Unfortunately, even those with priority registration status were greeted with one of the following messages when they tried to log in to Web Advisor, the college's online registration system: "Too many sessions. Try again later" or "System Error Detected," ironically framed with the words "Enroll Today. Succeed Tomorrow."
Students tried frantically to register for classes, waiting up to ten hours to access the system. Many missed classes as they stayed at their computers while others recruited friends and family to stand by should Web Advisor become available. Some students gave up on Web Advisor altogether and traveled to the typically deserted Otay campus to register. Others braved long lines at Admissions on the main campus to register the old-fashioned way.
These newly-registered students' collective sigh of relief was cut short, however, when Web Advisor began churning out "you've been dropped" notices over the weekend. Traditionally given five working days to pay fees, hundreds of students were caught off-guard by a new five calendar day policy--and this in a week with a mid-week holiday.
Worse, the system was set up to count the five calendar days to include the day of registration. Students accustomed to a (rarely enforced) five working day deadline were then broadsided with just four days to pay, including days that the cashier wasn't even open.
The college now admits that the day count was a technical error, and in an email addressed to the college's deans, Vice President of Student Affairs Angelica Suarez writes,"The system was corrected yesterday [Wednesday] to ensure that students have a full, five calendar days before being dropped for non-payment (120 hours). As a result of this issue, Student Services staff has been working with students who may have been dropped prior to the five days."
However, to our knowledge no statement has gone out to students informing them of this error or the possibility of remedy. There is no mention in Web Advisor, nothing on the college's home page.
Students: If you were among the hundreds dropped in error, go to the One Stop Center and ask to see Angelica Suarez (office: S105A; phone: 619-421-6700 X6315) to get your classes reinstated.
Coming up next: Full House at the Board
Monday, November 16, 2009
Governing Board Meeting this Wednesday, Nov. 18, at 7:00 pm
Show up and speak up!
In response to requests from faculty, staff, students, and community members, the administration has agreed to hold this month's Board meeting in Cafeteria East instead of the usual Room 214.
This is welcome news to everyone who has spent the past two board meetings huddled outside in the dark listening to the proceedings over tiny (and tinny) speakers.
It should also be welcome news to anyone who has considered attending a board meeting but demurred given the circumstances. Now is the time.
Students are especially encouraged to attend and give their accounts of how the recent class cuts, registration problems, and free speech issues have impacted them. When the Board won't listen to faculty, when it won't listen to staff, when it won't even listen to the community, it will still listen to students. It's your college, students. Make your voice heard.
Here's the Governing Board Agenda.
In response to requests from faculty, staff, students, and community members, the administration has agreed to hold this month's Board meeting in Cafeteria East instead of the usual Room 214.
This is welcome news to everyone who has spent the past two board meetings huddled outside in the dark listening to the proceedings over tiny (and tinny) speakers.
It should also be welcome news to anyone who has considered attending a board meeting but demurred given the circumstances. Now is the time.
Protocol:
Just show up a bit before 7:00 and fill out a "yellow card." (They should be available as you walk in.) The card will ask for several pieces of information, but all that's really needed is your name and city. You do not need to cite an agenda item. Turn in the card.
"Oral Communication" occurs at or near the beginning of the meeting, and names of speakers will be called by the Board. Each speaker has three minutes. It's not necessary to use all three minutes, but you have up to that limit.
Students are especially encouraged to attend and give their accounts of how the recent class cuts, registration problems, and free speech issues have impacted them. When the Board won't listen to faculty, when it won't listen to staff, when it won't even listen to the community, it will still listen to students. It's your college, students. Make your voice heard.
Here's the Governing Board Agenda.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Revelations and Equivocations
Revelations
At today's faculty union (SCEA) meeting, it was revealed that in addition to questioning faculty, the administration has been calling in not only students who attended the 22 October rally but those who spoke at the earlier 14 October Governing Board Meeting.
Unlike faculty, students are not protected by a union or other organized group. One faculty member suggested that affected students contact the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF)
At the same time, the teacher suspensions are drawing the interest of several groups. CCA (the Community College Association) is already involved. CCA is the higher education affiliate of the California Teacher's Association (CTA). Nationally, CCA is affiliated with the National Education Association (NEA), the largest public employee association in the country. Both CTA and NEA are also taking an interest in the case.
In addition, the local chapters of the ACLU and NAACP have expressed a desire to assist in the case, as have organizations like FIRE (Foundation for Individual Rights in Education) and the Center for Campus Free Speech.
Equivocations
At 5:02 p.m. Acting Superintendent/President Nicholas Alioto (currently in charge with Chopra on vacation) issued a statement addressed to the "College Community." In the statement, Alioto claims that "no faculty have been suspended, as that is a disciplinary action. No disciplinary action has been taken."
This claim will no doubt come as a surprise to the faculty who have been left in limbo while indefinitely barred from campus and unable to teach their classes. It will probably also come as a surprise to everyone in the "College Community" who recognizes the administration's actions as an attempt to intimidate and to silence dissent.
Alioto's statement also cites "three areas" of "concern":
At today's faculty union (SCEA) meeting, it was revealed that in addition to questioning faculty, the administration has been calling in not only students who attended the 22 October rally but those who spoke at the earlier 14 October Governing Board Meeting.
Unlike faculty, students are not protected by a union or other organized group. One faculty member suggested that affected students contact the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF)
At the same time, the teacher suspensions are drawing the interest of several groups. CCA (the Community College Association) is already involved. CCA is the higher education affiliate of the California Teacher's Association (CTA). Nationally, CCA is affiliated with the National Education Association (NEA), the largest public employee association in the country. Both CTA and NEA are also taking an interest in the case.
In addition, the local chapters of the ACLU and NAACP have expressed a desire to assist in the case, as have organizations like FIRE (Foundation for Individual Rights in Education) and the Center for Campus Free Speech.
Equivocations
At 5:02 p.m. Acting Superintendent/President Nicholas Alioto (currently in charge with Chopra on vacation) issued a statement addressed to the "College Community." In the statement, Alioto claims that "no faculty have been suspended, as that is a disciplinary action. No disciplinary action has been taken."
This claim will no doubt come as a surprise to the faculty who have been left in limbo while indefinitely barred from campus and unable to teach their classes. It will probably also come as a surprise to everyone in the "College Community" who recognizes the administration's actions as an attempt to intimidate and to silence dissent.
Alioto's statement also cites "three areas" of "concern":
"a) Incitement of students to move outside the free speech area and to violate College policies"For anyone who was present, these accusations are laughable. For those affected, they surely constitute "disciplinary action."
"b) Disregard for warnings and directives of police officers"
"c) Physical confrontation with police officers"
Friday, October 23, 2009
SWC Teacher Suspensions Update
We still have no details on the justification for the suspensions, though the district denies that participation in the student rally played a role.
One faculty member, Janet Mazzarella, has been cleared to return to work on Monday. The other three remain suspended.
UPDATED: SWC President Raj K. Chopra is on vacation for three weeks, effective today. He was present to sign the orders of Withdrawal of Consent (to access the campus).
Human Resources Director Jackie Osborne (who helped serve the suspension notices) is also on vacation effective today.
San Diego Union-Tribune article addressing the suspensions.
One faculty member, Janet Mazzarella, has been cleared to return to work on Monday. The other three remain suspended.
UPDATED: SWC President Raj K. Chopra is on vacation for three weeks, effective today. He was present to sign the orders of Withdrawal of Consent (to access the campus).
Human Resources Director Jackie Osborne (who helped serve the suspension notices) is also on vacation effective today.
San Diego Union-Tribune article addressing the suspensions.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Student Rally!
Today's rally at SWC marked the beginning of a new era of activism for SWC students, staff, faculty, and even a few administrators.
The theme was "got classes?" and the message was clear.
With police officers standing by, one student after another took to the open mic, expressing how the class cuts were impacting not just themselves but their families and communities.
As the "free speech hour" drew to a close, participants decided to take their message beyond approved confines and marched to President Raj K. Chopra's office, where police blocked their way.
Student leadership says this rally is just the beginning.
The theme was "got classes?" and the message was clear.
With police officers standing by, one student after another took to the open mic, expressing how the class cuts were impacting not just themselves but their families and communities.
As the "free speech hour" drew to a close, participants decided to take their message beyond approved confines and marched to President Raj K. Chopra's office, where police blocked their way.
Student leadership says this rally is just the beginning.
Student Rally Today!
got classes?
The administration of SWC has decided that roughly 430 classes will be cut from the Spring ‘10 schedule. This reduction is nearly 25% of the course offerings and means that throughout the catalogue; almost 1 out of every 4 classes will not be offered for the students who are nearing graduation or transfer.
Most of the UC and CSU schools have begun closing their doors to new and transfer students due to the economic crisis. This limited availability of SWC courses may cause many students to wait another year or more beyond their desired transfer date and eliminate their ability to obtain their goals on time.
On October 14th, 2009, numerous students spoke out against these cuts; their voices were not heard. The Governing Board of SWC voted against holding a special meeting to discuss alternatives to these class cuts to better serve the students of Southwestern College.
The administration of SWC has decided that roughly 430 classes will be cut from the Spring ‘10 schedule. This reduction is nearly 25% of the course offerings and means that throughout the catalogue; almost 1 out of every 4 classes will not be offered for the students who are nearing graduation or transfer.
Most of the UC and CSU schools have begun closing their doors to new and transfer students due to the economic crisis. This limited availability of SWC courses may cause many students to wait another year or more beyond their desired transfer date and eliminate their ability to obtain their goals on time.
On October 14th, 2009, numerous students spoke out against these cuts; their voices were not heard. The Governing Board of SWC voted against holding a special meeting to discuss alternatives to these class cuts to better serve the students of Southwestern College.
BE HEARD!!!
Join us in rallying against these class cuts and finally
be heard!
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2009
11:00am
between the cafeteria
and the SWC Bookstore
Join us in rallying against these class cuts and finally
be heard!
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2009
11:00am
between the cafeteria
and the SWC Bookstore
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