ANTI-CHRISTIAN DISCRIMINATION? by Chunk Wheeler

     [Believe it or not, this article was cited by Chancellor Sampson in his attempt (at the urging of Raghu P. Mathur) to discipline me for allegedly violating the district’s anti-discrimination policy in some issues of Dissent/Vine. In particular, it was cited as evidence of my discriminating against CHRISTIANS. 

     [How so? By criticizing Mathur's praise of events associated with his faculty supporters and failure to praise events of Mathurian critics, I was thus understood as saying something negative about Gary Rybold, a person who seems to view himself as representing Christianity. 

     [You be the judge concerning this “discrimination” charge.] 

[From Dissent 11, 11/10/98] 

[Originally entitled:] DISTRICT EMAIL FROLICS 

by Chunk Wheeler 

     District email messages can be fun. 

     For instance, on the 9th, Dean Kenneth “Just let me teach!” Woodward sent out an email soliciting recommendations for the temporary Lariat advisory position for the spring. “Please pass the word around,” wrote Woodward, “that the position is open.” (Recently, Woodward predicted that the Lariat would be a fine paper again. I guess he knew then that Walker was about to retire.) 

     According to the message, Union Boy has been asked by President Bullock to “convene a committee to make a recommendation.” 

     Why are they going to all this trouble just to hire a temporary replacement? You’ll recall that the last Lariat advisor, the fine Kathleen Dorantes, was fired—not by her dean, but by the president—without warning or explanation. No “search committee” was involved in replacing her either. Lee “Lawsuit” Walker just bullied himself into the position. (That, of course, was the reason Dorantes, despite her quality and popularity, was dismissed.) The Lariat has since become a kiddie paper, one that emphasizes puff pieces, seldom covers real news, and often looks as though it were assembled by five-year-olds. As you know, students have blamed the situation on the remarkable Lee “Scratch” Walker. 

     Anyway, upon receiving the solicitation, I immediately emailed Ken the following message:

     KEN: Here’s a suggestion: how about Kathleen Dorantes? I seem to recall that she did a great job. 

     It turns out that others had the same idea and sent the same suggestion to the Kenster. No doubt Union Boy will take these suggestions very seriously. Hell, maybe, in the end, Dorantes will get back the permanent position, too. 

 * * * * * 

     Raghu “the Beav” Mathur is often at his most Mathurian in email messages. Take, for instance, this message we all received (at IVC) when we returned from the weekend [the 9th]:

TO: All Faculty, Staff and Administrators 

     I would like to share with you my pleasure and enthusiasm over two great events that I witnessed last Friday. 

     First, there was a great debate between the SOCCCD Forensics Team and the Chinese Forensics Team about the equality of the sexes in the Student Services Building at IVC. [Gee, I had no idea there was a problem with sexual equality over in SSB.] Kudos to Professors Gary Rybold (IVC) and Larry Radden (SC) for organizing this wonderful educational and international experience for our students, staff and the community members. The event was well attended. This event was co-sponsored by ASIVC and the IVC Chinese Cultural Association. Our sincere appreciation goes to the sponsors. 

     Second, my family and I thoroughly enjoyed the musical play, Fiorello, last Friday. It was a fantastic and most enjoyable production. No doubt the actors, actresses, musicians and support staff displayed their talents and professionalism of the highest order. Our kudos go to Professors Ron Ellison and Suzie DuVal, and Chief Technician, Jim Rynning. Go see the play if you get a chance. It runs through December 6, 1998. 

     [Here’s the best part:] 

     These are evidently two great examples of educators who truly care about the students, the college, and the profession. I know there are others in the college who are like them. It is indeed these and such educators who deserve our affection, support, respect and gratitude for jobs well done!    

     CONGRATLATIONS.  

 Raghu P. Mathur 

 President, Irvine Valley College 

     Undoubtedly, the educators Mathur praises in his email deserve commendation. But those who know the Goo know that the last paragraph of his message is intended as a comment. It is saying that there exist educators at IVC who don’t “deserve our affection, support, and gratitude” and don’t “care about the students, the college, and the profession.” 

     Do you doubt this? Just consider the facts: first, the two faculty mentioned prominently in Goo’s message—Rybold and Ellison—are “loyal” Mathurian cronies. 

     Second, oddly, faculty who have helped to bring about other successful and noteworthy events in recent days are not mentioned, not praised. Naturally, in every case, these faculty have been critical of the union-backed Goo. 

     For instance, former school chair (of Fine Arts) Steve Rochford, music instructor, recently put on a concert, a great success. He was not mentioned in Goo’s email. And, despite, radically reduced support, Lisa Alvarez recently published a fine edition of the Ear, the community journal sponsored by the fiercely independent School of Humanities and Languages. 

     She was not mentioned. 

     Alvarez and other Mathurian critics were involved in two MECHA-related events: a fine “Day of the Dead” celebration and a Hurricane Mitch relief drive, which was spearheaded by two MECHA students. (See Irvine World News.) These faculty were not mentioned. 

     Not long ago, two Mathurian “unfriendlies,” including Jan Horn of the Recall, were promoting a high-profile “cancer walk.” Naturally, Mathur refused to allow them to advertise for the event on campus or to make use of college email. 

     As I understand it, the students responsible for the hurricane drive, too, found the Gooster uncooperative when they sought his help in advertising. 

     It doesn’t get any uglier than that. —CW

   

     [Rybold was once called out for having his student debate teams engage in Christian prayer prior to debates.]