Video of the May 27 board meeting

The district has now made available "streaming video" of the May 27 meeting of the SOCCCD Board of Trustees.

You can view the video by going to Archived Board Meetings at the district website. (Click on the blue words above. Then, at the site, click on the "video" link for May 27. Allow the video data to load.)

Among other things, the May 27 meeting included:

1. CARMEN DUMPED? Public comments about recent or planned changes in the (theater production) teaching assignments of Saddleback College's Academic Senate President, Carmen Dominguez.

Go to 16:45-43:00
DESCRIPTION OF DISCUSSION: Some student speakers suppose that Saddleback College's musical theater program is being cancelled. At the very start of the meeting, Trustee Wagner insisted that that rumor is false, hoping this would obviate public comments. (It didn't work.) Students and others who now speak refer to a move to “get rid of” Dr. Dominguez—as head of (or participant in?) musical theater program. The names of the dean (Rocky Cifone), colleague Patrick Fennel, and colleague Ellen Prince come up. (See Reefer Madness.) One speaker makes clear that their issue is not the program’s cancellation; it is, rather, removal of Carmen as head of the program. Students refer to Fennel's alleged remarks about Carmen's future and a vulgar remark about a student's mother. Reference is made to Prince being chosen by dean to replace Carmen. 25:11: Wagner asks aloud, is Carmen going anywhere? He has a brief exchange with Carmen. A “campaign" has been "launched against" Carmen, says one student. Several students warn that, if Carmen leaves, they will leave too. She’s being removed “for no apparent reason,” says one student.

2. WAGNER INSULTING? Public comments about Board President Don Wagner's remarks (re prayer at district and college functions) at the SC scholarship event. (See Wagner's "scholarship" remarks.)

Go to 43:02-59:45
DESCRIPTION OF DISCUSSION: A middle aged woman says she found Wagner’s remarks to be “extremely disrespectful,” as expressing “contempt.” Almost 1000 people lectured at, insulted, she says. Letter from two faculty who fund one scholarship. Now reconsidering the funding after “egocentric” and “mean-spirited” remarks by Wagner. According to Karla W, prayers have long been a feature of scholarship events and commencements, despite protests. Board received letter from Americans United for Separation of Church and State, urging trustees to cease prayers, and Wagner’s remarks were a response to that letter. Karla asks for a public apology from Wagner. Refers to Williams’ religious prayer at commencement as well. Another speaker describes Wagner’s “belligerence” and “antagonism.” One speaker announces will no longer support one of the scholarships. A speaker refers to Wagner’s “political grandstanding” and “disgraceful” behavior. Another speaker states that she will no longer participate in the ceremony, will no longer fund scholarship through this means. One instructor described negative student reactions to these prayers, especially from students who worship non-Judeo-Christian faiths.

Wagner responds (59:45): during trustee Reports (immediately following the above), Wagner responded with defiance. He won't take back anything he said. Accused the other side of contempt for the "majority."

3. PADBERG CONTRA WAGNER. Trustee Nancy Padberg's criticism of Wagner regarding those remarks

Go to 1:06:52
According to Trustee Padberg, Wagner did not give an invocation, he gave a political speech. She was offended. Would like to challenge Wagner to personally make up for all the scholarships we are losing “because of your actions.”

Cal State Fullerton's "loyalty oath" case resolved

In this morning’s LA Times: Cal State Fullerton lecturer allowed to add to oath:

A Cal State Fullerton lecturer who lost her job because she objected to signing a loyalty oath was reappointed Monday to teach next fall in an agreement worked out between the university and a national civil rights group. ¶ Wendy Gonaver, a Quaker and pacifist who said that California's required loyalty oath violated her religious beliefs and her right of free speech, will be allowed to attach a personal statement of her views when she signs the pledge.
…..
The loyalty oath was added to the California Constitution in 1952 in an attempt to force communists out of public jobs, but in recent years it appears to have done more to keep out religious believers, such as Quakers and Jehovah's Witnesses.
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Earlier this year, Cal State East Bay fired another Quaker instructor, Marianne Kearney-Brown, after she altered the oath by adding the word "nonviolently." She was rehired days later after her case became public. ¶ [Gonaver’s attorney Judith] Schaeffer said she expects Gonaver's settlement to set a precedent for other Cal State employees.
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Claudia Keith, a spokeswoman for the university system, said it would not be adopting a new policy on how to handle such cases but would notify administrators on the 23 campuses of the agreement in Gonaver's case. ¶ Keith acknowledged that the dispute could have been handled better, adding, "We certainly respect employees' rights to believe in anything they want to believe in."….