Orange blossoms were in the air today. A little early, yes, but an unmistakable sign of spring. It reminded Rebel Girl of her early years at the little college in the orange groves when the college was smaller and the groves larger. Student clubs sponsored orange picks on the weekends. Rebel Girl remembers immigrant women stopping to pick, not oranges, but orange blossoms, whole branches. They left a few dollars as those who picked the fruit did, not a lot, but what the fundraisers mostly raised were spirits and memories anyway. They knew that even then.
Today other things were in the air as well.
Rebel Girl and others received this disappointing information midday:
Because the District is expected to be 20 faculty positions over its Faculty Obligation Number this year, IVC will be hiring 6 new faculty positions plus 2 positions from last year, but cannot prudently hire beyond this number. The communication studies, geography, and learning disabilities positions (#7, #8, and #9 on the faculty prioritization list) are now pulled (stopped) and will not be filled this year. I am sure that these disciplines will be among the highest priority positions next year and should get early recruitments due to their expected location on the faculty priority list.
«Qué lástima», as Rebel Girl might exclaim in her clase de espanol.
One of the three positions now sidelined to next year is the long-waited replacement to fill a long vacated position – for a full-time Learning Disabilities Specialist. Rebel Girl believes that the college is out of compliance on this issue – but she may be wrong on this point. Do let her know. Anyone who teaches here can attest to the immediate need for such a position - now, tomorrow, yesterday, last year.
Among the positions continuing to receive funding are two positions at ATEP: one a Laser King and the other, his companion, a Wizard of Robots, for whose program there exists no curriculum. Nada.
The reassurances that these delayed positions will be get priority next year did little to assuage faculty. One smart fellow pointed out that, of course, this will cause a cascade effect – and folks hoping to hire next year, will have slimmer chances. Or none.
One of the three positions now sidelined to next year is the long-waited replacement to fill a long vacated position – for a full-time Learning Disabilities Specialist. Rebel Girl believes that the college is out of compliance on this issue – but she may be wrong on this point. Do let her know. Anyone who teaches here can attest to the immediate need for such a position - now, tomorrow, yesterday, last year.
Among the positions continuing to receive funding are two positions at ATEP: one a Laser King and the other, his companion, a Wizard of Robots, for whose program there exists no curriculum. Nada.
The reassurances that these delayed positions will be get priority next year did little to assuage faculty. One smart fellow pointed out that, of course, this will cause a cascade effect – and folks hoping to hire next year, will have slimmer chances. Or none.
Many were curious about Saddleback: Did IVC's sister college make the similar concessions? The answer appears to be NO. In response to her query this afternoon, Rebel Girl received this prompt reply from the president of Saddleback's Academic Senate:
"No, this is not happening at SC. I am somewhat confused by this decision because the faculty obligation number is a minimum not a maximum. Going over would be a college budget issue and not a FON [Faculty Obligation Number] issue."
Others wanted to discuss this burning issue with the college president but he was off campus today. Theories varied about whether he was playing golf, attending a meeting, jumping out of airplanes, coaching pals on how to best score jobs, taking pricey photos of zoo animals or all of the above. Some bemoaned the lost opportunity he had of sacrificing his pet positions of Laser King and Robot Wizard and making the magnanimous gesture of funding the positions that would meet the real and immediate needs of the most needy students.
There is more to say – Shared governance? Process? Justice? Student Success? – but the hour is late. La hora de la madrugada es cerca.
There is more to say – Shared governance? Process? Justice? Student Success? – but the hour is late. La hora de la madrugada es cerca.
* UPDATE: As of 10:30 this morning, the LD Specialist and Geography are still listed on the district website. We understand that the COMM position closed awhile back and that those applicants were contacted and told that the position had been cancelled. Some are wondering whether or not this decision could be reversed or altered in some way.
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13 comments:
Disgraceful. Of course Saddleback continues to hire. Of course we cut back. Of course lasers and robotics continue to move forward. Someone probably gets a big bonus for figuring out this plan to get by with fewer FT faculty. Shame. Vote of no confidence please.
Mucho messed up!
Where is the IVC Academic Senate president in this? Doesn't she have to sign off? Who
Perhaps all the special need students can take robotics and lasers. That will be fun.
We are committing to two full time hires that the president has basically strong armed the deans into selecting as deans choice. These positions don't even have board of governors descriptions. We don't have clear curriculum or even knowledge that we will have vibrant programs or students for these two disciplines. We are not even supporting the programs we have or meeting the dire need of an LD specialist. This is typical Roquemore with his head in space (literally). If you read this Glenn, I hope you feel guilty not supporting the faculty, the best interests of your college, or the students who need support the most.
Putting off the three positions not hired this year will mean three other positions NOT hired next year. So even if YOURS was not bumped this year, it likely will be next year. This is terrible for all sorts of reasons. The LD position at a time when the college is talking the talk of student success is even more disappointing. All it is is TALK. I hope the ACC pays attention to this one. It's a whopper.
Not to mention, an LD staff member was railroaded out of IVC last December. Wondering which genius came up with that brilliant idea...
Really? Who and why please.
Clarification: 6:12 seems to be asking 1:33 who the "LD staff member" was who (allegedly) was "railroaded" in December.
I heard it was Regina Orozco-Fernandez. What a shame too, such genuine dedication and concern for the LD students. Now they've got two part timers doing the mandated job. Whose bright idea was this?
She was railroaded, by whom?
We should insist that the Robotics position be delayed until there is clarity about the roll. How can you hire someone to fill all those disciplines without knowing exactly what they will be teaching? Will they sit around for 2 years writing curriculum that never gets passed? And, how do you determine minimum quals that cover so many disparate areas? This stinks on several levels.
Please pass the butter for that "roll."
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