The SOUTH ORANGE COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT —
"[The] blog he developed was something that made the district better." - Tim Jemal, SOCCCD BoT President, 7/24/23
I came across this WACKY old DtB post based on something I reported in one of my newsletters in late 1997. It touches on some contemporary themes: cults, conspiracy theories, lunatics in charge, etc. Check it out:
Howard Dachslager was among the “other end of campus” faculty who viewed themselves as opposed to the Humanities (and Bio) faculty. The latter tended to have positions of authority at IVC—i.e., they actually participated in shared governance—Peter Morrison, Terry Burgess [then a VPI], Rebecca Welch, et al. The circumstance that some groups of faculty did not step up to fill these leadership positions (Senate, etc.) inspired the fallacy that a conspiracy "by Humanities" was afoot. Nope, it's just that the Hum folks were willing to do their part in shared governance while others seemed to have better things to do (e.g., make shitloads of money teaching overload, large-lecture classes, etc.). —RB, 12/21/20
From the ‘Vine, 11/8/97 [“The ‘VINE: the School of Humanities and Languages’ Unofficial Newsletter November 8, 1997”]
Howard’s End
Shelly, an IVC student government officer, told me on Thursday (the 6th [of November, 1997]) that math instructor Howard Dachslager visited IVC student government and gave a fine address. Students wanted to know how the recent reorganization would affect them. Howard was reassuring; he told students that, for years, the college was run by a “cult”—one like, said Howard, “the Branch Davidians.” He seemed to equate this cult with the faculty of the School of Humanities and Languages. According to Howie (said Shel), the cultists hold math in very low esteem, and they have managed to advance the interests of “the Humanities” while thwarting the interests of math, the sciences, and Voc Ed. [Howard was expressing a view that had often been expressed by Raghu.]
Inexplicably, Howard apparently cited the relative dearth of Math full-timers at IVC as evidence of the cult’s connivery. But wait! Haven’t math instructors themselves perennially blocked full-time math hires—contrary to the judgment of, among others, Humanities and Languages faculty? At any rate, such was the case when I was a senator for many years. I have often heard it suggested by reliable sorts that some math faculty have repeatedly blocked new full-time hires in order to maintain their stunningly lucrative teaching assignments.
Howard, it seems, is convinced that the elimination of the chairs in favor of deans will end the era of abuses at “north campus,” his term for IVC. “Power corrupts,” he said, and it has tended to corrupt chairs, especially those pesky H & L chairs on the grassy knoll. [Howard expressed similar views to me when we participated in an orientation for new Chairs in May or June of ’97.]
He did not explain why the same power, put instead in others’ hands, ceases to be corruptive.
Some of you might remember the issue, several years ago, concerning a tenured IVC Librarian, Carol Wassman, whose conduct became a problem for the college. Ultimately, she was fired. Her firing led to a lawsuit, which Wassman lost in 2016. She appealed. She lost that too. The opinion was filed two weeks ago (it became available for publication on the 21st).
I know about the latter filing because, tonight, I somehow happened upon the recent opinion on a site called “Justia.” Not sure how that happened.
You can find it here:
The South Orange County Community College District (the District) dismissed Carol Wassmann from employment as a tenured librarian at Irvine Valley College (IVC) in April 2011. Several years later, Wassmann obtained a right to sue notice from the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) and brought this lawsuit against the District, Karima Feldhus, Robert Brumucci [sic], Glenn Roquemore, Lewis Long, and Katherine Schmeidler. Wassmann, who is African-American, alleged causes of action for racial discrimination, age discrimination, and harassment in violation of the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), intentional infliction of emotional distress, and two other causes of action (not relevant here). The trial court granted two motions for summary judgment: one brought by the District Defendants and the other brought by Long and Schmeidler, on the ground the FEHA claims were barred by res judicata, collateral estoppel, or failure to exhaust administrative remedies, and the intentional infliction of emotional distress cause of action was barred by res judicata, collateral estoppel, or the statute of limitations. Wassmann appealed, but finding no reversible error in the grant of summary judgment, the Court of Appeal affirmed.
I looked over the opinion, filed 6-12-18. Here’s some info based on that reading:
Back in 2010, Wassman’s dean (Feldus) tried to deal with what she judged to be Wassman’s unprofessional conduct. Here’s the beginning of the section of the opinion that discusses that alleged conduct:
(The section describing the struggle to curb W’s [alleged] excesses is long and remarkable. I won’t go through all of that here. See the above link.)
During this period, Wassman, as a member of the Faculty Association (union), was represented by two union officers: L Long and K Schmeidler.
I was a friend of Carol’s, having gotten to know her on the Senate. At some point, I met with her and urged her to accommodate the dean to keep her job. I gently suggested that, if she lost her job and sued, she would not likely prevail. (I felt strongly that she didn't have a leg to stand on. Her conduct, what I knew of it, struck me as very unprofessional.)
She was not disposed to take such advice. "You can't afford to lose this job," I told her. (I knew something about her circumstances.) But she was unmoved.
Ultimately, Wassman was dismissed as a tenured librarian. That was on April 2011.
Wassman filed her lawsuit Dec 2013.
District defendants: [Dean] Feldus, [Vice Chancellor] Bramacci, [IVC President] Roquemore
FA defendants (!): Long and Schmeidler.
Ultimately, Wassman offered six causes of action. (1) age discrimination, (2) racial discrimination—disparate treatment, (3) harassment (hostile environment), (4) wrongful termination, (5) intentional infliction of emotional distress, (6) unfair business practices.
1, 2, 4, and 6 were applied to district defendants (i.e., Feldus, Bramucci, Roquemore).
3 and 5 were applied to all defendants (i.e., union officers Long and Schmeidler too).
Next: unsurprisingly, district defendants (Feldus, et al.) filed a motion for summary judgment. Long and Schmeidler also filed such a motion. This is a request that the court summarily deal with the case instead of going through all the trouble of a long trial. (I—i.e., my lawyer—made the same move in my 1st Amendment suit against the district in 1998.)
The trial court granted both motions.
That was a victory for defendants, a major loss for Wassman.
With regard to the district defendants: causes 1, 2, 3 were barred for failure to exhaust administrative remedies and “res judicata,” which, according to my Mac’s dictionary, is “a matter that has been adjudicated by a competent court and may not be pursued further by the same parties.”
Cause 5 failed because it was derivative of the above 3 causes, and because of the statute of limitations.
For L and S:
Cause 3 was barred for failure to exhaust administrative remedies.
Cause 5 failed because it was derived from the first three and because of the statute of limitations. Also, for technical reasons (incompetence of filing), Wassman had not actually managed to oppose L and S’s motion.
Wassman appealed.
At the end of the appeals process, the original judgment was affirmed.
Well, again, if you're interested in the details, go here: Justia Opinion
Situations like this cause administrators to adopt a slew of unfortunate CYA behaviors.
Can't really blame 'em, I guess. Litigation is hell. People start saying amazing things at you. It's hard to process that. You kinda get used to it, I guess, but still....
Once again Rebel Girl did her best to capture the spirit of the day as her faithful comrade and superior photographer was at home fulfilling his family duties. Congratulations to all.
Colleagues.
This student suffered a great loss in the final weeks of the semester but here he is, triumphant, as his mother would want him to be he told Rebel Girl.
This student met the man who would become her husband in our creative writing classes. She's off to CSU Fullerton.
Rosa decorated her cap.
Getting ready.
Daniel V. finishing his first year at IVC.
Nathan C. (aka Teacher of the Year) prepares his hood.
Jeanne tends to her granddaughter.
Rosa.
Audrey (right) is off to Berkeley.
One of Rebel Girl's favorite photos.
Next stop for Rosa, UC Irvine.
While walking back to the LA Building, Rebel Girl and Prof. Shank met this graduate who asked them to take her photo next to the blooming jacaranda tree. She'd been at IVC studying for 6 years and was moving on to CSU Fullerton. She would miss the college, she said. It had been a good place for her.
This year's cover: "Back Bay" a photograph by Peter Gerrard.
Last night, people gathered to celebrate this year's issue of The Ear, IVC's literary journal. It is the party of the year at the little campus of the orange groves, or so we like to think. Rebel Girl forgot her own fine camera so many of the photos which follow are courtesy of the paparazzi.
The Writing Center was transformed. It was standing room only for much of the evening.
Faculty editor, Professor Virginia Shank.
Students welcome Trustee Milchiker.
Trustee Marcia Milchiker, who also serves as VP of the SOCCCD Board of Trustees, attended. Marcia has been a longtime supporter of the literary arts at IVC. She stayed until the last cream puff was eaten.
The three most recent issues were offered for sale - and sold!
Trustee Milchiker read Lori Levi's poem, "In Israel, tasting Kumquats."
Mary Camarillo reads "Promises," an excerpt from her novel-in-progress.
IVC student Jia Mei Li reads her poem "Cartersville."
IVC student Alaina Kaplan reads her poems.
IVC student Lauren Yeoman reads her poem "Circle."
Prof. Kurt Meyer shares Mariella Lemus' poem, "Language Gap."
Wendy Esteras read her poem "OC Can U C?"
Longtime IVC student Carl Steen shares two poems from the issue.
IVC student Kelly Halasz reads her poem, "Don't Mind the Mess."
The IVC Foundation raised funds throughout the evening.
A $500.00 challenge match was met, netting $1,000 for The Ear.
Elephants were everywhere.
Here is Melon-phant, carved by Rebel Girl and gracing the buffet table.
The dessert table featured Prof. Shank's legendary cream puffs and a chocolate fountain.
It's not a party unless there's food. There was food. Good food.
Photo booth fun.
This year's staff.
You should have seen the students, their pride in their work, in themselves, in each other. It's a good thing we do. Kudos for the tireless Professor Shank for bringing The Ear back to life. Gratitude to all who helped sustain and defend.
