Relentless with their brash yet divisive decision-making, the Board of Trustees went ahead and voted in Dr. Rajen Vurdien as president of the college, a move that has sparked outcry from faculty, including a vote of No Confidence from the Academic Senate.
Editorial: Students have the right to know, even if it jeopardizes a career
Two weeks ago, Coleman Griffith was the latest in a long line of faculty members exiled to paid administrative leave. Senior Vice President Robert Bell, who told the Courier about Griffith’s leave, retracted his statement, saying that it was a violation of Griffith’s confidentiality. The truth of the matter is that students deserve to be told when and why a faculty member is put on leave, even at the cost of the professor’s reputation.
EDITORIAL: More vetting needed for Police Chief position
PCC will see its fifth employee in four years in the police chief position in Steven Matchan after the Board of Trustees decided to fire Don Yoder two weeks ago at its Nov. 17 meeting.
Editorial: Admin, Senate leaders must keep talking
Share: Today’s news that the administration and Academic Senate have reached an agreement on full-time faculty hiring is a positive sign that collegial discussion may be beginning to mitigate the bitter division at PCC. Follow:
EDITORIAL: Apologize about the real problem
It seems that every time the District tries to cover up the commencement debacle, it digs itself a deeper pit to fall into.
EDITORIAL: The McCollege of Pasadena
Share: Community colleges throughout the nation seem to be teaching their students on the cheap. And is it in the best interest of the student to be taught almost 60 percent of their community college education by part-time professors? Follow:
EDITORIAL: Oops they did it again
Did this administration make absolutely sure that the realignment of the college’s academic divisions would withstand legal scrutiny and follow Chancellor’s Office policies? Does comprehensive data exist to support such realignment? Were reasonable voices heard and, most importantly, is it in the best interest of students?
EDITORIAL: Cancelling winter intersession was illegal judge finds
Share: “Based on the foregoing findings of fact and conclusions of law, and the entire record in this case, it is found that the Pasadena Area Community College District violated the Education Employment Relations Act…by unilaterally implementing a trimester calendar.” This was the finding last week by administrative law judge Alicia Clement from the State of California Public Employment Relations Board. In other words the judge found that cancelling winter intersession was illegal. Almost everyone on campus warned the administration and the District not to …
EDITORIAL: Damage is done; apology is needed.
We believe the entire student body should have been informed immediately and officially that there might be problems with extended spring. This would have given the students more information to make informed decisions about their education.
A public apology from the administration to the students and faculty would be welcome and much needed in order to put all this behind us.
EDITORIAL: Administration should plan a 2014 winter session
The quickest and least painful way for the administration to defuse this crisis of confidence would be for it to immediately propose an official 2013-14 college calendar that includes a winter session. We urge it to do so without delay.