Mishka Zena

On Oct 17, 2006, at 12:52 PM, Karen Kimmel wrote:

Colleagues:

Despite the dark times we are experiencing we will emerge for the
better. We will come together to resolve the many issues that we must
finally face. I am fully aware our emotions are raw. I am aware that
oppositional views still exist.

Deaf Ebony is asking Administrators like yourself to honestly tell us
that you are actually aware of whats going on. Last time Deaf Ebony
checked you are an administrator who is acting like everything is fine
and business as usual. You are making a “come together” statement but
you are not coming together at all because the side you are on is set.
You administration are playing the stubborn game when you know its wrong
and yet you do nothing about it. This is your idea of coming together?

What is happening now is only creating more anger and destroying the
university.

Deaf Ebony thinks you are joking with this statement. In the wake of all
the anger and you as an Administrator are not doing anything about it.
That means actions not words! The actions of the Administration
(including you) are what is causing the anger and destroying the
university! Have you as an Administrator actually listened to student’s
concerns? I learned and read some in this list serv that you don’t even
listen to the Faculty that you manage. So entertain me with your meaning
with the above sentence.

Some are not fulfilling the duties of their positions.
Deaf Ebony says DUH! You and the Administration are the ones not
fulfilling the duties of your position! Better look at your
Administration job description again and make sure you understand every
word of it and if not you can always contact the Cognoscenti or the Deaf
Wazo for help.

Some are not delivering what has been promised to our students.

Deaf Ebony agrees with you that you failed miserably as an Administrator
to be there for students when you supported their arrest! Deliver us
something tangible. Go up to Dr. Fernandes and ask her to resign and
then you have delivered your promise to our students.

Some have stated the situation is beyond hope. That is absolutely not
true. We can face our problems and deal with them together–and without
the exclusion of any of the members of our community.

Deaf Ebony says there is hope for all of us. Only challenge is that hope
is being crushed by you and Administration with your tactics of
arresting students and oppressing students. Deaf Ebony thinks you are
included and your inclusion requires you to perform the duties vested in
you as an Administrator by joining forces with students.

I implore you to take the appropriate means of solving these issues.

Deaf Ebony is shocked that you are imploring others but yourself and the
rest of Administration! You as an Administrator have full accountability
to students and yet you behave like you have no idea what it means. Wait
“I don’t know” like your boss is famous for saying.

I have received an email from a student who stated, “My instructor told
me the only way for people to listen to you is to protest.” We are more
resourceful at solving problems than staging protests that have only
exacerbated the anger, the rumors, and the disruption of education.

Deaf Ebony continues to wonder where you have been! Do you honestly want
me to believe that if you and Administration followed the protocols of a
“dialogue” and not a “monologue” all this protest will be happening?
Have you forgotten that the Board and the President declared a
“stalemate” to SBG? Yet you think the protest is not justified?

Surely we can maintain our professional integrity by treating each other
civilly and focusing on our teaching and learning. Surely we are aware
our actions are not about hurting, threatening, or humiliating others.
Surely, we are respecting the obligations of our jobs.

Deaf Ebony thinks surely you must be kidding! What kind of education are
you and the Administration offering students with your stubborn approach
to get this situation resolved? What kind of professionalism are you
referring to when administration is ordering an arrest of students? What
do you mean our actions are not to hurt, threaten or humiliate others
with an arrest on television. Obligations of your job meaning you are
well aware that as an Administrator, parents trust their children to be
safe around Administrators but Administration ordered for them to get
arrested!

Classes are running. You as faculty and staff are expected to hold
classes in the designated times and locations. Please honor your
commitment to teaching and learning.

Deaf Ebony and other students know that classes are running at sub par!
Most of us can not focus on anything content matter of our class work.
Thanks to Administration who cares so much about our education that they
provided a nice distraction while we are getting charged top dollars!

Thank you.

Karen

Current Administration are very un-welcome until you join the students
in their cry.

Deaf Ebony

www.gallynet.org

Reprinted with permission by the moderator of the list.serv