Provost Follow-up

Glenn wrote:

I had a follow-up meeting with the provost today at 1:00. I get there on time and who do I see but the CART person who was moved out of my ADMG 310 class. Making small talk isn't really an option, but I did tell her that the teacher couldn't understand one of the transcripts she created. She looked a little embarrased about that. She should be ashamed of that transcript. She did more of the same in the provost's office, and I had a hard time following the meeting at times...having to reread what was on the reader laptop.

Basically, the provost said that he had two statements to make. The first was that the school is providing the best possible accommodations available. He asked me if I agreed with that. I told him NO. I explained that providing less experienced transcribers in a more difficult course wasn't "best possible." I also told him about the CART being absent once and late twice. That was a bit odd because she was sitting right there. Maybe she was uncomfortable with that. Big deal. He went back his statement that the school is providing the best available accommodations. Then he got to his second point, which was that he did not wish to discuss this any longer because I had gotten outside agencies involved. I told him that I felt I had no choice given that I wasn't able to get any results with the people inside, such as the administration. That was about the end of the meeting. What a waste of time that was. I really had a sick feeling in my stomach after that.

There are quite a few people who do not agree that the university is providing the best available accommodations, but the administration chooses to ignore that inconvenient fact. Rob Harden, as DSS director, created a situation where there would be very little experienced transcribers and the shoddy CART services I have been getting. The only reason it is the best available is because of the poor choices he has made. Students aren't important--not if you have a hearing impairment and require services.

I could have the accommodations that REALLY are the best available--at another university. But transferring to another university is not an easy task to undertake and would cost me time and money. I think what they are doing is discriminatory. And they are all ignoring the real facts--that the students are being put in a position where their educations are more of a challenge than they would otherwise be.

I honestly thought I would get more support from the provost. He'd been described as a "sharp guy" by people I trust. Maybe he is. But I think he is being misled. And now that he has chosen to stand with the school's other administrators, he has made his choice. A choice to back the people who discriminate against students.