ABOVE: DACC Marketing Instructor Jen Slavic addresses Danville Area Community College Board of Trustees
After a long period of leadership changes, some dismissals, people given retirement deals not allowing them to speak; and significant word through the grapevine that instructors are afraid to speak out because they fear retribution; Thursday night’s (Sept 14) Danville Area Community College Board of Trustees meeting featured some passion and anger during “public comment” time.
Three of the faculty members who spoke were Math Professor Amber Anderson, Accounting Professor Angie Springer, and Marketing Instructor Jen Slavic. There was talk about DACC faculty no longer feeling valued and being afraid to speak up. But the number one theme seemed to be that the DACC president and board are hurting students by cutting classes for the wrong reasons.
In addition, Amber Anderson went back to early this year, when a new policy was made that anyone wanting to speak with someone on the Board of Trustees about some issue has to start by going through school president Dr. Randall Fletcher. That, she says, defeats the whole purpose.
AUDIO: Just with any supervisor; you shouldn’t have to necessarily go talk to them if they’re not working (out). You are allowed to go to the elected officials that are THEIR supervisor to get things handled.
(1st Picture) Math Instructor Amber Anderson returns to her seat after speaking. (2nd Picture) Former DACC Board member Tracy Cherry and others show emotion after hearing Accounting Professor Angie Springer speak.
Angie Springer stated that when instructors end up teaching an overload of classes, which is beyond 15 credit hours per semester, it is not because they are greedy. Instead, they are trying their best to meet the needs of students that they care about; and deliver to them the classes they need for graduation and certificates. Springer says the Board of Trustees may be forgetting that DACC is a “community” college; and that includes adult students trying to fit school into their busy lives; where in person face-to-face classes may not be convenient. She says it’s not right for students to see their classes disappear at the last minute. Springer says, sure, there were some justified cuts that needed to be made. But with the cutting of around 140 courses through this attack on overload; Springer says she has to wonder; “What is the board’s ultimate goal here?”
AUDIO: I do believe that there’s some fluff in our schedules. Absolutely, I believe that we can consolidate a couple of our courses. But I believe that we have done that. So, the ultimate goal? I’m not sure of that. I would like to know to. Because I don’t think that it’s student success.
Jen Slavic added that she knows student success matters to the faculty, because of what they’ve been doing to try and help students that suddenly had courses cancelled this semester.
AUDIO: I do believe we have good faculty here. I think we all are student centered and student friendly. I’m not 100% certain that the cuts and the different things that are happening on campus are student friendly.
(1st Picture) Board President Greg Wolfe (L) and DACC President Dr. Randall Fletcher (C). (3rd Picture) Student Trustee
Also speaking briefly were DACC Computer Science Professor Kathy Hunter; who stated, “Don’t underestimate what the faculty does for this college.” She was then followed by former DACC Board member, as well as former DHS and Schlarman Academy principal Tracy Cherry. She strongly that she hoped none of the faculty members who spoke out will face repercussions for doing so. Cherry concluded by saying, “Please don’t take it personal. Just do the right thing.”
The DACC Board of Trustees remained in “closed session” when CIMG Radio left Thursday evening’s meeting. But efforts will be made Friday to contact school president Dr. Fletcher and board president Greg Wolfe for possible comment.
