The historical second strike of Green River “Community” College has come and gone. On this, the college’s fiftieth anniversary, the faculty took to the streets with picket signs in hand and told the president to leave. As the dust settles, we can look back and give our thoughts on what has this strike accomplished and what can be done going forward. The first question that needs to be answered is was the strike a success? So far, keeping in mind it has only been a week, the strike has been met with criticism. Even though the strike was only three…
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The Parent Education course has been available at Green River for 50 years and has received a Reduction in Force (RIF) notice. Lesslie Kessler, Early Childhood Education instructor, said the program has been re-worked to be more cost effective to the college. Diana Holz, Early Childhood Education instructor, and Kessler said they want the program to continue even it is reduced. The program supports at-risk children and offers help to parents who require assistance in raising their children. Intructors of the program reach out to families and help prevents court orders. Relationships with families and their children is critical, Kessler said. The…
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The design drafting technology (DT) program was recently notified that they have received a Reduction in Force (RIF) notice for the first time. Like many other programs at Green River College (GRC), design drafting technology received an email regarding a RIF notice. A RIF notice essentially means that a program will be reduced in some shape or form, either by having some cuts made or eliminating the program altogether. If the Drafting Technology program were to be completely eliminated then that would mean that the college would no longer have a DT program, Terry Waagan, design drafting technology faculty, said. About two weeks…
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The Occupational Therapy Program at Green River College is at risk of potentially being cut along with many other programs due to budget issues and enforced by the Program and service Prioritization Process (PPP). This program was employed to help make critical changes in order for the college to experience an enhance of performance and allow programs to work at the highest quality of efficiency. “I hope these programs, including occupational therapy, don’t get cut,” Lindsay Morris, a counselor at Green River, said. Occupational therapy is a helpful and beneficial program, Morris said, but at the same time all programs at…
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Green River College offers a variety of clubs to its students, although not all of them get the same amount of attention. In fact, one club in particular tends to remain in the background, despite high involvement with students and the college community. This is the Criminal Justice Club headed by club president Amanda Bentz, a GRC student in the criminal justice program. Mary Jane Sherwood, a teacher in the same program, advises the club. The club was reformed during winter quarter by a few students involved in the criminal justice program in response to a teacher’s suggestion, according to Bentz.…
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The recent board of trustees meeting saw students and faculty voice their concerns over the recent Reduction in Force notices. Board Chairman Pete Lewis said all interruptions of the meeting will result in those individuals being asked to leave the meeting. “A board meeting is a meeting of the board members to hear people and make policies,” Lewis said. The ASGRC Student Government presented the 522 budget for the boards approval. The board reviewed the budget and unanimously approved it. A new state policy was also brought up during the meeting allowing the Board of Trustees to meet with faculty…
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Green River College is conducting a survey of student’s opinions and ideas on how to improve their college experience. During the May 26 AGRC senate meeting, the survey has only received around 500 results and they need more students to get a complete picture of the student’s views on Green River. You can participate in the survey through your Green River email. The surveys are anonymous, and your names or any personal information will not be shared with the college concerning your answers. The survey closes on Friday, May 27.
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The Green River Board of Trustees passed a resolution giving President Eileen Ely the power to take legal action against the faculty because of the strike. According to the resolution, Ely also has the power to make all personnel decisions, including firing faculty members. The Board of Trustees passed this resolution on May 23 during a special meeting with Tim Clark chairing the meeting while three other board members, Pete Lewis, Claudia Kauffman, and Sharonne Navas, participated over the phone. The resolution was passed unanimously by the Board of Trustees. You can read the entire resolution below: [pdf-embedder url=”http://www.thegrcurrent.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Green-River-College-Strike-Resolution.pdf”]
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The faculty have decided to go on an Unfair Labor Practice strike against the college and its administration due to concerns about potential program cuts and the handling of finances. Jaeney Hoene, United Faculty Coalition president, said the plan is to strike for three days and then return to work. Jamie Fitzgerald, English division chair, said the faculty are striking because of the administration’s refusal to communicate. All the faculty’s attempts to get the administration to listen to them have failed, and Fitzgerald said the strike is a signal to the state. “We know the administration won’t do anything,” Fitzgerald said.…
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A strike could be imminent as the faculty bet on their last horse in the race. Who will come out on top? No one. At this point, no one is going to be coming out without scars, having sacrificed something important. If the administration allows this strike to occur without talking with the union or the faculty this could further send Green River into financial straits. Right now we have a $4 million debt due to poor spending and even worse planning. A strike means students will not be able to finish their classes and some will not be able…