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Letters to the Editor
Lawsuit was a last resort
As someone who played a role in filing the lawsuit about anti-Semitism, I would like to express my appreciation for and support of the University Chronicle editorial statement about the legal settlement Thursday.
Lawsuits should indeed be seen as a last resort. When state universities are increasingly strapped for cash and when students are expected to reduce the shortfall by huge hikes in tuition, million-dollar settlements are offensive - whatever the worth of centers or programs which are set up by those means. Things shouldn't come to such an end. I'd hoped they wouldn't.
About two years ago, I spoke out against anti-Semitism, homophobia and other forms of discrimination and then immediately began to be denigrated by my chair and by my dean, despite previous praise from them. I tried to resolve things in a low-key manner and use the mechanisms available to me on campus. I asked for mediation, a process in which people sit down with each other and a trained mediator and talk through a problematic situation. However, despite Dean Richard Lewis's official leadership role as a member of the SCSU Mediation Coordinating Committee, he did not agree to this nonadversarial, local solution to the situation which had arisen between us.
Nevertheless, I continued to try to work within the system. Only when it became clear that some administrators were intent upon terminating my employment at SCSU by means of illegally noncontractual (and, to my mind, unethical) actions did I hire an attorney.
My hope was that by doing so I would be able to continue to teach at SCSU. I had no interest in a financial settlement for myself. As the editorial writer notes, financial reparations do not mend all injustices suffered.
I continue to have difficulty accepting what has occurred. I was summoned to a settlement conference in July. At that conference, I was made the so-called "offer I couldn't refuse." Either I had to accept the settlement proposal or be fired, effective the next day and have to hire another lawyer and then file yet another lawsuit for wrongful dismissal. This was how the "offer" was presented to me by the state university system and SCSU.
So I signed.
My scheduled courses for this semester were oversubscribed; I've taught some of the students who had registered for them since they were freshmen and I was looking forward to seeing them through their senior year and celebrating their graduation with them. I wanted more than anything to return to the classroom.
Instead, I was told that I must submit a letter of resignation which would be effective August 2003 and not teach at all during this academic year. Beyond that -- unbelievably to me -- I was to vacate my office before the beginning of the semester, months prior to receiving a written offer of settlement. Again, if I didn't do so I would be fired immediately.
I'm now on paid study leave, which costs the university not only my salary, but salaries for those who are teaching "my" classes.
I'm no longer in St Cloud. I no longer teach the discipline I'm passionate about to students I respect and whose company I enjoy. I no longer have the opportunity to teach about where injustice may lead -- genocide -- or about Jewish history and culture, or about women's history, or about the two World Wars, or about the philosophical foundations of human rights.
I miss doing so; I miss SCSU. No, financial remuneration is not a way to mend injustices. The editorial writer is astute.
Laurinda Stryker
Seavey's experience atypical
I was saddened when I read (Carol Seavey's) editorial article about working in a casino childcare center. It is unfortunate you had to use that experience to draw so many conclusions about children and parents in daycare. You stated that you worked there for three years so I assume that you like children but came out of the experience feeling very negative about children, their family members and childcare centers in general. If you wish to see a progressive, accredited daycare program please visit SCSU's very own Lindgren Childcare Center located right on campus. The director and three lead teachers all have a Masters degree or beyond with many years of experience in childcare and development. The emphasis is on respect for each child and their family members and the best ways to have each child develop to his or her full potential. The atmosphere is focused on gentle kindness, diversity and creativity which lead to opportunity. The teaching to and learning from the staff to the children also works in reverse. This process begins with the infants. There is a continuous updating and exploring of current trends taking place at Lindgren Childcare Center. This takes commitment and funds but the investment is for the future in the children and is well worth it.
Mary T. Ballengee
Junior mother
Bell ringers should be allowed
We have been informed that this Christmas season, some stores are not allowing the Salvation Army to ring bells outside their stores. This makes us very angry because we think it is very important, especially during the Christmas season, to give to others! What are we saying as a society? We think we are saying that giving to others is not a top priority. Is that really what we, as a society believe? We don't! Because these bell ringers are not able to be in front of certain businesses this year, the Salvation Army could be losing about $20,000 in donations. This is just ridiculous! Some businesses say that they simply do not want solicitation outside of their buildings. Is that what they call caring people that are giving to people in need - solicitors? Just because there are people in our society that get everything under the Christmas tree that they want doesn't mean that everyone does. There are a lot of children who don't get anything for Christmas and some of them don't even have a house to live in. So we want to ask these businesses how they justify taking food, clothes and shelter away from children who need it? They justify it by making millions of dollars every year and not giving it back to the community. Where are our priorities? Obviously, to these certain businesses, people in need is not a priority, but making money is!
Karen Frit, Steph Wol, April Scharnberg
Social Work majors
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