You know something's wrong with a college governing board when its members need to be read their own mission statement. SWC founding professor Peter Watry wielded SWC's first catalogue at the governing board this month, scolded members for their recent decisions and then read the college's original mission statement to them. Let us hope they were listening.
Over the last two years SWC has been spiraling out of control. After campus reorganizations veiled in retaliation, bogus policies silencing staff and taking classes away from the very people for whom this college exists, the eyes of the nation are upon us.
Barring four professors from campus for supporting students speaking out against class cuts is only the most recent repressive tactic used by SWC administration to attack the foundation that this college is built upon, the expression of ideas. After much abuse, this college is finally finding its voice again. And it will not be silenced.
When the Founding Fathers of our nation decided to put together a list of unalienable rights, convenience was not their motivation. There were no exceptions in the Constitution for autocratic superintendents. Individuals are going to disagree and argue passionately for their viewpoint. But underneath all of that is the permeating concept of democracy. It lies within every opinion, within every point of view, and is so valued we send young Americans to die for it.
Democracy is not about convenience. It is about fighting for something bigger, even if that means staying an extra two hours at a governing board meeting to get it done. This college's student body cannot be quieted because it inconveniences the superintendent.
Following is a list of priorities for our governing board. Perhaps it would be helpful to read it as a demand. This is our revolutionary call for action and "no" is not acceptable. Our board has fiddled while Chopra has burned Rome. These things need to be done and quickly. The integrity of the college is at stake.
• Southwestern College needs to immediately revise the ironically-named Freedom of Expression Policy 5550 to include the entire campus as a free speech zone. This college is built on United States soil, and the last time we checked the First Amendment does not stop at the borders of this college. More importantly, colleges are made for teaching people how to think critically about world around them. Limiting free speech robs students of the most valuable learning experience.
• A public apology is owed to four faculty members unfairly placed on administrative leave. All reprimands on their records must be immediately removed. An egregious error in judgment was made by campus administrators which has placed SWC on the wrong side of individual freedom and free expression. This school has made a mockery of what education stands for and needs to make clear, sincere course corrections to regain face and avoid costly legal judgments.
• SWC needs to find a new solution to its budget woes that does not include cutting classes. The product of this school is our education. By cutting classes and silencing faculty, our product is being ruined. Education anywhere is one of the most important products of all and SWC has the unique privilege of servicing a community that sorely needs what we have to offer. Our Latino population is underrepresented in four-year institutions and we stand to help change that.
• This college needs to offer more classes. Even if everyone else is cutting SWC cannot afford to cut 40 percent of its classes when other local colleges are only cutting 8-10 percent. Our governing board says it is making cuts now to preserve the college for the future, but it is pulling the chair out from under the students who are already here. Classes should be the very last thing to be cut, after administrators and salaries. When the shirt is gone from your back, you can cut a class.
• SWC needs to restore its commitment to healthy communication and dialogue. Our Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution by sequestering themselves in a room to debate the issues. Democracy is a noisy business. What we have here is a totalitarian regime where opinions are ignored, or worse, silenced through intimidation. Unfortunately, what was once discord has now turned into hatred. Both sides have closed their ears and are looking for fault before hearing what is being said. It is time to start listening again.
• This dictatorship needs to come to an end. Dr. Raj K. Chopra needs to spend more time with his family and to stop messing up Southwestern College. December 31 would be an excellent day for him to leave SWC by retirement, resignation or termination. Enough is enough. Chopra no longer has the respect of any employee groups, the students or the community. He is D.O.A. already, but just has not figured it out yet. Our governing board has the moral obligation to help him find the door, one way or another.
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