Three Southwestern College professors suspended for two weeks for allegedly "inciting" students to march to the superintendents' office returned to campus unrepentant and willing to continue their support of students' free speech rights.
After being placed on administrative leave at their homes on Oct. 22, the evening of the rally, English Professor Andrew Rempt, English Professor Phil Lopez and Spanish Professor Dinorah Guadiana-Costa were informed on Nov. 4 that they could return to the campus.
All three professors said they had planned to make an appearance at the Southwestern College Education Association's (SCEA) community rally at the corner of East "H" Street and Otay Lakes Road, whether or not their leave had been lifted. SCEA held the rally on public sidewalks that do not fall under SWC's restrictive free speech policy. SWC is a "non-public forum" campus, according to official district policy.
"I didn't say or do anything," said Rempt "I will continue to speak out on matters that I think are important and support my students. If my crime is supporting my students then that's a ridiculous crime. That's the job of a teacher, that's the job of an educator."
A majority of those that attended the rally wore canary yellow t-shirts that read "support students, get suspended."
"I stand in solidarity with faculty who are being harassed," said Charles Eichel, 20, an SWC music student.
Superintendent Dr. Raj K. Chopra ordered Vice President Nicolas Alioto to hire attorney Nancy Soloman as an "independent investigator" to look into allegations made against the three professors by the district. Soloman's 27-page report was largely redacted and concluded that the "overwhelming evidence suggests that (Lopez) was in some manner physically aggressive or at least threatening to be so." Solomon's report was based primarily on interviews with campus police. Lopez emphatically denied acting aggressively. Witnesses at the scene corroborated Lopez's version of events.
Faculty leaders excoriated the investigation and said Soloman made no effort to contact other faculty and classified employees who witnessed the event.
"The investigation was paid for by Chopra so she (Soloman) is going to write what he wants to hear," said SCEA Vice President Andy MacNeill. "$15,000 and she wasn't able to talk to any of the witnesses other than campus police."
Soloman's contract with the district was to pay her up to $15,000 for the report.
On Nov. 13 Alioto sent a global e-mail to campus personnel that said the district should "discontinue the investigation." He also said administration would not forward the case to the district attorney.
Students and faculty have shown both support and relief to have Lopez, Rempt, and Guadiana-Costa back on campus. Bonita Vista High School student Nick Lopez, 16, came out to support his father.
Faculty decided to take this rally to the streets in order to raise community awareness. They marched up and down Otay Lakes Road, crossing all four corners of the intersection, chanting and holding their homemade signs. Commuters honked as they drove by in support.
"I don't think the students understand the impact class reductions have had until they see the spring classes cut," said Gail Stockin, professor of business. "Here is no reason to cut classes. They can cut administrative pay."
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