KFT Rally - News - 11-19-03


KFT RALLY ON NOVEMBER 19, 2003 PROTESTING FACULTY FIRINGS AND IN SUPPORT OF THE "KEAN 30" On Wednesday, November 19th, the Kean Federation of Teachers, Local 2187 held a protest rally in support of “the Kean 30”, untenured faculty who received letters from Interim Provost José Quiles stating he would not recommend their reappointment for the 2004-2005 academic year. Although the Interim Provost cited weaknesses in teaching, scholarship and/or service, nearly the entire targeted faculty received positive recommendations from both their department and college retention committees. This action is unprecedented not only at Kean University , but also in the recent history of the State Colleges and Universities. The University sent the Interim Provost's letters to junior faculty via certified mail on Friday, November 7th, so that most of them were delivered on Saturday or on the following Monday. By Monday November 10th, the KFT and Council learned of the magnitude of the threatened non-reappointments. The Council took immediate action to convince the University to extend its deadline for faculty appeals to the President from Friday, November 14th to Friday, November 21st. The Council staff spent many hours assisting affected faculty with writing their appeals. Overflow Crowd at Emergency KFT Meeting The KFT decisively responded to the University's attack by turning what was supposed to be a membership luncheon on November 12th into an emergency meeting. Over two hundred KFT members packed the Little Theatre, where KFT president Dean Casale informed them of the University's action against the junior faculty. The KFT distributed copies of a resolution condemning the University for the threatened dismissals and for flouting the peer review process. During the meeting, many senior faculty denounced “managerial intimidation” and declared support of their junior colleagues. Those at the meeting not only signed the resolution but also voted unanimously to pass it. KFT Holds Protest Rally The KFT planned the rally for Wednesday, November 19th during “College hour,” when no classes are held. Despite short notice, a crowd of over 200 faculty, students and members of other unions massed at the clock tower. KFT officers as well as students addressed the crowd. During the rally, unit members, students and volunteers circulated a letter directed to Governor McGreevey, which informed him of the dire situation at Kean, including the University's unprecedented threat to dismiss the “Kean 30.” Many signatures were obtained. Prior to the rally, the Kean University police chief told KFT President Dean Casale that University President Farahi had forbidden protesters from marching to the Kean Administration building, where Dr. Farahi has his office. Casale informed the gathering that he would walk to the Administration building alone to deliver the copies of the resolutions signed by faculty at the emergency meeting. When Casale began his walk across campus, supporters followed him carrying their signs, blowing whistles and chanting their support. The protest continued in front in front to the Administration building, as the police stood by. After delivering the resolutions, Casale thanked rally participants for their support. He specifically noted the presence of a delegation from NJCU Local 1839, consisting of Council Vice President Ivan Steinberg, John DeBrizzi, President, and Bob Arey, past president. DeBrizzi and Arey briefly addressed the crowd. Casale also thanked the other unions on campus, Communication Workers Local 1031 and IFPTE Local 195 for their participation. Finally he thanked the Kean campus police for their professionalism during the rally. University President Reacts to KFT Protests A few days later, President Farahi acted on the thirty recommended non-reappointments. He reversed twenty-two, upholding the dismissal of at least seven full time and one part-time faculty member. This still amounts to nearly 10% of the untenured faculty and our preliminary investigation reveals that most of them received strong positive recommendations from their peers. The fight is far from over. The KFT is planning additional protests on December 8, 2003 to coincide with the next Kean University Board of Trustees meeting. © CNJSCL College Voice Close this Window

On Wednesday, November 19th, the Kean Federation of Teachers, Local 2187 held a protest rally in support of “the Kean 30”, untenured faculty who received letters from Interim Provost José Quiles stating he would not recommend their reappointment for the 2004-2005 academic year. Although the Interim Provost cited weaknesses in teaching, scholarship and/or service, nearly the entire targeted faculty received positive recommendations from both their department and college retention committees. This action is unprecedented not only at Kean University , but also in the recent history of the State Colleges and Universities.

The University sent the Interim Provost's letters to junior faculty via certified mail on Friday, November 7th, so that most of them were delivered on Saturday or on the following Monday. By Monday November 10th, the KFT and Council learned of the magnitude of the threatened non-reappointments. The Council took immediate action to convince the University to extend its deadline for faculty appeals to the President from Friday, November 14th to Friday, November 21st. The Council staff spent many hours assisting affected faculty with writing their appeals.

Overflow Crowd at Emergency KFT Meeting

The KFT decisively responded to the University's attack by turning what was supposed to be a membership luncheon on November 12th into an emergency meeting. Over two hundred KFT members packed the Little Theatre, where KFT president Dean Casale informed them of the University's action against the junior faculty. The KFT distributed copies of a resolution condemning the University for the threatened dismissals and for flouting the peer review process. During the meeting, many senior faculty denounced “managerial intimidation” and declared support of their junior colleagues. Those at the meeting not only signed the resolution but also voted unanimously to pass it.

KFT Holds Protest Rally

The KFT planned the rally for Wednesday, November 19th during “College hour,” when no classes are held. Despite short notice, a crowd of over 200 faculty, students and members of other unions massed at the clock tower. KFT officers as well as students addressed the crowd. During the rally, unit members, students and volunteers circulated a letter directed to Governor McGreevey, which informed him of the dire situation at Kean, including the University's unprecedented threat to dismiss the “Kean 30.” Many signatures were obtained.

Prior to the rally, the Kean University police chief told KFT President Dean Casale that University President Farahi had forbidden protesters from marching to the Kean Administration building, where Dr. Farahi has his office. Casale informed the gathering that he would walk to the Administration building alone to deliver the copies of the resolutions signed by faculty at the emergency meeting. When Casale began his walk across campus, supporters followed him carrying their signs, blowing whistles and chanting their support. The protest continued in front in front to the Administration building, as the police stood by.

After delivering the resolutions, Casale thanked rally participants for their support. He specifically noted the presence of a delegation from NJCU Local 1839, consisting of Council Vice President Ivan Steinberg, John DeBrizzi, President, and Bob Arey, past president. DeBrizzi and Arey briefly addressed the crowd. Casale also thanked the other unions on campus, Communication Workers Local 1031 and IFPTE Local 195 for their participation. Finally he thanked the Kean campus police for their professionalism during the rally.

University President Reacts to KFT Protests

A few days later, President Farahi acted on the thirty recommended non-reappointments. He reversed twenty-two, upholding the dismissal of at least seven full time and one part-time faculty member. This still amounts to nearly 10% of the untenured faculty and our preliminary investigation reveals that most of them received strong positive recommendations from their peers. The fight is far from over.

The KFT is planning additional protests on December 8, 2003 to coincide with the next Kean University Board of Trustees meeting.

Close this Window