Spring Break
Staff Editorial: Questions merit more than 'because I said so'
By Staff Editorial
in OpinionIssue date: 12/13/07 Section: Opinion
College is a time for people to mature into adults. Where intelligent dialogue between reasoning individuals incorporates exam-ination of decisions made by both authority and subordinates.We are not in the military, where blind obedience is the expected conduct. Colleges are known for their innovative cogitation. New theories, new cures, new methods and new understanding are all products of collegiate communities.
Apparently, OCC is different. At Monday's board of trustees meeting, Pat Demko questioned the decision to exclude her from the search committee to hire a tenure-track fulltime chemistry professor. Demko pointed out she is the only graduate-degree holder in chemistry who currently teaches fulltime at OCC.
Normal protocol for a search committee would be to include the most qualified individual in the field. Questions regarding the deviation from normal protocol should have been fully answered at the trustees' meeting, and the decision should have been justified with a valid response. Instead Jon Larson, president, and Frank Wetta, vice president of academic affairs, treated Demko and, consequently, anyone who questioned or questions their decision like a petulant child. Larson's answer at the meeting was Wetta made the decision, and "Frankly, that should be sufficient." That response sounds eerily like the statement made by moms everywhere to their questioning toddlers, "Because I said so; I'm the mom."
When Wetta was explaining the credentials of the adjunct professor on the search com-mittee, he said the professor has taught for 38 semesters and had 15 years experience as a research chemist. That is false information. The adjunct professor was a production chemist. Production chemists supervise production of chemicals and materials on an industrial scale. Research chemists are responsible for theoretical and experimental research that can have profound effects on the world of chemistry.
Most research chemists have PhDs. The adjunct professor has a bachelor's degree in chemistry and a master's degree in business administration. One could even question the decision to have him teach at the college in something other than business administration.
We believe the entire search committee is flawed, as have been many at OCC over the last six years. We also believe the administration's decision to exclude the most qualified professor is foundationally flawed. Further, we believe the answer given to both Demko and the board has no place in an institution of higher learning. That answer would be appropriate for a general engaging in battle with his troops, but it is completely off base when addressing an enlightened college community.
Apparently, OCC is different. At Monday's board of trustees meeting, Pat Demko questioned the decision to exclude her from the search committee to hire a tenure-track fulltime chemistry professor. Demko pointed out she is the only graduate-degree holder in chemistry who currently teaches fulltime at OCC.
Normal protocol for a search committee would be to include the most qualified individual in the field. Questions regarding the deviation from normal protocol should have been fully answered at the trustees' meeting, and the decision should have been justified with a valid response. Instead Jon Larson, president, and Frank Wetta, vice president of academic affairs, treated Demko and, consequently, anyone who questioned or questions their decision like a petulant child. Larson's answer at the meeting was Wetta made the decision, and "Frankly, that should be sufficient." That response sounds eerily like the statement made by moms everywhere to their questioning toddlers, "Because I said so; I'm the mom."
When Wetta was explaining the credentials of the adjunct professor on the search com-mittee, he said the professor has taught for 38 semesters and had 15 years experience as a research chemist. That is false information. The adjunct professor was a production chemist. Production chemists supervise production of chemicals and materials on an industrial scale. Research chemists are responsible for theoretical and experimental research that can have profound effects on the world of chemistry.
Most research chemists have PhDs. The adjunct professor has a bachelor's degree in chemistry and a master's degree in business administration. One could even question the decision to have him teach at the college in something other than business administration.
We believe the entire search committee is flawed, as have been many at OCC over the last six years. We also believe the administration's decision to exclude the most qualified professor is foundationally flawed. Further, we believe the answer given to both Demko and the board has no place in an institution of higher learning. That answer would be appropriate for a general engaging in battle with his troops, but it is completely off base when addressing an enlightened college community.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Lev D. Zilbermints
posted 2/01/08 @ 6:31 PM EST
It is absolutely incredible how high-handed the administration of Ocean County Community College is.
They are renovating the Administration building, but not the ones where students congregate in most? Making changes without student participation? Excluding qualified professors to hire less qualified? The list goes on and on. (Continued…)
Uyniawk
posted 8/20/08 @ 8:35 AM EST
You people are pathetic.
Caldwell Movers
posted 1/07/10 @ 2:09 PM EST
Wow, I wasn't aware that this was the type of approach the administrators were taking. It's certainly unprofessional and even a little suspicious.
Post a Comment