By Gloria Dulan-Wilson
Does Culture Have Relevance to Higher Education? Of course it does
Statement to the New York City Council Committee on Education
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
By Gloria Dulan-Wilson
Paraphrasing educational psychologist, in "The Concept of Guided Participation"
the concept of guided participation highlights that cognitive development occurs in a social context while extending sociocultural theory beyond language-based dialogue. College student’s cognitive development is an apprenticeship of sorts that occurs via guided participation in social activities with companions, mentors and organizations who support and stretch their understanding of and skill in using the tools of the culture.
Academic or extracurricular centers provide a vehicle for guided participation that focuses more centrally on the interrelatedness of students and the broader society.
While “guided” does not necessarily mean face to face interaction, it does provide exposure and experiential opportunities. For example, a student working on a research report in isolation is still “guided” by the faculty, staff, librarians, classmates, the publishing industry, parents, the broader community who help shape the writing of the research report as a cultural activity. Tying culture to the relevancy of what the student has chosen for a major or for his or her life’s work is also an important function of the MEC college, as it is with any of the other CUNY campuses.
Ironically, Italian students are provided with more than ample opportunity to tie in their cultural heritage from Italy to those who early on came to the US for a better life. It shows a great deal of pride in the maintaining of newsletters that are clearly Italian oriented; programs and activities that reach out to the Italian community; programs that are based on traditional Italian rituals. Italians don’t have any problem with having Italian-American programs.
But when it comes to AFRICAN-AMERICAN, or AFRICAN-CARIBBEAN, or AFRICAN oriented programs that are designed to enhance the lives and educational experiences of AFRICAN-AMERICANS - PROBLEM.
Why? What is the issue with our having the same enlightened programs and activities - even a newsletter - that speaks to the cultural uniqueness of people of AFRICAN HERITAGE? Would it not be the same as those of Italian heritage?
Didactically speaking, the instructional implications are these: “Informed by a sociocultural perspective, learning is thought to occur through interaction, negotiation, and collaboration. While these features are characteristic of “cooperative learning,” what sets instruction that is informed by sociocultural theory apart is that there is also attention to the discourse, norms, and practices associated with particular discourse and practice communities. The goal of instruction is to support students to engage in the activities, talk, and use of tools in a manner that is consistent with the practices of the community in which students will interact, as our future scientists, mathematicians, historians, politicians, etc.
Now, somehow the foregoing concept appears to be perfectly clear and acceptable when it comes to the non-Black society, but appears to be problematical when it comes to those of us who are Black. Why is that. What is the problem with CUNY, from whom the foregoing was paraphrased, can’t make the extrapolation?
When I interviewed the late Percy Ellis Sutton, former Boro President of Manhattan, founder of the Inner City Broadcast Company, entrepreneur, intellect, political figure, hero, I asked him what stood out most in his mind as the motivating factor for so many things he accomplished: he responded that his father had made it a policy to keep them (his brothers and sisters) with so many great Black people of accomplishment and intellect. He thought that having met Carter G. Woodson when he was a kid, and learning of so many things that Black people had accomplished - even back in the day - also inspired him to go beyond the mediocre.
Henry Louis Gates is a distinguished professor of African American History at Harvard University. Director of the WEB DuBois Institute for African and African American Research. What do you think would happen if suddenly Harvard University declared Dr. Gates not relevant to Harvard? There would be a hue and cry that would be heard around the world. Why does Pollard, Goldstein, Johnson and Herschenson think that we would sit quietly by and state that the members of the Bunche DuBois Center, that the Center for NU Leadership, are no longer relevant to the Brooklyn Community and that they can just destroy and dismantle it with impunity? They are only hired by the CUNY System - they don’t own it. And they do owe a responsibility to the Brooklyn Community, and the broader general community of greater New York City to abide by and provide for the same sociocultural programs as Harvard does.
Roger L. Green represented District 57 in the New York State Assembly, which comprises Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights, Park Slope and Bedford-Stuyvesant. He was first elected in 1980, and provided stellar service to his constituents until he stepped down in 2006. · In 1983, Coretta Scott King and labor leader, Cleveland Robinson asked Green to serve as the New York State Political Coordinator for the Memorial March on Washington. It was during this period that Green authored the bill that established the New York State Martin Luther King Holiday Commission and the New York State Martin Luther King Institute. In 1985 and 1986 in conjunction with the founding of the National Holiday, Governor Cuomo signed these bills into law.
· From 1986–1991, the New York State Martin Luther King Institute trained more than 1000 high school and college students through its Ella Baker Academy. Students participating in this program learned the theory and practice of non-violent conflict resolution. Students were also provided with an opportunity to study civil rights and human rights social history.
In 2006, Green retired from the New York State Legislature . Shortly after, the Chancellor of the City University of New York and the President of Medgar Evers College, appointed him as a Distinguished Lecturer. Green currently teaches a course that explores the historical significance of the freedom amendments, 13th , 14th , 15th and 19th Amendments, and their influence on state and local government.
Roger Green was/is also the Director of the Dubois-Bunche Center on Public Policy, a think tank dedicated to advancing best practices in law, policy, and community covenants that advance social and economic justice for urban communities within the U.S. and throughout the African Diaspora.
ROGER GREEN’S presence at Medgar Evers College is as relevant to Brooklyn, and Henry Louis Gates presence is to Harvard University. Dr. Gates W.E.B. DuBois Center for Africana Studies is relevant as is the Bunche DuBois Center. The BUNCHE-DUBOIS Center at Medgar Evers College must be reinstated under its original leadership immediately and without prejudice. They must be made whole.
Congressman Major Owens, now a faculty member in the Department of Public Administration at Medgar Evers College, retired from Congress at the end of his term in January 2007, and was succeeded by Yvette Clarke. The Congressman received his BA from Morehouse College and a master of science degree from Atlanta University; and was a librarian before entering politics. He was elected to the New York state Senate in 1974.
He authored the treatise on Communiversity, which is the contract that Medgar Evers College and CUNY has with the Community.
In 1982, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, replacing the retiring Shirley Chisholm. One of his achievements in the House was the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Owens district included low income areas of Brownsville, a large Hasidic area of Crown Heights, the heavily Caribbean areas of Flatbush and East Flatbush, and the upscale neighborhood of Park Slope.
Major Owens received an "A" on the Drum Major Institute's 2005 Congressional Scorecard on middle-class issues. For those who don’t remember, the character Mark Richardson in The West Wing, a show no longer on the air, is believed to be based on Owens. Richardson plays an African-American Congressman from Brooklyn who looks a lot like Owens.
Owens is nicknamed the "Rappin' Rep" since he writes raps. His rap songs are often political and liberal in nature.
Owens is also the father of actor Geoffrey Owens, best known for playing the role of Elvin on The Cosby Show. (wikipedia)
An intellectual and pragmatist of the highest order, Congressman Owens called himself the Education Congressman, and firmly believes that an education is not just didactic, but the sum total of what can be brought to bear culturally as well as intellectually. He believes that Pollard and CUNY have violated the concept of COMMUNIVERSITY, the tenets upon which Medgar Evers was established.
Carter Godwin Woodson, a Black historian, author, journalist and the founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, was one of the first scholars to value and study Black History. He recognized and acted upon the importance of a people having an awareness and knowledge of their contributions to humanity, and left behind an impressive legacy. A founder of Journal of Negro History, Dr. Woodson is known as the Father of Black History (wikipedia)
Convinced that the role of his own people in American history and in the history of other cultures was either being ignored or misrepresented among scholars, Woodson realized the need for research into the neglected past of African Americans. Along with Alexander L. Jackson and three associates, he founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History September 9, 1915, in Chicago. (wikipedia) Now I cite Dr Woodson because it is apparent that neither the CUNY administration, nor Dr. Pollard are familiar with these issues or concerns.
Our Dominican and Puerto Rican Brothers and sisters are embarking on doing for themselves what we as Black people were doing for our selves at Medgar Evers. By the way, in case you did not notice, in case no one told you, our you were not able to observe by empirical observation: MEDGAR EVERS COLLEGE IS A BLACK SCHOOL - IT IS BLACK, AFRICAN, AFRICAN AMERICAN, AFRICAN CARIBBEAN, AFRICAN LATINO - it is Black. It is the only Black College in New York.
Dr. Woodson published The Education of the Negro Prior to 1861; A Century of Negro Migration (1918) and The History of the Negro Church (1927); The Negro in Our History.
In January 1916, Woodson began publication of the Journal of Negro History (I grew up on these publications - they were in my home as well as those of my relatives). It has never missed an issue, despite the Great Depression, loss of support from foundations and two World Wars. In 2002, it was renamed the Journal of African American History and continues to be published by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH).
Dr. Woodson worked to preserve the history of African Americans and accumulated a collection of thousands of artifacts and publications. He noted that African American contributions "were overlooked, ignored, and even suppressed by the writers of history textbooks and the teachers who use them. “Race prejudice is merely the logical result of tradition, the inevitable outcome of thorough instruction to the effect that the Negro has never contributed anything to the progress of mankind."
In 1926, long before Stevie Wonder, Dr. Woodson single-handedly pioneered the celebration of "Negro History Week", for the second week in February, to coincide with marking the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. In the 1980’s after a massive national movement on the part of Black people, Negro History Week became Black History Month and was celebrated throughout February.
Dr. Woodson believed in self-reliance and racial respect, values he shared with Marcus Garvey. Back in the day Woodson also wrote for Garvey's weekly Negro World. Woodson collaborated with such Black luminaries as W. E. B. Du Bois, John E. Bruce, Arturo Alfonso Schomburg (founder of the Schomburg Library in Harlem), Hubert H. Harrison, and T. Thomas Fortune among others.
In 1933 Dr. Woodson wrote The Mis-Education of the Negro which continue to have wide readership - they reprint it every 10 to 20 years, but the message continues to miss the mark. Dr. Woodson was perfectly clear that the only ones responsible for preserving and telling our history was we ourselves. We can share the information, but no one can do the telling or preserving for us, but us. Just as our counterparts at CUNY who have the center for the Italian Students, the Centers for Asian students, etc.
Dr. Edison Jackson made it possible for Carver Bank to have ATMs on Medgar Evers Campus. He obviously had a sense of history and connectedness. Carver Bank was named after famed scientist and inventor, George Washington Carver. William Pollard had Carver Bank kicked off campus and replaced by Citibank -on a Black Campus. Who is CitiBank named for?
The purpose of a college or higher education is both for the practical application of instruction and information, as well as the acculturation and refinement of those who come to the institutes of higher learning. Being in the environs of those who have made their mark in the world, who look like those who aspiring to do so is an inspiration in and of itself, is as important as classroom activities. We live in a dynamic community, not a static community.
What would happen if Hostos College students and faculty were suddenly told that they could not speak Spanish, or they could not have community based programs, or Dominican heritage studies. What do you think would happen?
What if Yeshiva University - not part of CUNY, but you understand the analogy - was told that there would be no Jewish or Hassidic information or influences on campus, and their learned scholars were suddenly evicted from the campus, and all their personal computers were seized, and their hard drives confiscated? What do you think would happen?
What do you expect when this kinds of heinous egregious acts are now perpetrated against the programs at Medgar Evers College. These kinds of moves parallel that of Nazis - and Gestapo actions. They cannot be tolerated. CUNY does not deserve a red dime for any of the other programs until the programs at Medgar Evers are fully reinstated with the originators in place; until those who have worked diligently and tirelessly to bring quality to Medgar Evers: Dr. Zulema Blair, Roger Greene, Dr. Divine Pryor, and others, are fully reinstated to their offices, at full salary, plus compensation for their losses - IMMEDIATELY, IF NOT SOONER.
The perpetrators against Medgar Evers College must go. IMMEDIATELY, IF NOT SOONER. They have set up an atmosphere of hostility and adversity on Medgar Evers Campus, where faculty, students, staff feel threatened and cheated. The Black community stands firmly that the CONTRACT FOR COMMUNIVERSITY must be adhered to.
My statement and I’m sticking to it. ###
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
Presented to the New York City Council Hearing on
Academic Centers for CUNY
March 8, 2011
Please note: that Brooklyn's City Council Member CHARLES BARRON and Bronx City Council Member LARRY SEABROOK, walked out of the hearings in protest when it was discovered that the committee presenting the program for the hearings were all white, without one representation from any of the African, African America, African Caribbean or African Latino Students and CUNY's many campuses.
The Students themselves spoke out at a recently held Spoken Word Event (3/16/11), in depicting the dismantling of Medgar Evers as though they were walking on Medgar Evers Grave, and putting up a gate to keep the Black students away from their destiny.
But that's a separate article for another edition.
STAY BLESSED &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
SPECIAL EVENT ALERT ADVISORY:
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IF ON THE OTHER HAND YOU ARE LOOKING TO BECOME A FIRST TIME HOMEBUYER AND NEED FREE DOWN PAYMENT, CLOSING COSTS AND A MORTGAGE 1% BELOW PRIME RATE, THEN YOU SHOULD ATTEND THE WORKSHOP AT BEDFORD CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH FROM 6:30 TO 8:30
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FOR MORE DETAIL, CHECK OUT THE NEXT BLOG POSTING.
STAY BLESSED GDW
Gloria Dulan-Wilson Blog/ ECLECTICALLY BLACK NEWS
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VIP: Views . Interests . Perspectives
Showing posts with label Roger Green. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Roger Green. Show all posts
3.09.2011
3.07.2011
Update:CUNY Chancellor/MEC Pres Mock the Memory and Legacy of Medgar Wiley Evers: Attack on Center for NU Leadership and the MEC Black Think Tank
By Gloria Dulan-Wilson (originally published 3/07/2011)
I’m going to start this off with a quote from Dr. Divine Pryor. It’s so heavy I didn’t want to leave it to the end of this article:
“For the past seven years, The Center for NU Leadership on Urban Solutions has successfully created opportunities for people entangled in the law to access higher education as a way to transforming their lives. Our attempt to secure a multi-million dollar grant was only an effort to formalize what we have been doing informally over the past seven years. It’s unfortunate that President William Pollard and his administration could not appreciate the fact that members of the Center for NU Leadership are living, breathing examples of what is possible when an individual decides to transform their lives after making a mistake.
It’s ironic that we can be proud of the fact that New York City has one of the most effective garbage recycling systems in the world, but somehow President Pollard doesn’t believe that a human being can be recycled.” Dr. Divine Pryor, March 6, 2011
Now for those of you who have been following these issues, or who are embroiled in the task of saving the school, the Medgar Evers College situation continues “to get curioser and curioser” - to paraphrase Alice in Wonderland. Speaking of which, given the specious assertions and allegations on the part of CUNY’s legals, one has to wonder what they’re up to really.
It kind of pivots between “here we go again,” and “oh no! Not that stupid stuff again!” You can decide after I outline the facts.
Fact: Center for NU Leadership was founded by Dr. Divine Pryor and Eddie Ellis some 7 years ago to help those who had run afoul of the law, lead better lives by providing them with a college education, so that they could make a positive contribution to society and their communities.
Fact: Dr. Edison O. Jackson, then President of Medgar Evers College, in wanting to provide services to a broader range of the population in and around Brooklyn and the greater New York Area, invited Dr. Pryor to establish an office for the Center for NU Leadership, so that those previously incarcerated who were looking to change their lives could matriculate at Medgar Evers College. Additionally, they maintained an open door policy, so that applicants and participants could come in from the street and be assisted in obtaining the education needed to provide them with career strategies and goals.
Fact: Over the past 7 years Center for NU Leadership has successfully assisted over 200 applicants graduate from Medgar Evers and enter into such arenas as legislative offices, corrections, the court systems, district attorney’s offices and non-profit organizations.
Fact: For such a small staff that’s a major track record - particularly since they are still fully employed, and continuing to make positive contributions to the community, setting a positive example for the youth and peers with whom they interact.
Fact: President William Pollard doesn’t get it. His allegation that the program exposed the campus to criminal elements, which, by the way, has not been a problem in the entire 7 years they have been affiliated with the campus, is a sad indictment on a person who looks like us, has a similar pigmentation, but it all stops there - scratch that surface, and there is something completely different lurking underneath. Howard Johnson, who serves as provost, is equally culpable, as evidenced by his hostile and aggressive actions against Center for NU Leadership, the Bunche DuBois Center, faculty, staff, and students. But, in addition to his not getting it - is the even sadder (read sicker) fact that he apparently doesn’t care.
Fact: Chancellor Goldstein apparently really doesn’t care - about Pollard, about Medgar Evers College, about the Black students, about the Brooklyn Community. He is about the “my way or high way” approach. The only thing is that the strings are showing and the puppet and puppet master are both about to be caught up in them.
Fact: The eviction of Center for NU Leadership on Urban Solutions from Medgar Evers College was heinous and unconscionable. It was based on racism and stereotypes. It was an affront to the men and women who have worked diligently to turn their lives around. And an even greater affront to Dr. Pryor who has dedicated his time, talent, intelligence and energy to developing what the prisons systems could or would not do, a viable program that spoke (speaks) to the needs of those in our community who have been disenfranchised by a system that would rather criminalize them than provide them with the education they deserved.
Fact: The confiscation of the Center for New Leadership’s computers (which they owned outright), and the confiscation of their hard drive was not only egregious, but criminal on the part of CUNY and Medgar Evers College. It not only violates their rights as an organization, but there are certain intellectual property laws, copyright infringement, as well as other rights to privacy that have been trampled in this newest racist attempt to denigrate this organization.
Fact: The allegation of a criminal investigation being their cause for seizing Center for NU Leadership‘s property, as alleged by the legals of CUNY, has no basis in fact. Not only were there no presentations of warrants, or any of the other protocols that would precede a search and seizure procedure, there has never been any necessity for an investigation of any type until the fabrication on the part of MEC’s new administration.
Fact: There is so little regard for Black people on the part of the CUNY administration, that they apparently disrespected the Black elected officials who tried to meet with them to ameliorate the problem and bring, what they had hoped would be a positive solution to a problem that has now mushroomed out of proportion. One community leader stated very matter of factly: “White people having no regard for Black people is not new. We’ve lived with that all our lives. But to have a person who is supposed to be Black, participate in the dismantling of an institution that has been built by the efforts of a community dedicated to educating their youth, and providing them with a legacy, goes to very heart of self-hatred; and cannot be tolerated.”
Fact: State Supreme Court Judge Kramer, who presided over the hearing, Friday, March 4, 2011 in the Supreme Court in Brooklyn, could not believe that the legals of CUNY were refusing to return the hard drive from the Center for NU Leadership’s computers. (Judge Kramer had ordered Medgar Evers to return to NuLeadership computers that the administration had confiscated in
mid-December but that were purchased independently by the center).
Fact: Subsequent hearing date set for April 8, 2011, during which time the CUNY legals will try to make those allegations hold water. While we put nothing past their trying to justify their actions, and prove their allegations (given the nature of the individuals involved), through manufactured evidence, the fact still remains that there is not now, nor has there ever been any reason to seize the materials, equipment, supplies owned and operated by the Center for NU Leadership.
Fact: The Medgar Evers faculty issued a vote of no confidence in Pollard, stating he is betraying the mission of a college presumably dedicated to the academic needs of the urban poor and working class.
Fact: On March 8, 2011, the New York City Council is holding hearings on academic excellence and the necessity of cultural programs to round out the educational millieu. The hearings will be held at 250 Broadway, 14th Floor hearing room at 2:00PM. We are holding a press conference on the steps of City Hall at 1:00pm. Would like to have as many people from the community present as possible.
Fact: MEC/CUNY’s stupidity Brooklyn's loss and SUNY’s gain. SUNY has offered to house the Center for NU Leadership, blowing holes in the allegation that they presented a criminal element on the MEC campus. If there was so much danger, why would SUNY offer them a considerable increase in funding as well as space and support. What Goldstein, Pollard and Johnson have essentially done is deprived the Brooklyn community of an essential program that has provided services for the growing number of ex-offenders who are returning to the community. *(see press release below)
NB: While SUNY will be housing the program on their campus, that should not obviate the demand that a branch of the center be re-established at Medgar Evers with full staff and equipment, immediately, if not sooner. In fact, faculty, staff, programs that were in existence upon Pollard’s arrival, must be completely reinstated and MADE WHOLE, WITHOUT PREJUDICE.
Fact: Under the leadership of President Edison O. Jackson, Medgar Evers College had amassed some of the greatest minds in Black culture, politics, history and leadership, including former New York State Assemblyman Roger Green, Congressman Major Owens, Dr. Zulema Blair, Dr. Brenda M. Greene, Dr. Betty Shabazz (deceased), Ambassador Pursoo. It was a magnate for some of the greatest minds and leaders who frequented the campus affording the students an opportunity to be involved in leading edge issues and endeavors. The underhanded manner in which these and others have been treated has left a stain on the schools reputation as a center for higher learning and a magnate for genius.
Fact: Under the tyranny of Goldstein, Pollard and Johnson, more damage has been done to revert the campus back to pre-Jackson days when the school was floundering for an identity and direction.
Fact: If the Brooklyn Community, and the greater New York Community, the elected officials, and the students, parents, and faculty, don’t act immediately and take a stand for Medgar Evers College, the dream and goal of a COMMUNIVERSITY will have been destroyed, right along with so many other important programs and institutions we and our predecessors have fought long and hard to establish in the Black community. THAT MUST NOT HAPPEN.
Fact: My father used to say, “there’s nothing worse than an educated fool, or the person who knows the cost of everything but the value of nothing.” There is also nothing worse than a people or a community who will sit idly by and allow the educational and cultural future (and present) of their children to be trampled on, with out taking a stand.
QUESTION: NOW THAT YOU KNOW, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?
Contact and support the MECCoalition@gmail.com
Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
PS: I could not close this article without quoting someone else that Ive admired for a long time, Dr. Robert Schuller of the Crystal Cathedral in California. He always spoke about "Turning your scars into stars." And to me that is precisely what Dr. Divine Pryor has been doing with the Center for NU Leadership on Urban Solutions.
*IN CASE YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THIS, I'M APPENDING IT TO THIS BLOG:
Center for NuLeadership on Urban Solutions Finds
New Home at SUNY Old Westbury College
Brooklyn, N.Y. – In a visionary move, SUNY Old Westbury College, under the leadership of its president Dr. Calvin O. Butts, has invited the Center for NuLeadership on Urban Solutions to leave embattled Medgar Evers College (MEC), relocate its operation on the Long Island campus and open a SUNY satellite site in Brooklyn, thus allowing them to continue working there. The leadership of the Center concluded that as long as President William Pollard and Provost Howard Johnson are in charge of MEC, they will never provide a favorable work environment for them. Senior officials at SUNY Old Westbury say that NuLeadership has accepted their offer and submitted a detailed proposal which “is being given serious consideration.”
The invitation by SUNY Old Westbury allows the college to extend its reach into New York City, through Central Brooklyn, and to provide greater opportunities for its students to acquire internships, engage in community oriented research and have an urban office that serves as a direct pipeline for future enrollments. In addition to the invitation from SUNY, NuLeadership has received offers to work with one of the largest labor unions in the city and to further collaborate with a faith based academic institution. Both these offers are being considered as part of an integrated and comprehensive restructuring of their capacity building.
The move to SUNY comes on top of two outstanding Court victories for NuLeadership in its multi-count lawsuit against CUNY which is pending in Brooklyn Supreme Court. The suit challenges CUNY for their illegal attempt to evict the Center, invasion of the Center’s privacy, theft of their computers and confiscation of personal and intellectual property. In a stunning defeat for CUNY and Medgar, the Honorable Justice Herbert Kramer refused to grant their motion to dismiss the case. Instead, he granted the Center for NuLeadership, represented by attorney Ron McGuire, a temporary restraining order against the eviction, declared the seizure of their computers unconstitutional and ordered CUNY to show cause. The case is scheduled for additional hearing on April 8, 2011.
The Center for NuLeadership on Urban Solutions is headed by Dr. Divine Pryor, Eddie Ellis, Kyung Ji Rhee and Chino Hardin, who are all plaintiffs in the lawsuit. It is the first and only public policy, research, training, advocacy and academic Center in the country, conceived and operated by formerly incarcerated professionals. It was established ten years ago as an inter-disciplinary forum for scholars, policy makers, legal practitioners, law enforcement, civil society leaders, clergy and those previously incarcerated who are seeking to influence and impact urban contemporary social, economic and criminal justice issues. Its innovative policy and advocacy initiatives cover both adult and juvenile systems from a community level perspective.
According to Dr. Divine Pryor, executive director of the Center, “this move to SUNY is a major achievement. It is a natural evolution that allows us access to the state university system. Since our involvement with the criminal justice/punishment system is both national and statewide, our moving to SUNY Old Westbury greatly and further facilitates the work.”
The Center for NuLeadership on Urban Solutions will continue and expand its public policy development, lead the national debate regarding the need for a “nu-justice paradigm” in the adult and juvenile justice systems, and offer instructional services, counseling and support to the formerly incarcerated community in Brooklyn and throughout the state, with a special focus on those seeking higher education.
Eddie Ellis, co-founder of the Center for Nuleadership noted, “We have worked with SUNY Old Westbury’s President, Dr. Calvin Butts and Vice President Hakim Lucas, for many, many years. Their commitment to justice policy reform, system realignment and support for the social service work of our Center has deep roots and is a perfect fit. We are honored to accept their invitation. The possibilities before us are unlimited.”
I’m going to start this off with a quote from Dr. Divine Pryor. It’s so heavy I didn’t want to leave it to the end of this article:
“For the past seven years, The Center for NU Leadership on Urban Solutions has successfully created opportunities for people entangled in the law to access higher education as a way to transforming their lives. Our attempt to secure a multi-million dollar grant was only an effort to formalize what we have been doing informally over the past seven years. It’s unfortunate that President William Pollard and his administration could not appreciate the fact that members of the Center for NU Leadership are living, breathing examples of what is possible when an individual decides to transform their lives after making a mistake.
It’s ironic that we can be proud of the fact that New York City has one of the most effective garbage recycling systems in the world, but somehow President Pollard doesn’t believe that a human being can be recycled.” Dr. Divine Pryor, March 6, 2011
Now for those of you who have been following these issues, or who are embroiled in the task of saving the school, the Medgar Evers College situation continues “to get curioser and curioser” - to paraphrase Alice in Wonderland. Speaking of which, given the specious assertions and allegations on the part of CUNY’s legals, one has to wonder what they’re up to really.
It kind of pivots between “here we go again,” and “oh no! Not that stupid stuff again!” You can decide after I outline the facts.
Fact: Center for NU Leadership was founded by Dr. Divine Pryor and Eddie Ellis some 7 years ago to help those who had run afoul of the law, lead better lives by providing them with a college education, so that they could make a positive contribution to society and their communities.
Fact: Dr. Edison O. Jackson, then President of Medgar Evers College, in wanting to provide services to a broader range of the population in and around Brooklyn and the greater New York Area, invited Dr. Pryor to establish an office for the Center for NU Leadership, so that those previously incarcerated who were looking to change their lives could matriculate at Medgar Evers College. Additionally, they maintained an open door policy, so that applicants and participants could come in from the street and be assisted in obtaining the education needed to provide them with career strategies and goals.
Fact: Over the past 7 years Center for NU Leadership has successfully assisted over 200 applicants graduate from Medgar Evers and enter into such arenas as legislative offices, corrections, the court systems, district attorney’s offices and non-profit organizations.
Fact: For such a small staff that’s a major track record - particularly since they are still fully employed, and continuing to make positive contributions to the community, setting a positive example for the youth and peers with whom they interact.
Fact: President William Pollard doesn’t get it. His allegation that the program exposed the campus to criminal elements, which, by the way, has not been a problem in the entire 7 years they have been affiliated with the campus, is a sad indictment on a person who looks like us, has a similar pigmentation, but it all stops there - scratch that surface, and there is something completely different lurking underneath. Howard Johnson, who serves as provost, is equally culpable, as evidenced by his hostile and aggressive actions against Center for NU Leadership, the Bunche DuBois Center, faculty, staff, and students. But, in addition to his not getting it - is the even sadder (read sicker) fact that he apparently doesn’t care.
Fact: Chancellor Goldstein apparently really doesn’t care - about Pollard, about Medgar Evers College, about the Black students, about the Brooklyn Community. He is about the “my way or high way” approach. The only thing is that the strings are showing and the puppet and puppet master are both about to be caught up in them.
Fact: The eviction of Center for NU Leadership on Urban Solutions from Medgar Evers College was heinous and unconscionable. It was based on racism and stereotypes. It was an affront to the men and women who have worked diligently to turn their lives around. And an even greater affront to Dr. Pryor who has dedicated his time, talent, intelligence and energy to developing what the prisons systems could or would not do, a viable program that spoke (speaks) to the needs of those in our community who have been disenfranchised by a system that would rather criminalize them than provide them with the education they deserved.
Fact: The confiscation of the Center for New Leadership’s computers (which they owned outright), and the confiscation of their hard drive was not only egregious, but criminal on the part of CUNY and Medgar Evers College. It not only violates their rights as an organization, but there are certain intellectual property laws, copyright infringement, as well as other rights to privacy that have been trampled in this newest racist attempt to denigrate this organization.
Fact: The allegation of a criminal investigation being their cause for seizing Center for NU Leadership‘s property, as alleged by the legals of CUNY, has no basis in fact. Not only were there no presentations of warrants, or any of the other protocols that would precede a search and seizure procedure, there has never been any necessity for an investigation of any type until the fabrication on the part of MEC’s new administration.
Fact: There is so little regard for Black people on the part of the CUNY administration, that they apparently disrespected the Black elected officials who tried to meet with them to ameliorate the problem and bring, what they had hoped would be a positive solution to a problem that has now mushroomed out of proportion. One community leader stated very matter of factly: “White people having no regard for Black people is not new. We’ve lived with that all our lives. But to have a person who is supposed to be Black, participate in the dismantling of an institution that has been built by the efforts of a community dedicated to educating their youth, and providing them with a legacy, goes to very heart of self-hatred; and cannot be tolerated.”
Fact: State Supreme Court Judge Kramer, who presided over the hearing, Friday, March 4, 2011 in the Supreme Court in Brooklyn, could not believe that the legals of CUNY were refusing to return the hard drive from the Center for NU Leadership’s computers. (Judge Kramer had ordered Medgar Evers to return to NuLeadership computers that the administration had confiscated in
mid-December but that were purchased independently by the center).
Fact: Subsequent hearing date set for April 8, 2011, during which time the CUNY legals will try to make those allegations hold water. While we put nothing past their trying to justify their actions, and prove their allegations (given the nature of the individuals involved), through manufactured evidence, the fact still remains that there is not now, nor has there ever been any reason to seize the materials, equipment, supplies owned and operated by the Center for NU Leadership.
Fact: The Medgar Evers faculty issued a vote of no confidence in Pollard, stating he is betraying the mission of a college presumably dedicated to the academic needs of the urban poor and working class.
Fact: On March 8, 2011, the New York City Council is holding hearings on academic excellence and the necessity of cultural programs to round out the educational millieu. The hearings will be held at 250 Broadway, 14th Floor hearing room at 2:00PM. We are holding a press conference on the steps of City Hall at 1:00pm. Would like to have as many people from the community present as possible.
Fact: MEC/CUNY’s stupidity Brooklyn's loss and SUNY’s gain. SUNY has offered to house the Center for NU Leadership, blowing holes in the allegation that they presented a criminal element on the MEC campus. If there was so much danger, why would SUNY offer them a considerable increase in funding as well as space and support. What Goldstein, Pollard and Johnson have essentially done is deprived the Brooklyn community of an essential program that has provided services for the growing number of ex-offenders who are returning to the community. *(see press release below)
NB: While SUNY will be housing the program on their campus, that should not obviate the demand that a branch of the center be re-established at Medgar Evers with full staff and equipment, immediately, if not sooner. In fact, faculty, staff, programs that were in existence upon Pollard’s arrival, must be completely reinstated and MADE WHOLE, WITHOUT PREJUDICE.
Fact: Under the leadership of President Edison O. Jackson, Medgar Evers College had amassed some of the greatest minds in Black culture, politics, history and leadership, including former New York State Assemblyman Roger Green, Congressman Major Owens, Dr. Zulema Blair, Dr. Brenda M. Greene, Dr. Betty Shabazz (deceased), Ambassador Pursoo. It was a magnate for some of the greatest minds and leaders who frequented the campus affording the students an opportunity to be involved in leading edge issues and endeavors. The underhanded manner in which these and others have been treated has left a stain on the schools reputation as a center for higher learning and a magnate for genius.
Fact: Under the tyranny of Goldstein, Pollard and Johnson, more damage has been done to revert the campus back to pre-Jackson days when the school was floundering for an identity and direction.
Fact: If the Brooklyn Community, and the greater New York Community, the elected officials, and the students, parents, and faculty, don’t act immediately and take a stand for Medgar Evers College, the dream and goal of a COMMUNIVERSITY will have been destroyed, right along with so many other important programs and institutions we and our predecessors have fought long and hard to establish in the Black community. THAT MUST NOT HAPPEN.
Fact: My father used to say, “there’s nothing worse than an educated fool, or the person who knows the cost of everything but the value of nothing.” There is also nothing worse than a people or a community who will sit idly by and allow the educational and cultural future (and present) of their children to be trampled on, with out taking a stand.
QUESTION: NOW THAT YOU KNOW, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?
Contact and support the MECCoalition@gmail.com
Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
PS: I could not close this article without quoting someone else that Ive admired for a long time, Dr. Robert Schuller of the Crystal Cathedral in California. He always spoke about "Turning your scars into stars." And to me that is precisely what Dr. Divine Pryor has been doing with the Center for NU Leadership on Urban Solutions.
*IN CASE YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THIS, I'M APPENDING IT TO THIS BLOG:
Center for NuLeadership on Urban Solutions Finds
New Home at SUNY Old Westbury College
Brooklyn, N.Y. – In a visionary move, SUNY Old Westbury College, under the leadership of its president Dr. Calvin O. Butts, has invited the Center for NuLeadership on Urban Solutions to leave embattled Medgar Evers College (MEC), relocate its operation on the Long Island campus and open a SUNY satellite site in Brooklyn, thus allowing them to continue working there. The leadership of the Center concluded that as long as President William Pollard and Provost Howard Johnson are in charge of MEC, they will never provide a favorable work environment for them. Senior officials at SUNY Old Westbury say that NuLeadership has accepted their offer and submitted a detailed proposal which “is being given serious consideration.”
The invitation by SUNY Old Westbury allows the college to extend its reach into New York City, through Central Brooklyn, and to provide greater opportunities for its students to acquire internships, engage in community oriented research and have an urban office that serves as a direct pipeline for future enrollments. In addition to the invitation from SUNY, NuLeadership has received offers to work with one of the largest labor unions in the city and to further collaborate with a faith based academic institution. Both these offers are being considered as part of an integrated and comprehensive restructuring of their capacity building.
The move to SUNY comes on top of two outstanding Court victories for NuLeadership in its multi-count lawsuit against CUNY which is pending in Brooklyn Supreme Court. The suit challenges CUNY for their illegal attempt to evict the Center, invasion of the Center’s privacy, theft of their computers and confiscation of personal and intellectual property. In a stunning defeat for CUNY and Medgar, the Honorable Justice Herbert Kramer refused to grant their motion to dismiss the case. Instead, he granted the Center for NuLeadership, represented by attorney Ron McGuire, a temporary restraining order against the eviction, declared the seizure of their computers unconstitutional and ordered CUNY to show cause. The case is scheduled for additional hearing on April 8, 2011.
The Center for NuLeadership on Urban Solutions is headed by Dr. Divine Pryor, Eddie Ellis, Kyung Ji Rhee and Chino Hardin, who are all plaintiffs in the lawsuit. It is the first and only public policy, research, training, advocacy and academic Center in the country, conceived and operated by formerly incarcerated professionals. It was established ten years ago as an inter-disciplinary forum for scholars, policy makers, legal practitioners, law enforcement, civil society leaders, clergy and those previously incarcerated who are seeking to influence and impact urban contemporary social, economic and criminal justice issues. Its innovative policy and advocacy initiatives cover both adult and juvenile systems from a community level perspective.
According to Dr. Divine Pryor, executive director of the Center, “this move to SUNY is a major achievement. It is a natural evolution that allows us access to the state university system. Since our involvement with the criminal justice/punishment system is both national and statewide, our moving to SUNY Old Westbury greatly and further facilitates the work.”
The Center for NuLeadership on Urban Solutions will continue and expand its public policy development, lead the national debate regarding the need for a “nu-justice paradigm” in the adult and juvenile justice systems, and offer instructional services, counseling and support to the formerly incarcerated community in Brooklyn and throughout the state, with a special focus on those seeking higher education.
Eddie Ellis, co-founder of the Center for Nuleadership noted, “We have worked with SUNY Old Westbury’s President, Dr. Calvin Butts and Vice President Hakim Lucas, for many, many years. Their commitment to justice policy reform, system realignment and support for the social service work of our Center has deep roots and is a perfect fit. We are honored to accept their invitation. The possibilities before us are unlimited.”
2.28.2011
Medgar Evers Coalition for Academic Excellence Makes a Big Showing at the Black, Puerto Rican & Asian Caucus
By Gloria Dulan-Wilson
Well now that I've recouped from one of the busiest weekends of Black History Month, I have finally gathered up the strength and energy to write this article.
The MEC Coalition took its concerns to Albany last weekend, during the 40th Annual Black and Puerto Rican and Asian Legislative Caucus and placed it squarely on the plates of the elected officials.
Armed with petitions, flyers, parent, student and educator support, they spoke individually and collectively with the elected officials in regards to the egregious acts that have been lodged against New York's only predominantly Black college.
The center of the controversy, William Pollard, newly selected president chosen to replace the outgoing Edison Jackson, who retired after 20 years of successfully leading and expanding the college from a near failure to one of immeasurable success; closely followed by his hand-picked provost Howard Johnson, appeared to have had the same idea. They sponsored a bus with students from Medgar Evers, in an effort to put on a dog and pony show, to persuade the officials that they were doing a positive job.
However, their efforts fell far short of their mark, despite a well crafted speech delivered by State Senator Eric Adams. His support of academic excellence, is of course, laudable. Something all can agree to. However, his speech, eloquent though it was, does not assuage the fact that Pollard and Johnson have eviscerated several essential programs that were part and parcel of what made Medgar Evers such a great success: The Center for NU Leadership, started by Dr. Divine Pryor, and recruited on to the campus as an integral part of their outreach by Dr. Jackson; and the DuBois Bunche Institute, founded and fostered by former Assemblymember Roger Green, Congressman Major Owens, among others, were both ousted from the campus - for what purpose? And what did the termination of these programs have to do with academic excellence? Additionally, MEC had the only Black Think Tank on campus, comprised of historical figures, entrepreneurs, political leaders, formerly elected officials, all of whom were drawing cards for other programs and funding sources. (It should also be noted that the program ended abruptly after Senator Adams' speech, and members of the audience were not afforded the opportunity of asking questions or making comments).
But back on the subject of academic excellence: One wonders what the rationale could have been for curtailing open enrollment for students who were aspiring to new career goals? Congressman Owens, who was part of the originating members who supported the establishment of Medgar Evers reminded us all that the premise of the school was based on the concept of COMMUNIVERSITY. And that there were several contracts drawn between the community and the CUNY bigwigs have been thrown under the bus.
It's clear that things are very much amiss at the college. In fact, anyone walking through the corridors, which were once alive with engaged students, will readily notice the ghost-town like appearance of the halls. Gone are the encouraging bulletin boards, the announcements of opportunities for student participation and achievements that used to populate the walls.
Albany became the line drawn in the sand. At a meeting held Saturday, February 19, caucus members came to hear the concerns of the MEC Coalition, and left determined that there would be no additional funding or other concessions until things were rectified at the campus.
Chancellor Goldstein, who backs Pollard and Johnson, has taken out full page ads in predominantly African American papers trying to thwart the growing discontent among the faculty, staff, and community. The Amsterdam News recently ran a headline stating the students at MEC were "clueless" about what was transpiring at the campus. The facts, however, are that the student organizations have been threatened with funding cuts if they participate in, or evidence any concern about the new regime. A regime that has largely targeted them for extinction, while simultaneously looking to replace them with students outside the boundaries of the Brooklyn community from which a large majority of the student body originates.
Actually, the more telling problem is that they are actually looking to supplant the New York student body completely by giving priority to foreign students who are coming in from other countries, paying high prices to attend CUNY Schools while the neighborhood gets priced out of the market. As it is, prices have crept up for education at our city "owned" university over the past few decades, with students who would otherwise have the right to a free education, paying almost as much as they would to go to a private college or university. In spite of that factor, the CUNY system is constantly crying broke - wonder who is monitoring their budgets?
Medgar Evers was, for all intents and purposes, not supposed to succeed. In fact the first four presidents, prior to the hiring of Edison Jackson, were major disasters. It was as if the CUNY higher ups were deliberately picking miscreants, who were clueless about the mission and intent of the college, which was named after slain Civil Rights leader, Medgar Wiley Evers. The appointment of the current president, is reminiscient of the earlier selections, who had no understanding or concern for the community; had little respect for or alliegience to the faculty and staff, and were largely there as place holders while the school slowly declined.
Such a decline would open the door for the CUNY higher ups to step in conveniently and take over the school, reshaping it so that it no longer serves the purpose of providing a quality educational millieu for African/African American/Caribbean students who have found success in a school that has been the underpinning of their success over the past two decades. (Pollard is alleged to have made threats to curtail financial assistance for several Caribbean-American students, stating they were receiving the assistance illegally).
When compared to other HBCUs, Medgar Evers existence is a drop in the bucket, having only been here a mere 26 years. But their progress has been meteoric. That is until the 2009.
The upshot of the Caucus weekend, however, is that the efforts to make it appear as if all was well at MEC, may well have backfired. Several of the pols who attended the meeting with the coalition, most notably Senator Kevin Parker, and Assemblymember Inez Barron, have vowed not to provide any additional funds to CUNY in general and Medgar Evers in particular until the problems are rectified, the programs are reinstated, and person more in keeping with the mission of Medgar Evers is brought on board to lead the college. This time a full fledged search must be launched to make sure that the right one is appointed- no more hastily selected individuals of questionable backgrounds.
Assemblymember Jeffries, and other elected officials are planning to hold hearings into the circumstances under which the current president was selected, as well as to the recent discontinuations of programs that had been beneficial to the campus, and the blocking of grants that would have enhanced several programs that had been in existence for quite some time. (Still don't understand why Carver Bank's ATMs were taken out and replaced by CitiBank. It may not be in the purview of the elected officials, but inquiring minds want to know.)
The New York State Panhellenic Council (comprised of the major Black Fraternities and Sororities) have likewise agreed to look into what is happening with Medgar Evers' students, and the policies that appear to be aimed at undermining its status as the only Black college in New York. It should be remembered that prior to her untimely, tragic death, Dr. Betty Shabazz, Director of Institutional Advancement and Public Affairs, was a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Former President, Edison Jackson, was an active member of Phi Beta Sigma, hosting many student orient programs and scholarship award ceremonies at the campus. Irregardless of whether there are active faternities or sororities at Medgar Evers, the Pan Hellenic Council deem it important to take an active interest in the preservation of Medgar Evers as a predominantly Black college. This is refreshing, since Pollard has claimed that he was not brought to Medgar Evers to head a Black college.
Rev. Al Sharpton stated in his address to the Caucus church goers at the Wilborn Temple in Albany, we have far too many among us who have title without responsibility; who are in positions of power, but are not standing for those made it possible for them to be in that position. Who serve more as a blockage to progress, than a conduit.
It appears that Pollard has been brought into this situation for that purpose; in a which he is not suited- at least not by our standards of quality (though he may well be serving the purposes of the chancellor). And since he was not brought here to be the president of a Black college; it may well have been a case of mistaken identity. He does look a lot like us. But there the similarity ends sharply: MEDGAR EVERS IS A BLACK COLLEGE. It was from the inception, and will continue to be so, despite his or Johnson's or Goldstein's efforts to the contrary.
Academic excellence is not born of destroying programs; it comes from bringing in quality faculty; it comes from providing a millieu of growth, exploration, creativity, and progressive programs. It does not come via demoralization an0d intimidation, inuendos and reprisals. It comes through attracting the brightest and the best via those who are already a beacon for the school; not undermining that beacon, and engendering the ire of an entire community.
A series of television broadcasts via Manhattan Neighborhood Network, (MNN), will further discuss these and other concerns roiling around Medgar Evers College. Check your satellite and cable listings for dates and times. (Of course I will post it as part of my even alert as soon as I have additional information.)
But the main point is this -- to Brooklynites, and all residents of New York, whether or not you have or ever plan to attend Medgar Evers College - this is yet another attack on a Black institution. This is another incursion into our community, with the aim and goal of decimating us, demoralizing us, and depriving us of something that we have worked hard for and built with blood, sweat, tears, pride and respect. My question to you is this: NOW THAT YOU KNOW, WHAT WILL YOU DO ABOUT IT?
To lend your support contact the meccoalitation@gmail.com, contact your churches, elected officials, community based organizations, and make yourselves a committee of one to demand the cessation of the dismantling of Medgar Evers and the reinstatement of programs that have been unfairly curtailed; and the reinstatement of open enrollment for students in the Brooklyn community. You are the people with the power; this is your community; Medgar Evers came about as the result of your efforts. Stand up, be seen, be heard, be counted, be respected.
STAY BLESSED &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
Well now that I've recouped from one of the busiest weekends of Black History Month, I have finally gathered up the strength and energy to write this article.
The MEC Coalition took its concerns to Albany last weekend, during the 40th Annual Black and Puerto Rican and Asian Legislative Caucus and placed it squarely on the plates of the elected officials.
Armed with petitions, flyers, parent, student and educator support, they spoke individually and collectively with the elected officials in regards to the egregious acts that have been lodged against New York's only predominantly Black college.
The center of the controversy, William Pollard, newly selected president chosen to replace the outgoing Edison Jackson, who retired after 20 years of successfully leading and expanding the college from a near failure to one of immeasurable success; closely followed by his hand-picked provost Howard Johnson, appeared to have had the same idea. They sponsored a bus with students from Medgar Evers, in an effort to put on a dog and pony show, to persuade the officials that they were doing a positive job.
However, their efforts fell far short of their mark, despite a well crafted speech delivered by State Senator Eric Adams. His support of academic excellence, is of course, laudable. Something all can agree to. However, his speech, eloquent though it was, does not assuage the fact that Pollard and Johnson have eviscerated several essential programs that were part and parcel of what made Medgar Evers such a great success: The Center for NU Leadership, started by Dr. Divine Pryor, and recruited on to the campus as an integral part of their outreach by Dr. Jackson; and the DuBois Bunche Institute, founded and fostered by former Assemblymember Roger Green, Congressman Major Owens, among others, were both ousted from the campus - for what purpose? And what did the termination of these programs have to do with academic excellence? Additionally, MEC had the only Black Think Tank on campus, comprised of historical figures, entrepreneurs, political leaders, formerly elected officials, all of whom were drawing cards for other programs and funding sources. (It should also be noted that the program ended abruptly after Senator Adams' speech, and members of the audience were not afforded the opportunity of asking questions or making comments).
But back on the subject of academic excellence: One wonders what the rationale could have been for curtailing open enrollment for students who were aspiring to new career goals? Congressman Owens, who was part of the originating members who supported the establishment of Medgar Evers reminded us all that the premise of the school was based on the concept of COMMUNIVERSITY. And that there were several contracts drawn between the community and the CUNY bigwigs have been thrown under the bus.
It's clear that things are very much amiss at the college. In fact, anyone walking through the corridors, which were once alive with engaged students, will readily notice the ghost-town like appearance of the halls. Gone are the encouraging bulletin boards, the announcements of opportunities for student participation and achievements that used to populate the walls.
Albany became the line drawn in the sand. At a meeting held Saturday, February 19, caucus members came to hear the concerns of the MEC Coalition, and left determined that there would be no additional funding or other concessions until things were rectified at the campus.
Chancellor Goldstein, who backs Pollard and Johnson, has taken out full page ads in predominantly African American papers trying to thwart the growing discontent among the faculty, staff, and community. The Amsterdam News recently ran a headline stating the students at MEC were "clueless" about what was transpiring at the campus. The facts, however, are that the student organizations have been threatened with funding cuts if they participate in, or evidence any concern about the new regime. A regime that has largely targeted them for extinction, while simultaneously looking to replace them with students outside the boundaries of the Brooklyn community from which a large majority of the student body originates.
Actually, the more telling problem is that they are actually looking to supplant the New York student body completely by giving priority to foreign students who are coming in from other countries, paying high prices to attend CUNY Schools while the neighborhood gets priced out of the market. As it is, prices have crept up for education at our city "owned" university over the past few decades, with students who would otherwise have the right to a free education, paying almost as much as they would to go to a private college or university. In spite of that factor, the CUNY system is constantly crying broke - wonder who is monitoring their budgets?
Medgar Evers was, for all intents and purposes, not supposed to succeed. In fact the first four presidents, prior to the hiring of Edison Jackson, were major disasters. It was as if the CUNY higher ups were deliberately picking miscreants, who were clueless about the mission and intent of the college, which was named after slain Civil Rights leader, Medgar Wiley Evers. The appointment of the current president, is reminiscient of the earlier selections, who had no understanding or concern for the community; had little respect for or alliegience to the faculty and staff, and were largely there as place holders while the school slowly declined.
Such a decline would open the door for the CUNY higher ups to step in conveniently and take over the school, reshaping it so that it no longer serves the purpose of providing a quality educational millieu for African/African American/Caribbean students who have found success in a school that has been the underpinning of their success over the past two decades. (Pollard is alleged to have made threats to curtail financial assistance for several Caribbean-American students, stating they were receiving the assistance illegally).
When compared to other HBCUs, Medgar Evers existence is a drop in the bucket, having only been here a mere 26 years. But their progress has been meteoric. That is until the 2009.
The upshot of the Caucus weekend, however, is that the efforts to make it appear as if all was well at MEC, may well have backfired. Several of the pols who attended the meeting with the coalition, most notably Senator Kevin Parker, and Assemblymember Inez Barron, have vowed not to provide any additional funds to CUNY in general and Medgar Evers in particular until the problems are rectified, the programs are reinstated, and person more in keeping with the mission of Medgar Evers is brought on board to lead the college. This time a full fledged search must be launched to make sure that the right one is appointed- no more hastily selected individuals of questionable backgrounds.
Assemblymember Jeffries, and other elected officials are planning to hold hearings into the circumstances under which the current president was selected, as well as to the recent discontinuations of programs that had been beneficial to the campus, and the blocking of grants that would have enhanced several programs that had been in existence for quite some time. (Still don't understand why Carver Bank's ATMs were taken out and replaced by CitiBank. It may not be in the purview of the elected officials, but inquiring minds want to know.)
The New York State Panhellenic Council (comprised of the major Black Fraternities and Sororities) have likewise agreed to look into what is happening with Medgar Evers' students, and the policies that appear to be aimed at undermining its status as the only Black college in New York. It should be remembered that prior to her untimely, tragic death, Dr. Betty Shabazz, Director of Institutional Advancement and Public Affairs, was a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Former President, Edison Jackson, was an active member of Phi Beta Sigma, hosting many student orient programs and scholarship award ceremonies at the campus. Irregardless of whether there are active faternities or sororities at Medgar Evers, the Pan Hellenic Council deem it important to take an active interest in the preservation of Medgar Evers as a predominantly Black college. This is refreshing, since Pollard has claimed that he was not brought to Medgar Evers to head a Black college.
Rev. Al Sharpton stated in his address to the Caucus church goers at the Wilborn Temple in Albany, we have far too many among us who have title without responsibility; who are in positions of power, but are not standing for those made it possible for them to be in that position. Who serve more as a blockage to progress, than a conduit.
It appears that Pollard has been brought into this situation for that purpose; in a which he is not suited- at least not by our standards of quality (though he may well be serving the purposes of the chancellor). And since he was not brought here to be the president of a Black college; it may well have been a case of mistaken identity. He does look a lot like us. But there the similarity ends sharply: MEDGAR EVERS IS A BLACK COLLEGE. It was from the inception, and will continue to be so, despite his or Johnson's or Goldstein's efforts to the contrary.
Academic excellence is not born of destroying programs; it comes from bringing in quality faculty; it comes from providing a millieu of growth, exploration, creativity, and progressive programs. It does not come via demoralization an0d intimidation, inuendos and reprisals. It comes through attracting the brightest and the best via those who are already a beacon for the school; not undermining that beacon, and engendering the ire of an entire community.
A series of television broadcasts via Manhattan Neighborhood Network, (MNN), will further discuss these and other concerns roiling around Medgar Evers College. Check your satellite and cable listings for dates and times. (Of course I will post it as part of my even alert as soon as I have additional information.)
But the main point is this -- to Brooklynites, and all residents of New York, whether or not you have or ever plan to attend Medgar Evers College - this is yet another attack on a Black institution. This is another incursion into our community, with the aim and goal of decimating us, demoralizing us, and depriving us of something that we have worked hard for and built with blood, sweat, tears, pride and respect. My question to you is this: NOW THAT YOU KNOW, WHAT WILL YOU DO ABOUT IT?
To lend your support contact the meccoalitation@gmail.com, contact your churches, elected officials, community based organizations, and make yourselves a committee of one to demand the cessation of the dismantling of Medgar Evers and the reinstatement of programs that have been unfairly curtailed; and the reinstatement of open enrollment for students in the Brooklyn community. You are the people with the power; this is your community; Medgar Evers came about as the result of your efforts. Stand up, be seen, be heard, be counted, be respected.
STAY BLESSED &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
12.10.2010
Medgar Evers College Faculty Issues Vote of NO CONFIDENCE for President and Provost
by Gloria Dulan-Wilson
A controversy and confrontation that has been brewing under the surface is about to come to a head. It has been roiling since President Edison O. Jackson stepped down from Medgar Evers, and his mantle was passed on to William Pollard, who now serves as its current president.
In assuming the position of president, it is natural for the new executive to make some changes in order to brand the college under his leadership. It is natural, also for them to bring in new programs that would enhance what the college has to offer.
What is not natural is for a Black college president to come into an environment where the students and faculty are predominantly Black, and lay waste to programs that have been of benefit to the Black student body and surrounding community. However, over the past year, this appears to have been Pollard's scorched campus policy. He has evicted Dr. Divine Pryor, founder of Center for Nu Leadership on Urban Solutions, an outreach program that helped ex-offenders get back on their feet. And has sent letters of eviction to what can only be called Brooklyn's African American Think Tank.
Thus far the following people have been either sent termination or eviction notices:
Hon. Roger L. Green, Founder and Executive Director of the DuBois-Bunche Center, was appointed a Distinguished Lecturer at Medgar Evers College within the City University of New York in 2006. From 1981-2005 served in the New York State Assembly, and was an expert on educational reform; children and family policies. chaired the Committee on Science and Technology, and the Committee on Children and Families. A longstanding advocate of civil and human rights, Green was MEC’s professor of Public Administration, bringing to the students his vast array of knowledge and experience. The DuBois-Bunche Center for Public Policy is in jeopardy of being excised from the campus, as are the founding members who are integral to the organization.
John Flateau, Ph.D.: Professor of Public Administration, received his Ph.D in American Politics and Public Policy from the City University of New York Graduate Center. He served as Chief of Staff to Mayor David Dinkins; Senior Vice President of the NYS Urban Development Corporation; Dean of the School of Business, and Dean of Institutional Advancement at Medgar Evers College. He also served as a Commissioner, of the NYC Districting Commission; Advisor to the NYS Legislative Advisory Task Force on Demographics and Reapportionment; Chairperson of the US Census Advisory Committee on the African-American Population; and Executive Director of the NYS Black and Hispanic Legislative Caucus. He is a generalist and strategic thinker, with expertise in urban policy, economic development, voting rights, legislative redistricting, census demographics, campaigns and elections, diversity management, and governmental processes (whether or not Dr. Flateau is on the hit list remains to be seen, however, MEC's Black Think Tank is definitely under siege).
(NOTE: to their credit both Green and Flateau worked to resolve the problems in Albany under Governor David Paterson, as well as providing advice on an ongoing basis on State, City and National issues.)
Hon. Major Owens served as a member of Congress representing Central Brooklyn from 1983 to 2005, and brings a wealth of expertise. Former New York City Commissioner, and a NY State Senator. Congressman Owens is widely respected for his lifelong commitment to reduce poverty in the United States and throughout the developing world. He is also respected for his legislative leadership which fought to eliminate barriers to educational opportunity. His position appears to be safe for now. But with the lack of insight on the part of the current Administrator, I wouldn't turn my back or relax if I were him.
Zulema Blair, Ph.D.:was Chair of MEC's Public Administration Departmentin 2007. Dr. Blair’s focus is organizational theory and it’s applications to public administration. She has produced research which studies low income populations and their participation in the political process. Dr .Blair directs the American Democracy Project at Medgar Evers College. Dr. Blair was not returned as chair of her department.
Hon.Ambassador Eugene Pursoo became a Distinguished Lecturer at Medgar Evers College. after serving with distinction as the United Nations Ambassador and Permanent Representative with plenipotentiary powers for Grenada, from 1991 to 1995. During his tenure at the United Nations he was elected Vice President of the General Assembly in 1993, Chairman of the United Nations Decolonization Committee, and Chairman of the Organization of Small Island States in 1994. He earned his Bachelor's and Master’s degrees from Fordham University. Ambassador Pursoo is the Director of the International Affairs Center. He as been commited to the mentoring of students and scholars who seek to advance diplomatic approaches for the expansion of peace and justice throughout the World Community. His contract was not renewed. Why????
Divine Pryor, Ph.D. has established a national and international reputation as an expert in the field of criminal justice reform .Before receiving his undergraduate degrees and a Ph. D. in forensic psychology Dr. Pryor was incarcerated for several years. In the tradition of Malcolm X (El Hajj Malik El Shabazz), Dr. Pryor rediscovered his love for learning and a passion for justice during his incarceration and developed a commitment to reverse the disproportionate number of African Americans in prison. Dr. Pryor has served on the National Re-entry Policy Council for the Council of State Governors board of directors of the National Legal Aid and Defender Association, and the Community Justice Center. Nu Leadership is the only organization in the nation that was founded and is currently directed and staffed by formerly incarcerated individuals who possess advanced degrees (masters, doctorates) in the areas of criminal justice reform. Pryor's eviction from MEC was covered on WRKS-FM, where he revealed that Pollard had begun to dismantle many of the programs that had been successfully serving the community for nearly 20 years.
During the selection of MEC's next president, a search committee had narrowed the candidates down to three women. They were all extremely competent, heavy hitters. Any one of them would have been a wonderful choice for the campus. Dr. Pollard was not initially on that short list, and was only added at the last minute. Each of the candidates had to participate in a public hearing, where the community had an opportunity to ask key questions to ascertain which of the candidates appeared to have MEC's wellbeing and expansion at heart. Dr. Pollard's answer was the least satisfactory. In fact, if memory serves, Dr. Pollard did not appropriately or adequately answer the question.
After the final interview session, the consensus was that any one of the three female candidates would have been an excellent selection, and would lead MEC into the 21st century. Imagine the shock when it was announced that Pollard was given the position. At the time it was conjectured that perhaps individuals had used undue influence (and threats) to bring get him the position. There were several of us who were not happy with the selection.
Those of you who remember your Roman mythology still remember the Trojan Horse. In the story, a beautiful horse was led into a community. The people accepted it as a gift. They took it inside their gates, and begin to "rejoice" over such a wonderful present. However, while they slept through the night, soldiers, killers, evil intentions climbed down out of the horse and invaded the community, catching the citizens unawares and destroying all that they had developed.
We are now facing a modern version of the Trojan Horse, and we need to wake up before it's too late. The faculty and staff of Medgar Evers are beginning to take steps, as well as elected officials and national figures. The evisceration of Medgar Evers will not be tolerated. The policies could reverse all that has been accomplished and put MEC back to pre-Edison Jackson days. Medgar Evers belongs to the Black community of Brooklyn, and it's up to the community to make their voices heard.
The divide and conquer methods that were the basis for our being sold into slavery and brought here over 400 years ago, is still in effect in this situation. If the Brooklyn community continues to sleep on this, they may well find they no longer have a Black college in Brooklyn.
Below is a resolution from the Faculty and Staff of Medgar Evers College. Please print, post and pass it on. Make sure your neighbors and your children know what's going on, and that you lend a voice to speaking out against Pollard's and Johnson's policies.
Medgar Evers is considered to be a predominantly Black college, and the only one of its kind in New York. Lincoln University, in Pennsylvania is the only Historically Black College/University in the North. Both were formed because of a need to provide the Black community with quality education. Of all the colleges in the City University system, MEC is the only college whose policies were determined by the Brooklyn Community.
Brooklyn has stood out unique in the world as being the only community that actively participates in the direction of Medgar Evers. A privilege and a right that may well be under threat at this point.
This is the beginning for the battle of the soul of Brooklyn and the well and expansion of Medgar Evers. While it is hoped that things can be resolved amicably, it must be made clear that the Black community will not allow MEC to be destroyed.
STAY BLESSED &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
MEC FACULTY RESOLUTION FOLLOWS:
Resolution on President’s and Provost’s Leadership & Management of College
December 7, 2010
Whereas, the faculty of Medgar Evers College has attempted unsuccessfully to
engage the administration (Office of the President and Provost) into collegial
dialogue regarding the affairs of the College, and
Whereas, the faculty of Medgar Evers College has observed and obtained evidence
of the egregious acts by the Office of the President and Provost listed below, to wit
1. Administration, as represented by the Offices of the President and Provost
demonstrate poor or questionable leadership decisions with regard to effective
governance as ratified by the faculty and PSC, ex.
President’s failure to Chair Personnel and Budget Committee as required by
College’s governance plan (this committee is chaired by President as defined by
Governance Plan and oversees reappointments, appointments, promotions and
tenure)
Irregularities in protocols for College Wide Personnel & Budget Committee
Provost’s confrontational and dictatorial style with faculty, students and staff
Dissemination of notices of non reappointment to faculty, staff and CLTs via
security guard, email, and visits to classrooms and offices.
Questionable non reappointments of faculty and College Lab Technicians. (CLTs
perform highly skilled tasks such as lab work, computer work and provide support
for administrative and academic units. CLTs follow a tenure track).
Irregularities in the process by which faculty and staff reviews were voted on in
personnel committees.
No announced Master plan or direction for MEC, after an entire year. The
college-wide assessment report and recommendations were never shared
Removal of Chair of Education for spurious and unsubstantiated reasons. (Per
PSC Contract, Chairs in CUNY elected by faculty not appointed by President and
Provost). Chair of Education had been elected by faculty in department for 3 year
term.
Citing of “budget” as rationale for reduction of services but hiring of additional
administrators and consultants.
Lack of transparency and lack of communication with respect to the search for the
Provost.
Provost’s statement that a reduction in adjunct costs will provide OTPS for
faculty.
President and Provost more concerned with initiatives such as getting an athletic
field than with providing support for resources to support student instruction,
tutoring, and scholarships and faculty hires and professional development.
2. Administration, as represented by the Offices of the President and Provost
demonstrate a discrepancy between their declared student-centered philosophy and
activities that undermine and mitigate against student success by removing support
mechanisms and faculty resources integral to student success. Data reveal that MEC
student satisfaction with academic support services is substantially lower than
CUNY average. Removal of support mechanisms and faculty resources include,
Elimination of Writing Center.
Elimination of Center for Teaching and Learning
Reduction of tutors in Learning Center budget
Reduction of staff in College’s library
Reduction of staff in Student Computer Lab
Reduction of resources and research opportunities for Psych Lab.
Blocking of funding supporting faculty/student research and the mission of the
College.
Refusal to fill faculty positions in academic departments (yet hired high level
administrators).
Ending the position of NCATE Coordinator while Department is involved in
Accreditation activities.
Elimination of the position of Pre-Med Advisor in January 2010. Numerous MEC
students have been accepted to Medical schools over the years, some to MD/PhD
program, because of the work of the pre professional advisor. When students
confronted Provost re: this, he stated that “to his knowledge there was never
anyone who had the title of pre-med advisor at MEC, and that students could not
have a letter from a pre-med committee nor a pre- med advisor since the school
never had neither one. This is a direct misrepresentation of the facts; the College
has had a pre professional advisor since 1975.
Withdrawing of reassigned time for Coordination of Writing. The composition
classes in the English Department are service courses that serve close to 2,000
students (70+ sections) per semester. The Coordinator is responsible for
developing common midterm and final exams; norming sessions; cross grading
sessions; faculty development workshops; orientation for new faculty; securing
grants and serving as liaison to other CUNY colleges. Coordinators in all CUNY
campuses have reassigned time.
3. Poor Leadership and Management Skills of the President, contributing to poor
morale, questionable legal activities, and institutional demoralization, as evidenced
by
Rigid viewpoint and inability to entertain or appreciate alternative perspectives
Poor relationships with elected officials ( demonstrates a dismissive attitude, and
has portrayed elected officials as “interfering,” and having “too much influence
in the College”)
Questionable appointments of additional administrators in midst of a severe fiscal
crisis:
Lack of Diversity in President’s Administrative Senior Leadership Team (all Vice
Presidents are males.)
Failure to meet with senior faculty and student leaders – only responded after
CUNY Central and elected officials’ intervention
Inability & failure to hold College Council meetings (cancelled two meetings in
Fall and failed to get quorum in Spring at three meetings in 2009-2010 AY. Has
only held one meeting in current year and subsequent meeting cancelled because
of failure to document membership of council and thus did not have a quorum.)
Holding of Town Hall meeting for faculty during last week in May –few faculty
present
Holding governance plan meeting in summer when faculty and students are on
leave.
Holding of Retreat in summer without key administrators, e.g, Deans.
Lack of Understanding of Funding and Grant Initiatives
Leadership team’s lack of understanding of the nature and process for obtaining
multiple streams of funding from public and private sources;
Leadership’s team blocking of funding opportunities and funding obtained- Nu
Leadership, NIH grant and STEP grant, SPCD Programs
4. Poor Leadership and Insensitivity of the Provost
Irrational and explosive behavior that is unbecoming of an academic leader.
Questionable non reappointments of faculty and College Lab Technicians (CLTs)
(reasons for non-reappointment were not provided to Chairs)
Blocking of funding supporting faculty/student research and the mission of the
College
Lack of respect for the academic knowledge and expertise of faculty (disparaging
and reductive attitude towards faculty scholarship, leadership and counsel in
matters of academic affairs)
Removal of support mechanisms and faculty resources integral to student success,
e.g., the Writing Center and Center for Teaching and Learning.
Accusations that faculty are responsible for low retention rates and performance
of students when most recent data indicate that student satisfaction with faculty is
higher than CUNY average with respect to quality of course performance, ability
of faculty to communicate clearly and frequency of faculty feedback on course
performance.
5. Administration, as represented by the Offices of the President and Provost,
demonstrates a lack of commitment to the “community–oriented” mission of
Medgar Evers College and to Central Brooklyn and its residents, as evidenced by
Lack of institutional memory.
Continual statements referencing the need to change the mission without
demonstrating an understanding of the special niche of Medgar Evers and the
integral nature of Medgar Evers College to all community entities.
Disregard for relationship and value of the Centers to the mission of MEC
Eviction of Center for NuLeadership
Disregard for role of Center for NuLeadership in serving as advocate and resource
for formerly incarcerated individuals in college and community.
Refusal to recognize Center for NuLeadership as Center in College although the
Center is highly regarded in CUNY and nationally, has been functioning as a
critical Center for the last six years and was formerly approved by the College’s
governing body.
Ignoring of Harry Belafonte’s offer to work with President in resolving Nu
Leadership issues.
Removal of Carver ATM machines & substitution of Citibank ATMs. Issue of
Carver Bank’s removal from campus still not resolved.
Lack of an understanding of the value of a comprehensive college for students.
Pays “lip service” to support of Medgar Evers College’s Preparatory School.
Despite awards and accolades from College Board, Department of Education and
President Obama, the Administration has withdrawn support for the Medgar
College Preparatory School’s Dual Enrollment Program.
Use of questionable and erroneous data as a justification for changing the mission
Attempt to change the venue of commencement and cancel Jazzy Jazz series
without consultation and understanding of the importance of these programs to
students and the community. (Reinstitution of these programs only after student
and community protest).
Lack of awareness of the importance of Medgar Evers’s role in helping to sustain
Black institutions that support and serve the students and residents of Central
Brooklyn.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Faculty of Medgar Evers College do
affirm a VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE in the current Administration, and
specifically, in the Office of the President, Dr. William A. Pollard, and in the Office of the Provost, Dr. Howard Johnson.
A vote of no confidence by the faculty signals to the college leadership and CUNY Board that there is a major lack of confidence in the leadership of the college and that actions must be taken.
The time to act is now before it's too late.
Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
A controversy and confrontation that has been brewing under the surface is about to come to a head. It has been roiling since President Edison O. Jackson stepped down from Medgar Evers, and his mantle was passed on to William Pollard, who now serves as its current president.
In assuming the position of president, it is natural for the new executive to make some changes in order to brand the college under his leadership. It is natural, also for them to bring in new programs that would enhance what the college has to offer.
What is not natural is for a Black college president to come into an environment where the students and faculty are predominantly Black, and lay waste to programs that have been of benefit to the Black student body and surrounding community. However, over the past year, this appears to have been Pollard's scorched campus policy. He has evicted Dr. Divine Pryor, founder of Center for Nu Leadership on Urban Solutions, an outreach program that helped ex-offenders get back on their feet. And has sent letters of eviction to what can only be called Brooklyn's African American Think Tank.
Thus far the following people have been either sent termination or eviction notices:
Hon. Roger L. Green, Founder and Executive Director of the DuBois-Bunche Center, was appointed a Distinguished Lecturer at Medgar Evers College within the City University of New York in 2006. From 1981-2005 served in the New York State Assembly, and was an expert on educational reform; children and family policies. chaired the Committee on Science and Technology, and the Committee on Children and Families. A longstanding advocate of civil and human rights, Green was MEC’s professor of Public Administration, bringing to the students his vast array of knowledge and experience. The DuBois-Bunche Center for Public Policy is in jeopardy of being excised from the campus, as are the founding members who are integral to the organization.
John Flateau, Ph.D.: Professor of Public Administration, received his Ph.D in American Politics and Public Policy from the City University of New York Graduate Center. He served as Chief of Staff to Mayor David Dinkins; Senior Vice President of the NYS Urban Development Corporation; Dean of the School of Business, and Dean of Institutional Advancement at Medgar Evers College. He also served as a Commissioner, of the NYC Districting Commission; Advisor to the NYS Legislative Advisory Task Force on Demographics and Reapportionment; Chairperson of the US Census Advisory Committee on the African-American Population; and Executive Director of the NYS Black and Hispanic Legislative Caucus. He is a generalist and strategic thinker, with expertise in urban policy, economic development, voting rights, legislative redistricting, census demographics, campaigns and elections, diversity management, and governmental processes (whether or not Dr. Flateau is on the hit list remains to be seen, however, MEC's Black Think Tank is definitely under siege).
(NOTE: to their credit both Green and Flateau worked to resolve the problems in Albany under Governor David Paterson, as well as providing advice on an ongoing basis on State, City and National issues.)
Hon. Major Owens served as a member of Congress representing Central Brooklyn from 1983 to 2005, and brings a wealth of expertise. Former New York City Commissioner, and a NY State Senator. Congressman Owens is widely respected for his lifelong commitment to reduce poverty in the United States and throughout the developing world. He is also respected for his legislative leadership which fought to eliminate barriers to educational opportunity. His position appears to be safe for now. But with the lack of insight on the part of the current Administrator, I wouldn't turn my back or relax if I were him.
Zulema Blair, Ph.D.:was Chair of MEC's Public Administration Departmentin 2007. Dr. Blair’s focus is organizational theory and it’s applications to public administration. She has produced research which studies low income populations and their participation in the political process. Dr .Blair directs the American Democracy Project at Medgar Evers College. Dr. Blair was not returned as chair of her department.
Hon.Ambassador Eugene Pursoo became a Distinguished Lecturer at Medgar Evers College. after serving with distinction as the United Nations Ambassador and Permanent Representative with plenipotentiary powers for Grenada, from 1991 to 1995. During his tenure at the United Nations he was elected Vice President of the General Assembly in 1993, Chairman of the United Nations Decolonization Committee, and Chairman of the Organization of Small Island States in 1994. He earned his Bachelor's and Master’s degrees from Fordham University. Ambassador Pursoo is the Director of the International Affairs Center. He as been commited to the mentoring of students and scholars who seek to advance diplomatic approaches for the expansion of peace and justice throughout the World Community. His contract was not renewed. Why????
Divine Pryor, Ph.D. has established a national and international reputation as an expert in the field of criminal justice reform .Before receiving his undergraduate degrees and a Ph. D. in forensic psychology Dr. Pryor was incarcerated for several years. In the tradition of Malcolm X (El Hajj Malik El Shabazz), Dr. Pryor rediscovered his love for learning and a passion for justice during his incarceration and developed a commitment to reverse the disproportionate number of African Americans in prison. Dr. Pryor has served on the National Re-entry Policy Council for the Council of State Governors board of directors of the National Legal Aid and Defender Association, and the Community Justice Center. Nu Leadership is the only organization in the nation that was founded and is currently directed and staffed by formerly incarcerated individuals who possess advanced degrees (masters, doctorates) in the areas of criminal justice reform. Pryor's eviction from MEC was covered on WRKS-FM, where he revealed that Pollard had begun to dismantle many of the programs that had been successfully serving the community for nearly 20 years.
During the selection of MEC's next president, a search committee had narrowed the candidates down to three women. They were all extremely competent, heavy hitters. Any one of them would have been a wonderful choice for the campus. Dr. Pollard was not initially on that short list, and was only added at the last minute. Each of the candidates had to participate in a public hearing, where the community had an opportunity to ask key questions to ascertain which of the candidates appeared to have MEC's wellbeing and expansion at heart. Dr. Pollard's answer was the least satisfactory. In fact, if memory serves, Dr. Pollard did not appropriately or adequately answer the question.
After the final interview session, the consensus was that any one of the three female candidates would have been an excellent selection, and would lead MEC into the 21st century. Imagine the shock when it was announced that Pollard was given the position. At the time it was conjectured that perhaps individuals had used undue influence (and threats) to bring get him the position. There were several of us who were not happy with the selection.
Those of you who remember your Roman mythology still remember the Trojan Horse. In the story, a beautiful horse was led into a community. The people accepted it as a gift. They took it inside their gates, and begin to "rejoice" over such a wonderful present. However, while they slept through the night, soldiers, killers, evil intentions climbed down out of the horse and invaded the community, catching the citizens unawares and destroying all that they had developed.
We are now facing a modern version of the Trojan Horse, and we need to wake up before it's too late. The faculty and staff of Medgar Evers are beginning to take steps, as well as elected officials and national figures. The evisceration of Medgar Evers will not be tolerated. The policies could reverse all that has been accomplished and put MEC back to pre-Edison Jackson days. Medgar Evers belongs to the Black community of Brooklyn, and it's up to the community to make their voices heard.
The divide and conquer methods that were the basis for our being sold into slavery and brought here over 400 years ago, is still in effect in this situation. If the Brooklyn community continues to sleep on this, they may well find they no longer have a Black college in Brooklyn.
Below is a resolution from the Faculty and Staff of Medgar Evers College. Please print, post and pass it on. Make sure your neighbors and your children know what's going on, and that you lend a voice to speaking out against Pollard's and Johnson's policies.
Medgar Evers is considered to be a predominantly Black college, and the only one of its kind in New York. Lincoln University, in Pennsylvania is the only Historically Black College/University in the North. Both were formed because of a need to provide the Black community with quality education. Of all the colleges in the City University system, MEC is the only college whose policies were determined by the Brooklyn Community.
Brooklyn has stood out unique in the world as being the only community that actively participates in the direction of Medgar Evers. A privilege and a right that may well be under threat at this point.
This is the beginning for the battle of the soul of Brooklyn and the well and expansion of Medgar Evers. While it is hoped that things can be resolved amicably, it must be made clear that the Black community will not allow MEC to be destroyed.
STAY BLESSED &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
MEC FACULTY RESOLUTION FOLLOWS:
Resolution on President’s and Provost’s Leadership & Management of College
December 7, 2010
Whereas, the faculty of Medgar Evers College has attempted unsuccessfully to
engage the administration (Office of the President and Provost) into collegial
dialogue regarding the affairs of the College, and
Whereas, the faculty of Medgar Evers College has observed and obtained evidence
of the egregious acts by the Office of the President and Provost listed below, to wit
1. Administration, as represented by the Offices of the President and Provost
demonstrate poor or questionable leadership decisions with regard to effective
governance as ratified by the faculty and PSC, ex.
President’s failure to Chair Personnel and Budget Committee as required by
College’s governance plan (this committee is chaired by President as defined by
Governance Plan and oversees reappointments, appointments, promotions and
tenure)
Irregularities in protocols for College Wide Personnel & Budget Committee
Provost’s confrontational and dictatorial style with faculty, students and staff
Dissemination of notices of non reappointment to faculty, staff and CLTs via
security guard, email, and visits to classrooms and offices.
Questionable non reappointments of faculty and College Lab Technicians. (CLTs
perform highly skilled tasks such as lab work, computer work and provide support
for administrative and academic units. CLTs follow a tenure track).
Irregularities in the process by which faculty and staff reviews were voted on in
personnel committees.
No announced Master plan or direction for MEC, after an entire year. The
college-wide assessment report and recommendations were never shared
Removal of Chair of Education for spurious and unsubstantiated reasons. (Per
PSC Contract, Chairs in CUNY elected by faculty not appointed by President and
Provost). Chair of Education had been elected by faculty in department for 3 year
term.
Citing of “budget” as rationale for reduction of services but hiring of additional
administrators and consultants.
Lack of transparency and lack of communication with respect to the search for the
Provost.
Provost’s statement that a reduction in adjunct costs will provide OTPS for
faculty.
President and Provost more concerned with initiatives such as getting an athletic
field than with providing support for resources to support student instruction,
tutoring, and scholarships and faculty hires and professional development.
2. Administration, as represented by the Offices of the President and Provost
demonstrate a discrepancy between their declared student-centered philosophy and
activities that undermine and mitigate against student success by removing support
mechanisms and faculty resources integral to student success. Data reveal that MEC
student satisfaction with academic support services is substantially lower than
CUNY average. Removal of support mechanisms and faculty resources include,
Elimination of Writing Center.
Elimination of Center for Teaching and Learning
Reduction of tutors in Learning Center budget
Reduction of staff in College’s library
Reduction of staff in Student Computer Lab
Reduction of resources and research opportunities for Psych Lab.
Blocking of funding supporting faculty/student research and the mission of the
College.
Refusal to fill faculty positions in academic departments (yet hired high level
administrators).
Ending the position of NCATE Coordinator while Department is involved in
Accreditation activities.
Elimination of the position of Pre-Med Advisor in January 2010. Numerous MEC
students have been accepted to Medical schools over the years, some to MD/PhD
program, because of the work of the pre professional advisor. When students
confronted Provost re: this, he stated that “to his knowledge there was never
anyone who had the title of pre-med advisor at MEC, and that students could not
have a letter from a pre-med committee nor a pre- med advisor since the school
never had neither one. This is a direct misrepresentation of the facts; the College
has had a pre professional advisor since 1975.
Withdrawing of reassigned time for Coordination of Writing. The composition
classes in the English Department are service courses that serve close to 2,000
students (70+ sections) per semester. The Coordinator is responsible for
developing common midterm and final exams; norming sessions; cross grading
sessions; faculty development workshops; orientation for new faculty; securing
grants and serving as liaison to other CUNY colleges. Coordinators in all CUNY
campuses have reassigned time.
3. Poor Leadership and Management Skills of the President, contributing to poor
morale, questionable legal activities, and institutional demoralization, as evidenced
by
Rigid viewpoint and inability to entertain or appreciate alternative perspectives
Poor relationships with elected officials ( demonstrates a dismissive attitude, and
has portrayed elected officials as “interfering,” and having “too much influence
in the College”)
Questionable appointments of additional administrators in midst of a severe fiscal
crisis:
Lack of Diversity in President’s Administrative Senior Leadership Team (all Vice
Presidents are males.)
Failure to meet with senior faculty and student leaders – only responded after
CUNY Central and elected officials’ intervention
Inability & failure to hold College Council meetings (cancelled two meetings in
Fall and failed to get quorum in Spring at three meetings in 2009-2010 AY. Has
only held one meeting in current year and subsequent meeting cancelled because
of failure to document membership of council and thus did not have a quorum.)
Holding of Town Hall meeting for faculty during last week in May –few faculty
present
Holding governance plan meeting in summer when faculty and students are on
leave.
Holding of Retreat in summer without key administrators, e.g, Deans.
Lack of Understanding of Funding and Grant Initiatives
Leadership team’s lack of understanding of the nature and process for obtaining
multiple streams of funding from public and private sources;
Leadership’s team blocking of funding opportunities and funding obtained- Nu
Leadership, NIH grant and STEP grant, SPCD Programs
4. Poor Leadership and Insensitivity of the Provost
Irrational and explosive behavior that is unbecoming of an academic leader.
Questionable non reappointments of faculty and College Lab Technicians (CLTs)
(reasons for non-reappointment were not provided to Chairs)
Blocking of funding supporting faculty/student research and the mission of the
College
Lack of respect for the academic knowledge and expertise of faculty (disparaging
and reductive attitude towards faculty scholarship, leadership and counsel in
matters of academic affairs)
Removal of support mechanisms and faculty resources integral to student success,
e.g., the Writing Center and Center for Teaching and Learning.
Accusations that faculty are responsible for low retention rates and performance
of students when most recent data indicate that student satisfaction with faculty is
higher than CUNY average with respect to quality of course performance, ability
of faculty to communicate clearly and frequency of faculty feedback on course
performance.
5. Administration, as represented by the Offices of the President and Provost,
demonstrates a lack of commitment to the “community–oriented” mission of
Medgar Evers College and to Central Brooklyn and its residents, as evidenced by
Lack of institutional memory.
Continual statements referencing the need to change the mission without
demonstrating an understanding of the special niche of Medgar Evers and the
integral nature of Medgar Evers College to all community entities.
Disregard for relationship and value of the Centers to the mission of MEC
Eviction of Center for NuLeadership
Disregard for role of Center for NuLeadership in serving as advocate and resource
for formerly incarcerated individuals in college and community.
Refusal to recognize Center for NuLeadership as Center in College although the
Center is highly regarded in CUNY and nationally, has been functioning as a
critical Center for the last six years and was formerly approved by the College’s
governing body.
Ignoring of Harry Belafonte’s offer to work with President in resolving Nu
Leadership issues.
Removal of Carver ATM machines & substitution of Citibank ATMs. Issue of
Carver Bank’s removal from campus still not resolved.
Lack of an understanding of the value of a comprehensive college for students.
Pays “lip service” to support of Medgar Evers College’s Preparatory School.
Despite awards and accolades from College Board, Department of Education and
President Obama, the Administration has withdrawn support for the Medgar
College Preparatory School’s Dual Enrollment Program.
Use of questionable and erroneous data as a justification for changing the mission
Attempt to change the venue of commencement and cancel Jazzy Jazz series
without consultation and understanding of the importance of these programs to
students and the community. (Reinstitution of these programs only after student
and community protest).
Lack of awareness of the importance of Medgar Evers’s role in helping to sustain
Black institutions that support and serve the students and residents of Central
Brooklyn.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Faculty of Medgar Evers College do
affirm a VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE in the current Administration, and
specifically, in the Office of the President, Dr. William A. Pollard, and in the Office of the Provost, Dr. Howard Johnson.
A vote of no confidence by the faculty signals to the college leadership and CUNY Board that there is a major lack of confidence in the leadership of the college and that actions must be taken.
The time to act is now before it's too late.
Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
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