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Rollin Richmond, here are some questions and a firm challenge to you?
You say you want diversity on this campus then give us Bob Snyder. Why? Probably for the same reasons that Chancellor Charles Reed chose you: a proven track record of loyalty, the ability to follow direction and an ability not to question authority. Reed learned this about you while you were working for him at the University of South Florida as the Dean of the College of Arts and Science from 1990-1995. Reed was the chancellor then too, but of the Florida State University system.
You say you want to offer your students the best education possible yet you are cutting or eliminating courses. Have you argued our case with Chancellor Reed? Have you ever had an argument with Chancellor Reed? Did you argue with him when he short-changed Humboldt State almost a million dollars in stimulus money? Twenty three CSU campuses and $50.9 million in stimulus money. Divide. Pretty simple math if you ask me. Our cut should have been $2.2 million. We received $1.4 million. Have you had any discussion with your boss about this?
In 2007 you received a $27,000 pay raise while tuition for students went up. Your raise was more than what a large percentage of Americans make in an entire year. Do you believe this to be in the best interest of this university, its faculty or students?
You are the leader of this institution sir and you are failing. Last summer 60 percent of your faculty voted no confidence in your leadership skills, educated men and women who contend that you are not up to the task of running this university. Who came to your rescue with a vote of confidence? Chancellor Reed. Can you explain this?
At some point you must realize that we are not your lap dogs. Unfortunately, many of your students have been taught that it is our duty, nay, our right to have an opinion. Some of us fight against things that are inherently wrong, things we know that are not in the best interests of the many, only the few. My opinion is that you are simply failing. You are failing the student body, this school, your faculty and getting paid a heap of money to do so.
Will you turn it around? Will you mend fences with your faculty? Will you search for a provost in a fair and equitable manner? Will you argue and scream your head off to get more money put into this campus? Will you decide to find another way to save money here at HSU rather than cutting programs that are needed at this school, in this community and in this country? Will you put your students first?
Eighty percent of your Industrial Technology graduates are working right now - more than any other major you have at Humboldt State. Why are you cutting this program? Will you fight for what is best for your students or will you continue to get what is best for President Richmond? I, for one, am getting tired of the rhetoric and the lack of action for us, the student body, and I will continue to demand satisfaction.
If you were to change direction, call a school holiday, ask us all to march on Sacramento with you in the lead, we would follow. People follow leaders. People do not follow followers. Which one are you? You have an obligation to take care of us, the students. You have an obligation to do what is right for us, not the state, not yourself and certainly not Chancellor Reed.
I have faith though. People can change. People can turn in a new direction when motivated. Jump off of Chancellor Reeds lap, sir, make us proud of you. Do something profound.
6 comments
On May 8, 2009, Rollin Richmond appointed Robert Snyder permanent Academic Vice President and Provost at Humboldt State University. This was done in spite of Rollin Richmond’s repeated promises to do a national search for this position and in spite of numerous faculty requests that Robert Snyder not be appointed without such a search. When Rollin Richmond simply bestowed this appointment upon Robert Snyder, he excluded people of color, women, and other qualified candidates from applying for that position. This is a damaging blow to the cause of diversity at HSU. Rollin Richmond ignored his duty to the citizens of California and to our students, and should not be President of a university that values social justice. For this and other reasons, the General Faculty of Humboldt State University, in an emergency meeting on May 12, 2009, overwhelmingly approved a motion finding no confidence in President Rollin Richmond and asking him to step down within two months. I support that motion.