Re “He Says Rocha Makes Climate Stifling. PCC Seeks Climate Change”
[img]1769|right|Dr. Mark Rocha||no_popup[/img]In dreadfully unpopular Mark Rocha’s fourth year as president of Pasadena City College, the reliable formula of an Unbelievable Mess a Day continues without a sign of relief.
For more than a year, the campus has been roiled on virtually an hourly basis with bodies, at least rhetorically, flying out of campus windows while faculty and students labor under protest in a community that seems to be paying scant attention.
The scandal du jour regards 64-year-old English professor Mark McQueen, placed on paid leave last week following – fittingly – a Halloween run-in with a foul-mouthed student.
The much-harried Faculty Assn., under Roger C. Marheine, has developed a petition for Prof. McQueen’s reinstatement. (See below.)
About the note: a petition on change.org has been circulated for signature, requesting that Mark McQueen be reinstated. But it is my understanding that professors can go to the site and sign the petition. I don't know that it will be sent via massive email to get signatures from people outside of PCC.
Two sources told the newspaper the following:
Juan Gutierrez, spokesperson for Dr. Rocha his first three years, has been axed.
“I believe,” a source said, “he was offered money not to talk until the conclusion of the school year, June 2014. This is the exact same offer that was given to Duane Cable last year. He was the VP of Computer Services who was fired by Rocha for similar reasons…. not playing exclusively by Rocha's demands.”
“For numerous reasons,” said a separate source, “the college newspaper does not have the same fierce voice as last year. Nevertheless, the student editor is a strong writer with excellent opinions.”
A number of English professors have said that they are writing opinion pieces for the Pasadena Star-News. None has appeared yet.
Mr. Marheine of the Faculty Assn. sent this note to members:
“Over forty of your colleagues who attended (last Thursday’s) FA General Meeting and signed the petition to reinstate Professor Mark McQueen. For those who were unable to attend, we have created a Change.org petition that is being forwarded to all faculty and staff at PCC. Please take the time to read it and sign it. This is the moment for all of us to stand united and support our colleague, Mark McQueen, but also to stand up for the rights of ALL faculty and staff at Pasadena City College.”
PETITION TO REINSTATE PCC PROFESSOR MARK MCQUEEN
November 12, 2013
On October 31st, Professor Mark McQueen was physically confronted by an irate student. While discussing a pertinent issue in Professor McQueen’s English 1B class, a student stood up with fists clenched and approached Professor McQueen stating “you are a m—– f—–” and “I can kick your a–.” Professor McQueen raised his hand and placed it on the students shoulder in a defensive manner. This action in and of itself diffused the situation. The class continued and subsequently concluded without further incident. Students that witnessed these events stated that the student, at the conclusion of the class, apologized for his actions.
It could be assumed that in any other context, be it a different educational institution, a workplace, or a public setting, Professor McQueen would be commended for his calm and reasonable response to a potentially violent situation. But not at PCC. Professor McQueen was placed on administrative leave pending an “investigation” by the college. This decision was made prior to any discussion of the events with Professor McQueen. This would not have happened in any other context and should not have happened at PCC. All individuals are entitled to due process, fair treatment, and a presumption of reasonable conduct until proven otherwise. These fundamental rights to not become suspended when you walk into your PCC classroom.
We the undersigned faculty in departments campus-wide call for the immediate reinstatement of our colleague Mark Mansfield McQueen, who did nothing wrong and simply defended himself against a potentially violent student. We also demand that the student be referred to Student Services for a consultation to determine his ability to control his temper in a classroom setting. Further, the responsible administrators should publicly apologize for their heavy handed actions toward Professor McQueen.
Professor McQueen has an outstanding reputation as a caring and inspirational teacher. Comments on both school-given and outside evaluations speak to the impact he has had on his students in not only serving as their mentor but also awakening their interest in the Humanities. PCC has a moral obligation to protect Professor McQueen, to respect his rights as a faculty member, and to ensure that the classroom is free of violence and safe for all.
Please follow the link below:
https://www.change.org/petitions/reinstate-pcc-professor-mark-mcqueen
