Faculty, staff pickets board meeting
Protesters walk up and down Capitol Avenue in front of the Administration Building before the Nov. 21 LCC board meeting. (Photo by Micheal Caterina)
“Two, four, six, eight; get your priorities straight.”
That was the chant outside LCC’s Administration Building Monday night. Nov. 21 as approximately 60 faculty and staff picketed in a peaceful protest.
The purpose of the protest was to criticize the recent program cuts that have taken place at LCC over the past several months.
Many protesters argued that the college is placing more importance on architectural renovations and campus expansion than meeting the needs of its faculty and students.
“I’m out here because I’m working without a contract right now, and I really don’t like it,” said Jeff Janowick, a history professor at LCC. “We want to be able to serve our students as best as possible. The college doesn’t want to negotiate with us in good faith.”
Kevin Karpinski UniServ director for the Michigan Education Association organized the rally, which took place one hour before the regular LCC Board of Trustees meeting.
“There are a variety of reasons these individuals are out here,” Karpinski said. “These people deserve to be treated fairly. They work hard and deserve adequate pay for the work they do.”
LCC Police and Public Safety Sgt. Rodney Bahl said his department was informed the picketing would be taking place before the meeting and prepared accordingly.
“We’ve had situations like this in the past,” Bahl said. “As long as they don’t disrupt traffic or cause too much of a ruckus, everything will be fine.”
During the meeting about 5 faculty members spoke about their concerns during the public comment segment. Karpinski joined them.
“Your enrollment is down,” Karpinski told the board. “Jackson Community College is bursting at the seams. Students will go where they know they can get a quality education. I’m not sure they’re confident they can do that here right now.”
LCC officials could not be reached for comment as of Monday night regarding the peaceful protest.
Check Issue 7 of The Lookout for a full story.
Category: Featured
Don’t forget about the Diversity Plan! It’s kind of funny that LCC public relations facebook posted this article and another about the subject. This is not a good thing.
Go Unions! Education is Power!