I haven't heard much in a while about folks finding work, but some have this past month. Pat Sheahan is working at Sitka Counseling and Prevention Services. Cerissa Payment declined an offer at Raven's Way to accept a position as Case Coordinator at Youth Advocates. Mike Kaplan returns to UW to complete his Phd, and is working at the University.
Please let me know of others...
As for students, I've heard that Karissa has moved to Anchorage to attend APU. I'd love to hear about more of you. Post comments on the site, write on my wall in Facebook, or email me at peoplecallmebryner@yahoo.com.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Thursday, August 30, 2007
The Semester that Wasn't
Below is a copy of a letter to the editor I will submit tomorrow...
This past Wednesday would have been the start of a new fall semester at Sheldon Jackson College. Instead, with the exception of a shoestring staff, the campus shows little signs of life. It was also exactly two months ago that staff and faculty were terminated without notice. To date, they have not received the severance and vacation pay promised to them. Students would not be notified of the decision for weeks, and many still do not know where, or if, they will be attending college this fall. To put it bluntly, the quick decision to suspend operations and nearly every related subsequent action on the part of the College has been mishandled. The results are tragic, and I feel a profound sense of loss as college students return to campuses across the country – everywhere but here.
This upcoming Wednesday, the Board of Trustees will meet on campus. I encourage everyone with a vested interest in the fate of Sheldon Jackson College – in essence, all of us – to attend.
This past Wednesday would have been the start of a new fall semester at Sheldon Jackson College. Instead, with the exception of a shoestring staff, the campus shows little signs of life. It was also exactly two months ago that staff and faculty were terminated without notice. To date, they have not received the severance and vacation pay promised to them. Students would not be notified of the decision for weeks, and many still do not know where, or if, they will be attending college this fall. To put it bluntly, the quick decision to suspend operations and nearly every related subsequent action on the part of the College has been mishandled. The results are tragic, and I feel a profound sense of loss as college students return to campuses across the country – everywhere but here.
This upcoming Wednesday, the Board of Trustees will meet on campus. I encourage everyone with a vested interest in the fate of Sheldon Jackson College – in essence, all of us – to attend.
Department of Labor update
After my meeting with the Department of Labor investigator Ronald Schramm, he met with SJ officials. They will present a plan to the Board for consideration. The timeline is likely to be longer than the 90 days Mr. Schramm suggested. The total bill is in the 300 - 400k range. I spoke during a recent Assembly meeting regarding a loan to SJ and asked them to consider requiring any city loan to the College be used to cover the wages owed. The Assembly is unlikely to loan SJ money, however, so this is an unlikely scenario.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
My meeting with the Department of Labor
On Wednesday, August 23rd, I met with Ronald Schramm, Wage and Hour Investigator with the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. We spoke for about an hour, and he was due to meet with SJ officials that afternoon. Here's what I learned.
Sheldon Jackson College is required by law to provide compensation to terminated workers three days after termination. SJ did pay out wages in a timely manner. Yet, they have failed to make good on the promise of a 30 day severance and vacation time owed. Mr. Schramm plans on offering the College an incremental payment plan that would result in the College settling its debt with staff and faculty over the next 90 days. Failing this option, former employees may need to file formal complaints with the Department, at which point each claim would be investigated and a judgment made regarding SJ's responsibility. With the potential for scores of complaints, Mr. Schramm is hoping his offer will be accepted.
Perhaps the last resort would be to file a civil suit against the College, an option no one looks forward to, but may prove to be the only option should SJ not meet its financial obligations to us.
Mr. Schramm has agreed to notify me of the outcome of his meeting with the College. I'll update the site as soon as I hear something.
Sheldon Jackson College is required by law to provide compensation to terminated workers three days after termination. SJ did pay out wages in a timely manner. Yet, they have failed to make good on the promise of a 30 day severance and vacation time owed. Mr. Schramm plans on offering the College an incremental payment plan that would result in the College settling its debt with staff and faculty over the next 90 days. Failing this option, former employees may need to file formal complaints with the Department, at which point each claim would be investigated and a judgment made regarding SJ's responsibility. With the potential for scores of complaints, Mr. Schramm is hoping his offer will be accepted.
Perhaps the last resort would be to file a civil suit against the College, an option no one looks forward to, but may prove to be the only option should SJ not meet its financial obligations to us.
Mr. Schramm has agreed to notify me of the outcome of his meeting with the College. I'll update the site as soon as I hear something.
Student: ask for your founder's day awards
Students, (specifically those in the teach out) make sure that you ask that SJ honor your Founder's Day awards if you received one this past spring. Because you are part of a teach-out, you are an SJ student. As a result, you are entitled to the award. During the audio conference, President Dobler stated that any award that was made from a restricted fund could be used by the student. Virtually ALL Founder's Day awards are restricted funds. So get what's coming to you.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
upcoming audio conference
A telephone conference has been scheduled on Wednesday, August 22, 2007, at 10 a.m. for students affected by the suspension of operation of Sheldon Jackson College. Sitka residents wishing to listen/participate are invited to gather at the Legislative Information Office located at 201 Katlian St., Suite 200A. The call in number is 800-315-6338, pass code 6740#.
Monday, August 13, 2007
ACPE audio conference held today
Unfortunately, I was traveling today during the audio conference and was unable to call in. From what I've gathered from folks who listened in and gave comment, the outcome of ACPE's report is not favorable to the College.
Among the items addressed, it appears that the teach out agreements are incomplete and/or unacceptable in their current form. ACPE will begin to lead the process on their own. The commission will post their report here, and I'll have more to add then...
Among the items addressed, it appears that the teach out agreements are incomplete and/or unacceptable in their current form. ACPE will begin to lead the process on their own. The commission will post their report here, and I'll have more to add then...
Monday, August 6, 2007
How much for that doggie in the window...
Inside Higher Ed published a story on today about the possibility of Sheldon Jackson being sold to a for-profit educational institution. In the article, President Dobler was quoted as saying that the college "is not for sale and the mission of the college is not up for grabs", but that there were for profits interested in an arrangement that "would not completely reshape the college".
I now wonder if Doug Dye's (a friend of Dr. Dobler) visit to campus was more than just an interview regarding the Dean of Academic Affairs position. Doug Dye is from Grand Canyon University, a formerly private Christian university with financial problems (sound familiar) that was purchased by a group of investors in 2004. The result, massive layoffs and lax academic standards according to faculty.
Time will tell..
I now wonder if Doug Dye's (a friend of Dr. Dobler) visit to campus was more than just an interview regarding the Dean of Academic Affairs position. Doug Dye is from Grand Canyon University, a formerly private Christian university with financial problems (sound familiar) that was purchased by a group of investors in 2004. The result, massive layoffs and lax academic standards according to faculty.
Time will tell..
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Board of Trustees denies housing relief for staff and faculty
Word has it, and the meeting minutes should confirm it, that the Board of Trustees voted down a motion by Board member Monte Wilson to delay raising rents for on campus staff and faculty. Monte has since resigned from the Board.
By my best estimate, the College receives approximately 12 to 15k per month in rent. An increase of even 25% (which would be extreme) would only yield an additional 3 to 4k per month, or 36 to 40k per year. And of course, many folks will be moving off campus, thus lowering the monthly revenue now being collected.
So for perhaps as little as 30k annually, the Board chose to continue with its plan to raise the rents of the same folks who they also laid off with no notice and no health benefits. But hey, in just 200 short years, that 30k would pay off the 6 million dollar debt SJ owes. So it was the only logical thing to do, after all.
By my best estimate, the College receives approximately 12 to 15k per month in rent. An increase of even 25% (which would be extreme) would only yield an additional 3 to 4k per month, or 36 to 40k per year. And of course, many folks will be moving off campus, thus lowering the monthly revenue now being collected.
So for perhaps as little as 30k annually, the Board chose to continue with its plan to raise the rents of the same folks who they also laid off with no notice and no health benefits. But hey, in just 200 short years, that 30k would pay off the 6 million dollar debt SJ owes. So it was the only logical thing to do, after all.
Cerissa Payment, Patricia Campbell & Bryner hired
Cerissa and Patricia have been hired by SEARHC's Raven's Way Program. The Program is well regarded and I'm sure lucky to have them.
And yes, even I have found work. I'm the new Course Coordinator for the Alaska Marine Safety Education Association (AMSEA). I've been on the job for two days, and love it.
Continue to let me know of other good news.
And yes, even I have found work. I'm the new Course Coordinator for the Alaska Marine Safety Education Association (AMSEA). I've been on the job for two days, and love it.
Continue to let me know of other good news.
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