Friday, September 7, 2007

And then there were six

I've heard from several sources now that a new round of layoffs will be announced. The staff will be reduced to six. Hames PE Center and the Childcare Center will be advertised to organizations to lease. If no takers, the facilities will cease operations.

17 comments:

Mr. Bob Horwath, M.A. cMPH said...

Chris,

It is sad that this has happened to you and the students there. I know that leaving, although under extraordinary circumstances, was a bit of divine Providence.

SJC means a great deal to me and the memories will last forever. Now that I am at Gonzaga University, I have a Jesuit perspective on theology, but it was always wonderful to talk to you and Pat about various and sundry things on the spirit or justice. I also miss the great VIMs and especially Duna who showed me what Christ really looks like. I hope that SJC will stop acting like a business and realize it was founded as a part of the mission of the Church--the Church needs to act like her Master and not like the woeful tax-collector or the whitewashed tombs of Jesus' day. May we all like the Prophet Amos see justice flow like a mighty stream.

I miss you all.

Sincerely,


Robby

Anonymous said...

Does anyone know who, besides the "Pres." and CFO, the other 4 employees left are?

Unknown said...

My guess?

President
CFO
Accountant
Payroll
PR
Admin Assistant for Pres and CFO

If they get rid of the President (after all why keep him?!?)

CFO
Accountant (x2)
Payroll
PR
Admin Assistant

All they really need!

Anonymous said...

my bet is

* a Pres. (not sure if it’ll be the current one)

* a CFO

* a Business Office Person (since there's no money, it can't be that hard to keep track of it, there's no reason for more that one)

* an Asst. to the Pres. & CFO (this person will be an overall catch all administrative assistant

I can't really guess the other 2 spots. Its a few toss ups (possible contenders):

a Buildings and Grounds person (since someone will have to oversee the selling of all the land, and it's not just a CFO type thing. Someone will also need to just make sure the campus doesn’t get much worse physically)

a Chief Academic Officer, an actual academic (the teach-out plan requires one of those to execute the plan. Plus, less we forget, SJ is still currently classified as an institution of higher education)

a Hatchery person (it actually makes some money)

someone to manage student records, at least on a part time basis

a technology person, if the system falls apart and they can’t send emails then they’ll really suck (this person might become a contractor who’ll put in a few hours a week)

they should consider bringing on a good lawyer to staff, they’ll need one with all the people they’ve screwed.

Unknown said...

According to the ACPE student records are going to be headed to the state. The school has no more use for someone to oversee them, unfortunately, that means Kathy is disposable to them as well.

Anonymous said...

I really do not know why
"people" are complaining about SJC. If a person is a faculty/staff member and they chose to work at a dying indebted institution with major ethics problems--then I would ask if they did not have issues themselves or problems relating to the demands of a more challenging academic and career atmosphere.

SJC was a scenic rest-stop for people with the illusion that one could live their whole life in the great outdoors while avoiding the demands of real existence. Look at the students--most if not all were lazy, and demanded or were awarded scholarships for having lower than average scores or having challenges in the learning department. They were not prepared for a professional existence or for better opportunities other than milking Salmon or climbing rocks while thinking of the ethical implications of what gear to use. I listened in to the forum and most of the students were whining about their institutional scholarships for the "GED" or for "diversity" or what-have-you. Both sides are at fault.

SJC could have been great. The leadership was low grade and the students were academically and socially challenged--not exactly a winning combination.

SJC was never meant to be the Harvard of the Northwest or a college for people who could barely complete a high school education--don't get me started on the Native issue--SJC never had more than 30% Natives. It could have been great--if only it would have had a greater vision--without people trying to escape the so-called dreary polluted world of the lower 48.

To those who move on and try to succeed, kudos. To those who stay and bitch--not, exactly a honorable way to go.

Good luck.

Anonymous said...

So was there ever a resolution on the severance package?

Anonymous said...

HEY not all the students as SJ were lazy, not all had bad grades. I am not lazy nor did I ever get a bad grade from SJ unless you count the one C i got in math. Some of us students had goals, some achieved them and some did not, but for you to say that we were lazy hurts.
Did you work or go to SJ, i doubt it because if you did you would know there are a few of us who cared about our education and took it for real.

peoplecallmebryner said...

I have yet to comment myself, but thought it necessary regarding anonymous comments about SJ folks getting what they deserved.

Despite the many issues facing SJ - low quality leadership, staff looking for an "easy" existence, etc., NO ONE deserved to be dropped like they were. It isn't bitching to fight back. It's appropriate and warranted.

Katie said...

I think we guys are losing sight of the origial blog "and then there were six" There is an uphill battle the day-care center is fighting to stay going. Non-profit status, getting there own board picked, etc... It doesn't just affect the students, and staff, but little ones as well, and lets not forget what is important for the next generations... A strong foundation... Also the gym, they are in the same boat, so who is going to help them out? What a big thing to lose to this community. Public, Troppers, CG, and jobs to be lost there as well.

Unknown said...

Wow. Not to be picky, but "Anonymous" has no place demeaning some for academic "challenges" when s/he (Sorry Cote...) has a few as well.

And NO ONE deserved what happened. No one.

Have some courage. Use your name.


Nicole

Unknown said...

brynor I want you to read this and take it all in..
As social networking sites and internet blogs continue to increase in both popularity and use, the opportunities for defamatory and libelous actions increase proportionally. Defamation, sometimes called "defamation of character", is spoken or written words that falsely and negatively reflect on a living person's reputation. Slander is generally spoken defamation, while ‘libel’ is written. Blogs or social networks in which defamatory statements are written or recorded present several potential sources of liability and recovery for the person whose character was defamed. In cases where the defamation is proved, damages are presumed and often enforced with liberality.

You may want to be careful when posting....

you my friend are getting might close with naming names and problems with the failure of the college, when in fact YOU were part of the problem! your incompetence in your job, your naive approch to life in general makes you just as culpable as the people who make the descisions for what was then a college. How long were you there ? you didnt see any problems ? Or you just figgured it out once you were let go ? could you have spoken up then ? You well know there were a number of people there who were incompetent, teachers and admin that should have been fired long ago them maybe this mess would have never happened. But you chose to stay and collect you salary and now boo hoo to whomever will listen like you are GOD! I met you your not that bright, but you better wake up soon with this blog or i hope you have a very good lawyer it could get alot worse for you real soon! Id say move along and try to get another job that you got away with as much as you did at SJ. Try doing that in the lower 48 in a job, id give you a month maybe in Sitka apathy abounds you can get away with just about anything here except slander and defamation of charater !

Amy said...

This is a response to Kevin's comment. First Chris's last name is spelled Bryner. If you are going to insult someone you should at least spell his name correctly.
Did you go to school at SJ? Have you ever worked with Chris? Did you spend any amount of time with him? I did and I know that he put his heart and soul into the school.
This blog was created by Chris to inform people about the future of SJ and decisions that the Board is making. You should listen to the Raven Radio interview.
It would be awesome if everyone here could use this blog as a place to get information rather than a place to insult and put people down.
Amy Ring

peoplecallmebryner said...

Amy,

Thank you for the kind words...

Kevin,

Thank you for reminding me aobut the importance of telling the truth, and of the risks asociated with it. I am relatively familiar with what the law says about defamation, etc. I do not bleeive that I have defamed anyone in what I've posted. I looked back at previous posts, and don't see where I have up to this point.

I do try to be careful in what I say, and believe that what has been stated thus far is accurate.

As for my responsibility in the college's failure, I think you're partially right. I could have done more, and should have. I wish I knew how bad things really were, and I wish I had possessed the courage to notify folks of the risks. I was in denial myself, I was also afraid of speaking out sometimes.

However, I do not agree with your appraisal of my abiltities or intentions. Buy you're entitled to your opinion.

All the best,

PCMB

Anonymous said...

I'll keep it short. 1st thanks Chris for doing this blog! I very much appreciate all you are doing now and did in the past for SJC. Like you most of us gave our hearts and soul to SJC with very little to no support from upper managment or the board. Not to mention trying to do the impossible without any funds. Like you we always figured what we did was for the kids, and didn't look at the job as just a Pay Check. Anyway thanks!

Marcel

Anonymous said...

Thank you Bryner for telling us the truth. For over three years that I was a student at SJ, I was told of new programs with the troopers, new housing "going" to be built for residents. Allen would be complete by 07, 08 then it was when we had all the funds. These were just a few of the lies, i am sure students and staff could add more
Students were told lies over and over. When the school shut down on 7/29 it was not the school that told me, it was not the school who helped me find a new one to go to, it was Dr. Cote and Chris Bryner.
This cite was set up for the people affected by the shut down, so that students and friends can keep in touch and find out what is really going on since we were never told in the first place.
I am tired of people coming on here and acting like we are the one at fault or what ever. Sj was our home, no matter what it was like it was our home. How would you feel if someone in your family keep telling you lies then one day decieds to break the family apart and your family members are now scattered across the u.s.
Just give us some respect and don't put us down, you have know right.
thank you

Josh Keaton said...

In response to anonymous comment

"SJC was a scenic rest-stop for people with the illusion that one could live their whole life in the great outdoors while avoiding the demands of real existence. Look at the students--most if not all were lazy, and demanded or were awarded scholarships for having lower than average scores or having challenges in the learning department. They were not prepared for a professional existence or for better opportunities other than milking Salmon or climbing rocks while thinking of the ethical implications of what gear to use."

I graduated from SJC in 2000 with a B.S. in Marine Fisheries. I don't count myself as lazy and lacking the preparation for professional existence. In fact, if anything, SJC provided me the upper hand in marine fisheries in Alaska.

The commenter says that lack of "preparation for professional existence" and am doomed to job prospects of only milking salmon eggs. I am a testament to that being false. Currently i am working for NOAA Fisheries and an Inseason manager (management biologist) for the groundfish fisheries in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands and the Gulf of Alaska. I make decisions daily that effect fisheries in Alaska valued at around 4 billion dollars annually. It pays very well, a very competivie government job and to be honest it was the opportunities of learning fisheries in Alaska at SJC that provided me the ability to get the job I currently have.

And I am not the exception to the rule. People i graduated with or within a year or two have similar jobs, Two i know work for ADFG as management biologists, other people with education degrees are very successful in teaching.

And i am not to ashamed of comments made i wont post as anonymous