Thursday, November 29, 2007

Busy day at the State Recorder's Office

Over the last couple of weeks, the Alaska State Recorder's Office has received several new documents related to the ongoing SJ(C?) collapse.

1. IRS filed an additional lien of $150,000.00.
2. SJ Foundation quick deeded all assets back to SJ(C?).
3. Former employee files lien for $6,000.
4. Lis Pendens filed against SJ(C?). (Latin for "suit pending" - tied to Alaska Growth Capital's suit)
5. New Deed of trust (Mortgage) for $50,000 to private couple with Presbyterian ties.

Not sure what it all means...

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

SJ(C?) goes offline

The SJ website is down. The message says "down for maintenance", though I'm betting it means "down for the count."

Hames spared: now the work begins

The City Assembly approved a one year lease of the Hames PE Center (now being called the Hames Wellness Center?). On a vote of 5-2, the lease, which included about $80,000 of administrative costs which go directly to SJ, will cover operating costs, utilities, etc. with Community Schools acting as facilities manager.

SJ Trustee Rob Allen stated during public testimony that without the lease, Hames would close its doors December 1st.

Within the next year, the Hames Task Force needs to find funding in order to keep the facility operating. It's not clear what support the city will offer then.

KCAW Raven Radio aired a story this morning. I'll post the link here when it goes online.

Monday, November 26, 2007

Decision Time

Tomorrow, Tuesday November 27th, the City Assembly will be voting on the future of the Hames PE Center. The motion will likely be for a one year lease, with Community Schools serving as a third party contractor. The city will cover lease costs, Community Schools will manage the facility. Dozens, perhaps scores, or community folks and organizations such as the Coast Guard will continue to donate sweat equity and perhaps additional funds to make the arrangement work. Within the next year, the Hames PE Center Task Force will develop a long term plan for the center.

Should the city decide not to agree to a lease, then the future is far from certain for a facility that SJ abandoned, but the community rallied behind.

If you feel you have a stake in the outcome, I'd encourage you to contact the assembly at assembly@cityofsitka.com.

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Vision

On August 6th, Inside Higher Ed ran a story about potential suitors looking to purchase or lease SJ(C?). At that time, Dr. Dobler was quoted as saying that the college "is not for sale and the mission of the college is not up for grabs". Contrast that with more recent statements from Trustees and the fact the college is looking to sell every campus property outside of the immediate core. Dr. Dobler, in my opinion, lacks vision. What he has is a position.

Far be it from me to think that I've got it all figured out either. I've enjoyed reading comments from folks like John Garrison, SitkaTed, and others because they've done some serious thinking and searching about how SJ may find an authentic future. At best, what I offer is a perspective about creating an authentic vision for the campus.


First, this vision must take into account the needs of this community. Community is loosely defined here on purpose, as there is the geographic community of Sitka, the native community, religious community, etc. that need to be heard and included. How many other possible communities might there be that can offer insight into the next SJ?

Second, this vision must come from folks willing to make it happen. We've got current Trustees who leave any mention of SJ out of their bios. These folks aren't getting it done. This is why there is no doubt in my mind that the future of the campus should include the environmental sciences. Former faculty and the hatchery staff have already formed the Sitka Sound Science Center. They're organized, committed, and have a vision for environmental education in Sitka.

Who else is out there willing to make this happen? How many of us (former staff, faculty, etc.) would return to put our vision to work?

The future of SJ(C?), if there is to be one, requires an authentic vision, informed by real community needs, and led by impassioned champions. The first steps only need to be small ones.

Friday, November 16, 2007

Who defines the future?

As I reread the recent Sentinel article regarding Tuesday's Trustee meeting, I was struck by something Trustee Gary Paxton said. To paraphrase, he said something to the effect of, "we intend to keep the core campus property together for as long as possible with the hope that somebody will want to run some kind of educational program there." This isn't a perfect quote, but a decent enough facsimile.

What part stands out to you?

To me it's this: ..."that SOMEBODY will want to run SOME KIND of educational program there."

With all due respect to Mr. Paxton, a relatively new member of the Board, the SOMEBODY should have been US, the faculty, staff, and students of SJC! We were dismissed, denied, and derided.

SOMEBODY just doesn't cut it.

SOME KIND of program is no better. The program needs to be one that addresses the unique needs of our community, state, and planet. In my next posting, I'll lay out a vision for what could have been, and could still be if the will exists.

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Board of Trustees Update and more...

Kudos to Board members Heather McCarty, Arliss Sturgelewski, and Gary Paxton for publicly speaking about the situation at SJ(C?). It's little and late, but it is an improvement.

The Sentinel spoke with Paxton and Sturgelewski about the recent Trustee meeting. From the article I've gleaned the following:

President Dobler will be retained; I assume everyone else will be unemployed by 11/30.

Certain property will be sold ASAP to meet debt obligations. The property: Incinerator site, Jeff Davis/SMC corner lot, and Sisters Lane lot. The debt: Alaska Growth, IRS, City of Sitka, Staff & Faculty severance and leave.

The intent is to preserve the core of campus in the hope that a new entity will be interested in running and education program there. Paxton stated that preliminary conversations have happened with two organizations.

The article does not address any specifics relating to Hames, the hatchery, or childcare center. I suspect negotiations with each remain active.

I imagine the Board also discussed the lawsuits filed by AGC and Travelers Insurance, but I haven't heard.

...Meanwhile, Chilkat Services has placed an ad in the paper looking for interested folks to rent apartments and houses on campus. Russ Thorpe of Chilkat said that real estate should be coming up for sale shortly, as well.

Monday, November 12, 2007

All on the line

It's all on the line for SJ(C?) tomorrow when the Board of Trustees meet on campus Tuesday, November 13th.

The rumors are all over the map and include a complete closure and termination of all staff (President as well), offers from foundations and others to buy/lease the campus, and the end of the Hatchery.

Don't forget that 100 employees have not been paid since July 5th, students have had their accounts sent to collections, Hames PE Center has two weeks left on its lease, and two lawsuits totaling close to $5 million have been filed.

Despite all of this, Heather McCarty wrote in the sentinel her desire to do right by the people of Sitka. I'm not criticizing her, but challenging her and the Board to live up to this claim. If they are sincere, than their actions tomorrow will demonstrate this.

Please, please, please, whoever attends needs to email me or report back on this site.

Friday, November 9, 2007

Alaska Growth Capital sues for $4.5 million

AGC is suing SJ(C?), the SJ Foundation, the City of Sitka, and PC USA for $4.5 million.

Earlier this summer it was discovered that the collateral held for a loan to SJ for the same amount had been filed improperly. As a result, AGC did not have a lien on the lower portion of campus, only uplands. The city saw this as a chance to place a lien on the lower part of campus for unpaid utilities.

Well, none of this sat well with AGC, who argues that SJ knew and intended that the entire campus be used as collateral. They allege that SJ has been unwilling to amend the documents to rectify the situation. Further, they state that SJ has failed to make payments as scheduled. So, they are suing for the amount owed, asking the courts to amend documents to accurately reflect the intended agreement, and asking to foreclose on the loan.

This is bad news for those groups trying to break away from SJ and run independently.

The Sentinel reported this story in Thursday's (Nov. 8th) paper.

Thursday, November 8, 2007

Board of Trustees meets next week

The Board of Trustees will meet on campus Tuesday, November 13th. Questions about additional layoffs, severance and annual leave, the Hatchery, property sales etc. should be on the agenda.

Those affected by Trustee decisions and the general public deserve answers. The Board needs to run an open and truthful meeting. Minutes from past meetings need to be available, and time for public comment should be allotted.

Alas, I cannot be there, and need other folks to attend. Sign up in the comments section, the more the merrier.

Monday, November 5, 2007

SJ sued by Traveler's Insurance

The Sentinel recently reported that Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America has filed a lawsuit against SJ(C?) for $100,000.00. The suit alleges that SJ failed to hold Travelers harmless as per contract. When the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (ACPE) sought to tap the surety bond, Travelers contends that SJ was required to cover the costs. What kind of insurance policy expects the insured to pay the costs?

Here's one possible scenario: ACPE requires surety bond. Travelers says "No way. Not unless you (SJ) indemnify us." SJ says, "well, we need the bond, but can only get one if we agree to not hold Travelers liable for it. OK." This could have happened. After all, SJ would not have been able to continue without it, and Travelers may have felt that SJ was too risky to insure without such a clause.

We'll see where this goes....

Thursday, November 1, 2007

Setting a double standard

SJ(C?) recently sent all student accounts in default to a collection agency, Northern Credit Services. While an argument can be made that SJ is owed the funds, their recent action is nonetheless particularly harsh. Students were often allowed to carry over debt from semester to semester, and payment plans were reasonable. Sending students to collections changes all that by opening them up to finance charges and poor credit ratings.

Speaking of poor credit ratings, while SJ goes after students in arrears, it remains in debt to several entities, including former employees. Let's send them to collections!
How many phone calls during dinner and letters in the mail with big red "PAST DUE" stamps will it take to receive compensation?