Volume 20, Issue 13 - Nov. 14, 1997

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... "' Volume20

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November 14, 1997

Issue 13

The Metropolitan State College of Denver student newspaper serving the Auraria Campus since 1979

No capitulation in VP situation

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Metro president denies demands, keeps lid on details prompting administrator's transfer . By J~ Stephenson The Metropol1tan

Metro's administration made no concessions in its response to four demands issued by a group of student protesters who were angered by the sudden transfer of a Metro employee. Manuel Escamilla, former assistant vice president of Student Services, changed positions in late October and now serves as a senior equity specialist in Metro's Educational Equity Center. After an Nov. 3 rally for Escamilla outside the Central Classroom, students demanded that Metro President Sheila Kaplan and Vice President of Student Services Vernon Haley give them information about the job change and that Haley resign. They also demanded the college hand over a recent evaluation on the Student Services office and appoint Escamilla to a teaching position in Metro's education department. Metro Spokesperson Sherry Patten said Haley does not plan on resigning. Kaplan met with the students Nov. JO to respond to the other three demands, but kept tight-lipped about the details surroundi.ng Escamilla's transfer and the Student Services II evaluation, which she said she has no record of because it was given orally. "Sometimes it's better not to discuss someone's effectiveness or lack of effective- ness in a public arena," Kaplan said. She added that the college would not appoint him to a teaching position, but said he was welcome to apply for any teaching position needing to be filled at Metro. "Contrary to your belief, as a matter of policy, I do not require that departments create academic positions for untenured administra• tors who resign their positions," Kaplan said in a letter addressed to students who led the protest. "However, if academic opportunities arise that match Dr. Escamilla's interests and qualifications, he is welcome to pursue them." Liz Friot, chairwoman of Metro's s. Secondary Education Department, said the

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department does have an open position for a professor of educational technology but to qualify, an applicant must have a Ph. D. m Educational Technology. Escamilla has a Ph. D. in Education. Escamilla, whose contract with the college expires in June, said he is interested in finding another job at the college but will seek opportunities elsewhere if he can't get a job at Metro that involves working with students. "I think that" there are several positions I could do a very good job in," he said. "I think I have a very good understanding of the type of student who enrolls and graduates at Metro." Escamilla backed up student allegations that the college gave him little advance warning of his transfer and said administrators were as vague with him about reasons for the transfer as they have been with the student protesters. He added that performance evaluations for the past three years offer no clues that his work in Student Services was unsatisfactory. "They were not obligated to give me any reasons," he said. "I think the process that they followed lacked respect, but in terms of legality they are probably fine - I don't think I can contest it." Escamilla is an at-will employee of the college, meaning he can be terminated without notice or reason. Jillann Mills, a Metro student and president of Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan, one of the clubs that led the Nov. 3 protest, said the college dealt a blow to students who frequently utilize Student Services by transferring Escamilla to a position. where he does not work with students. But Mills said MEChA members and the others opposing the college's decision made some headway in their confrontation with Kaplan. The president agreed to let the group work with Metro Dean of Student Life Yolanda Ortega-Ericksen to form a student committee to review the office of Student Services. That office offers services including academic assessment testing, tutoring and student

Shirts and skins

Jenny Sparks/Tire Metropolitan

Metro's Rashawn Fulcher, left, battles Lee Barlow for a rebound during men'~sketball practice Nov. 11 at Aurarla Events Center. The Roadrunners open the season Nov. 15 at the College of Notre Dame In Belmont, Calif. Full previews of the men's and women's basketball teams appear on page 15.

News

Features

Sports

Metro student charged with ind ting a riot in Boulder

'Salt Water Moon' and 'Toughl'Two plays are better than one

Metro loses regular season finale, moves on to conference tournament

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Kristofr Morgan

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Page 21.

Got something to say? E-mail the editor at bedan@mscd.edu or call 556-8353. Visit our Web site at www.mscd.edu/-themet

Michelle Edwards


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