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MONTAGE Serving the St. Louis Community College - Meramec community since 1964
ACP Award Recipient
VOLUME 53, ISSUE 4 | THURSDAY, OCT. 12, 2017 | WWW.MERAMECMONTAGE.COM Photos by Amanda Harris
Meramec students Rebecca Bolin (left), Luke Barber (middle) and Ian Buschmann (right) address the Board of Trustees to the backdrop of a full room. The students spoke about their passion for their teachers and their concerns regarding a potential reduction in force.
Students voice concerns over budget cuts
Speakers, board members butt heads during open forum section of Board of Trustees meeting Tania Robin | Staff Writer
The Student Social Action Committee (SSAC) represented Meramec’s student body at the Sept. 28 Board of Trustees meeting at the Harrison Education Center in north St. Louis. Over 50 STLCC students made an appearance at the public forum, a much larger turnout than the board was expecting, evidenced by the lack of available space in the meeting room. An overflow room allowed those who could not be accommodated in the first room to watch the meeting via live television feed with a two minute audio delay. Chancellor Pittman was surprised at the turnout and said in a later interview that he was happy students want to be informed and involved in the school’s proceedings. “It’s very important for students to participate in the college’s government structure,” said Pittman. “Their input was very much appreciated by the trustees and myself.” Members of SSAC were given the opportunity to speak alongside faculty during the open floor portion at the end of the board meeting. Most students addressed fears in reference to Chancellor Pittman’s
summer announcement that the budget cuts will likely result in a reduction of full-time faculty. “I’m here to represent all students and faculty who can’t be here today,” said SSAC president Xavier Phillips. “All we are asking is that you do what’s right. Don’t do what’s easy. Make the right choice.” Student Emily Calton spent three to four hours protesting after class for several weeks leading up to the meeting. Calton said it was important to help educate other students about budget cuts, program cuts and how professors will lose their jobs. “My professors inspire all the students and myself to reach for the stars and to work hard for the education we deserve. [They] truly care about what they teach and the ways they teach,” said Calton. “That’s why I’m here, on behalf of my professors and my school.” Music student Amber Buckner, who commuted three hours to attend the meeting, couldn’t attend school in person this fall due to a recent surgery. She told the board about how her professors accommodated her medical needs and helped her start the
semester remotely. Prior to the meeting, Buckner created flyers encouraging other students to attend in order to help their professors and save the education they love and depend on. “At Meramec, the college feels like a warm community. The professors give students hope, inspiration, and makes them see they can succeed,” said Buckner. Buckner’s mother, Kathy Buckner, attended the meeting alongside her daughter. Kathy Buckner is a Meramec alumna who met her husband at Meramec. She spoke to the board about how STLCC plays a central role in the community, but also brought to the attention of the entire room that some board members were preoccupied during the meeting. “You really bother me that you’re not even giving some of the faculty members the courtesy of paying attention,” said Kathy Buckner. “You’re in charge... and you can’t even give people the respect to pay attention? To your own staff? That’s kind of disgusting in my opinion.” Chancellor Pittman responded to the incident in an interview. He said that he had heard a student
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