Students rally in protest of cuts

The raging debate about potential faculty and staff cuts at Lyndon State College has gone strong for the last week, leading to two Student Government Association meetings, a sit-in protest, and plans for a trip to Montpelier to confront legislators.

Other business, typically a routine event at the end of SGA meetings, was anything but usual Wednesday when several students presented a resolution to have a vote of no confidence in President Carol Moore.

"We do not feel that President Moore is capable of handling this crisis going further in a way that is acceptable to those that it impacts the most, which is each and every one of you, the student body, both present and future," said Dan Haycook, one of the main organizers of Tuesday's sit-in protest. "These are the words and thoughts of your student body."

Haycook gathered more than 150 signatures from students on the resolution earlier in the day Wednesday.

Members of the SGA had a variety of opinions regarding Moore's style of leading the college.

"This resolution is nothing short of ridiculous," said Andrew Chapin, the Student Investment Group representative, adding that a lack of funding from the state and the Vermont State College systems are to blame. "President Moore has been doing her job well."

"I have full confidence in President Carol Moore. She's been extraordinary. You're not going to see her level of dedication on any other college campus. You talk about faculty interactions and what they've done for your college experience. Without Carol Moore, my experience would not be the same as it is," SGA President John Kleinhans said to applause.

"I can say for me, Paul Searles, David Plazek, Janet Bennion changed mine. You guys just made the point that you can go and talk to Carol Moore; I can go talk to David Plazek, I can go talk to Paul Searles, you know what I can't do? I can't go talk to them when they're gone," said Justin Pepe, the representative for WWLR.

"You can't go talk to Carol if she's gone either," said Sean Siciliano, campus activities board representative.

"And I'm okay with that, because she's the one screwing up everything," Pepe responded.

"Lyndon State is not alone in its deficit problem, but it is very much alone in how bad the deficit is," third-year representative Adam Norton said, motioning to accept the resolution.

Adam Brabant, another sit-in organizer, approved of the proposed resolution.

"Honestly, Carol Moore has said no matter what we do, this decision has pretty much been made, and there's nothing we can do that will change that from happening," he said. "There are alternatives, and she right now is simply refusing to hear those options."

When some members of the crowd questioned whether Moore truly cared about the faculty and staff at risk of being let go, Kleinhans spoke up.

"That woman has a heart of gold," he said.

The discussion went on for over an hour, and in the end, the motion to move on was called first, and therefore voted on first. The vote totals, which were made public, were 31 yes, nine no, four blanks, and two abstains. Abstentions go to the majority, and blanks have no bearing on the votes, according to the constitution.

While the resolution was moved on at this meeting, it could be brought forth again if students wish to present it.

The sit-in protest began early Tuesday morning, and went on until the afternoon. Roughly 150 students gathered in the Alexander Twilight Theatre lobby to rally for faculty and staff at risk of being let go.

"I think it's a fine way for students to express their thoughts," President Carol Moore said on the day of the sit-in.

On the day of the sit-in, Moore, Dean of Institutional Advancement Bob Whittaker, and Dean of Administration Wayne Hamilton fielded questions at the protest to give students answers.

 "We're looking to invest in the future," Hamilton said of the current budgeting issues at LSC, and what the administration is doing to correct them.

There was also another SGA meeting on Monday night to address more concerns that students had. Moore, who was away from the college, spoke by phone to the entire room. Several students voiced concerns about the future of programs.

"We're quite confident that we will be able to maintain the quality of our programs," Moore said.

Many of the sit-in participants, as well as SGA members plan to travel to Montpelier next Wednesday to speak with legislators about the lack of funding at LSC. This event is open to the student body, is free (the group will be taking school vans), and will be leaving at 12 p.m.

This past week has been bustling with activity as students, faculty, staff, and administration all try to find solutions to the deficit problems plaguing so many colleges. As the deadline for faculty and staff to announce their retirement plan nears, more information will become available. 

For more on this story be sure to pick up the paper copy of The Critic.