To the Board:

I am shocked and appalled by your "statement" to the community dated May 6, 1996. Is this "statement" truly the "shared values and beliefs held by the Board," or is it merely the "values" held by the Executive Committee of the Board? Unless I missed an announcement, the full Board has not met since last February. So, how can this statement represent the full Board?

If community collaboration "is, and will always be, an integral part of Goddard, then how does the Board justify exempted itself from examination? How can the governance of the college be "non?negotiable" and ?the college still be considered democratic? I agree with the Board that we need to create an atmosphere of open and honest communication, but that is not possible when the Board has made certain topics, such as governance and administrative structuring, taboo. I am insulted that you have told me, a community member, to basically, "Sit down and shut?up," with regard to the structure of the college. The governance of this college is, in my mind, a root cause of the very problems we are experiencing right now. I do not feel "an adherence to the principles" that bind this administration to the Board. How can this college claim to be a progressive institution while violating the very letter and spirit of John Dewey's philosophy? Try reading Democracy and Education sometime, and then judge what a progressive institution should be.

Second, I find it very hypocritical for a Board that has consistently dealt in a backroom manner with any issue surrounding the president to talk of ethics. I also find it very disconcerting that this Board employs a president who is noted for his bullying, unethical management?style. This has been a major issue of the current uproar around the president. Of course, your statement does not even address these crucial issues. Instead, it calls for the community to look to the future, and ignore the "difficult times" of the present. I assume that the resignation of three staff members, one the Director of Admissions, do not constitute a valid crisis in the Board's collective eyes.

Finally, you call the community to collaboratively address certain "crucial areas," such as faculty workload, group study size, personnel evaluations, and budget cuts. These "areas" are straight from the president's agenda, and all involve faculty, not administration. As a student I am worried about administrative workload, the non?productivity of the Office of Development, the horrible condition in which the physical plant is, presidential managementstyle, and the hierarchy of the Board. When will you "allow" us to collaboratively address these issues?

This letter is more than a statement to the Board. There are several questions posed. I would expect them to be answered. In other words, I am seeking a response from the full Board. As a student, I feel that I deserve to know what "the policy?making board of trustees" of my school is doing. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Chris Riddell - Student

Cc: President Richard Greene