GODDARD COMMUNITY NO ANARCHISTIC MOB
I must take exception to your editorial
stance ("Anarchy 101," April 23rd) on the troubles we at Goddard
are facing. It is outrageous to use the Reign of Terror and the
War of Roses as metaphors for our reactions to the threat of
layoffs. Your portrayal of Goddard as an anarchistic mob is
unfair. We are not of one mind about the origins of our
solutions to our problems. The idea that there is a pattern
that needs to be examined has been part of our internal
dialogue for some time and did not originate with "long-time
observers" outside of Goddard.
Last spring, through "restructuring," we lost several vital,
caring people. When clear dissent was expressed through the
proper channels, including the Board, it fell on deaf ears.
In the summer, the money for a brick Courtyard and a Chopin concert
was spent before tuition revenue was in hand. (As an aside: since
President Richard Greene has failed to land any major contributions,
perhaps keeping our dirt path and automating the library might
have made a better impression on potential donors or at least,
served the students better.)
Over the fall and winter, more dissatisfied employees left. Some
positions were not filled, leaving the remaining staff overworked.
When the tactics of spending before earning and savings through
attrition fails, Greene's next step was to hire outside consultants.
Further demoralized, individuals and groups reacted in different
ways: hunger strikes, votes of no confidence, labor organizing,
protest rallies and (saddest of all) more resignations.
Many of us to see a pattern to our troubles and feel we need to
take responsibility. This internal dialogue and our struggles
will continue regardless, but, if you want to provide a real community
service, report on what's happening in all its complexity. Don't
resort to promoting the stereotype of Goddard as the far-out fringe
element people love to hate. It may sell papers, but it's not
fit to print.
Dorothy Wallace
Plainfield
Goddard Librarian
