FOLLOW THE BOUNCING BALL... HOW ONE EMPLOYEE LEFT GODDARD
What follows is a patented NudePaper PaperChase, which attempts to reconstruct the communications and attitudes behind the elimination of Richard Weinberg's position as a member of Goddard's staff.
Mr. Weinberg's interviewed elsewhere in this' issue. Veteran community members may remember Mr. Weinberg as a member of the maintenance crew during the 1993-'94 and '94-'95 school years. Many of the memos reproduced here are from the personal file of Mr. Weinberg, and the NudePaper is indebted to him for his help.
"This serves as your Letter of Appointment as a full time member of Goddard's staff for the 1994-95: fiscal year, July 1,1994- June 30,1995. Yours is a oneyear appointment ...This contract is subject to the college's policy on layoffs/ position elimination criteria, and incorporates it through this reference ...thank you for your patience as we waited for the board's; approval of the budget." -- Memo front Dan Gribbin to Richard Weinberg August 2, 1994',
"If there is no outcry of indignation, if the firing of Earl [Thompson] is allowed to stand, then the job of each and every employee at Goddard is in jeopardy, should he or she be foolish enough to express a differing opinion ...For the good of Goddard College,; and of all the decent people who work here and all of the students, Richard Greene, and his henchman and, kindred spirit, Dan Gribbin, must go!" -- Richard Weinberg, in an open letter to the students' September, 1994
"It is my belief that the content of this piece does not violate the boundaries of fair comment. The apparent risk that the author would be exposed to by going public with their identity justifies their use of anonymity in presenting their viewpoint while they protect their job. Moreover, those who have labeled this letter a 'personal attack' would do well to examine their definitions." -- Riley Lynch, NudePaper Editorial, October 14,1994
"I'm sorry to inform you that today will be your last day at Goddard. Your position is being eliminated ...please return your keys to me and take your personal belongings and leave the campus. You are requested not to return to campus." -- Memo from Gribbin to Weinberg, November 16, 1994
"Richard Weinberg's position in maintenance 'has been eliminated ...Richard's termination had nothing to do with performance." -- First campus notification of Weinberg's Dismissal, Memo from Gribbin to Community, November 18, 1994
"Weinberg will not be permitted to attend campus performances of plays. He has been asked not to return to campus in any capacity." -- Information received by performers of RICHARD III, November 18, 1994
"The following questions are of immediate concern to the community. Please respond... What is the current Firing/ Evaluation procedure? Who has the final'say' in these matters? Who is accountable for decisions made at this level? The community would like to see the job description for the position previously held by Richard Weinberg, along with documentation of its "temporary" status. Who is currently 'head' of maintenance? When will a search begin to replace Earl Thompson? Clarification is needed of the role of the Dean for Administration, currently held by Dan Gribbin. What is the job description of this position; and is the ,power too centralized in one person? Why are former employees barred from campus, including cultural events? -- Letter from Community Meeting planners to President Richard Greene (unanswered), November 22, 1994
"To all Goddard Students... Maybe you'd like to join the rest of us out here in the REAL WORLD!! I really don't understand what all this crap is about. Why do you feel it is your responsibility to take it upon yourselves to defend these people you feel were unjustly wronged? Do you think that when we all have jobs and a fellow employee is fired you can go to the boss and hold a sitin? Sorry, but the 60's ended quite a while ago. I'm sure [the bosses] wouldn't care what you thought, nor should they. It is obviously felt by them that there is just cause for their actions, and you should have faith in them to make decisions -Hey it's their job-! If you don't have faith in the people that are running your work place or in this case your college, maybe you shouldn't be there." -- Letter from Michelle Lemieux to the community entitled "Campus Mailings, 'vigils', and other going-ons[sic]", November 22, 1994
"I have hired, on a temporary basis, Chris Lemieux for weekend coverage. He will start this weekend." -- Memo from Gribbin to campus students, December 2, 1994
"...the assembled body agreed that we would like to recognize the increased workload which you must now handle, and express appreciation for your redoubled efforts in this area."
-- Letter to Maintenance and Housekeeping staff from a community meeting letter, December 6, 1994
"DEAR JACKSON KYTLE, PLEASE COME BACK! IT WAS ALL JUST A HORRIBLE MISTAKE! THE GODDARD COMMUNITY" -- Ad number 62583, mysterious classified which appeared in the Times-Argus paid for by a person who claimed to be, but was not, Goddard Facilitator Eric Zency, March 4,1995
Goddard students have always enjoyed a good sit-in.
