GODDARD STAFF TO
FORM UNION - TRUSTEES
DECIDE NOT TO
REHIRE 16

By Tamara Lush - Free Press Staff Writer

Goddard College professional staff have taken the first steps toward forming a union, and the board of trustees Saturday responded favorably.

The board also approved a $5.5 million budget, but decided not to rehire 16 teachers and staff members whose contracts were not renewed this month. A demonstration calling for the reinstatement of the teachers was held by faculty, staff, alumni and students as the board met on the Plainfield campus.

Members of the Goddard community say the actions of its president, Richard Greene, are jeopardizing the progressive traditions of the school.

"He has really undermined the democratic process here, which is one of the things that made Goddard distinct as a progressive school," said Jamie Kline, a 1993 graduate and former admissions counselor at the college. Kline said he resigned two months ago.

"We're at a crisis point," said Kiko Nobusawa, who lost her job in the academic affairs office. "If things don't change this time, the school will cease to exist as a progressive institution." Nobusawa said she and two others were fired for trying to organize a union, which Greene denies.

It's a charge that Jane O'Meara Sanders, president of the trustees, denies.

"We have no opposition to a union," she said, following the two-day board meeting. The trustees voted to ask for legal advice concerning the staff's intent to organize a union with the National Education Association.

The school has about 100 faculty members. Sanders said the union would represent faculty and any staff in positions that require a college degree.

Greene said trustees "carefully considered" reinstating the 16 people. "We decided we couldn't do it at this time," he said. "I hope in the future to bring some of them back - if we have a good fall semester, for instance."

Greene's critics say he did not consult teachers, staff and students about next year's $5.5 million budget, which was passed by trustees Saturday.

Greene said trustees spent about 1 and 1/2 hours listening to staff and students speak their concerns. In response to their concerns, Sanders said the trustees formed a trustee committee to visit and try to develop better communication among the trustees, administration and community.