SWCID Protest
Commentary: Â SWCID, a part of Howard Community Junior College, is a deaf two year college program. I am unable to determine the number of students enrolled full time, but I remember it as a small program. If so, 40 students protesting may constitute a high percentage of the student body. Incidentally this school does offer a preparatory program, something Gallaudet discontinued in mid 1990’s. MZ
From the newsroom of the Big Spring Herald, Big Spring, Texas, Wednesday, April 4, 2007 …..
SWCID students protest Dr. Ron Brasel, right, provost of SouthWest Collegiate Institute for the Deaf, talks with a group of students at the school’s administration building Tuesday. About 40 SWCID students staged the protest over a variety of issues and threaten further actions if their demands are not met. (HERALD photo/Steve Reagan)
By STEVE REAGAN Staff Writer
A large group of SouthWest Collegiate Institute for the Deaf students staged a protest at the school Tuesday and promised more such action in the future if their demands aren’t met.
About 40 students, upset over issues ranging from cafeteria food to the school’s dean of students, aired their grievances before SWCID Provost Dr. Ron Brasel and Howard College Dr. Cheryl Sparks Tuesday afternoon.
After talking with the two officials, the students agreed to call a temporary halt to their protest.
“We’ve been trying to get them to listen to us since November and they haven’t done anything about until now,†student Kristen Dickson said through an interpreter. “We’re going to meet (with officials) again at 8:45 p.m. Monday and then decide what will happen next.â€
The major point of contention between students and officials Tuesday was Dean of Students Edward Tagge. The students want Tagge fired, an action Brasel said he wasn’t prepared to take.
“That is a very difficult question,†Brasel told the students, “and I cannot in good conscience answer it.â€
Sparks echoed Brasel’s comments.
“This is a personnel issue and it’s something we can’t address in public,†Sparks said. “I understand that the students are asking questions, but it’s a situation where the employee has rights, also.â€
Dickson said dislike for Tagge is widespread among students.
“Each student has their individual reasons as to why they want him to resign,†she said. “My primary reason is that he forces religion on the students. Secondly, he punishes the students.â€
Other issues included the quality of cafeteria food, which Dickson called “slop,†faulty air conditioning in the dorms, balky Internet service and the students’ wish for a deaf provost once Brasel retires.
In addition, they voiced concern over the lack of social activities for students.
Sparks said the college would continue to work with the students.
“We’re very sensitive to our students,†she said. “After all, we want them to come here. If something is wrong, we want to know about it … we want to be able to fix it.â€
Copyright © 2007 Big Spring Herald http://www.bigspringherald.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12201&Itemid=1
For hourly updates on Daphne Wright’s murder trial, check this link:Â http://blogs.argusleadermedia.com/voices/
Wright Trial: Landfill Evidence Linked To Wright’s Home: http://www.keloland.com/NewsDetail6162.cfm?Id=0,56038
email contact: mishkazena@aol.com
Commentary: Â SWCID, a part of Howard Community Junior College, is a deaf two year college program. I am unable to determine the number of students enrolled full time, but I remember it as a small program. If so, 40 students protesting may constitute a high percentage of the student body. Incidentally this school does offer a preparatory program, something Gallaudet discontinued in mid 1990’s. MZ
From the newsroom of the Big Spring Herald, Big Spring, Texas, Wednesday, April 4, 2007 …..
SWCID students protest Dr. Ron Brasel, right, provost of SouthWest Collegiate Institute for the Deaf, talks with a group of students at the school’s administration building Tuesday. About 40 SWCID students staged the protest over a variety of issues and threaten further actions if their demands are not met. (HERALD photo/Steve Reagan)
By STEVE REAGAN Staff Writer
A large group of SouthWest Collegiate Institute for the Deaf students staged a protest at the school Tuesday and promised more such action in the future if their demands aren’t met.
About 40 students, upset over issues ranging from cafeteria food to the school’s dean of students, aired their grievances before SWCID Provost Dr. Ron Brasel and Howard College Dr. Cheryl Sparks Tuesday afternoon.
After talking with the two officials, the students agreed to call a temporary halt to their protest.
“We’ve been trying to get them to listen to us since November and they haven’t done anything about until now,†student Kristen Dickson said through an interpreter. “We’re going to meet (with officials) again at 8:45 p.m. Monday and then decide what will happen next.â€
The major point of contention between students and officials Tuesday was Dean of Students Edward Tagge. The students want Tagge fired, an action Brasel said he wasn’t prepared to take.
“That is a very difficult question,†Brasel told the students, “and I cannot in good conscience answer it.â€
Sparks echoed Brasel’s comments.
“This is a personnel issue and it’s something we can’t address in public,†Sparks said. “I understand that the students are asking questions, but it’s a situation where the employee has rights, also.â€
Dickson said dislike for Tagge is widespread among students.
“Each student has their individual reasons as to why they want him to resign,†she said. “My primary reason is that he forces religion on the students. Secondly, he punishes the students.â€
Other issues included the quality of cafeteria food, which Dickson called “slop,†faulty air conditioning in the dorms, balky Internet service and the students’ wish for a deaf provost once Brasel retires.
In addition, they voiced concern over the lack of social activities for students.
Sparks said the college would continue to work with the students.
“We’re very sensitive to our students,†she said. “After all, we want them to come here. If something is wrong, we want to know about it … we want to be able to fix it.â€
Copyright © 2007 Big Spring Herald http://www.bigspringherald.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12201&Itemid=1
For hourly updates on Daphne Wright’s murder trial, check this link:Â http://blogs.argusleadermedia.com/voices/
Wright Trial: Landfill Evidence Linked To Wright’s Home: http://www.keloland.com/NewsDetail6162.cfm?Id=0,56038
email contact: mishkazena@aol.com
April 5th, 2007 at 6:15 pm
I would not send my deaf children to this college. I am also a deaf parent. One of professors raped my friend.
April 5th, 2007 at 6:20 pm
I am aware about the SWCID’s shabby reputation for years which handful of deaf individuals transferred from SWCID to Gallaudet.
I was told many horror stories about the SWCID.
I wonder about John Green still employed at the SWCID or not. Nothing bad about him. Green is my former Class of ‘89 (Gallaudet Univ).
Robert L. Mason (RLM)
April 5th, 2007 at 6:46 pm
Amy, I am so sorry to hear that. How horrible.
RLM, interesting. I am not familiar with SWCID in general.
April 5th, 2007 at 7:03 pm
Forcing religion on students?
He must resign.
April 5th, 2007 at 8:28 pm
Robert Mason, Are you a member of class of 89 too? I do know John Green too. I am in class of 89 too!
Sorry to hear about SWCID incidents. This better be straightened up real soon.
Diane
April 5th, 2007 at 8:38 pm
I recieved the news about the protest again yesterday.
RLM,
Yes, John Green is still employed with that college.
The provost made an announcment recently that he will retire this coming summer.
I agree with Jean that the professors should not force religeon on students.
Amy,
I’m sorry to hear that.
I would NOT enroll SWCID as student since I visited there because it looked like a high school. The dorms looked like prisons, no windows in each room.
April 11th, 2007 at 12:52 pm
I have experienced the horror at SWCID. Lots of stuff has happened. Rape, Violent fights, drugs, everything you all name it!
Tagge have to understand the amendment 1, the students have rights of religious, Tagge CANNOT be forced the students to believe in religious. Secondly, I have noticed the staff has BANISHED students like they were in high school- Staff at SWCID have to treat the students as a college, not a high school with too many strict rules. College means the students are an indepedent, not to be depending by the staff.
Thats Why I left SWCID to avoid the drama going on there.
April 11th, 2007 at 8:45 pm
I was former at swcid for while.. I have heard about protest at swcid through my friend. Is that first time protest at swcid? Guess they need to improve more at swcid to be better community college for deaf and hearing people.
April 14th, 2007 at 1:59 pm
hello everyone… if yall are curious about more detials or want share all of yours feel… please share with us at http://www.swcidvoice.blogspot.com... thank you
October 26th, 2007 at 8:01 pm
Has a Dean or Provost been hired yet at SWCID?
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:12 pm
Hi Everyone,
I understand everyone’s feeling about SWCID. SWCID is good Education but I don’t like party a lot everyday in swcid because everyone didn’t study homework.
September 23rd, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Yes Provost Mark Myers is hired to work at SWCID since Jan. 2008. He is deaf and worked at community college in Conn. before coming here. I was hired as Dean of Student still working on my doctorate degree from Lamar University in Beaumont, Tx. It is my hope with Deaf Leadership…The change will come in better times. FYI
October 16th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
I was student at SWCID and it never changes the student of dean was so shady and he was selfish he made my life so hard at swcid and his name was Bob JOHNSON and he was one of worst staff at swcid just like few other staffs who are not very nice either very few staff were nice and did their jobs… so i know what it is like at swcid and I would NEVER send my kids there if they were deaf or hearing! doesnt matter to me….that school need to close down or change everything! one last thing SWCID did not resepct other people’s personal lives!
October 16th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Hello and Yeah Swcid was like a pre school not high school ! they made my and a staff lives HELL they did not respect our reletionship at all! So we left Swcid! thank god and good riddance to you Swcid staffs for those “good ones” leave before Swcid get worse !