Faculty and Students say NO to Kean University Scheduling Scheme

The latest half-baked scheme concocted by Kean University President Dawood Farahi is to shorten class periods, increase class meeting times, and offer classes on Friday evenings and Saturdays.  The impact on faculty and students would be to force them to report to the campus at least 5 days a week.  For full time faculty, it would mean less time to conduct research, engage in scholarship and perform community service.  For adjunct faculty, it would mean giving up teaching assignments on other campuses.  For students, it would interfere with the part-time jobs they take to help pay for tuition and living expenses.  For everyone, more trips back and forth to campus would increase commuting costs and contribute to global warming.

On May 5, 2008 faculty and students said NO to this scheme.   They rallied and marched through the campus, chanting slogans that denounced the new schedule.  Chanting “One Two Three Four, stomp that schedule on the floor” and carrying signs “If I Can’t Go to Work, I Can’t Go to School” and “Students and Union Members United: It’s Our University,” about 125 students and faculty held a lively protest that began in the Visitor’s Parking Lot, snaked through the campus and ended on the lawn in front of the President’s office.  At that point, students wheeled in a large paper mache goose and an egg to signify that the President Farahi’s plan “laid an egg.”   

The KFT helped organize the protest, turned out members and President Maria Carmen Rodriguez spoke on the issues at the rally.  Council staff also participated.