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Letter to the Editor
Administrator seeks to inform students and staff
To the editor,
The June 1, 2012, Advocate carried many inaccuracies and failed to offer balanced reporting in the article "College to reorganize administrative titles."
While we understand that covering complex budgets can be a difficult journalistic assignment, it is important that Advocate readers have an opportunity to learn the facts. This letter provides the incorrect information followed by the factual information for just three of the inaccuracies.
Erroneous: "I don't see any cost savings in this plan. All this did was move people from one title to another; they probably got a raise with the new job title."
Fact: The College eliminated a number of dean and vice president positions. The net impact is a savings of more than $700,000 a year from those alignments. This fact ($700,000-plus in savings) was not included in the article, nor was the College asked for a comment to balance the reporting.
Erroneous: " …I would encourage (President) Hay and the board to really listen to what staff, faculty and the students have to say."
Fact: The College held numerous meetings with students, faculty and staff and also invited those stakeholders and the general public to participate in an online survey and develop a trade-off list. This budget process was by far the most inclusive we have ever had and feedback on the process has been positive.
Erroneous: "A two-day furlough of a level 16 custodian saves $276.24." "This is an attempt to balance the budget on the backs of the College's most affordable employees."
Fact: Prior to this budget process, non-represented employees already had three furlough days, faculty had two furlough days and classified employees had zero furlough days. Creating a couple of furlough days for classified employees was in response to the board's desire for shared sacrifice for all employee groups.
Maggie Huffman
Director of Communications
Mt. Hood Community College
The Advocate reserves the right to not publish comments based on their appropriateness.