Echo Times

Issue date: 12/9/09 Section: Letters to the Editor

Outgoing College of Marin board of trustee vice president Annan Paterson.

Thank you for your continuing involvement and willingness to read up on the issues facing your community college.

It has been my privilege to serve you the past two years as a trustee.

As I leave, I have an opportunity to speak the truth as I see it and hopefully help the college grow into the 21st century with spirit and pride.

Our faculty are our number one asset at College of Marin. Students and former students have often spoken to me about the high caliber of instruction they receive at COM. The relationship between student and teacher is primary and of great importance in the learning process. I know this as an educator myself for 30 years in the public schools.

I am deeply concerned, however, about the leadership and public face of the faculty union, United Professors of Marin. Let me say I am a union member myself, Novato Federation of Teachers, and a former organizer for Service Employees International Union.

During the past two years, I have had numerous opportunities to observe and hear the tactics of the UPM leadership. Of course, I was a target of UPM Political Action Committee late attack during the campaign which is well known by now.

The antics of a small group of union leaders who are chronically angry, mean and bullying come across as just that to the community at large. You may have heard them speak about these issues during or after class. I have heard from many community members that were not only outraged by the negative campaign letter, post card and phone calls during the most recent election, but also embarrassed by them because they were so unprofessional. Whether or not these strategies hurt or helped candidates, one has to question the damage done to COM in the long term. These tactics may win some battles but may just as easily degrade our college over time.

In working on bully issues over the years as an educator, I have learned that "silence is consent". So I decided to speak out against the bullying tactics of UPM leaders.

Just recently, I participated in a student government-led "candidates forum" in the Student Services building. It was aptly organized and led by our own student trustee. Upon arriving at the forum, I saw, once again, the familiar union leader's truck with my name and another's plastered on it as unfair to labor. It was illegally parked in a handicapped zone. I have grown accustomed to it the past two years but it struck me--Is this the kind of silly display of "union strength" leadership should be wasting time on? It reads as amateur and petty, particularly in the worst economic downturn since the great depression.

This same leader was also present at the forum taking copious notes, which is his right, but then proceeded to scold students studying near him for talking during the forum, causing them to leave. Whose forum was this? In addition, I observed another instructor feeding questions to a student to ask during the forum. Is this how we empower students and encourage free speech?

Your role as students at College of Marin is vital. By speaking up and speaking out, whatever your point of view, you will help further the discussion and put your needs and wishes front and center. Let your professors, staff, administration and trustees know what is appropriate, or inappropriate, from your point of view.
Silence is consent. Let COM know. What do you want from your teachers and your college?
Annan Paterson

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