Ortega St. John, Dean
West City Center
3249 Fordham St.
San Diego, CA 92110
Dean St. John:
From previous discussions over the past two semesters, including those held as recently as last week, I feel that it would provide necessary focus toward more immediate progress if I offer the following list of itemized concerns. While I have additional important concerns beyond these, which are shared by many other students and instructors, I believe progress on the following concerns will improve future efforts toward needed improvements at West City Center. I request that the concern listed first be addressed immediately — before the announced "final meeting," of the group representing itself as the Executive Board of the West City Center ASB. June 1. The minutes of the May 11th meeting say that the time for the June 1 meeting is set for 10 a.m. at a location to be announced, stating further that the meeting will be "close(sic) to students" — with no reason for this given. Has this your approval?.
2. I was denied written request for access to documents considered public by the District, including documents related to the "ASB" such as Financial records, ASB Constitution and By-Laws, and the "ASB" minutes for the current academic year.
3. I was subjected to additional verbal abuse by Otis Williams, WCC custodian, last week calling me "Stupe", I also request your documentation of his threatening me with a wood or metal pole as I was walking past him in a hallway earlier in the semester. He has also been observed posturing in a hostile way and staring angrily at me on numerous occasions. I request that you put a stop to further retaliation and intimidation and seek a more appropriate replacement. I also believe that for students' safety and sense of security that night custodians look the part and dress to indicate that they are staff so that this is obvious even in dimly lit areas of the campus.
4. Health and safety concerns due to early blocking of access — locking of entry doors with no alternative entry points posted — before scheduled activities are over.
5. Breaking of agreement by Associate Dean Lyon, and your refusal to address this issue which I immediately brought to your attention and to which you responded: "There's nothing I can do, he's the Associate Dean."
6. Violations of 3100 pertaining to the right of free expression, freedom from harassment, etc.
7. False accusations by WCC site administrators and the apparent spreading of exaggerated characterizations of my behavior.
8. An indeterminate gag order and threat issued by Associate Dean Lyon who refused my repeated request that he clarify the gag order and threatened consequences in writing.
9. Various incidents of discourtesy, intimidation, and retaliation that appear directed toward discouraging my coming to school and fully participating. Non-response to student petition.
10. Lack of administrative and counseling office written documentation and follow-up on previously expressed concerns and grievances. Lack of alert and proactive involvement in preventing problems.
11. Comments, reflecting my views on student government which I left on the Student Lounge blackboards with "save" notations have been erased as well as other comments left to encourage dialog and improvements on campus. I feel that I am being censored by one or more individuals, since my comments have been erased, with no subsequent use of the board, other than to leave the space blank.
Sincerely,
Tom Darling
edutrue@mailcity.com
The District administrators circled their wagons, and used lies and distortions by District employees to suspend me in May of 2000, rather than deal with serious gaps in professional behavior and policy conformance. In order to suspend me, the District arranged a kangaroo court, and despite my strong objections. I formally protested the biased "Disciplinary Committee" selection and the unfair actions by the Disciplinary Officer selected to pursue two ridiculously and distorted allegations:
(1) Taking photos of the Counseling Office where I was assaulted by a custodian;
(2)Walking up to a secretary's desk to receive a phone call when there was a sign to one side that was supposed to demark a staff only area, but which clearly did not.
It was so obvious that certain individuals would resort to any ruse to get rid of me rather than respond adequately to the embarassing management and employee issues I raised. It has been hard to stomach this ugly first-hand encounter with the entrenched hypocrisy in our schools.
