Imagine you and a friend co-own a struggling business with three other people, all of whom own a 20% stake.
The company faces high overhead problems in marketing, connecting with customers, selling products, and overcharging managers. It was later discovered that the general manager conspired with three other owners to order staff never to discuss issues with the store, customers, products or supply chain, risking disciplinary action and possible termination. Ta.
This is ridiculous in a business context, but this is exactly what Yavapai Community College has announced by its board of directors that prohibits staff and faculty from communicating with governing board members (elected by you, the taxpayers). This is how we have chosen to operate following the introduction of the new policy. Regarding all matters relating to the University and the community outside of formal Board of Trustees meetings. University employees lose their livelihood if an officer encounters a faculty member off-campus, at a grocery store, school, church, community gathering, park, trail, or, if married, in a private bedroom. Possibly. Talk about everything about college and don’t end the conversation right away.
Watch the video of the meeting here. Discussion starts at around 1 hour and 8 minutes.
It seeks to deny taxpayers, public servants, and voters, faculty and staff, the right to communicate with the elected representatives of the Yavapai Community College Governing Board, thereby denying private citizens the right to free speech. This is a seriously unconstitutional order that infringes on human rights.
As we have previously discussed, no government agency can arbitrarily pass policies that deny America’s free speech rights on a whim simply to protect poor choices by government officials, or violate the First Amendment. The right to petition representatives of the United States government under the United States may not be suppressed. Grievance Redress — that is, speaking with an elected board member about your concerns about the agency as a constituent, regardless of your employment with the agency.
Judges don’t look kindly on government agencies chilling free speech. Universities should fear that far more than what faculty members say about broken door handles in their programs or facilities.
Will the new board elected in November repeal this blatantly unconstitutional policy, or will the fired employees subsequently sue and argue that the First Amendment is universal regardless of government employment status? The question remains whether to remind the Board that it applies to Agency.
But clearly, the universities that have failed to meet the needs of their students either don’t understand basic constitutional law or are trying to strangle free speech by squeezing the throats of faculty who want to discuss legitimate issues with appropriate faculty. I probably won’t. Electing directors for the benefit of the taxpayers who elected them.
The seat is vacant after District 1 Representative Ray Sigafouz was ousted by Bill Kiel in the Nov. 5 election and District 4 Representative Chris Cucunyo was recently elected to the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors. are.
Yavapai County Superintendent Tim Carter is accepting applications to fill the vacant seat. Although we are not covering Chino Valley, if you know someone who lives there and has the skills, talent, and interest to serve on the board, please encourage them to apply for the vacant position by Monday, December 2nd. please.
The next board, including this new member, will ensure the university loses lawsuits brought by offending faculty members before it leads to costly lawsuits that cost taxpayers tens, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars. , I hope you have the wisdom to abolish this policy. Attorney fee dollars would be better spent on programs, facilities, and student services.
This policy won’t stop the sinking ship from leaking, but it does show that university administrators are absolutely afraid of what faculty will say to their elected officials.
So we have to ask what universities are trying to keep secret from taxpayers. Yavapai Community College administrators have blocked the media and refused to discuss a myriad of issues related to operations, campus, programs, and communications, while denying public access to members of legally elected public bodies. Shutting down discussion there shows a whole new level of paranoia that would be unimaginable at any other university. Government agencies of Yavapai County or the State of Arizona.
If you are a faculty member who would like to discuss these issues, or any other matter concerning the university, in confidence, please contact us at any time at editor@larsonnewspapers.com or (928) 282-7795 ext. 129 expressed serious concerns about issues that should be heard by the Board and taxpayers as a whole.
christopher fox graham
Editor-in-chief
Fills Yavapai Community College District Board District 4 vacancy.
Yavapai County Schools Superintendent Tim Carter said the district would serve Ash Fork, Camp Wood, Chino Valley, Coyote Springs, Drake, Juniperwood Ranch, Nelson, Paulden, North Prescott, Seligman, Williamson Valley and Surrounding areas:
The opening was prompted by the resignation of Yavapai University Trustee Chris Cucunyo. His resignation memo read: I will be taking on a new position as County Supervisor, and I feel that this new position requires my utmost attention. I have enjoyed my time on the University Board and hope that my perspective will bring unique ideas to advance the education and lives of students while remaining fiscally responsible to taxpayers. I am. I am proud to have been a part of watching Dr. Rein “turn the ship around” and look forward to seeing the future she creates with her staff for the benefit of our community. My hope is to continue to be involved in the university’s mission through collaboration in my new capacity. Many of the county’s needs, including economic development, housing, and workforce development, are currently being addressed at YC, and by working together we can enhance effectiveness and opportunities to benefit our residents. ”
If you are interested in filling a vacancy, please send a letter of interest and resume to Tim Carter, Yavapai County Schools Superintendent, Yavapai County Office of Educational Services. 2970 Centerpointe East, Prescott, AZ 86301, Fax 928-771-3329, Email: Tim.Carter@yavapaiaz.gov.
Please include information about yourself, including your family, education, work history, why you want to serve on the board, address and mailing address, email address, and home/work phone number. Candidates may include up to three letters of support if they wish.
To be eligible to hold this seat, you must: Must be a registered voter residing in District 4, be a citizen of the United States, be at least 18 years of age, have civil rights, and cannot be employed by the college district . This is a bipartisan seat and appointments reflect its legal requirements.
The deadline to receive letters of interest, resumes, and letters of recommendation is Monday, December 2, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. Similar to historical precedent for community college appointments, Superintendent Carter will utilize a five-member Candidate Review Committee. Committee members reside in District 4 and will review letters of interest, resumes, and letters of recommendation. The committee is made up of taxpayers, faculty, staff, students, elected officials, and people who work in the workforce development field. The committee will determine who will be interviewed, set interview questions, interview the selected candidates on Dec. 13, and select a candidate for Carter to consider. Prior to making the final selection, the Superintendent will meet individually with each currently seated member of the Yavapai College Board of Directors to obtain their input on the final candidates.
The public in District 4 can also email their thoughts on the candidates to Mr. Carter or meet with Mr. Carter in person in Yavapai County for 10 minutes on Monday, December 16th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. You will have a chance to meet. Prescott Educational Services Agency after the finalists were announced. Meetings are on a first-come, first-served basis.
Appointments are expected to be announced by Wednesday, December 18th. This term will take effect on January 1, 2025 and remain in effect until December 31, 2026. To continue beyond that date, the winning candidate would need to run for a new six-year term in the 2026 general election. If you have any questions, please call Carter at (928) 925-6560.
