SWCID students air complaints, little resolved
By STEVE REAGAN Staff Writer
Student services and the quality of cafeteria food were the major topics of conversations between protesting students and SouthWest Collegiate Institute for the Deaf officials during a two-hour meeting at the school Monday evening.
SWCID students first began protesting conditions at the school last week and have been airing their grievances over a variety of issues during that time.
While little was definitely decided, the meeting did give both sides an opportunity to air their opinions, said Dr. Cheryl Sparks, president of Howard College, which oversees SWCID operations.
“Basically, the meeting gave the students the opportunity to express their concerns — and we listened to those concerns,” Sparks said.
At the top of the students’ list is displeasure over Dean of Students Edward Tagge. The protesting students want Tagge fired, although college officials are not prepared to meet that demand yet.
Tagge, who is deaf, was named Dean of Students at SWCID in November 2004. Prior to that, he was a counselor at the school.
“This is a personnel issue and it’s something we can’t address in public,” Sparks said last week. “I understand that the students are asking questions, but it’s also a situation where the employee has rights, also.”
Students also want a deaf provost to head the school after Dr. Ron Brasel retires effective Aug. 31. While not addressing the students’ demands, Sparks said college officials hope to have a replacement named by Brasel’s last day on the job.
Students also are vocally upset over the quality of food at the school cafeteria, with one student calling menu items “slop.”
No action was taken in relation to that issue, Sparks said.
One item raised last week has been addressed, however, as the air conditioning system has been adjusted to allow cooler air into the student dormitories, Sparks said.
Sparks said it was her understanding that the students plan to continue their protest, but will not disrupt classes or other school activities.
Meanwhile, she promised that school officials will continue working with the students to resolve the differences.
“I believe the college and the students have the same goal in mind — to provide the best educational opportunity for these students we can,” Sparks said. “And we must find a way to work together for that to happen.”
Contact Staff Writer Steve Reagan at 263-7331, ext. 234, or by e-mail at [email protected].
Link: http://www.bigspringherald.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12521&Itemid=60
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