Victory on AAS at State Board Meeting!

On November 17th,, the Wisconsin Technical College System Board voted to establish a Task Force that will include faculty representatives to review and oversee WTCS efforts to establish a state-wide curriculum and restructure the AAS degree. Faculty throughout the system have criticized these initiatives arguing that they undermine the WTCS’s commitment to technical education and will hurt the vast majority of WTCS students who choose technical colleges to improve their skills and seek gainful employment. Faculty have also been critical of the top down nature of the decision-making and implementation process.

The unanimous vote at the state board meeting was prompted by presentations by three faculty members Ellen Mei, a Basic Skills instructor from Waukesha County Technical College, Dr. Joe Lowndes a natural science instructor from Madison Area Technical College, and Dr. Michael Rosen, an economics instructor from Milwaukee Area Technical College and President of AFT 212.

This is a very promising development. For months our faculty have been raising important questions about the rush to a state-wide curriculum and restructuring the AAS degree. Last spring former WTCS president, Richard Carpenter, WTCS Board President, Nino Amato, and WTCS Board Member, Phil Neuenfeldt, held a meeting for faculty and staff from Gateway, Waukesha and Milwaukee. Participants, faculty and academic administrators, filled M616 and the message was clear- the decision to move to a statewide curriculum at a baccalaureate level of rigor was ill conceived and threatened the unique and important role that technical colleges play in the Wisconsin economy.

Carpenter responded that the train would be pulled back into the station and faculty input would be valued. Unfortunately, this did not happen and the ill conceived process continued.

Following discussions with Acting WTCS Director, Dan Clancy, and a statewide meeting between WEAC and AFT-Wisconsin faculty representatives from all the tech colleges, it was decided to address the state board. The state board responded with concern for our students and respect for our opinions. All of the Milwaukee appointees, Phil Neuenfeldt, Jose Vasquez and Lorraine Carter, as well as Northeast Technical College instructor and WTCS board member, Mary Cuene, expressed concern that the proposed changes would not benefit those students who come to the tech colleges for occupational training or to obtain a trade. Roberta Gassman, board Secretary and Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, and former WTCS President and current board member, Nino Amato, also expressed concern that a matter as important as this had not been presented to the board earlier. WTCS board president, Brent Smith, made the motion to establish the Task Force.

Unfortunately, the presidents of the WTCS colleges still do not get it. These presidents have been the force behind the effort to revise the curriculum and restructure the AAS degree. It is clear from reports from all sixteen colleges that the presidents have not listened to their faculty. In fact, the President from Northeast Technical College, Dr. H. Jeffrey Rafn, testified in support of the changes and accused those who opposed it of not having faith in their students and their capacities. Dr. Rosen responded. “I teach at Milwaukee Area Technical College’s downtown campus. During the day the majority of our students are students of color. I am frankly insulted that someone from Green Bay who never sets foot in a classroom is lecturing us about what our students can and cannot do or what they need to succeed!”

Local 212 has raised our concerns about the statewide curriculum and the AAS degree repeatedly to MATC’s administration and district board. As recently as last week, Dr. Cole expressed concern and surprise when informed about the faculty’s objections. Local 212’s leadership asked Dr. Cole to take the lead on this issue to fight for our students and the college with the other presidents. Dr. Cole promised to take our concerns to the Presidents meeting, and then he failed to attend that meeting. Following this inaction, we went to the WTCS Board.

The decision to establish a Task Force is a victory for our students and the faculty and staff who have worked to expose these politically-inspired, top down initiatives. This was a giant step forward. But it is only one step. Now that we have a seat at the table, we need to craft strong, thoughtful arguments and develop viable solutions to the problems we've identified. This is going to take a good bit of work and coordination.

Shortly after Thanksgiving Local 212 will convening a meeting of faculty and staff who have worked on these issues and are committed to ensuring that our technical colleges continue to serve the thousands who turn to us for occupational education and training. We are proud to work at a technical college!