It is a thousand times better
to have common sense without education
than to have education without common sense.
- Robert Green Ingersoll
From the EA President
As I announced during the first general faculty meeting of the academic year, I will not be seeking another term as MCCEA President. I was first elected back in November of 1997, and the completion of my current term will make an even 10 years as President. As you know, our elections take place this coming November; my current term will expire at the end of 2007.
The end of Fall semester 2007 seems like a very natural stopping place for my tenure as EA President. Our union has a new Membership Clerk, a 3-year contract, and reasonably good relationships with administration. Despite the current economic uncertainty in the State budget, we recently helped to pass a 10-year renewal of MCC's operating millage. I plan to remain an active member of the MCCEA, and if the next President chooses to appoint me to the Bargaining Team, I would be honored to serve. I will also be more than happy to assist the new President, as Jim Hanley did for me during my first few years.
I have no plans to leave MCC, become an administrator, or run for the legislature. I plan to stay an MCC faculty member. No ill will or troubling development has prompted my decision. I truly love our union, and I am proud of the work I have done as President over the years. Thank you for the opportunity to serve over the past decade. It has been an honor and a privilege.
- Steve Robinson
Steve,
The MCCEA thanks you for your time & dedication as our President.
Forward Focus : Brian Harding
Every year, by way of introducing our new MCCEA faculty members, the Forward asks our new members to respond to a few questions about themselves. Since we have a good number of new faculty members to welcome this year, we will run several Forward Focus responses in each issue. This month we welcome Brian Harding, History, and Matt Roda, Automotive Technology.
1. Name and position at MCC...
Brian Harding , Instructor of History
2. Educational/occupational background...
M.A. in History, State University of New York at Buffalo
B.S. in Industrial & Labor Relations, Cornell University
8/06-7/07 Adjunct Instructor of History & Humanities, Valencia Community College, Orlando FL
8/06-5/07 Adjunct Instructor of History, Lake-Sumter Community College, Clermont FL
7/06-8/06 Adjunct Instructor of History, Keiser College, Melbourne FL
3. I came to MCC because........
The Social Science faculty I interacted with in my interview were far and away the most attentive, professional, and collegial search committee I have ever encountered. Also, my main research interest is in labor history; in my opinion Flint, Michigan is one of the most "happening" spots in which a labor historian could hope to live and work.
4. I teach what I do because........
What has happened in the past affects our lives today and in the future. Too many people see history as dusty, irrelevant pages in a textbook. I hope to do my part to show the relevance of history to the people of Genesee County.
5. What I like most about being at MCC is .............
The people that I work with, and the people that I work for.
6. The thing that bothers me most about MCC is .....................
I have only been here for a week; I have not found much to complain about.
7. The most important or significant book I have ever read is….
The Evolution of Cooperation, Robert Axelrod, University of Michigan- - Ann Arbor.
8. One person I admire is ...................
Mahatma Gandhi.
9. To get away from the classroom I enjoy........
Jogging.
10. My proudest accomplishment is……..
Finding an incredible woman, Saori, to call my wife.
Forward Focus : Matt Roda
1. Name and position at MCC...
Matt Roda... Instructor of automotive technology
2. Educational/occupational background...
Associates from Mott in auto technology, Bachelors from Ferris in educational technology, & Masters from Saginaw Valley S.U.
3. I came to MCC because........
The idea of teaching to a higher level learner sounded exciting. I have only heard positive things about working at MCC
4. I teach what I do because........
I love cars and the challenge of the changing technology. Also, I get to talk to students about cars all day, not a bad job to have!
5. What I like most about being at MCC is .............
It would be a toss up between being in a new and modern building like the RTC that has new and modern equipment in it or the fast response and help with technology that Mott offers its instructors.
6. The thing that bothers me most about MCC is .....................
Not getting my first pay check until September 14th...YIKES!
7. The most important or significant book I have ever read is….
"The World is Flat” by Thomas Friedman.
8. One person I admire is ...................
My parents.
9. To get away from the classroom I enjoy................
Going to my cabin on Rose Lake with my family.
10. My proudest accomplishment is……
Personal--Raising my children to be good people.
Professional--Becoming an educator
From the Forward Editor
Welcome to the new academic year. It’s very encouraging to see a number of new faces joining the ranks of full-time faculty this semester. As you begin the New Year, don’t forget to use the Forward as a sounding board for your ideas, concerns, complaints and compliments. This faculty newsletter is the voice of the whole faculty, not just the EA president and the Forward editor, and it is your chance to have your opinion heard. It is an important way to communicate with your colleagues on the faculty, the administration and the Board of Trustees. The Forward is published every month, usually during the last week of the month. Send your ideas or articles to me (prozycki@mcc.edu) and we’ll use them in a future Forward.
-Paul Rozycki
Unmanageable
My topic for discussion is not about the American male, but there is a correlation worth noting. For many years now, men have been heavily maligned in TV, radio and print media. We are shown as bumbling idiots in most cases. It has been so successful that some psychologists have coined the term “apologetic male”. There are movements to help young men recover their manhood and I do find that sad. Although this is an interesting topic in and of itself, it might be better in an anthropology class.
The correlation is simple. For quite some time (I believe back in the Dave Moore era, for you seniors) the “Mott media” has had the opinion that teachers are over paid and under worked. Just like all men are bumbling idiots, this Mott notion is just “clap trap”. We teachers, just like young and old males, need to stand up and quit being apologetic about our compensation. Quite simply, we are the main engine that drives the money pot and if anybody needs to apologize……….well it’s not us. Professionals don’t work free! If you are a teacher, quit apologizing and if you aren’t, quit perpetuating the myth and hug a teacher for bringing in the sheaves. I will
not work for less while handsome and unnecessary raises are handed to some. I will not work for less, period. You young faculty better listen up! Do not be bullied or “backroom intimidated” into working for less. Always give everything all that you have and then you can hold your head tall when you say, “I expect proper compensation for my deliverable skills”. Only teachers know how much energy it takes to be a good one.
When did we become a nation of managers instead of leaders? I think the “managers” of Mott need to go to leadership seminars or take pay cuts. Remember folks, its lead, follow or get the heck out of the way. The concept of managers came in about the time personnel offices became HR. Ironic isn’t it? Managers have a ruling class mentality that has “oh so much” down side in history. Leaders create great prosperity for all. They are the magnificent ones that make the managers gnash their teeth. So all you “would be” managers and all of you “ones” who are on the job……….. I’m watching you to see if you are going to turn a corner so I can follow.
In the mean time, I think it’s appropriate to dust off the contract and embrace the reason we have a union. Just like the right to bear arms protects us from our government (no, it’s not to go hunting….duh!), our contract and EA are to protect us from managers.
-Tom Fonger from E & E Tech