Students Gather Support For Professor Edie Fisher
Baihley Grandison
Issue date: 2/8/10 Section: News
Student response has been largely supportive of Dr. Fisher. Several hundred students at the College, under the guidance of Preston Koning, the self-appointed Student Support Coordinator (though not an RWC student) and a longtime friend of Dr. Fisher, have signed a support letter calling for her reappointment. The letter, written by Mr. Koning, speaks highly of Dr. Fisher's dedication to her students and the University, and encourages UC to renew her contract.
"I cannot be silent," said Mr. Koning. "I am 100 percent committed to supporting Dr. Fisher and seeing this injustice addressed and rectified."
RWC student Donna Green, acting as student representative, has been bringing the letter around campus for students to sign. "So far, we have between 300-400 signatures," said Ms. Green. "And that is only from three days [January 25-27]."
It is planned that the support letter and all the student signatures will be sent to UC's President, Gregory Williams. Ms. Green claims there is an official investigation concerning Dr. Fisher, and Dean O'Meara would neither confirm nor deny this. Because of the alleged investigation, the student support movement has been put on hold, at least for now, so as not to interfere with the investigation.
Both Dean O'Meara and Assistant Dean Pam Lineback have spoken to the UC Women's Center (located on the main campus in Clifton) about working with RWC to provide more psychological counseling for students. "There appears to be a need for this type of support and we are working to insure students have easier access to qualified help," said Dean Lineback. Student Services at RWC currently refers students to the Women's Center (if they have health insurance through UC) or will work with the student's health insurance provider to set up professional counseling or support.
Look for the next issue of the Activist for more information regarding this story.
"I cannot be silent," said Mr. Koning. "I am 100 percent committed to supporting Dr. Fisher and seeing this injustice addressed and rectified."
RWC student Donna Green, acting as student representative, has been bringing the letter around campus for students to sign. "So far, we have between 300-400 signatures," said Ms. Green. "And that is only from three days [January 25-27]."
It is planned that the support letter and all the student signatures will be sent to UC's President, Gregory Williams. Ms. Green claims there is an official investigation concerning Dr. Fisher, and Dean O'Meara would neither confirm nor deny this. Because of the alleged investigation, the student support movement has been put on hold, at least for now, so as not to interfere with the investigation.
Both Dean O'Meara and Assistant Dean Pam Lineback have spoken to the UC Women's Center (located on the main campus in Clifton) about working with RWC to provide more psychological counseling for students. "There appears to be a need for this type of support and we are working to insure students have easier access to qualified help," said Dean Lineback. Student Services at RWC currently refers students to the Women's Center (if they have health insurance through UC) or will work with the student's health insurance provider to set up professional counseling or support.
Look for the next issue of the Activist for more information regarding this story.
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