Maryville College: Budget Cut Practices

To all concerned friends of Maryville College:

       It upsets me terribly to learn of the recent cuts at Maryville College. Among those was 1 of only 2 professors in the Writing/Communications curriculum, Dave Powell.
       As many of you know, Dave Powell, an alum himself, was an integral part of the entire community. He was an important part of J-term study abroad trips, the environmental attitude at MC, and he was invaluable asset to Maryville College. After 5 decades with the College, Dave Powell was fired, as his position was considered a "staff" position.
       New Dean Fager writes that in tough economic times, colleges like Maryville College can be tempted to "relax standards inside and outside of the classroom." By letting go of one of Maryville College's esteemed professors, that is exactly what Maryville is doing.
       Dean Fager also writes, %u201C[i]f Maryville College and its graduates are to truly 'make a difference in the world,' the rigor must be maintained. This means that we (faculty and staff) must be held accountable for the quality of the educational experience that we provide . . ." What educational experience is being enhanced with the loss of a true educator? This petition is to do just that -- hold the administration responsible for cutting one of Maryville's most treasured professors.
      Dave Powell spoke for the truth when no one else would. He truly embodied the community spirit and search for wisdom that Maryville College preaches. If we are to keep the community of Maryville College alive and to distinguish it from the corporation-like Universities that teach to "job-training" and ignore the true education abd growth of an individual, we must stand against practices which portray OUR campus as uncaring, unconcerned, and ill-equipped to make the right decisions.

       Please sign this petition to show your support for our beloved Maryville College, Dave Powell, and all the others who have recently lost their positions at Maryville College.