Sign the HCC Student Petition!

By Brandon T. Bisceglia

Editor-in-Chief Emeritus

Less than two years ago, HCC suffered the loss of many of its full-time faculty and staff, some of which have not been replaced. In the same time, enrollment has grown by thousands of students.

Adjunct professors, despite being highly qualified as teachers, cannot serve on committees or provide essential advising and other services for students. Further reductions in full-time employee positions could potentially reduce office hours, decimate school programs, and even threaten the college's accreditation.

As a part of ongoing budget negotiations at the State Capitol, several proposals are being considered that could result in layoffs of large portions of the college's full-time faculty and staff. Alternatively, some professors could be reclassified under state rules as "managers" in order to strip them of the collective bargaining rights they currently have under the various state workers unions and teachers associations.

Horizons, in conjunction with the Women's Center and other student organizations, is committed to protecting the core assets of HCC. Students who share these concerns are encouraged to sign the online petition here. The text of the petition says:

"We, the students of Housatonic Community College in Bridgeport, CT, demand that the faculty and staff retain full collective bargaining rights, and that no full-time professors be laid off as a result of the upcoming state budget negotiations.

"The ratio of Housatonic Community College full-time faculty to students is already dangerously low, and students are losing vital services.

"We urge you to sign this petition to preserve the integrity of our college. It will be presented to the Connecticut State Legislature on Wednesday, April 27, 2011."

The Student Senate is also sponsoring a trip to Hartford on April 25 for a rally regarding the impacts of the proposed budgetary changes, and to testify before members of the Connecticut State Legislature. Students interested in participating can sign up for the trip in the Student Life Office, located in room BH-317 on the third floor of Beacon Hall.