A RESOLUTION OF THE FACULTY SENATE

WHEREAS on January 8, 2018, the Honorable Judge Vanessa Gilmore of the Southern District of Texas passed judgment upon a HCC Trustee Christopher Oliver; and

WHEREAS in comments reported to have been made in open court were appalling to many faculty; and

WHEREAS the Faculty Senate has a duty to defend the reputation of Houston Community College;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Faculty Senate endorses sending an Open Letter to the Houston Chronicle, copies of which will be sent to the Chancellor and the Board of Trustees and posted online; the text of the letter shall read as such:

Dear Editors,

On behalf of the faculty of HCC, Houston’s community college, the Faculty Association Senate would like to respond to reports from January 8, 2018, following the sentencing of former Trustee Christopher Oliver.

The faculty of HCC appreciate the work of the courts in seeing through the administration of justice in this case.  It is vital to the health and sustainability of the college that we maintain accountability while observing due process. The actions of former Trustee Oliver are deplorable and rightfully have been addressed. Yet, we must respond to any attempt that may generalize from this aberrant behavior to the entire institution.

Houston Community College is a central part of the economic and social identity of greater Houston.  We are comprised of over two thousand full-time and adjunct faculty, working hard to give the best possible educational experience to those who come to us.  We serve over fifty thousand students seeking knowledge, skills, inspiration, and the possibility of a better life. We are host to many community partners who want to see a better Houston through our joint efforts.  We are all justifiably proud of our programs, our connections to the community, and our graduates.

Respectfully, therefore, we would ask that these factors be taken into consideration when passing judgment upon our institution as a whole. We are your community college and we stand firm in defense of the work we do.

 

On behalf of the Faculty Senate of Houston Community College