The Oct. 10 Board of Governors meeting streamed via YouTube. After half a dozen faculty members and an alum delivered public comments related to the Americans with Disabilities Act, APSCUF President Dr. Kenneth M. Mash adjusted his remarks to include a response and support. Below are his comments — the first topic as delivered extemporaneously and the latter as prepared.
My name is Ken Mash, and I am the president of the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties. Chair Shapiro, Chancellor Greenstein, presidents, governors — thank you for the opportunity to speak.
I’d like to start by recognizing my colleagues who spoke to you today and to let you know, too, that this was completely organic in the sense that this was not in any way orchestrated by APSCUF that our folks would come to you today. I think that says something both about the individuals demonstrating their efficacy and standing up for themselves. And I think it also says something about the fact that there is a building critical mass around the issue of disabilities and the treatment of employees — and particularly faculty — when it comes to the ADA. In fact, one might ask, “Is it really necessary — or at an academic institution, should it be the case — that one has to even rely on the law to get fair treatment?” Shouldn’t fair treatment be the emblem of this State System and any academic institution?
We spoke about this issue at contract negotiations. We tried to achieve an impartial panel that would review claims that were being made, and we were shut down. And we were shut down, it’s my suspicion — I don’t have the facts, I don’t know what goes on on the other side during contract negotiations — but it’s my suspicion that it was shut down by our university presidents. And our only conclusion from that is that our university presidents perhaps — on this issue, at least — have too thin of a skin to submit themselves to outside review to see whether their decisions are appropriate. And, again, when it comes to having a system and treating people fairly and having policies that seek to respect diversity, we need to live that. We can’t just put it on pieces of paper. We need to act the way that we expect others should be acting in this society. So, that being said, that was not what I had come here to say, but again I am in awe of my colleagues on a regular basis — their willingness to put themselves out there and say what they think is right. And they should be supported when they go ahead and do so. And the same thing goes for my other union colleagues when they speak up and they talk about what is proper.
But I did want to say … Where do I begin, Dan? Dan — and I am going to call you Dan from now on — because now you are just a civilian. I want to be genuine, and the one thing I could say about my interaction and APSCUF’s relationship with the chancellor has been one where we have never been disingenuous with one another. I am not going to stand up here and say everything is great, that there is perfection, that during your tenure everything was smooth. It most certainly was not smooth. There have been very, very contentious times, some points where we have vehemently disagreed with you. Dan can tell you stories about some of those vehement disagreements. There were times when our colleagues have been offended by positions that have been taken and words that have been said. And there have been times when some of the decisions were and still are baffling to our colleagues. And I’m saying that upfront so that I can say what I’m going to say in the most honest way that I can. It allows me in good conscience to say that the college-bound students of Pennsylvania are better off because of your focus on affordability, which has been straightforward and constant and zealous, I would event say. The citizens of the Commonwealth are better off because of your equal zeal for transparency also and for putting information out there and not acting in a way where it seemed as if you were trying to hide information or data, and that was an issue before you were here.
The faculty are better off because you were willing to come to negotiations. And I believe both you and the chair set that tone after some rough times in 2016, where both of you came to negotiations, and Dan continued that after that first negotiation. I think it’s actually a model that more chancellors across the country should follow to be there because I think even Dan would say that you learn things when you are at negotiations, and you hear things that you wouldn’t otherwise have known and that you can lead your system better because you are aware of those things.
The truth is that while you may not always have listened to the degree that we would have hoped, that even after things got tense, even after things got heated, ultimately we moved on, and you and your team showed up again to listen to us.
The faculty have also benefited from the respect you have shown my coach and faculty colleagues when appearing before the legislature. You never had an unkind word to utter in front of the legislature, and it did not go without notice that you even on several occasions refused to be baited into saying negative things. But you held your ground, and given some of our past experiences, that was respected by my colleagues. Further, for the first time in my leadership tenure, at least, APSCUF and the System worked on the same side often and collaborated to advocate for our great System in the General Assembly. And I think the results of that collaboration are tangible. It has meant more money for the State System, and again I think it’s behavior that you model not just for this System but for the county.
In all, this System is better for the fact that you came to Harrisburg. And I might add that personally, you have been a very good “thought partner.” I’m still not sure that I like the term — but consider it an homage. I certainly personally respect the work that you have done here.
Dr. Fiorentino, you have some big shoes to fill. Things are very far from perfect, but I know that our members have already — because of your experience — a great deal of respect for you, so you start off already with some serious capital. And I’m not just talking about our colleagues at West Chester. The work you have done has been noticed across the System. So we look forward to working with you, and I wish you good luck in that.
And, Dan, good luck in the future with your next position — and all respect.