EVERETT – Embattled Everett Community College President Charlie Earl – the subject of a faculty censure vote earlier this month – received a strong statement of support from the board of trustees on Monday.
“The bottom line is we are comfortable with the job Charlie is doing, and we fully support him as president of the college,” EvCC trustee Tom Gaffney said after a prepared statement was read.
Earl came under heavy criticism after reassigning Stu Barger, the college’s vice president of instruction, in May. Barger will become an executive assistant to Earl.
The reassignment led faculty to speak out against earlier decisions and culminated in a censure vote June 9.
A censure is a statement of dissatisfaction but is not a vote of no confidence; it is a political slap with no consequences.
The board acknowledged that decisions to reassign personnel are often controversial, but insisted that Earl is moving the college in the right direction.
“Mr. Earl’s decisions about management structure and planning processes are his, and as a policy board we will support his views on administration and management unless we perceive that he operates in a highly ineffective manner – which we do not perceive,” the board wrote.
Board members said Earl kept them informed at all times.
“We believe the college is progressing successfully under Mr. Earl’s leadership, and we continue to fully endorse him as our president,” board members wrote.
Mike VanQuickenborne, president of the college’s American Federation of Teachers chapter, said the faculty will continue to monitor Earl’s decisions in the fall, particularly the hiring of a new vice president of instruction.
“That is an absolutely critical decision,” he said.
In its censure letter, faculty said Earl didn’t communicate well before making decisions that affected them and created “excessive and disruptive turnover at the senior administrative level.”
The instructors also complained that there is a hierarchical structure that “discourages upward communication” and “pointless and redundant planning processes.”
Board members said many personnel decisions Earl makes “should be made confidentially with sensitivity for those involved.”
“Though we hold our president accountable for these decisions, we do not expect that he will make them, in all instances, by committee,” the board wrote.
The board said it is listening to the faculty criticisms, despite disagreeing with them.
“In the future, we shall be mindful of his management style, particularly where faculty communications and input are concerned,” the board said.
Earl vowed to work more closely communicating with the faculty. He also was pleased with the board’s backing.
“I definitely appreciate the show of support,” he said. “I also recognize the seriousness with which the board took the faculty input and recognize there are some challenges for us ahead.”
Reporter Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446 or stevick@heraldnet.com.
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