REK [Robert Kennedy] press conference on the non-retention of instructors at Cal Poly

[00:00:00] Kennedy give the knowledge he has gained from reports on the issue so far [00:01:33] Kennedy invites Clyde Fisher to give a statement about the instructors not being retained in the school of science and mathematics [00:03:50] Fisher says that upon not receiving a recommendation of reappointment, Dr. Williams sent in his letter of resignation [00:04:30] Fisher says that no processing action was necessary or required for Williams regarding the 1971-1972 school year [00:05:05] Fisher says that he did not endorse the recommendation for tenure for Vrana [00:05:34] Fisher says he did not support a move for tenure, but recommended a full notice year of employment for Vrana [00:06:30] Fisher says the grievance committee recommendation supported the administration's decision to not grant tenure [00:07:23] Fisher says Vrana research came subsequent to the decision to not grant tenure [00:07:42] Kennedy gives his perspective about these two cases [00:08:46] Kennedy says he wrote a letter of recommendation for Williams [00:10:40] Kennedy says the faculty needed more Ph.D members according to the accreditation committee [00:12:40] Kennedy says the president shall make decisions if there are compelling circumstances to improve a program [00:13:12] Kennedy says it is not his policy to discuss personnel matters publically [00:14:45] Dr. Ericson gives his statement about Fred Rizzo [00:16:13] Ericson says the file that contained the American Legion newsletter was not available to the tenure faculty who voted against giving Rizzo tenure [00:17:11] Ericson says it was Rizzo's refusal to teach an assigned freshman course that directly led to his non-reappointment [00:18:44] Dr. Cummins begins to give his statement [00:19:11] Cummins was the Dean of the School of Applied Arts for Rizzo [00:20:10] Cummins says he made it clear to Rizzo the policy that all members of the English department must instruct one or more freshman course a quarter [00:20:40] Cummins says Rizzo showed no apparent dissatisfaction about his previous or forthcoming teaching assignments from the year 1969-1970 [00:21:09] Cummins says it was not until winter 1971 that Rizzo expressed dissatisfaction over being assigned to teach freshman classes along with other instructors [00:21:49] Cummins says he had not discussed the American Legion newsletter with anyone [00:22:21] Cummins says the reason he included the newsletter in Rizzo's file was that it was an information file [00:23:50] Kennedy says Richard Greene was hired for only 1 year and his contract was schedule to terminate June 1971 [00:25:59] Cummins says that Ericson probably knows more about the dialogue involving Rizzo agreeing to teach freshman courses [00:27:20] Ericson says that Rizzo was informed to see his department head about his particular teaching assignments [00:28:45] A reporter asks Kennedy if he will attend any of the upcoming SNAP meetings [00:28:55] Kennedy says he does not think he will attend the SNAP meetings [00:30:45] (small break between side A and side B of tape) [00:31:07] Kennedy is asked about the way that faculty is evaluating [00:31:38] Kennedy talks about how he has already been trying to get a student evaluation program off the ground [00:32:40] Kennedy says some of the liberal approaches to student involvement may be declared inoperable soon [00:33:50] Kennedy says at the most recent meeting of the Board of Trustees adopted a new program that did not allow student involvement in evaluation [00:36:25] Kennedy expresses his thoughts on the potential rally being organized [00:39:25] Ericson says he does not want to discuss this personnel matters with a mob [00:40:55] Ericson responds to a question about the political implications in the Rizzo case [00:43:12] Kennedy says it is inappropriate for Rizzo to go into his file and release the information inside to the press [00:44:00] Kennedy says this will lead to returning to closed file systems or risk undermining the evaluation process [00:45:13] Ericson says that the year after Rizzo's greatest political activity, he was rehired and recommended him for promotion [00:46:10] Ericson says the Board of Trustees have rules that allow people who put things into the file to be able to withdraw them [00:47:00] Ericson says the only thing removed was a laudatory letter from students about Rizzo [00:48:35] Kennedy says the open file policy is an optional policy at the local level [00:50:53] Kennedy describes the new statewide academic grievance procedure [00:54:45] Kennedy says the steps of the procedure were followed in order [00:55:32] Kennedy says Rizzo can go beyond campus for a hearing [00:56:08] Kennedy says he would welcome an AUP investigation team [00:57:47] Kennedy talks about when the president had a lot more say in personnel matters