Due to the drastic, top down decision made to cut the MAT (Masters in Teaching Program) at SIT from 9.5 faculty to 5 and students from 80 over a year to about 30 (these cuts will come into play by next year), students at SIT have united in protest. That SIT is losing money is not in question. The accounting for how it is losing money is. The numbers the school is showing for costs for the MAT program do not add up. For example, it is claimed that the MAT program is losing $700k a year. This figure has been arrived at using questionable reasoning such as expensing the school library 50/50 between the MAT program and PIM program even though the PIM program has over 3x the students as are enrolled in the MAT program over the academic fall and spring terms. Further, internal process was not followed faithfully for these changes. That said, the students have crafted and gained over 136 signatures in less 24 hours to the following petition. SIT (Graduate Institute) is changing into a very different organization, one that will have significant challenges in keeping its academic program quality.
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Take Back SIT
Petition to the Administration
We, the undersigned students, alumni, faculty, and staff of SIT, call on the Board of Trustees, and ask for:
1. A reinvestigation of the process used to determine restructuring of the MAT department, with an outline of changes to be made that is longer than three lines and includes full rationale (as well as mentioning of plans developed during the strategic planning process endured by faculty).
2. An investigation into the differing explanations of finances, done by an outside and neutral party.
3. A written document that ensures the existence of the MAT program (in some way connected with SIT) for a minimum of 5 years to come with all faculty positions retained.
4. A written promise to grow the program if enrollment and funds increase, with specifications to be decided upon.
OR an honest declaration that spells out how administration believes that teaching language is not in line with the mission and vision of this organization.
We ask for a response to these demands by Friday March 21st, 2008.
We, the undersigned students, alumni, faculty, and staff of SIT, call on the president and the provost of SIT, and ask for:
1. A statement that shows understanding of the concerns that students have regarding inclusion in decision making processes on campus.
2. A public apology to faculty, students and staff that recognizes that these decisions were not based on democratic processes.
3. Access to the research that documents the administration’s reasoning for the changes that they made. These documents should be made public.
4. Evidence that the administration and board considered financial models with scrutiny and diligence to ensure that the MAT program would not have to be cut drastically.
We ask for a response to these demands by Friday March 21st, 2008.
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There will be more to come! Brattleboro has been so very kind to the students of SIT and we ask again for your kindness by just being aware and discussing the changes that are coming here. These changes affect people's lives -- especially the incredibly gifted and giving faculty of the MAT program. It also affects the lives of students who will be going out to do good work around the globe and here at home in the US. Lastly, this affects Brattleboro since there will be less students and faculty to have as neighbors contributing to this great town we all call home!