Students at Essex County College were justly outraged by the college administration’s proposal to increase tuition between 20% to 40% per credit beginning next semester. The proposal considered by the college’s administration was supposed to be top-secret but news leaked out.
At the eleventh hour, the Student Government Association (SGA) got the news that tuition would eventually go up. SGA Vice President, Yonesha Donaldson, a sophomore Biology major, insisted on calling an emergency open forum for students to voice their concerns on February 10th at the Mary Burch Theater.
Entering Mary Burch Theater, students saw the panelists that were supposed to give them answers seated on-stage at a table. The panel consisted of Executive Dean, Susan Mulligan; Comptroller, Avril George Robinson; Associate Dean of Student Life and Activities Office, Patricia Slade; and members of the Student Government Association.
Avril George-Robinson, the Essex County College Comptroller, told students that she was “sad to give the news, but there was only one way the college could fill the deficit, by increasing tuition”. Silence reigned. The crowded theater, packed with students, was quiet enough to hear a pin drop.
Jeremiah Aviles, a member of the student newspaper, spoke first. With his detailed, specific questions, Mr. Aviles ignited the audience. Student after student began to approach the microphone to voice their concerns.
Tensions and emotions rose as students spoke. The more students asked questions, the more the panelists became silent and could only take notes. As the forum closed, Ms. Donaldson stated, “This would not be the last time we addressed this issue”. When interviewed, Ms. Donaldson said, “I was disturbed because the information [about tuition increases] was given at the last-minute and students needed a way to get their voice heard. “It was not fair that students have to carry the burden of the school’s budget deficit. The county and state need to pay their fair shares”.
One week later, on February 17th, students packed the monthly Board of Trustees meeting. The meeting did not start until around 10:54 a.m., almost one-and-a-half hours off schedule. Still, students waited for almost 90 minutes to get their point across. Many students held signs that read “EDUCATION IS A RIGHT, NOT A BUSINESS” and “STUDENT TUITION COVERS 62.23% OF THE $80 MILLION DOLLAR BUDGET”. Others handed out flyers to educate their colleagues. Thankfully, student pressure made the Board of Trustees table the vote.
Students continued the fight by attending the Feb. 25 meeting of the Board of Chosen Freeholders of Essex County. Seven students, including two alumni, spoke at the BOCF meeting. The Vice President of the ECC Alumni Association, Lev Zilbermintz, urged the county freeholders to increase funding to the school so students could get affordable quality education.
Britnee N. Timberlake, the President of the BOCF, Freeholders responded saying that she heard and felt student concerns and that she would send something in writing to the students.
Outside the meeting room, Philip B. Alagia, the Chief of Staff to Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo spoke to students. Mr. Alagia said, “ECC President Dr. Gale Gibson needs to check how she is managing the school’s money before seeking outside support.” Asked by the students to elaborate, Mr. Alagia explained that ECC had four Vice Presidents, each of whom was drawing about $200,000 salaries, not including benefits.
According to the college website, the four vice presidents are Dr. Joyce Wilson Harley, Vice President of Administration and Finance; Dr. Steplight-Johnson, Vice President of Academic Affairs/Chief Academic Officer; Dr. Rashidah Hasan, Acting Vice President of Human Resources Regulator & Legal Affairs/General Counsel; and Dr. Douglas Walcerz, Vice President of Planning, Research and Assessment.
A few days after meeting with Mr. Alagia, ECC students participated in a radio broadcast at Rutgers-Newark. The station, the WRNU, invited Essex County College students to let the word out on-air in a 20-minute live-stream co-hosted by Bashir Akinyele, an ECC alumnus.
During the broadcast, students criticized the reckless spending by ECC President Gale Gibson. Students complained about the budget cuts affecting library hours, computer labs, cafeteria costs, and the $3.9 million deficit. Students also talked on radio about President Dr. Gale Gibson’s seven cabinet members and other personnel accumulating $1.9 million in salaries, not including benefits.
To support Essex County College students sign their petition. Also, you can support them at their protest on Tuesday at 9:30am, March 17 in Smith Hall at Essex County College, 303 University Avenue, Newark, New Jersey.
