A determined group of LMU students practiced their constitutional right to protest at the main campus entrance on Wednesday afternoon, as pictured. Students assembled to protest against the unfair terminations of several LMU professors.
Blakely Jones, a senior medical laboratory student at LMU, organized the protest event because he believes that several professors are being terminated by Jarstfer for unjust cause — and that the university’s administration refuses to acknowledge the circumstances.
“Many students on campus are angry and frustrated that the school is not checking more closely into the situation,” stated Jones in an e-mail to the Daily News. “People are being ‘let go’ after many years of teaching for reasons that cannot be explained. I have personally met many of the professors involved and they do not understand.”
On Wednesday, Jones explained that Dr. Jarstfer plans to replace four university professors in the next two years with individuals who hold doctorates in their specific field. Jones feels that decision is unreasonable considering the professors involved could easily return to school and attain the Ph.D. within two-years time.
“He said he wants to get it done in two years, that’s completely possible. The people he is getting rid of have plenty of education to teach and can get a Ph.D. They don’t need to be turned away... These professors that they are getting rid of are good professors,” Jones expressed.
Jones added that decisions to remove educators from their positions should be based on logic and objectivity, rather than reasons of arrogance.
Yesterday’s event marked the first time that many of the LMU students had ever practiced their right to protest — and Jones said he felt like the protest, as a whole, was a success.
“We were lucky to have the time we did,” conveyed Jones after the protest. “We tried to get as many people involved as possible because we know that once this semester is over, there is not much we can do about it.”
Jones referred to the students that participated in the protest as a “powerful force that guides the school” and hopes that yesterday’s public statement will make a difference in the future education of LMU students, as well as in the lives of the affected professors.
Dr. Amiel Jarstfer could not be reached for comment.
Adam Young is a Staff Writer for the Middlesboro Daily News. He can be contacted by e-mail at ayoung@heartlandpublications.com.
But again even if it took the maximum of 5 years to achieve then we would still have 2 years before it even came close to accred time.
But yeah I agree, 2-2.5 years is really booking it! It really depends on how many credits are viable from the prior school coursework.
I also think that like the previous commentator, the students could have been better informed. We all want someone to blame, but unfortunately it can't all be placed on the dean.
Also, as someone who is looking for graduate programs, I would love it if someone could direct me to a two-year phd program. That is laughable.
Read the SACS accreditation manual for 2010 before saying anything about the possibility of losing accreditation.
For a little more focused information check the section: 3.5.4 page 28 in that manual.
...And then even if they were (WHICH THEY ARE NOT) they would have until 2019 to fix it. These guys are just saying to allow the professors to get PhDs and teach. Everyone involved would be happy then. and the school can get the HIGHER accred status they want in the a similar if not identical time frame.
The students are far more educated than you have currently lead me to believe.
So Yes, I am thankful they let them protest on their property. But WHEN they did move the protest further into campus security was called and told them to move back to the street.
But, all things aside I do love this school.