November 8, 2009
On November 4, 2009, a strike was coordinated by Tyrone Heppard and me on the Broome Community College campus against the Board of Trustees in hopes that something would soon change for the sake of the students, faculty and the future of the college itself.
The strike took place in the Student Center’s cafeteria at 11 am until 2:30 pm. There was entertainment including: bongo playing by Rashid, two bands: The Ryan & Arthur Band and No Way José, break dancing by Laine, Omari and others, and rapping by Tyrone. However, everyone was more concentrated on the petition that was being passed around.
Tyrone and I had our hands full though with something else, the media.
On Friday, October 30, 2009, Doug Schneider from the Press and Sun Bulletin contacted me about the press release I sent him just a few hours early that stated:
“On Wednesday November 4, 2009, there will be a Student Strike held in the Student Center Quad at Broome Community College at 11 AM. The reasoning behind the strike is to inform the BCC Board of Trustees that the students are standing with the Faculty and the Broome County Legislature: we do not approve of the BOT’s performance. Students are concerned about the effect of their faculty working without a contract. We are also concerned that the campus is without a permanent president. Both of these situations have been going on for nearly two years: for some of us, that’s our whole education here. This strike was organized by BCC students for BCC students. We are often accused of not being as engaged in our campus as other students. This is our chance to get involved and express our concerns to the Board of Trustees and the public. We are exercising our First Amendment rights to make it clear that we are aware of the issues facing our college and understand how they affect us. We are hoping for a sizable turnout for this event, and hope you will find it worth covering.”
Before Mr. Schneider called me, he called Tyrone. In my head I was preparing what I would say to the reporters if contacted, and hoped I had something good to say. When my phone rang and he said, “Hello Ashley? This is Doug Schneider from The Press and Sun Bulletin.” I became scared. My hands went clammy, and my temperature rose to something that felt like 200°. I remember some of the questions he asked. Things like: who, what, when, where and why? How big of a turn out do you expect? What is the next step after the strike? What made you come up with the idea to do this? How does this issue of no permanent president and no faculty contracts affect the students?
Although he asked me some really great questions, and I gather from his response of, “Wow, that is a really great point” (that he must have said about 50 times in a 17 minute period) that I must have said some really good comments and answers, although until I read some of my quotes in the paper on October 31 and November 2, I couldn’t remember one thing I said. I honestly do not know why I was so scared and nervous, but that 17 minute phone conversation seemed like an hour, and all I have to say is, thank God it was on the phone and not in person because I think it would have been a whole lot worse. However if I had to analyze why I was scared, I think that I would have to say it was because I knew he knew that I was one of the protest organizers and I felt like I had to be professional and articulate.
The press release was sent to four media outlets in the Binghamton area along with The Press and Sun Bulletin, they include: News Channel 34, WBNG TV Channel 12, Fox 40 and News 10 Now, in hopes that at least one would show up. On November 4, when 10:55 am rolled around and Tyrone and I were getting ready to make an announcement to begin the strike, 2 of the four channels showed up and by 11:10, the other two were there and the interviews were done.
I am not sure why, but I was more scared to talk to Mr. Schneider on the phone rather than talking to the news crew on camera in person. I was still very nervous and kind of unsure what to say, even though I had been through it many times in my head, recited it to many people who asked what was going on and why, and I even had to tell a reporter once already.
Just about the same questions were asked by the video media that were asked by the print media, except in a shorter amount of time and not as many. In the back of my mind, I kept reminding myself to not say something stupid that they may use in the broadcast. Yet, I said this, “We don’t really have too much of a say, and this is us saying that we do have something’s to say. We aren’t really mad, like get your pitchforks kind of thing. We just want to calmly tell you that we aren’t happy.” And with my luck, channel 12 thought that was a great comment to use on the 6:00 pm news. On top of all that, I have a habit of talking with my hands- not wanting to do so on camera, I resorted to facial expressions and head movements.
Overall, the strike was successful. After the strike ended, Tyrone and I, along with the help of a mutual friend, headed to Front Street where we held our signs that said things like “The Students and Faculty Stand Together” while passing motorists honked their horns and gave us thumbs up.
On Friday November 6, 2009, Tyrone and I handed a cover letter and a petition with 179 signatures to the secretary of the Board of Trustees. We will see what happens, if nothing, we will work on a second plan.
LETTER TO THE BOT
Dear Broome Community College Board of Trustees, November 6, 2009
Lately, you have been the front and center of many news stories. Some of which I am unsure you even know about.
Hi, my name is Ashley Vincent. You may not have heard, but with the help of my friend Tyrone Heppard, we organized a strike against you. He, I and many of the students are frustrated with your lack of motivation in your duties. We have taken notice in many of the issues here on campus and the large problems here are all tied back to you.
Our strike took place on November 4, 2009 in the Student Center cafeteria at 11am, and then moved it to Front Street at 3pm with picket signs. I don’t know if you heard the constant honking of horns there in the Wales building, but there were many, motorists who honked, waved and gave us thumbs up.
Honestly, we have no confidence in you. You have had many chances to show that you are worthy of our respect and have not done anything to gain it. Frankly, we are sick of it. We here all have voice; this is your job to make this college all that it can be. Right now, you are just throwing BCC away. We just want you to know that, we cannot just stand by and watch you not do anything to make BCC better.
Sincerely,
Ashley B. Vincent
Tyrone L. Heppard
And the BCC Students
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