Everett Community College unrest leads to call for resignation

By J.J. Jensen
Times Snohomish County bureau

Charlie Earl

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The unrest stems from Earl's announcement May 11 that Stu Barger, vice president of instruction, would be reassigned as senior assistant to the president, working on projects across academic programs.

"Most faculty thought (Barger) was doing a good job," said Al Friedman, dean of the college's science, math and occupations division.

Earl held an open house May 13 to discuss Barger's reassignment, Friedman said, but that, too, resulted in debates with faculty.

Earlier this week, deans met with their divisions to gauge how instructors viewed the reassignment and Earl's leadership. Those meetings revealed many were also upset about the recent dismissals of the vice president for college relations and the director of the Everett Community College Foundation. Others were angry that two new administrative positions have been filled without national searches.

On Wednesday, representatives from two college departments delivered letters to Earl requesting his resignation. Meanwhile, two other divisions sent letters expressing no confidence in his leadership, said Friedman. The letters were intended to represent the majority in those departments.

Earl said Barger's reassignment was not a demotion and was mutually agreed upon. Earl said it was necessary because the college's growth had made the responsibilities of Barger's new position too big for one person.

Earl, the college's president since 1999, plans to address the situation again Tuesday at an all-faculty meeting.

"This will play out over the next days and weeks, so we'll just have to see if there can be a closer meeting of the minds," he said.

J.J. Jensen: 425-745-7809 or jjensen@seattletimes.com

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

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