Haas leave bid gets nod for 2nd look

Above: Pat Haas, our colleague and friend,
working with a student at GCC.

Update:
September 9, 2003

This afternoon Dr. Jose Leyba notified Pat Haas, and the English department chair, that Pat's medical leave was extended through the Fall 2003 semester. Ruth spoke for all of us when she wrote: "Here! Here! That is to say, 'The sooner that Pat's back here with us, the better!' " Thank you, Dr. Leyba, for hearing our concerns. We are all grateful for your reasoned and compassionate decision.

To follow up, the department sent Dr. Leyba a Purple Crush t-shirt in appreciation. A former English teacher himself, Dr. Leyba issued a challenge to the English Department. He said that if anyone could identify, before 5 pm that day, the quotation, "I would prefer not to" from a Melville work, he would donate $50 to our scholarship fund. Of course, we responded immediately with the short story "Bartleby the Scrivener," and the department scholarship fund is now $50 richer. Thanks again, Dr. Leyba.

This sea of purple greeted Dr. Jose Leyba Friday afternoon in the 05 conference room. Those who weren't there should be proud of the purple gang (and the black and red at the corners as well). The English Department members made a impassioned, but reasoned and appropriate and without anger, argument for another look at the decision to end Pat Haas' association with the Maricopa Community Colleges. And the important news is that Dr. Leyba listened, seemed to agree with some of the arguments and indicated the merit in others. He said a decision that could effectively stop the termination of Pat, a and a handful of others in the district, would come by Tuesday or Thursday of next week.

Dr. Leyba was warmly thanked for coming to GCC to listen to the concerns and points enumerated by the English faculty. Dr Leyba took full responsibility for the decision asking Pat to resign or be terminated and for the impersonal -- courier -- notification. "Mea culpa," was his response.

A desire for consistent treatment was the main argument Dr. Leyba made for the denial of Pat's continuing personal leave for another year. He said there has not been a consistent policy dealing with these leaves -- especially noting differences among colleges. But he also agreed with the English Department argument, made by several members, that grandfathering those individuals with leave requests and starting a new and consistent policy with the next new request, was possible. That would clear the path for another year -- or possibly six months -- more personal leave for Pat.

It was an emotionally happy afternoon.

Have a good weekend,