~ Says she was marginalised ~
PHILIPSBURG--After twenty years of service, Rhoda Arrindell is leaving University of St. Martin (USM) on the grounds that she had been marginalised over the past two years and not given the opportunity to function.
Arrindell, who holds the post of Language Division Head, said she made a request for her contract to be dissolved in December 2009, which is still in process.
Arrindell, who has been awarded USM’s best female lecturer eight times, told The Daily Herald on Tuesday that she will be completing her PHD, but hasn’t decided her next career move yet.
She said the working environment at USM had been tense. “I wasn’t allowed to work professionally and I was constantly marginalized,” she said, adding that others had been doing her job.
In a letter to her students, colleagues and acquaintances on Tuesday, Arrindell said USM had been like her second home and her students her extended family.
“My decision to walk away from the academic institution has not been an easy one. However, developments within the last two years, and particularly within the last six months, have contributed to my resolve. Because of my explicit critiquing of questionable and, in some cases, arguably, unethical practices and policies with regard to USM board and executive management, I was being forced to work in an environment which consistently compromised my personal and professional integrity,” she said in her letter.
“Rather than being allowed to work as a professional, I was constantly being referred to as ‘the union’ and marginalized because of my initiative in seeking union representation for the USM staff. And because of my personal and professional values, I could not go along with the current situation.
“I have not wavered in my belief that all of us have a role to play in the development of our St. Maarten society. However, regrettably for me, my role is not at USM, at least not at this time. To those of you who have asked me to reconsider my decision, I thank you for your concern and words of encouragement. Know that wherever I am, you and USM will always remain dear to me.”
Arrindell says she is still employed by USM, as her lawyer is busy working out the details of her severance with the administration. She will not be on campus regularly as she was told that her presence “will no longer be required on the premises of the university,” not even to collect her cheque.
She said she had been asked by USM President Josianne Fleming whether she wanted to continue teaching and she had confirmed her willingness and availability to do so.
“In the end, the decision to not permit me to teach this semester was not based on my expertise or over twenty years of experience in higher education, but on the opinion that my mere presence would disrupt the tranquillity of the institution. In spite of this, rest assured I am not far in spirit, and that I will continue with you in the struggle for USM and the people of St. Maarten from wherever I am,” she said.
“The first phase in this struggle is the securing of a Collective Labour Agreement (CLA), on which I will continue to work along with the WIFOL (Workers Institute for Organised Labour), until it has become a reality.”
She told her colleagues to remember that the right to be unionized is a fundamental right, which is open to all employees of USM regardless of their positions. “The WIFOL is your voice vis-à-vis your employer. Do not be persuaded otherwise. Seek out the union for any questions or concerns you might have regarding your status as an employee.
“To my students, thanks for allowing me to play a part, as small as it was, in helping you to chart your future. I have complete faith that you will go on to make your mark on the world. And should you think there is still something I can help you with, you can always contact me. Again, thank you all for the wonderful experience,” she said in her letter.
