07/01/2024
Wednesday, June 26, 2024
To the Members of the Board of Yavapai College, Prescott AZ
It is after much consideration and thought that I address this letter to all the board members and the President of Yavapai College. This concerns an issue which has existed since Fall of 2023. And the violation of US Constitutional: 1st Amendment regarding FREE Speech. It is clear to me, and the other students involved, that Free Speech or dissenting views in regards to the actions of the Administration and certain Deans does not exist and results in retaliation against the dissenters.
Last Fall 23 I found out that Prof. Chad Pittman had been discharged after one semester. Moving here from Ohio is no small matter. To not give him at least a full year to prove himself he was discharged after the complaint by ONE person. Myself and others were astonished at the rather ruthless way he was treated and I chose to seek to have him reinstated. I developed an online petition which I sent to all the members of the Master Chorale, Community Chorus and Chamber Singers. A very succinct one paragraph, urging Dean Ralston, President Rhyne, and any other involved persons to reinstate Prof. Pittman immediately.
I personally sent communiques to Dean Ralston asking 2 Questions: 1. Did Prof. Pittman do anything illegal? 2. Did he do anything illicit? Realizing that Personnel matters are confidential I did not expect and answer other than Yes or No. I also encouraged members of the ensembles to boycott classes until Prof. Pittman was reinstated. At NO time did I threaten any violence or unruly behavior on anyone's part. I did leave a rather heated voice mail on Ralston's voice mail for which I have already apologized.
I was met with retaliation as he blocked my student account and has blocked the accounts of others as well. One retire California Highway Patrol officer wrote a very civil letter to Mr Ralston urging Prof. Pittman's reinstatement was also blocked. I don't know the extent of the blockages on the other students. All this for asking 2 questions and circulating a petition.
I emailed Monica Belknap several times asking that my account be unblocked so I could join my colleagues in the Master Chorale. She sent me a very surly letter quoting your regulations and that I had to come in to be “interviewed” in order to unblock my account! I am 77 years old, one of your best singers, a soloist and a tax payer in this county. Do not demand that I come to be scolded like a 9 year old to unblock my account. I was not present when Ralston blocked it and likewise it is not necessary for me to be present for an interview to unblock it. This is an unreasonable demand. Your regulations contradict the US Constitution and are open to overly broad interpretation,
...resulting in a quasi police state which is intolerant to opposing views.
I have committed no crime, did not cause a riot at the school. Under the US Constitution I have a right to have a dissenting opinion and to ask questions of any state or federally funded institution. I also have the right not to receive retaliation regarding my opinions and questions. The administration has in several cases besides myself retaliated against anyone who signed the petition or who wrote letters. Disciplinary action against the parties who acted against dissenters would be in order.
It is with this information I write to the board to immediately restore and unblock any and all student accounts which have been blocked. This way we can register for the Fall 2024 semester ion a timely manner and return to enjoy music with our colleagues.
Thank you for your attention and action on this issue. I have given you my honest and forthright opinions on the state of Free Speech at Yavapai College. I await a fair and just resolution to these matters.
Sincerely,
Sonia E. Harden
cc: Dennis McGrane, Bruce P Zelis, Esqs., Goldwater Institute
