Charges Fly at Riverside College Over Suspension

In what local academics are calling an infringement on academic freedom, a Riverside Community College instructor has been suspended just days after he accused the school of inappropriately spending money earmarked for the classroom.

College administrators allege that Frank Stearns, a tenured accounting instructor, was removed from campus for poor performance, including letting class out early on 45 occasions.

“This is just the latest in a long line of abuses by this administration,” said David Baker, chairman of the school’s Behavioral Science Department.

Baker was among more than two dozen students and teachers carrying picket signs outside the college’s board meeting Tuesday.

Baker and other faculty members lashed out at Riverside Community College President Salvatore Rotella, who they say is an autocrat who cares very little about the welfare of teachers and students.

Rotella said in an interview that he denies the accusations.

Rotella said he could not discuss the specific allegations that led to Stearns’ leave, saying laws prohibit him from commenting on a private personnel matter.

Stearns could not be reached Wednesday. His attorney, Marianne Reinhold, declined to comment.

Dwight Lomayesva, president of the Riverside chapter of California Teachers Assn., said that Stearns is not the only faculty member abruptly removed from campus. In the past year, another tenured business teacher, Pam Moore, was put on leave. Rebecca Morgan, a counselor at a Norco satellite campus, and cosmetology teacher Sandy Leiske were also let go, despite glowing annual reviews, union officials said.

Leiske was also at Tuesday’s protest and said she is still trying to understand why she was let go.

“I was never given a reason,” said Leiske. “I was just told my contract isn’t being renewed.”

Some instructors said Rotella may be reluctant to hire too many tenured instructors because that would make it harder for him to hire and fire faculty.

Others said that teachers who openly criticize the administration are singled out for punishment. As a result, teachers say their academic freedoms are compromised because they are increasingly fearful of criticizing the school’s curriculum or policy decisions.

“People are tense. People are afraid to speak out,” Baker said. “And that’s not the way to run a school.”

“There is a tremendous chill on the campus now,” said instructor Cheri Wallace. “It affects our ability to speak out in meetings for fear of becoming a target .... This is an unhealthy environment for learning.”

Stearns’ dispute with the campus administration came to a head in March.

The 10-year veteran of the college was put on administrative leave. The sanction came less than a week after completion of an audit of school expenditures, union officials said.

State law dictates that at least 50% of school funds must be spent in the classroom and on teacher salaries. Stearns, who conducted the audit on behalf of the teachers union, reportedly tried twice to meet with school administrators because he believed the school was not meeting the 50% standard.

Both meetings were canceled, Lomayesva said. Rotella said Stearns’ audits were premature because he did not have all the needed paperwork. Two independent auditors have since reviewed the school’s expenditures and found they were in compliance with state laws, Rotella said.

James Buysse, vice president for finance, reported Stearns to the California Board of Accountancy. The school alleged that Stearns’ review was biased because he draws his salary from the same pool of money he was auditing.

The state accountancy board, however, found Stearns did not act inappropriately.

Stearns was later elected chairman of the Business Department, but Rotella refused to allow him to assume the post, Lomayesva said. In March, Stearns was ordered to turn in his keys and not to return to campus. Substitute teachers were brought in to finish classes, which conclude this month.

“I believe this teacher was singled out because of his report,” said Wallace. “And I also believe professor Stearns will be totally exonerated.”

Stearns will argue his case later this year before an administrative law judge.

Rotella, meanwhile, said he regrets the turmoil caused by Stearns’ removal. “I can tell you this isn’t an easy or pleasant thing to do,” Rotella said. “But we’ve done everything as truthfully and honestly as we can.”