Author Archive for R. Oliphant – Page 26

Yavapai Community College to Hold Commencement for East side students at Sedona Center May 6

By R. Oliphant
Friday, May 5th, 2023

Sedona Performing Arts Center will hold event for Sedona Center/Verde Campus degree recipients at 9:00 a.m. and certificate recipients at noon.  Live streaming of the ceremonies will be available at yc.edu.

Yavapai Community College will hold two student recognition ceremonies on May 6, with the degree recipients event scheduled for  9:00 a.m. and certificate recipients event scheduled for  12:00 p.m.

Nearly 100 graduates who either completed their degree or certificate in fall 2022 or who are on track to complete in spring 2023 or summer 2023 are expected to attend.

Overall, 620 YC students are on track to complete 807 degrees and certificates this spring. Additionally, 448 students completed 544 degrees and certificates last fall.

Mr. Ekklesia Breed, R.N., Verde Valley Medical Center ICU, 2022-23 Yavapai College Alumnus of the Year, will address the graduates and guests as the keynote speaker for the 9:00 a.m. ceremony.

Mrs. Amanda Vivanco, B.S.N., Director of Nursing, Haven Health Sedona, 2022-23 Yavapai College Alumna of the Year, will address the graduates and guests as the keynote speaker for the 12:00 p.m. ceremony.

Other speakers include Ms. Tina Luffman, Yavapai College English Professor, and graduating student Ms. Cheyene Gabbard.

Students and parents are encouraged to use the hashtag #YCGradJoy on social media to share their photos and celebrate with the college.

Live streaming of the ceremonies will be available at www.yc.edu.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

9:00 a.m. Ceremony

Mr. Ekklesia Breed, R.N. Ekklesia had a strong aspiration to work in healthcare for many years, and he longed to be an innovator in this field. After exploring various avenues, he discovered his true calling. Yavapai College provided him with the opportunity to pursue his goals and become a leader in healthcare. Thanks to the College’s support, he is now equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others. Ekklesia is grateful for the chance to pursue his passion and to lead others in providing high-quality care.

12:00 p.m. Ceremony

Mrs. Amanda Vivanco, B.S.N. Amanda began her journey as an LPN eight years ago and quickly realized that caring for others was her true calling. Becoming a registered nurse was no easy feat. Five years ago, she stumbled upon Yavapai College and decided to uproot her entire life to attend. Looking back, it was one of the best choices she’s made. Yavapai College played a significant role in helping her achieve her goals. Thanks to the College’s support, Amanda now has the opportunity to serve her community and pursue her passion for nursing alongside her husband. They both feel grateful for the chance to work together doing what they love in a place they call home.

FACULTY SPEAKER

Ms. Tina Luffman, English department faculty, first began teaching at Yavapai College in June of 2002. She has also taught Student Success Skills, Reading, and Writing courses; she previously has worked as the Learning Center Coordinator and as a part-time academic advisor and instructor for the Adult Basic Education program. Tina has lived in the Verde Valley area since 1982. She received her bachelor’s degree and her Master’s degree from Northern Arizona University. Her husband Mark has taught CNT and CSA classes at Yavapai College for over 30 years, and all four of her children have taken classes here, worked on campus, or both.

STUDENT SPEAKER

Ms. Cheyene Gabbard is graduating with the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing degree. She is a first-generation college student and a military veteran. Cheyene’s future plans include earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and to become a Nurse Practitioner. Cheyene intends to make a positive impact on the healthcare system.

Source:  Yavapai Community College Press release of May 2, 2023 (Link)

Categories : Event

GOVERNING BOARD SET TO APPROVE $3.4 MILLION INVESTMENT AT MAY MEETING TO CREATE A PERMANENT FACULTY VILLAGE OF TEN HOMES FOR WEST COUNTY FACULTY

By R. Oliphant
Tuesday, May 2nd, 2023

West County faculty village will be located in Lakeshore subdivision outside Prescott Valley in project being developed by the Prescott based Fain Signature Group; College says it intends to initially purchase, own and operate  ten manufactured homes for the faculty who will rent them “temporarily;” students may occupy the new homes if faculty don’t rent them

The Yavapai Community College Governing Board is anticipated to approve an investment at its May meeting of an estimated $3.4 million to create a village for the West County faculty working at  the Prescott Campus and centers on that side of Mingus Mountain.  The faculty village will be located in the Lakeshore subdivision just outside Prescott Valley.  (See video link by clicking here where Prescott-based executive explains the project.)

According to the information supplied to the Governing Board at its April 11 meeting, the new faculty village will act as “temporary” faculty  housing, although “temporary” was not clearly defined in any great detail. (Representative Kuknyo did emphasize there were to be used on a temporary basis by faculty.”  The College said that if faculty do not rent the homes, it will open them to students.

The decisions and discussion regarding construction of the village was kept totally secret from Yavapai County residents until the April 11 meeting. The County taxpayers will be paying for it in their annual primary property taxes. 

What alternatives, if any, the Governing Board was given by the College rather than investing in a permanent faculty village are unknown as that information remains a carefully guarded secret.

It is also unknown whether the Governing Board considered setting up a rental agreement with the Fain Signature Group that would not have entailed a permanent investment.  The Fain Group, for example, is just completing a 329 apartment community in Prescott Valley that could be used for “temporary housing” of Prescott based faculty.   

Below is a housing statement contained in the 2022 Community College Master Plan with the photo of the housing project at San Mateo College.

Categories : Housing

GOVERNING BOARD PREPARING TO APPROVE $15.3 MILLION AT MAY MEETING TO RENOVATE BUILDING 19 (LIBRARY) ON PRESCOTT CAMPUS AS LEADERSHIP CONTINUES TO POUR MONEY INTO WEST SIDE PROJECTS

By R. Oliphant
Tuesday, May 2nd, 2023

College says it will turn it into a “Center for Learning & Innovation” to be used by students and community members

The Yavapai Community College Governing Board is poised to approve spending $15.3 million on renovating Building 19 on the Prescott Campus over three years beginning with the 2023-24 academic year.  It is anticipated that the approval will come at the budget meeting, which is scheduled for Tuesday, May 16 on the Prescott Campus.

The proposal for the $15.3 million project was floated to the Governing Board at both the March and April Board meetings. The Prescott based executives encountered no serious reservations or opposition to the expenditure.  There were only a handful of questions, if that. 

The College says that the renovation will turn the library into a hub for students and community members on the Prescott Campus.  Currently, the College says space is being underutilized and the library is dated.

Classrooms and laboratories on the 2nd floor are proposed to be re-purposed into a modern Learning Commons for tutoring and academic support with open collaboration areas, study rooms, and staff offices.  Construction will most likely include a digital media studio, TELS staff offices, and a technology helpdesk, managed by ITS.

Categories : Construction

BLOG LOOKS AT BACKGROUND OF CHRIS HOWARD IN DETAIL AND TIMELINE SURROUNDING HIS FIRING AT YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE

By R. Oliphant
Sunday, April 30th, 2023

Considered an icon in the tennis community, his commitment to tennis and loyalty to Yavapai Community College and the Prescott area covers decades

Yavapai Community College Tennis Complex in Prescott

The following is an outline the Blog has created based on information it has received regarding the firing of Chris Howard.  Neither the Community College leadership nor any members of the Community College Governing Board have provided citizens with an explanation about firing the 68 year old employee. Requests for information from the Community College’s Public Relations department, as suggested by the Governing Board Chair at the April 11 Governing Board meeting, were met with a statement that the College does not comment on employment related matters.

  1. Howard was 68 years old when he was fired in March 2023 by Yavapai Community College.
  2. Howard has worked diligently for over 40 years with the Prescott tennis community.
  3. He is a USPTA elite Master tennis professional, which puts him in the top 10% of professional tennis players in the country with knowledge and experience.
  4. At age 68 he still competes on a national level, winning in 2022 what he describes as a “couple national titles.”
  5. He has won many Southwest Region tennis events and was once ranked #1 in the nation in the 65 doubles.
  6. During his career, Howard has worked in every type of tennis setting including: Five star resorts, tennis colleges, private clubs, country clubs, colleges, high schools, private courts, and subdivisions.
  7. Howard’s experience encompasses tennis club owner, sports director, tennis director, multipurpose club manager, tennis professional, tennis camp director, high school and college coach, adjunct, professional tennis services, tournament director, racquet stringer and repair, etc. He has been involved maintaining and building tennis clubs and tennis facilities from the ground up.
  8. During his career, Howard has managed up to 25 staff members at one time.
  9. Howard  is past President of the Yavapai Tennis Association and was one of  five creators of the Prescott Area Tennis Association in 1993. He is still a board member.
  10. He has written a weekly tennis column in the Prescott Daily Courier for at least 30 years, which is called, “My Point.”
  11. Howard began teaching at the Yavapai Community College tennis facility in 1982.
  12. Howard was among a group of volunteers who along with George Reynolds helped maintain the tennis courts at Yavapai Community College from 1999 until 2014 when the next tennis complex was built.
  13. Howard was a member of the planning committee for the new Yavapai Community College tennis complex before it was constructed in 2014.
  14. Howard helped raise an estimated $200,000 from the Prescott area community, which was donated to support the construction of the new Yavapai Community College tennis complex in 2014.
  15. Howard considers the Yavapai Community College tennis complex “special . . . even with a small seven court facility. A place where everyone feels good to come, an easy way to make a reservation, to join a class, lesson, or clinic.” 
  16. He was hired to manage Yavapai Community College’s  tennis complex since it opened nine years ago.
  17. He was lauded and specifically recognized by Yavapai Community College for his “generous commitment of time, support, and inspiration in advancing the sport of tennis in the Prescott Community.”
  18. Since building the new tennis courts in 2014, the College has locked the courts when it snowed until they were safe to play on again, which Howard strongly agrees is appropriate.
  19. Despite numerous requests, the College refused to give him as the manager of the complex formal access to the courts following such events as a snowfall so he could get in to clear the shaded areas at times, which needed to be cleaned of snow.  Howard wanted to assess when the courts could have been playable. Because he could not access them and remove the snow, many times they were not playable when if the snow had promptly been removed they would have been playable.
  20. On many occasions, Mr. However believes there was  no one at Yavapai Community College who would  come take care of the courts at a time when  they should and could very easily be reopened by getting rid of the slush before it refroze during the night.
  21. Howard says that the College created a problem because of the inability to property remove slush on a court during the day before it would refreeze. This resulted in many Community College classes being unnecessarily canceled, patrons not being able to timely use the courts, and tennis professionals losing days of giving lessons.
  22. He tried to have the College set up a meeting with his new dean and also with the Head of the Facilities Department to discuss the delays in cleaning the courts. The College refused to provide him with that meeting.
  23. Around eleven months ago the College Leadership team, without consultation with Mr. Howard, apparently decided to take two of the seven tennis courts and make them Pickleball courts.
  24. Howard and others apparently requested a meeting with the College decision makers, but the request was denied.
  25. The Prescott Area Tennis Association (PATA) learned about the College’s Pickleball decision. PATA asked for a meeting with the College where its members could discuss what was perceived as a poor decision and suggest alternatives to the plan. The PATA meeting request  was denied.
  26. PATA members, apparently frustrated at the roadblock thrown up to simply have their views effectively heard by the College, initiated an email campaign in an effort to  further express their opinions about the pickleball decision while  suggesting several alternatives.
  27. The emails arrived on the desk of the College President with copies going to the District Governing Board members. It is suspected that the strong outpouring of opposition from the Prescott tennis community ruffled the feathers of the College’s executives who were apparently less than open-minded about a member of the staff, Chris Howard, disagreeing with them over  adding pickleball and then informing PATA of the decision. 
  28. The Pickleball idea was eventually withdrawn by the College, however, Mr. Howard and then Dean Scott Farnsworth (no longer with the College) had a meeting where in Mr. Howard’s view the Vice President told him of the VP’s disdain over what took place.
  29. Howard felt that after that episode, the College began watching him “very closely.”
  30. Howard was dismissed from his job on March 6, 2023, as the Community College Tennis manager, adjunct and independent contractor because he allegedly broke the  policy regarding snow days, which the College calls a “Closed Campus” day. No one is allowed on campus on a snow closed campus day other than authorized personnel. He was not on the list of authorized employees
  31. Howard explained that he was at the tennis courts on a closed snow day to determine whether the courts would be playable the next day.  He had done this hundreds of times before. If he thought the courts could be opened the next day after inspecting them, he would then contact the facilities department and try and persuade them to finish getting the shaded areas of the courts cleaned off so classes could be held the next day.
  32. When the College learned he had been at the complex on a Closed Campus day, he was fired. He received was is described as some kind of “trespass” ticket. He was also banned from the Community College premises for 12 months. He lost his job managing the complex, his adjunct position and his ability to teach independently using the College complex.
  33. He apparently cannot even go and pay to play at the tennis facility.
  34. He believes he was not given a fair opportunity to voice or explain what he was doing at the complex before he was fired.
  35. Howard feels that the College treated him “more like a criminal” than an employee and is hurt by this treatment because of his strong support and hard work for the College covering more than two decades.
  36. There was an outpouring of support for him at the Governing Board meeting held April 11, 2023, with from 70 to 80 Prescott tennis enthusiasts jamming the Board meeting room.
  37. Among those showing support who were given one-minute to speak on Mr. Howard’s behalf were:  Eric Mitchell, the CEO of the United States Tennis Association, Southwest section. Fay Matsumoto, a former 35 year employee of the College. Dr. Paul Sadick, former Head of Surgery for the Veterans Administration and Embry Riddle Professor.  Elaine Wolff, Ms. Pam Lee, Mr. Bob Florine, plus wheelchair players Ms. Nannette Johnson and Mr. Andrew Bogdanov. Mr. Howard was also given one minute to address the Board and was cut off before he finished his speech. 
  38. Because of the large outpouring of support, the Governing Board ruled that it would only allow nine supporters a minute each to address the Board. Howard was likewise given only a minute to address the Governing Board.
  39. There was no comment from the members of the Board. All questions were directed to the PR department, which when asked says it cannot comment on firings.
  40. Howard says the treatment at the hands of the Community College just “can’t be right – not having a conversation to get on the same page, letting ideas flow and going with what makes the most sense.”
  41. The Community College remains steadfast in its decision and offers no further explanation to Mr. Howard or the Prescott community about its devastating behavior.
Categories : Athletics, Tennis Court

SUPREME COURT SAYS HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE TRUSTEE CAN BE CENSORED WITHOUT VIOLATING THE FIRST AMENDMENT

By R. Oliphant
Friday, April 28th, 2023

Also makes clear a Trustee can continue expressing his or her views to the public and seek reelection despite the censure

Houston Community College System v. Wilson, No. 20-804, was a case decided by the US Supreme Court on March 24, 2022. It involved a dispute between the Houston Community College System (HCC), a public entity that operates various community colleges, and David Wilson, one of its elected board members.

The case arose from a series of conflicts between Wilson and his colleagues on the board, who accused him of criticizing their handling of a racial justice protest, misusing HCC funds, and violating HCC policies. In 2017, the board voted to censure Wilson for his conduct, which included a formal reprimand and a restriction on his travel and committee assignments.

Wilson sued HCC, claiming that the censure violated his First Amendment right to free speech, as well as his Fourteenth Amendment right to due process. He argued that the censure was motivated by his dissenting views on matters of public concern, and that he was not given a fair opportunity to defend himself before the board.

The district court dismissed Wilson’s claims, but the Fifth Circuit reversed, holding that Wilson had stated a plausible First Amendment claim and that the censure was not a legislative act immune from judicial review. The Fifth Circuit also held that Wilson had stated a plausible due process claim, because he had a protected property interest in his board position and benefits.

The Supreme Court granted certiorari to review the Fifth Circuit’s decision. The court unanimously reversed the Fifth Circuit’s ruling and held that the censure did not violate Wilson’s First Amendment rights, because elected bodies have the authority to regulate their own internal affairs and discipline their members for disruptive conduct. The court also held that the censure did not violate Wilson’s due process rights, because he did not have a property interest in his board position or benefits, and because he was given adequate notice and opportunity to be heard before the board.

The court’s opinion was written by Justice Gorsuch, who emphasized that the First Amendment does not prevent elected bodies from maintaining order and civility among their members, and that judicial intervention in such matters would undermine the separation of powers and democratic accountability. The opinion also noted that Wilson could still express his views to the public and seek reelection despite the censure.

The court’s decision was consistent with its previous decisions that have upheld the power of government institutions to impose reasonable restrictions on speech within their own domains, such as public schools, prisons, and workplaces. 

Some critics have argued that the decision could undermine the accountability of public officials and discourage them from expressing dissenting views on matters of public concern.

The full opinion may be read by following this link:  https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/21pdf/20-804_j426.pdf.

Categories : Lawsuits

ELEVEN SEDONA/VERDE CAMPUS STUDENTS RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS

By R. Oliphant
Tuesday, April 25th, 2023

Highest achieving students were honored at annual recognition event on the Verde Campus

A press release from Yavapai Community College announced that the Sedona Center/Verde Campus accounted for eleven of the 35 top academic scholars across all disciplines in the College’s 2022-2023 academic year.  They were honored at separate Evening of Recognition ceremonies at the Prescott and Verde Valley Campuses.

The Press release from the Community College, authored by JJ McCormack and issued April 19, 2023, in part, follows below:

The annual events recognize students who, as YC President Dr. Lisa Rhine put it in her remarks at the Prescott campus event, “had to reach in deep, sacrifice and commit to excellence in their work. Individually and collectively, the students we honor today embody our college’s mission—to make the world a better place through our ideas, our innovations and our engagement with one another.”

Rhine also praised YC faculty and staff for their contributions to the honorees’ success saying, “Across the disciplines, you are developing and shaping ideas that make a positive and lasting impact on our future and I thank you for your efforts.”

YC Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Diane Ryan, speaking directly to the student honorees at both ceremonies, said: “You are a testament to resiliency and determination. You have shown us anything is possible and we are proud of you and all of your accomplishments. You are an inspiration to all of us.”

The college’s highest student honor, the President’s Award for Excellence, was bestowed on future engineer Aidan Skoch at the Prescott Campus and future nurse, Taidyme Mae, at the Verde Valley Campus.

A YC Honors student and vice president of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society, Aidan was lauded as an “exceptional” student and leader who “always seems to be five minutes ahead” of his professors in class. Aidan is one of four YC students who earned All-Arizona Academic Team scholarships this year. After graduating this spring, he plans to pursue mechanical engineering at Arizona State University.

A first-year nursing student at the Verde Valley campus, Taidyme serves as the president of the Student Nursing Association. “Taidyme is an effective and vital force with the Verde SNA chapter and exemplifies the ability to inspire, guide, delegate and mobilize students,” her nomination stated.

Finalists for the President’s Award for Excellence this academic year were Chasity Bryant and David Wauters on the Prescott campus and Staci Fowler and Pam Gonzales on the Verde campus.

Earning the Vice President’s Award for Academic Accomplishment on the Prescott Campus was Visual Arts student Zoe Harman. Finalists were Keenan Hammack, Rosa Laban and Megan Young. The Vice President’s Award winner for the Verde Campus was 84-year-old lifelong learner Carolann Chambers. Matthew Rickman-Jones was a finalist for the award.

Following is a list of this year’s Outstanding Students by discipline from the Sedona Center and Verde Campus:

English & Humanities. Shane Danielson

Visual Arts—Ceramics, Nicholas Jackson

Communications, Brian Jackson

Psychology, Travis McIntire

Sociology, Faith New

Construction Building Trades, Jared Hawley

Culinary Arts, Arabella Licher

Viticulture & Enology, Joseph Monks

Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning, Hector Mario Zapata- Sanchez

Nursing, Hannah Pierce

Categories : Academic awards

ONLINE CLASSES AT YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE NOW MAKE UP OVER 40% OF STUDENT CREDIT HOURS – WHERE WOULD THE COLLEGE BE WITHOUT THEM?

By R. Oliphant
Tuesday, April 25th, 2023

College claims that most online students “are part-time adult learners, attending classes amidst other priorities including family and jobs.” New B.S. in nursing and LPN program will be online in the fall

Online courses and programs have become an increasingly important delivery mechanism for Yavapai Community College.  In fact, one might argue its current and future survival appears to rest on ensuring it has large numbers of outstanding online courses.

Data delivered to the Yavapai Community College District Governing Board in April showed over 40% of credits are now obtained online.  Although it produced no hard analytical data supporting its claim, it asserted that  most online students “are part-time adult learners, attending classes amidst other priorities including family and jobs.”

The new Bachelor of Science in Nursing, as well as an LPN program, will be launched in the Fall of 2023. The coursework will be offered online, and intends to target Community College  RN graduates who would like to upgrade their skills and credentials.

Good online learning opportunities depends on at least three things: First,  the quality and stability of the technology used to deliver the online course.  Second, the quality of the course content.  Finally, the training and collateral support of faculty  who develop a course and then teach it online.  

Yavapai Community College was an early adopter of online technologies, beginning almost 23 years ago.  Since then, it has invested large sums of money in technology, software and support services to improve the quality of our online offerings.

There remain fundamental unanswered  debatable questions about the quality of an online learning experience for a student versus face-to-face classroom learning or a hybrid  online experience  mixed with some face-to-face classroom learning experiences.  The answer about which learning environment is better, so far, is incomplete and generally unsatisfactory.  A common response is that  how learning occurs  seems to turn on the specific learning characteristics of each individual student and the quality of the faculty member delivering the material.   Some students appear to thrive in an online environment.  Others, however, appear to need in-person classroom instruction in order to achieve their maximum potential for learning. 

As more and more quality online learning opportunities appear from universities, colleges, and private enterprises, and the model of education delivery is being forever altered, the challenges for the Yavapai Community College administration are many.

Categories : Nursing, On line classes and accreditation

VERDE VALLEY CAMPUS TO BE CUT BY TEN FACULTY POSITIONS IN 2023-24 BUDGET ACCORDING TO DATA PRODUCED AT GOVERNING BOARD MEETING HELD APRIL 11

By R. Oliphant
Friday, April 21st, 2023

College increasing minimum wage for all employees plus an anticipated lower head count apparently led to drastic cut of Verde Valley  faculty

The Yavapai Community College Verde Valley Campus will suffer a major reduction in its teaching staff when the 2023-24 Community College budget is approved in May. According to data produced at the April 11 Governing Board meeting, it will lose at least ten faculty positions.

District One Representative Ray Sigafoos.

The information regarding the cuts came in the form of an explanation to District One Governing Board member Ray Sigafoos about a table presented during the meeting.  The table purports to provide a visual representation of the changes in positions at Yavapai College by Division and Major Business Unit.

Although there are more positions budgeted for next year, to support the Strategic Plan, the Verde Valley is scheduled to be reduced by 10.6 positions.

Vice President of Finance and Administrative services Clint Ewell justified the large cut of Verde Valley faculty by saying that  it was “because of the change in minimum wage” and also a “lower head count in the coming year.”  (See two minute tape of the brief discussion by clicking here.)

The only Governing Board member to query the chart and more clearly reveal the loss of faculty on the Verde Campus was First District Representative Ray Sigafoos.  Neither of the Board members who represent Sedona and the Verde Valley commented or questioned the decision to cut ten faculty from the Campus.  

You may view the brief two minute explanation of the faculty cuts given in response to Mr. Sigafoos’ query by clicking here.

Categories : Employment issues, Faculty, Verde Campus

TENNIS ICON CHRIS HOWARD SPEAKS ABOUT HIS TENNIS LIFE AND CAREER AT YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE

By R. Oliphant
Friday, April 21st, 2023

Shares sketch of the speech he would have given to Governing Board on April 11 but was restricted to only one-minute to address Board at Open Call to the Public

Yavapai Community College award to Mr. Chris Howard

Prescott Tennis icon Chris Howard was fired in March by Yavapai Community College.  In an earlier posting, the Blog has covered the perceived reason behind the firing and the flavor of the outpouring of support for him at the April 11, 2023, College District Governing Board Meeting.  However, along with other speakers, he was allowed only a single minute to address the District Governing Board.  

At the request of the Blog, Mr. Howard has graciously shared the sketch of the speech he had prepared to give at that meeting.  It is set out below.  In addition, you may also view a clip of his speech, which was cut off at the April 11 Governing Board meeting by clicking here.

By Mr. Chris Howard

Most of you don’t really know me, to you I’m just the tennis guy who “used to” teach tennis at Yavapai College and been in the area a long time as such.

The “used to” part of that last sentence is sad, because over the 40 plus years I’ve been in the Prescott area I’ve probably had the most interaction with practically every tennis player, junior-adult & senior than anyone else.

Since in Prescott I’ve….

Worked with or for every Y.C. athletic director, every Prescott Parks and Rec Director, most local high school A.D.’s.

Been past President of the Yavapai Tennis Association and was one of 5 creators of the Prescott Area Tennis Association in 1993 and still a board member 30 years later.

Been writing a weekly tennis column in the Prescott Daily Courier for 30 years called, “My Point”. That’s over 1,500 columns about everything you can think about related to tennis.

Graduated from the Prescott Area Leadership Program in 1995 that Dr. Ron Barns started in 1990.

Started teaching at the Y.C. tennis facility in 1982, became an adjunct in 1996, maintained the courts from 1999 until 2014 with George Reynolds and his band of great volunteers. Helped raise the $200,000 the community partnered with the college in the rebuild of the facility, was a part of every planning meeting and have been the manager since that time.

I am a USPTA Elite Master tennis professional, which puts you in the top 10% of pro’s in the country with knowledge and experience.

As a player I still compete on a national level, and last year won a couple national titles and many SW events and for a while was ranked #1 in the nation in the 65 doubles.

Have worked in every type of tennis setting: 5 star resorts, tennis colleges, private clubs, country clubs, colleges, high schools, private courts and subdivisions.

Positions I’ve held range from club owner, Sports Director, Tennis director, multipurpose club manager, tennis professional, tennis camp director, high school and college coach, adjunct, professional tennis services, tournament director, racquet stringer and repair, etc. Been involved maintaining and building clubs and facilities from the ground up.
Managed up to 25 staff members at a time.

I have been on many boards over the years, donated time to our community in many various ways, run for City council, put my name in to fill in for County Supervisor Jack Smith when he stepped down and done my best to put Prescott tennis on the map to all ages and levels for 4 decades.

For me, tennis has been a passion, something I’ve always tried to do with putting my best foot forward, giving a lesson, playing in a tournament, teaching a tennis class, stringing a racquet, running a tournament, managing a tennis facility or building one.

It’s all about relationships, communication, following through with what you say you’ll do, continuity and most of the time a good demeanor and smile.

You try to look at the big picture and create a plan of action that lets the game of tennis grow in a positive manner.

That’s what I tried to do every day I’ve been at Yavapai College with everyone I’ve come in contact with.

We created something special here, even with a small 7 court facility. A place where everyone feels good to come, an easy way to make a reservation, to join a class, lesson or clinic.

Our tennis professionals are certified and covered with 8 million dollars of insurance, and they jell together like most communities would die to have.

The user fees and in house honor/computer system we have in place are more than enough to pay to maintain our tennis facility. Most colleges can’t make that claim.

My downfall has been that I cared maybe too much…

Since 2014 rebuild the college has locked the courts when it snowed until they were safe to play on again, which is a good idea. Unfortunately, they didn’t give the manager a key to be able to get in to clear the shaded areas when the courts could have been playable many times they were not.

Our facilities department needs to take care of the main campus and many times there is no one to come take care of the courts when they should and could very easily be reopened by getting rid of the slush before it refreezes again that night.

This has created a problem with many college classes being canceled, patrons not being able to get back on the courts and tennis professionals losing days of giving lessons.

Naturally that’s against everything I believe should happen when servicing our players and community. Since 2014 I have tried to get this policy changed, but to no avail.

The last try was an email/letter to have a meeting with my new dean and also with the Head of our Facilities Department. Once again they declined to have a meeting to talk and hopefully come to a better solution, which seems so simple. Let the manager help deal with it.

The “Closed Campus” aspect doesn’t work for the tennis manager. That person needs to see if the courts have a possibility of being open the next day. They need to let the college classes know, the patrons who have court time booked and the tennis professionals who have lessons.

Being made to feel like a criminal after years of good service can’t be right – not having a conversation to get on the same page, letting ideas flow and going with what makes the most sense.

I believe everyone here today can agree with that.

I am appealing to President Rhine to hopefully open the door to allow this proud but humble tennis servant to once again be of help at least teaching at Yavapai College, if not regain the position held previously which I always did to the best of my ability.

Categories : Employment issues, Faculty

TENNIS COMMUNITY SHOWS OUTPOURING OF LOVE AND RESPECT FOR PRESCOTT TENNIS ICON CHRIS HOWARD WHILE EXPRESSING ANGER, SHOCK AND DISGUST FOR DECISION TO FIRE 68-YEAR OLD WHO WAS EMPLOYED LAST NINE YEARS AS YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE’S TENNIS COURT MANAGER

By R. Oliphant
Friday, April 21st, 2023

Yavapai Community College Governing Board allowed nine residents supporting Howard to address it for only one minute each; two speakers in wheelchairs, others weeping, and still others urging reconsideration and possible reconciliation

Around 75 visibly upset citizens and members of the Prescott tennis community packed the Yavapai Community College’s District Governing Board meeting wall-to-wall at its  April 11 meeting. They were all there to support Mr. Chris Howard, who managed its tennis complex nine years but was fired by the College in March.

Some expressed disdain and shock at the perceived heartlessness of the College’s  decision to fire 68 year-old Chris Howard. Some wept. Still others  asked the College for reconsideration and reconciliation. Two citizen speakers were in wheelchairs.

Mr. Andrew Bogdonov (Photo attributable to Mr. Chris Howard.)

Howard is considered an icon in the Prescott tennis community. He has long list of accomplishments and contributions to tennis that cover at least 40 years. 

Howard is one of several tennis coaches employed by the College to teach tennis. He managed the College’s tennis facility for the past nine years, up to the day he was fired. Prior to 2014, when the new tennis complex was built, he was a leading volunteer who kept the old, run down tennis courts going for the Community College. As an employee in charge of the new tennis complex,  Howard received an outstanding performance award and plaque from the College for his dedication and commitment to the institution and tennis.

Mr. Howard was dismissed from his job as the Community College Tennis manager, adjunct and independent contractor because he allegedly broke  the  policy regarding snow days, which the College calls a “Closed Campus” day. No one is allowed on campus on a snow closed campus day other than authorized personnel. He was not on the list of authorized employees.

Howard says that he was at the tennis courts on a closed snow day to determine whether the courts would be playable the next day.  He had done this hundreds of times before. If he thought the courts could be opened the next day after inspecting them, he would then contact the facilities department and try and persuade them to finish getting the shaded areas of the courts cleaned off so classes could be held the next day.

Because of what most would agree were his efforts to care for the tennis complex and its students, he was fired.  In addition, he received a “no trespass” ticket, which apparently bars him from the Community College tennis courts for a full year.

Neither the Community College leadership nor any members of the Community College Governing Board will provide citizens with an explanation about firing the 68 year old employee. Requests for information from the Community College’s Public Relations department were likewise stonewalled with a statement that the College does not comment on employment related matters.

Many believe the real reason behind his firing was retaliation going back eleven months because of  his opposition to potentially turning a portion of the Community College’s tennis complex into pickleball courts.  According to Mr. Howard, about eleven months ago the college dean had a meeting with him and explained it had been decided the two upper courts on the tennis complex would be changed into pickleball courts. Moreover, Mr. Howard was told that the decision was a “done deal.” 

Howard explained to the Dean that he disagreed with the pickleball idea and passed the information on to the Prescott Area Tennis Association (PATA). PATA  asked for a meeting with the College where its members would be allowed to discuss what was perceived as a poor decision and suggest alternatives to the plan. The PATA meeting request  was denied.

PATA members, apparently frustrated at the roadblock thrown up to simply have their views effectively heard in person by the College,  initiated an email campaign where they expressed their opinions about the pickleball decision while  suggesting several alternatives. The emails arrived on the desk of the College President with copies going to the District Governing Board members.  It is suspected that the strong outpouring of opposition from the Prescott tennis community ruffled the feathers of the College’s executives who were apparently less than open-minded about a member of the staff, Chris Howard, disagreeing with them over  adding pickleball and then informing PATA of the decision.  (It appears that the College prefers to operate without ever informing citizens about decisions like this until after the fact because it fears citizen input and open discussion.) The College then, according to Mr. Howard, began watching him closely, which eventually led to the firing.

In what some view as an effort to minimize the citizen impact at the April 11 Governing Board meeting, only nine of Mr. Howard’s supporters were allowed to speak and each was restricted to addressing the Board for one minute.

Among speakers supporting Mr. Howard were:  Eric Mitchell, the CEO of the United States Tennis Association, Southwest section. Fay Matsumoto, a former 35 year employee of the College. Dr. Paul Sadick, former Head of Surgery for the Veterans Administration and Embry Riddle Professor.  Ms. Elaine Wolff, Ms. Pam Lee, Mr. Bob Florine, plus wheelchair players Ms. Nannette Johnson and Mr. Andrew Bogdanov. Mr. Howard was also given one minute to address the Board and was cut off before he finished his speech.  (Video clip of speeches can be found by clicking here.  Note College audio is at times poor.)

Tennis enthusiast Andrew Bogdanov, who is the 38th ranked quad wheelchair player in the world and will be representing the United States in May in Portugal, spoke lovingly of his relationship with Howard.  He said that Mr. Howard “gave me the opportunity to be active, healthy, and competitive” and had a “tremendous impact” on his life.   He attributed his current success to Howard. “He doesn’t just teach tennis, he changes lives,” said Bogdanov.  “He teaches for all of us in chairs,” he said.

Bogdanov also explained that there are no other accessible options to play tennis in the Prescott area.  “If you take away Chris being able to teach, you’re taking away our ability to play tennis in wheelchairs here,” he said.

He went on to say that he was not there to “beg” the Board and College to give Mr. Howard his job back.  He asked that Mr. Howard be at least allowed to use the court so “he can teach tennis as an independent contractor instructor.”

You may view the video of the efforts to address the Governing Board by the nine speakers by clicking here. (The Community College’s audio, unfortunately, is poor.)

Categories : EMPLOYMENT, Employment issues
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