From: "C/////" <c////@///////museum.com> Save
Address | Headers
To: <freedomofspeech@scad.info>
CC:
Date: Mon, 10 Mar 2003 10:19:45 -0500
Subject: scad
I worked for SCAD for eighteen months in the early 90's. I
was fired w/out
cause, sued (and was awarded) unemployment. It was only after
I left
Savannah that I learned my home phone had been "bugged"
and that they
determined from private conversations that I was not loyal.
I've moved on, but am horrified to learn they are up to their
same old
tricks. I guess some things never change.
From: "C////////////i" </////////@tin.it>
To: <freedomofspeech@mail.scad.info>
CC:
Date: Fri, 7 Mar 2003 09:11:30 +0100
Subject: RE: scad
Hi Philippe,
I live nowhere close to Venice... But in the center of Italy.
Thanks for the website,,, that was really informative!
Here is what I found in the newsletter
C/////////
Dear All,
Last week I listed a job opp at the Savannah College of Art
and Design. A reader commented that the Savannah College of Art
and Design has a
strong reputation for being a really horrible place to work. To
quote: "savannah college of art, to my understanding, is
not a fit employer nor
a fit educational institution"
I did a little research, and found this large website: http://www.scad-and-us.info/
which is dedicated to people who have
been wronged by the school, and the number people is not small,
it seems. It repeatedly compares the school/administration to
the Mafia,
and John Grisham's The Firm. It also mentions aesbestos in one
building which has caused a large percentage of faculty who worked
in the
building to get cancer, some of whom have died; this has been
swept under the carpet.
The gist of it is DO NOT APPLY TO TEACH AT THIS SCHOOL.
It sounds like a nightmare. Stay away.
With love, your editor
From: f////////@/////ovia.com
To: <freedomofspeech@scad.info>
CC:
Date: Thu, 6 Mar 2003 14:15:24 -0500
Subject: prospective student
I stumbled across this website while researching design schools.
I have piles of school catologs seperated according to their appeal
on my bedroom floor including one from SCAD that has been in the
#1 pile. I am now beginning to wonder what I would be getting
into if was to choose this school. Especially disconcerting are
the reports of faulty campus security (as a petite girl, this
is important to me) and unqualified teachers. There is corruption
and politics in any environment with a hierarchy, but there is
no excuse for teachers who are not masters of their subject and
certainly no room for unreported attacks. I do not think I will
be considering SCAD any longer . (you need to have a place for
letters from perspective students...to demontrate the effectiveness
of the site)
From: "C///////i" <////////@tin.it>
To: <freedomofspeech@mail.scad.info>
CC:
Date: Thu, 6 Mar 2003 08:46:02 +0100
Subject: RE: scad
Hi Philippe,
I got to the website as someone was advertising the position
at the college, in an e mail newsletter I always receive. The
next few days I
got another newsletter letting people know about the scam going
on and warning about the possible danger of that position. Thanks
to someone
who complained, others know.
I am in Italy, I am an artist.
C////////////
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: "Colleen ///////i" <///////@///.it> Save
Address | Headers
To: <freedomofspeech@scad.info>
CC:
Date: Sun, 2 Mar 2003 12:20:42 +0100
Subject: scad
HI,
I bumped into your website as scad was advertising a new job position.
This mail is just to suport what you are doing and even if I wouldn't
have applied for the job for other reasons, I still thank you
for putting all your energies into this site as it is beneficial
to many people who got scammed.
I really wish you all the best.
Colleen ////////////i,
Italy.
From: "J/////// <//////////@bellsouth.net>
To: <freedomofspeech@scad.info>
CC:
Date: Fri, 7 Feb 2003 20:46:15 -0600
Subject: ADV:SCAD problems
Hello,
I am appalled by what I have read on your web page. My daughter
is a s///////////// at SCAD and is so unhappy that she is considering
leaving.
She is a //////////// arts major and tells me that the best
faculty have resigned.
She also tells me that your page is blocked by SCAD so that SCAD
students cannot access it. I thought you should know that.
Do you think my daughter can get a legitimate education at SCAD?
Should I help her to transfer out of there?
Please advise.
Sincerely,
J////////
Associate Professor,
University of //////////////
From: "T///////////// <////////@aexp.com> Save Address
| Headers
To: <freedomofspeech@scad.info>
CC:
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 08:39:43 -0600
Subject: Thank you
I am in the process of trying to secure a tenured position for
the fall. My wife has been doing a lot of the legwork in researching
posted positions and couldn't understand why I was opposed to
applying at SCAD. I told her that (1) I was suspicious of any
institution that posts the same position repeatedly. I told her
something must be wrong if the same jobs keep opening up. (2)
I had heard "rumor" of SCAD being a not-so-desireable
place to work and blatantly told my wife that I would not seek
any type of employment there.
Today, the photography position at SCAD is posted again on
the Chronicle of
Higher Education jobsite:
(http://jobs.chronicle.com/id.php?id=248161&pg=e).
This time, I decided to see if I could find anything to confirm the sinking feeling I had about SCAD. Let me tell you right now, I just finished reading through the faculty testimonial page and my head is spinning and my stomach hurts. Their practices possess cult-like characteristics - passive/aggressive behavior, betrayal and guilt. I should know, I had one try to convert me once (JW's). I've emailed a link to my wife.
Thank you for your efforts. You saved my career and my reputation!
KEEP FIGHTING.
Student of Computer Art, Savannah College of Art and Design
Sent: Saturday, July 13, 2002 9:03 PM
To: scad.info
Subject: Letter from ex faculty
To the new professor who expressed concerns
about this website's info and how he or she could change the school;
You can't. Get out now. Immediately start putting out your vitae
as soon as possible.
I got a new job within 2 weeks of being let go from the MPRA department.
I have tenure, respect and more money. It was the worst working
experience of my 16 year teaching career.
Don't think that the students or other faculty will help you out
in your endeavors to improve this place. People are too scared
and too paranoid to take any action. Many are spies for your chairs
and deans. Be very sure of who you can and cannot trust. Watch
your back.
Do not use the scad e mail for correspondence that could get you
in trouble. They read it. Get your own address and receive it
at home.
Be careful when you speak honestly in public. The President owns
this town and many in it. I was confronted for being outspoken
in public amd reprimanded by my chair.
Be careful what you say to students. Many of them (expecially
in MPRA dept.) will go straight to your chair and tell on you
because they get a lot in return (favors, better grades, parts
in shows, money).
If you must stay, try to leave after 2-3 years. At least it won't
seem as if you support the lousy way this school treats the staff,
faculty and students. Your reputation should be intact. Be sure
to let your future bosses see this website to support the horror
stories you will have to
tell. I did and it made a world of difference (thanks to Phillepe).
I am not over reactive. I am concerned for the real teachers,
the good students and the talented staff members that are constantly
victimized by this terrible place.
.
Run. Run fast. Run like the wind!! Save yourself and your reputation.
Sent: Saturday, July 06, 2002 5:11 PM
To: freedomofspeech@scad.info
Subject:
Apologies for sending this anonymously, it is not at all my style. I am a new SCAD professor, starting in the Fall, and I am rightfully concerned about all I am learning about the institution. Can you offer advice on how to make changes for the better, for students, staff and faculty alike? On the surface the college appears to have so much to offer everybody, your site and what I have learned from so many other new faculy members speak otherwise. I am an extremely highly educated, outspoken, individual who doesn't want to pack-up on move on before giving it all a shot. Is there a way I can be an insider of sorts for some positive reform of this place? Hopefully I have not made an enourmous mistake in joining this organization.
Anonymous, for the time being.
Sent: Friday, June 28, 2002 1:35 AM
To: phoueix@cinci.rr.com
Subject: website ?
Dear Philippe,
Hello, valiant soldier! I hope all is well, but am worried because in contacting your website I found that it was not available. I only hope that you are working on adding more e mails and information. Please let me know what is happening. It is so hard to not get paranoid when dealing with SCAD.
As per paranoia, I am suffering from it when it concerns the job that I am suddenly up for in //////////. It is all I have dreamed of. Could we pull my e mail /// for a while, until I (hopefully) get good news? ///////////////////////////////
I am so impressed with your willingness to fight such a corrupt cooperation (I refuse to call it a school). You are an inspiration.Thanks,
Sent: Monday, June 10, 2002 10:40 PM
To: scad.info
Subject: Another Victim of SCAD
This is yet another letter from yet another
misused faculty member. I was formally a member of the Media and
Performing Arts Department run by Jeffrey deVincent. I was courted
by Mr.deVincent after a visit I made to evaluate one of their
productions. I was struck by the talent and enthusiasm of the
students and the genuineness of one of the faculty members, Karla
Knudsen. After the show I was taken out by Mr. deVincent to eat
and talk about my evaluation. At that very moment I noticed a
desperateness and shallowness exuding from him that I found curious.
I should have listened to my instincts from that very moment.
But I didn't. I let the beauty of the 2.5 miles of historic district,
the niceness of Karla, the lovely qualities of the students touch
me.
About one month later, Mr deVincent called and asked me to come
for an interview for a position in the department. I accepted
(mistake No. 2) and had an interview with T. Fisher, S. Clinard,
Jeff and other tired people who are no longer at SCAD. I unfortunately
did very little digging behind the scenes. They all seemed exhausted
and overworked, Jeff was very distant and cold, but wanted me
to come. But the buildings were pretty, Karla was nice and the
kids were talented and enthusiastic (mistake No. 3).
I was offered the job and accepted (Mistake No. 4).
I moved myself to Savannah. Floyd hit. I left. Floyd missed. I
came back. (mistake No.5)
I began to notice the obvious;
Savannah is not the historic district. It is dirty, racist and
crime ridden.
The weather here is miserably hot and humid. When it is cool,
the bugs come out and ruin everything.
Savannah has the worst driving conditions I have every experienced.
Service people are incredibly lacking in skill and dependability.
SCAD likes to develop programs without preparation.
SCAD was more interested in it's image than in educating the students
properly.
SCAD does give out degrees like party favors.
Mr. deVincent runs his department like the mafia. It is dangerous
and dark.
SCAD students are very unwilling to take their education into
their own hands. Lots has changed since the rebellious students
of my day. Mr. de has a great deal of control and power. He wields
it with fear and intimidation. I have never seen somany misused
and abused people. I began to stand up for them. (Biggest mistake
No. 6-14)
I got some of the highest evaluation scores in the school. I developed
incredible relationships with my students and a few of the honest
and
genuine faculty/staff. I consistently received bonuses at the
end of each year. I received raves from Dean Fisher and Gillian
Davies for my
teaching. I developed many new courses and reworked many established
ones. I directed plays that were received well by peers, critiques
and
associations. I worked hard, put my heart and soul into the program.
(I can't call these mistakes, because I would have done these
things anyway)
I was warned by Mr.de that I was getting too close to the students/giving
them too much of a voice. I was spied on in public functions and
was told that I was being too honest about the school. I opened
up to another faculty member (whose job was to listen to our problems
and help us out) who took this information to Mr. de and created
the image that I wasn't a team player and that I was too independent
and open about my thoughts and opinions. I was warned to stop
this derisive behavior and told that if I didn't like it here
to leave. I chose to stay and conform (Another whopper of a mistake-No.
15).
I began to accept the fact the I wouldn't be here for long. I
warned my family (I felt so bad for making them go through this,
too) and began to look around for future work. I found out that
the reputation of this department and of many aspects of the college
did not fair well in the academic world. My many friends who are
Chairs of other theatre department strongly suggested that I get
away before my own reputation was tainted. I began to plan to
leave within the next year.
(not a mistake, but too late to really matter).
Four months ago I received a letter from the school stating that
I was not being asked back to teach unless I changed my behavior
concerning the students and my openness with them. I was told
that I would be notified on June 10th (notice the date of this
e mail) if I had summer work and work for the coming year. I attempted
to distance myself from my students. I tried to keep closed mouth
about anything that was going on. After time the students began
to get very suspicious as to why I wouldn't know any answers to
questions concerning the future (ie classes, projects, plays,
etc). I felt like I was lying and I told some that I wasn't sure
about my future here and was reluctant to promise them things
for the future. They were upset and may have said things about
my employment in my evaluations or to Mr.de himself. I just couldn't
become his little soldier in his army. I felt no loyalty to him,
or SCAD. Only to the students. I am a teacher.
I am a good teacher. I couldn't become like Mr.de. (Mistake where
my job was concerned, but a big step for me as an artist, teacher
and a person.)
Today I was told by Mr.de and the security guard from Human Resources
that my services were no longer needed by SCAD. I gave them my
ID, my keys and left the office stunned, but strangely proud that
I had been set free. I said a quick and sudden goodbye to two
students, one faculty member and our department
secretary who were all shocked and drove home. I called my husband,
who was angry and supportive, e mailed 100 people goodbye at SCAD
and wrote this letter to your website.
I am sad to leave these lovely students. I will miss some of my
faculty and a few staff members. I feel lucky to have gotten out
alive, with my dignity intact and
my reputation unsullied.
Thanks for letting me be heard.
Sent: Friday, June 07, 2002 3:52 AM
To: freedomofspeech@scad.info
Subject: re:June 3rd E mail
To the parent who sent the email condemning you for only posting anonymous letters: I find it interesting that you chose to be listed as anonymous.Also, notice that a number of emails about de Vincent occur throughout this website from many sources other than students.
///////////////////////////
Sent: Thursday, June 06, 2002 4:24 AM
To: freedomofspeech@scad.info
Subject: NAAB and SCAD
Philippe,
I am curious, have you forwarded your concerns and documentation to The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) http://www.naab.org/ ? This is an accreditation board with substantial teeth and directly affects the School of building Arts. When I have a bit more time I will send you a detailed account of my experiences as a faculty member at SCAD. But in short my experiences make me believe every disparaging word contained on this site. Good luck and please continue to fight the good fight!!!
Thanks!
Sent: Sunday, June 02, 2002 8:49 PM
To: 'freedomofspeech@scad.info'
Subject: BRIAN MURPHY: Slavery time is OVER
A new episode to my Savannah College of Art and Design story...(referred to my previous email March 07 that you published)
Last Saturday, for the annual Fashion Show, I had the great honor (?) to meet Brian Murphy, the VP of SCAD, at the Red Gallery and 3 years after my first arrival at Savannah...Better late than never? Allow me to remind you that during all my teaching time at SCAD and then, during all the process of the lawsuit against the College that I won, he never tried to meet with me in spite of the appeal process. This time, I think he changes his mind because he came himself to invite me to leave the event!
First, I was thinking that he was one of the body-guards of
Paula Rowan-Wallace (because she also was here and nervous to
see me) and moreover he did not look and even act as a VP: so
I had to ask him to introduce himself... He also told that it
was "tasteless and inappropriate to be here". Why?
"Don't you think that fraudulent process of Masters' and
fake grades are tasteless and inappropriate for the Savannah College
of Art and Design?" No reply from him.
Now, Brian Murphy seems to loose his temper. Why?
- It was a public event and I bought my ticket for the fashion
show. (I was invited by one of my previous student.)
- Even if SCAD lost its case against me, in front of the Savannah
Court, some months ago, he can't require me to do not come back
in Savannah and even attend public SCAD events.
- He completely forgot that I had never signed a release form
and so that I am a free person, a free professor doing whatever
I want and like.
But for the future of the College, Brian Murphy should be able
to understand:
- SCAD can't continue any longer to rule the world the way it
does with its Faculty, its Students and Parents, the Accreditations,
the Boards, ...and even Savannah.
- Finally, Slavery time is over... and the decision to allow your
website to exist by the CPR of New York against SCAD, is the proof
of it!
Again, congratulation.
////////////////////////////////////ex 'professor' at SCAD, assistant professor with a tenure track position in a real US university.
Sent: Wednesday, May 15, 2002 6:47 PM
To: phoueix_master_scad@hotmail.com
Subject: SCAD-WEB-FEEDBACK
Dear Philippe,
So glad to see your site. You are brave.
I am a SCAD graduate, with a BFA. I am also a former SCAD professor. I left after being asked to take classes to earn my MFA. I completed a couple of semesters (I actually did go to class and work significantly in my studio) but it was completely ridiculous and embarassing to have to take classes with my own students. I did get an "F" in one class, the last semester I was there, for not attending. Also, despite my lack of a terminal degree, I was more than qualified to teach at the college level. They should not have hired me if they thought I wasn't qualified. Anyway, there are plenty of credible institutions who hire professors who don't have MFAs. Exhibition record should mean everything at an art school!
On the other hand, as an undergrad at SCAD, I learned alot. I loved my department, the professors, the other students. I got alot out of it, and that was the reason I came back to teach there. I also loved Savannah, and still do. It's a real shame that SCAD has tainted the beautiful allure of such a unique American city.
While teaching at SCAD, I had the complete support of the chair of my department - a wonderful, caring person - and I kept out of most of the crap. But everything that is on this site is TRUE from my perspective. The administration is as two-faced as described. But the most important reason not to work for SCAD, or to get your degree there, is that no one respects the school outside of the SCAD community.
My advice to anyone seeking employment with SCAD is to do your homework, and, if you desperately need the experience, get in and get out quickly! It will probably ruin your reputation once you apply for a job anywhere else. When I applied to graduate school, the committee laughed at my BFA and said that SCAD 'is not even a real school'. I got into grad school, but the bad taste of SCAD has gotten in my way more than once.
Anyway, great site. Hope it lasts.
Sincerely,
A former SCAD student and professor
Sent: Saturday, April 27, 2002 3:55 PM
To: freedomofspeech@scad.info
Subject: point of information
Phillipe,
As you are aware during your stay at SCAD, the accrediting board
sent observers to the College to interview the faculty and staff
for accreditation. That part is public and common knowledge. However,
what isn't commonly known is that the faculty and staff was grilled
in finate detail as to what could and could not be said or answered
by them if interviewed by the committee. I attended a mass meeting
on the 3rd floor of Ex-Libres and sat through a 2 hour session
with a set of written possible questions and the appropiate answers
allowed by the administration. We were told that any questions
that we might be asked that didn't fall into any area already
covered by the written text were to be referred to our supervisors
only.
Sent: Wednesday, April 24, 2002 3:06 PM
To: freedomofspeech@scad.info
Subject: Next Installment
Phillipe,
Parents and prospective students should be made aware of the potential
problems they may face regarding class fees and additional costs
that will accrue after they arrive at the SCAD facility.
Enough students have already lamented the woes of having to pay
$20,000.00 per year for an education isn't up to par with current
industry standards.
My class was a special interest class that attracted 36 students
from all over the campus. At $1,500.00 per person, plus material
and book fees attached, the student was paying an unbelievable
$2,200.00 for four (4) hours a week study.
I was paid a handsome (sic) sum of $25.00 per hour and the class
was relegated to an inferior room with no running water, no air
conditioning and no lab equipment available for the students to
work with. The latter required the students to take their class
assignments home and transport it back for the next class review.
Now understand, I know from previous experience in teaching, class
space is often at a premium, however, when SCAD can boast having
as many buildings in it's campus layout, it would seem that space
should not be a problem. But it became clear early on, that the
school administration was only interested in the almighty buck.
The school cleared $79,200.00 for that class. I was paid $730.00
for the quarter and the class remained the largest single class
(in terms of actual attending students in a single class) in SCAD's
history. Yet, as popular and integral as the class was to the
Media and Performing Arts, Video and Photography mediums, the
class was never accepted as a Minor course of study, nor offered
again.
Current students at the school have brought it to my attention,
that now, after a massive letter writing campaign got underway
last year, the school is trying to create a class program that
would teach Make-Up as a matter of course.
It leaves me wondering…Who is qualified to teach such a program
at the school?
I have over 30 YEARS and 146 Feature films and Television shows
to my credit and have taught Make-Up at schools in California
and Georgia as well as having my own course of study for private
class situations. There isn't anyone in the region, let alone
the State of Georgia with more practical experience or background
who is capable of teaching such a course.
SCAD has been guilty of using photo's of me taken during my pre-faculty
Employment for promotional considerations in their catalog, newsletters
and assorted publications, without my knowledge or permission.
They also mislead prospective students into believing that the
school offers courses such as " Special Effect Makeup"
which they don't.
When is someone going to take them down for what they do to unsuspecting
people?
Sent: Monday, April 22, 2002 6:27 AM
To: freedomofspeech@scad.info
Subject: TAN's attack wasn't the first time!!!!!!
Dear Phillipe:
TAN (or the A/////Bin L///// of Savannah) has earned a reputation
for physically assaulting people on SCAD property and getting
charges dropped if filed against him. I KNOW FIRST HAND how the
SCAD system of cover-up works.
As a former instructor at SCAD I had Tan as my staff advisor when
I first got to SCAD and learned early that he and his wife were
plants in the staff and faculty areas who reported directly to
Paula Rowan.
As a former professor who was asked not to return to SCAD, I was
given a persona non gratis status without being notified directly
in writing or person.
While attending the Fashion Show Finals on assignment from a local
News Media Publication, Tan and his half-/////// ////////, Jeff
DiVincent (who masquerades as the Chair of the Theater Dept.)
came up to me in the theater and grabbed me and pushed and manhandled
me from the theater to the street. I filed Battery charges against
both of them the next day but the Police refused to arrest them
and the matter was forwarded from the recorders courts jurisdiction
to the Magistrate courts jurisdiction (something that is unheard
of in other matters of a breach of law within the city) without
explanation.
A date was set for a hearing but the day of the hearing I was
out of town on assignment and the SCAD attorney refused to go
along with a one day extension to get the case heard. The court
refused to act on the charges and the case was dropped. Tan and
DiVincent thought they were untouchable.
Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2002 7:49 AM
To: 'freedomofspeech@scad.info'
Subject: Crystal D. Weaver
Hi! Philippe...
I would like to share with you this new info (see below)... that I just found on SCAD website...Your Dean, Crystal Weaver who involved you in this fraudulent process of Fake Master at SCAD is awarded...What do you think ?
Sincerely,
ex-SCAD Professor
http://www.scad.edu/flashFILES/main_news.htm News releases 04/04/2002
SCAD Professor Selected for "Who's Who Among America's Teachers"
The Savannah College of Art and Design announces that Crystal D. Weaver, Ph.D., has been selected for inclusion in the 2002 edition of "Who's Who Among America's Teachers." The publication will honor a select 5% of our nation's teachers who have made a significant contribution to the academic community.
Weaver is dean of the School of Building Arts for SCAD. Before becoming a dean, she was chair and a professor for the interior design department. Weaver was a program coordinator in interior design at Western Carolina University before coming to SCAD. She received her Ph.D. and M.S. from the University of Tennessee and her B.S. from Morehead State University.
Weaver is originally from Baltimore, Ohio.
Sent: Wednesday, April 03, 2002 4:15 PM
To: freedomofspeech@scad.info
Subject: here's from one that got away
Hey Philippe,
How are things going for you? I taught at the school some time ago and our paths crossed in committee meetings. I know that professors who were working on their MFA degrees, whilst teaching in the same department they were receiving their degrees from, were not actually taking classes, but getting grades. It can easily be checked by looking at the time they took to obtain (not earn) their degrees whilst also teaching full time. I, in all honesty, worked hard (and long) to get my scad degree as many others have done. May be it's a mixed bag or departmental‹unsure?
I was very fortunate to move through the school by hiding under the radar but many, many, too many friends, and colleagues were treated without mercy. I saw people moving, with loved-ones, across countries, selling homes, placing children in local schools to find themselves without a job three months later due to unfair and unjust circumstances.
There are MANY excellent faculty at scad who really care about the student body. They do this in an atmosphere of fear and paranoia with no support from a greedy unscrupulous administration who are concerned with increased student numbers to pay for inflated salaries.
One of the buildings has lead to the death/harm and expulsion of many faculty to keep them quiet. This is another potential nightmare for the administration to confront and may be squash.
Good luck and please keep my name out of the communiqué
spread the truth
Sent: Sunday, March 24, 2002 8:42 AM
To: freedomofspeech@scad.info
Subject: FW: Savannah College of Art and Design
Hi! Philip,
For info/ Have a look on what I just found on this website teachers.net! I don¹t know if Nancy came to teach at SCAD?
Please, keep going!
The following webpage was forwarded to you via Teachers.Net
by a colleague.
Subject: Re: Savannah College of Art and Design
Poster: D//// R////
Date: 6/11/01
URL:
http://teachers.net/mentors/higher_education/topic257/6.11.01.13.16.39.html
Webpage text:
=============
Posted by N//// B/// /////@worldnet.att.net, on 6/10/00 I would
like to hear from anyone who has taught here. What are the working
conditions, can you live on the pay in a city like Savannah ,
and are there any things one should know about the city or the
school before considering a position there? Thank you very much.
> Nancy,
> I currently work for SCAD and have for many years. You'll
never hear a bad word about the place on a public forum like >this
one, unless it's anonymous. MANY of my colleagues are unhappy
here, feel they've ruined or otherwise seriously >derailed
their careers by coming here, and are simply unwilling to make
waves here for fear of losing their jobs and being >unable
to reintegrate into the rest of academia. I imagine by your post's
date that you have already decided whether or not to >accept
the job, though if you accepted the job, we have not met. If you
accepted the job, are here in Savannah, and read this >post,
let me warn you: Almost no one here is what they seem. I have
met TWO trustworthy people in my many years. >Absurd but true.
And I apologize for issuing this warning anonymously; I know it's
hard to accept such warnings. But it's the >only way I can
safely give it. If you did not accept the job and have passed
the time since June 2000 when you made this >post, I hope you
went to a healthy place and I congratulate you on steering clear
of this tarpit.
> On 4/06/01, ///////// wrote:
>> On 3/10/01, ////////wrote:
>>> On 6/10/00, Nancy Beiman wrote:
>>>> I would like to hear from anyone who has taught
here.What are the working conditions, can you live on the pay
in a city >>>>like Savannah, and are there any things
one should know about the city or the school before considering
a position >>>>there? Thank you very much.
>>> forget it. The city is great, so is the school in
many ways. Go to linga franca(sp) website and search for old article
on
>>> school. My proffesors were treated badly, over worked,and
not encouraged to work on there own stuff.
>>
>> Forget the last person's response. I worked at the college,
and I can vouch for SCAD. It is a wonderful place to >>work!The
people at the college are creative and really care about the school
and especially the students. The old article in >>the lingua
franka is biased and not truthful.
Remote-IP: 65.27.211.52 Sun Mar 24 08:17:18 PST 2002 ©Teachers.Net 2000. All Rights Reserved.
Sent: Thursday, March 07, 2002 8:04 PM
To: 'freedomofspeech@scad.info'
Subject: A RECENT WIN CASE AGAINST THE SAVANNAH COLLEGE OF ART
AND DESIGN
I would be pleased to add my testimony about SCAD on this website to inform people about what is SCAD and its hiring and terminaison practises. If you need documents, information or even the name of my lawyer, you can contact me.
On february 13th, 2002, SCAD paid $ 47023.15, without a release form, for the breach of my contract after one year and a half of fight with the help of a Savannah lawyer who was not afraid to take my case and face SCAD in Savannah.
The Best to do: If your lawyer can subpoened Paula Rowan-Wallace, she seems that she really does not want to testify. I wonder why she does not want to reply to questions in a law frame?
Never sign your SCAD contract on 12 months basis: if something happens during the year contract, SCAD will never pay what you have worked for.
Never give up: if you did right, if you feel confident with all you gave to SCAD, the American Law will help you even if you are in Savannah, GA.
Never sign a release form: even if you are locked in a room with the VP of Human Ressource, Susie Clinard (Master of SCAD in Historic Preservation) and Jeff Elley, VP of Academic Affair, who implores you to sign it for "the Love of God". Try as i did, to escape by opening the door by force and with the release form in your pocket and then go and see my lawyer...
Never expect a sign of cleverness and openmind from SCAD administration:
Brian Murphy, VP of SCAD, did not meet with me to try to solve
the issue when he received my final appeal.
Paula Rowan-Wallace, the President, who hired me herself in London,
did not take care to meet with me in spite of my different letters
during my 2 years.
Don't expect something from the hearing process at SCAD or appeal: The committee is constituated by the same people who previously terminated you! It is only a pretence.
Never expect respect and honesty from SCAD administration: My Dean, Bonnie Kubasta, asserted during her deposition that she came in my classes to make evaluations, but she never did as Jeff Elley, VP of Academic Affair also did not recognize the release. Anne Schwartz, Dean of the Faculty, explained honestly in her deposition, that she just received a training for the deposition before coming to depose.
Never expect a sign of support from your SCAD collegues: When the clash happens, all your SCAD 'friends' desappear suddenly even if they know that what happens to you is strictly political and unfair.
Never teach at SCAD more than 2 years: In the US universities, people knows what is exactly SCAD and they can understand that you have been trapped here for a little while, but not more. After it can be suspicious.
/////////////////
ex 'Professor' at SCAD but new 'assistant Professor' (with a tenure
track position) at the University of //////////
Sent: Monday, January 14, 2002 7:41 AM
To: phoueix_master_scad@hotmail.com
Subject: SCAD
Dear Philippe,
I am truly sorry that you were sucked into SCAD. My friend and former colleague there ///////////forwarded your site and reading through it brough back many of the nightmares of seven years there. ////// and I were in Liberal Arts (I was there 1///////). He and I both left with The Purge of 1992-3.
I know there's not much that's funny about your SCAD experience. I found //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////She has much the same personality profile as Stalin--I joked (seriously) with friends that SCAD was the perfect model of the totalitarian state, and years ago, when I saw the John Grisham novel The Firm made into a movie, I laughed to myself thinking, finally there is an orientation film for new faculty at SCAD!
You are a brave man to take on such a monster and I wish you luck in your efforts to secure justice. As you can see, they use lawyers in such a reckless way to protect their shady practices that virtually no one wants to tangle with them. It is a story that will be told someday. I hope you and your family can recover from this terrible episode.
Best wishes,
Sent: Thursday, December 20, 2001 6:14 AM
To: houeix@gateway.net
Subject: SCAD-WEB-FEEDBACK
Dear Philippe,
Hello. I WAS a SCAD prof. for 9 years. ///////////// I came there with about 15 years experience. They did not renew my contract this year because I was very vocal about the illness and deaths occuring in my bldg. I became ill and now have cancer. They are ruthless, unGodly and unprofessional.
There are MANY SCAD haters out there. Many continue to live in Savannah. It's a strange institution.
There is a health reporter from Atlanta writing a story for the Kaiser Foundation, about the 8 or more people who have become ill or have died in the last year in Poetter Hall. He was shocked at their coverup and what has happened. This will be a very powerful story in Jan-Feb in the Atlanta-Journal-Constitution Newspaper.
I received your web page from ////////////// and totally agree with your web page.
They should be put out of business. Thanks for your web page!!
///////////////////////
Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2001 12:01 PM
To: 'houeix@gateway.net'
Subject: SCAD-WEB-FEEDBACK
I used to teach there. I feel your pain.
////////////////////
Date: Tue, 06 Nov 2001 10:56:02 -0500
To: houeix@gateway.net
Subject: SCAD-WEB-FEEDBACK
Philippe,
Congratulations!
I applaud your courage and values!
////////////////////////////I was employed in the architecture
department for ////// years, ////////. After taking several attacks
from //////and speaking out against several issues including the
absolutely ridiculous practice of changing the 5 year B.Arch to
a M.arch (TITLE ONLY) and sending every past graduate of the architecture
program a M.arch degree in the mail I had seen enough.
As for your web site, Excellent commentary, and excellent documentation! I agree with you 100%. I have seen several professors go though the same process you have, and been abused the same way. SCAD is based on crisis management and every administrative person is looking out for themselves. The school has NO respect for what a diploma stands for. I am convinced to them it is merely a receipt for dollars spent. I have seen them dispense diplomas like memos, and ignore and hide their inability to raise the bar and evoke real education. Those who take the stand are ridiculed and cast out as trouble makers.
"Trust and Honesty are essential Human values. Unfortunately, these words are meaningless in your business' management of the Savannah College of Art and Design." You summed it all up right here!
I wish you the best, and all the power in the world to hold your ground with this institution. -
//////////
Date: Mon, 29 Oct 2001 11:40:49 -0500
To: "'houeix.gateway.net'" <houeix@gateway.net>
Subject: RE: your SCAD web site/UPDATED WEBSITE
Hey Phillippe: I read the letter from SCAD's attorney and shuddered
with disbelief on your behalf. I cannot believe their gall. They
are prepared to lie outright as they know most people are too
afraid of them (and with good cause) to confront them.
No one at SCAD will be able to speak up for you unless they are
prepared to be fired immediately and included in the law suit.
I visited an English friend of mine this summer who worked at SCAD during the time I was being fired and she was too terrified to say anything on my behalf as they held her passport. Now, three years later but safely home in England, she feels terrible she could do nothing for me, but if it ever comes up again, she will be happy to testify for me. I hope you will be able to find people who can collaborate your story.
Apparently I was a very naive person before I went to work for SCAD. I believed that all people are inherently good and that all people do not willfully lie and misrepresent the truth for their own benefit. All that changed after my experience at SCAD. I still believe most people are that way, but they do not work in management level positions in SCAD. I stood and watched in disbelief as my dean, my director, the horrifying human resources director, all stood right in front of me and lied about everything that had happened.
Have you sent your story to the people who accredit SCAD? They should be notified and asked to begin an investigation.
They (SCAD) are evil people who will stop at nothing. I wish I had some good advice to give you. Just be careful and find a good lawyer. Please keep me on your mailing list as I am very interested in the outcome, but do not ever mention my name to SCAD. I still can't sleep some nights thinking about what they did to me.
//////////////////////////
Date: Mon, 1 Oct 2001 12:47:08 -0400
To: "'houeix.gateway.net'" <houeix@gateway.net>
Subject: RE: your SCAD web site phoueix-master-scad.com
Dear Philippe:
I really appreciated your letter of resignation - my argument with the college involved ethics as well. I had some. They do not
My story would make a great made-for-tv movie. It involved a wild-eyed Bible thumping Baptist with a severe personality disorder, a gay woman-hating dean, and a robotic human resource woman who hated everybody.
But just to paint a picture - I was an ESL teacher working in Kiah Hall (next to the Architecture building on MLK Blvd). When I started, there were only 2 of us and we designed the entire program. My class was called English for Artists. I taught international students how to talk about art and design in English.
One day I asked my students to read a long passage and I left the room. Then I tiptoed up to the window on the door to make sure they were doing it, they were, I turned to move away, my right foot hit an air-conditioning vent in the floor, the vent jumped out of place and I fell into the hole. On my right side, my leg was all the way in the hole up to my torso, on the left side, my leg had jack-knifed around my ear, putting my knee higher than my ear.
Miraculously, my leg was not broken and I was very fortunate in that one of my students had been a medic in the South Korean army and knew how to pull me out without making things worse.
At that time, the school's architects and planners were upstairs in Kiah Hall. They had come rushing down when they heard the commotion and I could hear one of them saying in the background, "Great. This building doesn't even hold a Certificate of Occupancy." Those certificates mean that the building has been inspected by the city and has been found safe enough for people to occupy it. Kiah Hall could not have passed such a test at that time, as the basement and second floor had not been restored and were an accident waiting to happen. I also heard from one of the architects that the reason the international students were placed in Kiah Hall was because the administration felt their parents were much less likely to sue if anything happened to them in the building.
My leg has never completely healed and is slightly disfigured where a large lump still sits on the site of the huge hematoma that formed. I was able to get a little worker's compensation money for it, but in Georgia you cannot sue your employer, so there wasn't much else I could do.
The story gets uglier and stranger from that time forward as the school then saw me as a threat and basically manufactured a reason to fire me. They asked me to do things I would not do for ethical reasons, then they said I was insubordinate and were even able to keep me from getting unemployment benefits after I was brutally fired. I was out of work for 6 months (just a mess emotionally) and my lovely, loving international students fed me and cared for me.
But while I was out of work in Savannah, I started investigating some things. I wanted to find out if it was true that Kiah Hall did not hold a certificate of occupancy and was told by the city (in writing) that it did not, and why should it? The city considered it "an abandoned building". So the fact that we were in there and the city looked the other way implies that SCAD owns the city government in a /////////// kind of way.
Be careful with your web site. There was another anti-SCAD website at one time that they managed to get closed down. Also, Pat Conroy (author of Prince of Tides and many other books) is from that area and served on SCAD's Board of Directors for a short while. He, too, left for ethical reasons and made this public statement: (sorry for the vulgarity) "I would rather battle bulldogs with my bare balls than ever face SCAD again..." in a legal argument.
Sincerely,//////////////////////////
Date: Sat, 29 Sep 2001 05:43:26 -0700 (PDT)
To: Houeix@gateway.net
Subject: http://www.phoueix-master-scad.com/
Salut
Congratulations on yor web site. I'm sure you are aware that SCAD will fire you next year.
Did you actually get the Masters. I'd have waited until i had it. Otherwise SCAD can claim that they would have actually found the "error" in time.
The irony is that, as with me, the problem stems form thr fact that SCAD is unable to deal with the qualifictaions of people from non-US universities.
Too bad I didn't know you when I was at SCAD. I knew within a week that I wasn't staying. But bizarely I miss Savannah a bit now.
Anyway good luck.
//////////////////
Date: Thu, 27 Sep 2001 11:55:51 EDT
To: Houeix@gateway.net
Subject: Your SCAD site.
Hello:
I am currently a SCAD professor and former student
who earned my graduate degree at SCAD (before I began teaching).
I understand your frustration and your decision to resign;
in the same position, I would feel the same.
However, I honestly earned and paid for my entire degree. My diploma
is legitimate.
While your situation is indeed very suspicious and highly unethical, please don't assume that all SCAD grads have fraudulent diplomas. Your situation is very different then mine and plenty of others. Personally, I would hope that you remove names until proof is provided. I do not want my name and/or degree tarnished because of unproven allegations.
If your allegations against the school prove to be true, then I and others will have much to think about.
Sincerely,
///////////////////////////
Professor of //////////////
>Philippe Houeix
>on 9/25/01 6:57 PM, hector defector at scad_defector wrote:
>
hello. i am currently a scad faculty member holding a scad degree
(legitimately).
i am not shocked at what has happened to you. i applaud you for
taking a stand and resigning. how this institution thinks it can
pull off something like what happened to you is beyond me. this
place is a scam. if i did not need the job, i would also leave
asap. i just may anyways. they continue to lose good people because
of poor administrative practices. scad doesn't deserve good professors.
i will definitely leave after this year. i do not have much info
to add, but i will be looking for more to
come of this. i have heard several horror stories from other faculty
members,but nothing this blatant. i only hope it will not detract
from my'legitimate'degree, if it can be called that.
hector the defector (alias, of course)