The
following is an interview with Dr. Joel Feldman, Associate Professor in the
Rider Philosophy Department. It started
as my posting in the Facebook group Keep Westminster Choir College In Princeton– Activist. Joel’s insightful responses
led to an interview conducted with him that brings out some unique points on
the Rider University, Westminster Choir College situation. The perspectives offered by Joel are his own and do not represent any organization, club or institution. Read, enjoy and offer your feedback!
Posted by me to Keep Westminster– Activist:
If
Rider can make $30 M profit off of selling to PPS but only $29 M profit from
selling to Juilliard (for example) . . . which one do YOU think they will pick?
Dr. Joel Feldman: Rider
cannot make any money if another institution takes the school. That is why it
is likely that they have no intention of actually finding an institution to
take it. They are just delaying to divide the union and in the end they have
every intention of selling the land and closing WCC. The truth is that the
only hope for WCC is if we can stand together to keep WCC part of Rider. The
sooner we all see that and get together to insist upon it, the better chance we
have of succeeding.
Bob Witanek: I'd like to see this
angle expanded upon - especially the part about how Rider can not make anything
from selling the school and property intact . . . do you believe that is
because the institution itself is a liability (especially as it transitions to
a new parent institution)?
Dr. Joel Feldman: It is because in higher education
it is simply not done that way. When Rider obtained WCC it did not pay for the
land. It took on both the assets and the liabilities. WCC is not a liability
even for Rider. Rider more or less breaks even on WCC. If another institution
wants WCC, they will certainly not be willing to pay for the land. This is why
the administration wants another bidder on the land: so they can demand money
and undermine any possible deal. Giving WCC to another institution does not
really help Rider at all, which is why it makes no sense. This is why it is
implausible that they actually intend to do this. They are manipulating all of
us.
Bob Witanek: I do believe the
manipulation part - I did not thank Rider after the announcement. I did say it
was the least offensive of the 3 to media but was not quoted - thankfully
(that I was not quoted as such). I am writing a lengthy screed right now saying
that it very well might not be any better than the other 2 - and that it is
pretty equal with complete closing or a variation on it.
Right
now most of the students and many alums - perhaps even some faculty are
believing that WCC was saved for now and they are hoping that something will be
worked out with another institution. There also is a belief that Alumni will
work some miracle in bringing money plus an institution to the rescue within
the next year.
I
have no experience nor skills in raising that kind of money and brokering deals
with those kinds of institutions - maybe there is some alum out there that has
that experience that does not mind utilizing their skill set for free for the
next year in that regard - my practical part of my brain is pessimistic in that
happening.
We
need more insightful analysis than all this adulation for admin after it shoved
a dagger into the heart of WCC !
Dr. Joel Feldman: They
have successfully divided us. The Lawrenceville students and faculty do not
appreciate what we have in WCC and the WCC students and faculty feel betrayed
by Rider. My view is that the only acceptable outcome is that we remain
together.
Bob Witanek: That is a view that has not been heard or presented - and I believe it is a valid one that needs to be expanded upon. Is your key point that the transfer to another parent institution is a pipe dream that basically is not going to happen?
Dr. Joel Feldman: Yes.
I do believe that. Maybe I am biased, because I do not want to lose WCC, but I
think that as long as they pit us against each other, we are weakened. We need
to build unity. Lawrenceville students and faculty need to see the value of
what they would be losing. Hearing those voices last week was a start. But the
WCC students and faculty must also stop seeing Rider as the enemy.
Bob Witanek: What are the first steps toward
unity? Since the majors fiasco I have advocated forums with faculty and
students on the state of the university - and the forums be on campus. I
started organizing one this year but the coalition basically held it off campus
and focused it just on WCC - and very few students and faculty attended. How do
you believe the effort to promote student - faculty - cross campus unity should
proceed?
Dr. Joel Feldman: I don't know, but I am
heartbroken by the idea of losing WCC. My major was one of the ones eliminated
in 2015 and I was one of the faculty laid off. If they pull us apart we are all
weaker. I think that by dangling the prospect of WCC being saved by another
institution has had the effect of dividing us, which is what they intended.
Bob Witanek: Closing for now
- any final thoughts or ideas for going forward from here?
Dr. Joel Feldman: My big worry is
that students and faculty from WCC have given up on fighting to stay part of
Rider, and I believe staying together is still the best outcome.
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