Leading Critic of Free Tuition Says CCRI President Slashed His Pay Illegally as Retribution

Leading Critic of Free Tuition Says CCRI President Slashed His Pay Illegally as Retribution

The head of the Community College of Rhode Island Faculty Association — who has been an outspoken critic of the implementation of Governor Gina Raimondo’s “Rhode Island Promise” free college tuition program — is claiming that CCRI President Meghan Hughes illegally cut his pay, after removing him as Department Chair. 

As GoLocalProv.com first reported, CCRIFA President Steve Murray said on January 23 that he had been removed from his position as Department Chair, following a no-confidence vote in Hughes by faculty members in December.

Now, GoLocalProv.com has learned that Murray reported to colleagues on Thursday that his total compensation has been reduced, without due process. 

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CCRI, Most Students Failed to Achieve Minimum Standards

Data secured by GoLocal through an Access to Public Records Act request unveiled that most students in the program failed to meet the minimum standard to receive free tuition in their second year.  

“There were 722 students who received state funding through the Rhode Island Promise Scholarship program in the fall 2017 Rhode Island Promise cohort. Of those 722 students, 323 hit the required 30 or more credits and 2.5 or higher GPA mark by the end of their first year,” reported CCRI to GoLocal.

Less than 45 percent of the students met the minimum standards of 30 credits and the 2.5 GPA.

Murray’s Letter to Hughes

Murray sent the following letter to Hughes -- and cc'ed colleagues -- on Thursday. 

President Hughes,
 
My assistant, Loren Calabro, just handed me a copy of an email thread that contains an email from Dean Busby to her dated today (Thursday, January 31, 2019, 10:02 am) wherein he instructs her “to adjust Professor Murray’s load [compensation]. He should be at 9 credits SE and 6 credits at NS.”
 
I have not received any notification from anyone that my compensation is being reduced, nor any explanation, nor any chance to respond to an allegation, nor any due process hearing.
 
The Contract , Article X, C., 1, clearly states that: “ No faculty member will, however, be suspended, dismissed, or reduced in rank or compensation without due cause.” (emphasis added)
 
Have you initiated “disciplinary” proceedings against me? Please provide the “just cause” that you allege supports discipline.
 

Article X, C., 1, provides a process for “Fair Discipline and Discharge.”  You have not followed that process and you are taking my property/compensation without following the law nor the contract. 
 
What you are doing is illegal and in retaliation for my work as President of the CCRIFA.
 
Please rescind the Dean Busby directive immediately.
 
Steven D. Murray

President -- CCRIFA

Murray provided more commentary Thursday evening.

"As a faculty member my teaching workload is 5 courses per semester. As a Department Chair, my faculty workload is reduced by 4 courses per semester to compensate me for the extensive responsibilities associated with being a department chair," said Murray. 

"SE refers to state employment-- courses that are part of my regular workload. NS refers to non state employment  -- courses that are referred to as 'overload"," said Murray. 

"As a result of what they are doing, they are reducing my compensation by about $10,000.00 this semester without any notice or due process in violation of state and federal laws and our contract," added Murray. 

According to Murray, and state records, earned $82,586.92.

CCRI did not respond to request for comment on Thursday evening.