Having read yesterday’s report of misleading information (exaggerations & “dirty tactics”) being played out by the administration’s negotiating team, I’m grieved and saddened beyond words. I was at one time on staff as an assistant professor in the late 6o’ties and early 70’ties, as well am a graduate of ’56 Arts ( English Major) & B.Ed ’57 .
Dear AUT,
Having read yesterday’s report of misleading information (exaggerations & “dirty tactics”) being played out by the administration’s negotiating team, I’m grieved and saddened beyond words. I was at one time on staff as an assistant professor in the late 6o’ties and early 70’ties, as well am a graduate of ’56 Arts ( English Major) & B.Ed ’57 .Today’s happenings are totally foreign to the true St FX philosophy and Xaverian spirit on so many levels. It’s certain that all of my beloved teachers/profs/instructors are ‘rolling in their graves’ (not intended to be humourous) in St. Ninian’s Cemetery. Whenever I’m visiting in Antigonish, I always make it a point to visit my mentors and to thank them for the sacrifices and exemplar character and honesty – daily lived out for us, its students. Yes, changes do occur over the years but to see such a cultural break from the past- a shaking and seemingly departure from its foundational principles and spirituality exemplified by these present day administrative negotiating practices – is without precedent and perniciously destructive in both the short term and long term.
Finally, I can only hope and do pray that honesty, loyalty, and justice guided by St FX’s exemplar history of service, of truth embedded in the soul, of its cherished motto – quaecumque sunt vera. – will prevail.
Respectfully,
David L. Fleiger PH D