Faculty Association forms silent protest for Liaison Committee on Medical Education Monday
About 40 Faculty Association members waited on the second floor of Rowe Hall Monday afternoon hoping to be spotted by the visiting members of the Liaison Committee on Medical Education.
LCME has been on campus since Sunday, deciding whether or not the College of Medicine should progress further toward academic accreditation.
The FA members stood outside CMED Dean Ernest Yoder’s office as he led LCME members in and out of rooms.
The FA members agreed their goal was to form a silent protest without handouts, signs or chants.
“We’re just gathering because one of the meetings this afternoon is dealing with faculty issues,” said Reference Librarian Elizabeth Morris. “We want to make sure the LCME are aware there are some concerns about the College of Medicine.”
Assistant Professor of Broadcast and Cinematic Arts Jeff Smith said since only four FA members are going to be able to meet with LCME, the group wanted to show they care about the issues.
“This really has more to do with us as faculty than as union members,” Smith said.
Central Michigan University Police Sergeant Trent Case said he had been asked to make sure advocacy policies regarding protests were being met.
Smith said the policy allows for indoor acts protests as long as no material is passed out, no classrooms are blocked and the noise level does not interfere with classes.
Case said he saw no problems.
“I certainly wouldn’t anticipate any issues,” Case said. “We haven’t had any with the FA.”
The only action Case saw was when a person from Yoder’s office came out and asked him if the FA members could speak a little quieter since the noise could be heard in the meeting.
“Can you keep it down a little bit?” Case asked the crowd.
The volume dropped instantly. Case smiled, gave a small “thank you” and returned to his post leaning against the wall.
At about 3:30 p.m., LCME members walked into the hallway, led by Yoder. As they passed, they smiled at the two lines of FA members on either side, all of whom returned the smiles, then walked into another room and shut the door.
The row of FA members began filtering out of the hall along with a crowd of students who were just getting out of class.
About two weeks ago, the Academic Senate voted to halt further development of CMED, although it is uncertain if the A-Senate has the authority to do so, or if the vote will serve only as a symbolic disproval.
