Managers Association Supports Interim Athletics Dean Beverly Tate

PCC's Management Association released a "Vote of Confidence" in Interim Dean/ Athletic Director Beverly Tate on Friday, after a "Vote of No Confidence" was released regarding Tate from several members of the Kinesiology, Health and Athletic Division.Fifty-two of the 56 association members are listed on the document, including 10 division deans.

The document was submitted to the Board of Trustees, PCC President Paulette Perfumo, Vice President of Instruction Jacqueline Jacobs, Vice President of Student and Learning Services Lisa Sugimoto, and Interim Vice President of Administrative Services Mark Zacovic.

The document says Tate has "done an admirable job in redirecting a troubled division and has been very collegial and supportive of her management colleagues throughout her tenure."

The Courier attempted to contact Perfumo, Jacobs, Sugimoto and Zacovic, but only Zacovic was available for comment.

"I'm impressed by their act of support," Zacovic said. "In my 25 years of being involved with community colleges, I have never seen this kind of response and show of support."

According to Management Association Vice President Richard van Pelt, the association was surprised when the Courier reported the "Vote of No Confidence" last week.

"The division has been a troubled and divided one, and the Board of Trustees, after a lengthy period of deliberation, took action," van Pelt said. "Tate has striven to restore the division to an ethical, responsible and honorable position, and the association fully supports her in those efforts. The Association, through its overwhelming vote, is demonstrating its complete support for one of the very valuable managers on this campus."

Those in the division who signed the original "Vote of No Confidence" have trouble grasping the association's understanding of the situation.

"I have a lot of respect for the people in management, but it's an insult that they think they know what's best for [our division]," said former Athletic Director Skip Robinson. "They don't know the interactions of our division. They're going a little far for their positioning."

"It's good that they're [supporting Tate] and it doesn't surprise me that the managers will stick together," said Women's Assistant Basketball Coach Gregory Smith. "Everyone who has dribbled a basketball thinks they know everything about [the game] and they can say what is right and wrong [from the stands], but unless they are in the trenches with us, how can they know what's wrong?"

Management Association Coordinator Dale Pittman said that Tate has made positive changes in the department.

"We feel that she is doing the job she was hired to do, to get the division back on track," Pittman said. "The department was getting bad publicity and the Board of Trustees was concerned. We've received nothing but positive feedback."

Others from the department question the association's intentions.

"It's natural for them to support their own, but they should look into what the problem is, instead of fanning the flames," said former Cross Country Coach Grace Apiafi. "We need them to help us fix the problem."

"They don't work with us, they don't know what they are supporting," Athletic Trainer Rudy Aguilar said. "It's laughable."

Physical Education Academic Senate Representative Jessie Moore had an issue with some of the wording in the association's petition. The document states "Tate continues to fulfill her responsibilities in an ethical, responsible, and unbiased manner."

"Favoritism runs rampant [in the division]," Moore said. "If that's what management calls ethical, I pity PCC. They are sending a subliminal message to staff and faculty not to complain.