We bring sophistication with a twist to the metaphysical and holistic markets with products, classes and services. We have locations in Dallas, Carrollton & Frisco. Psychic Hotline Now Available: 888-415-6208 WWW.SOULTOPIA.GURU BEST OF DALLAS AWARD WINNER Unfair Park from p10 Menchaca accused May of personally profiting off the changes implemented dur- ing the pandemic. The way he tells it, the chancellor has created a hostile environ- ment for Dallas College employees, many of whom are too afraid to speak out. At the same time that May has overseen a f le S Visit us: 900 W Davis St, Dallas • 3414 Midcourt Rd #100, Carrollton 7004 Lebanon Rd, STE 106, Frisco, Texas 75034 the “ruthless dismissals of hundreds of valued college employees in humiliating and demoralizing ways,” his own salary, benefits and governance powers have in- creased, according to a news release. Re- cords indicate that his 2016 base salary of $327,811 had increased to $424,360 as of fiscal year 2020. Out of all Texas’ two-year public col- leges, Dallas College’s chancellor is the highest compensated CEO, the news re- lease continued. May’s package also boasts a $100,000 annual bonus for “student suc- cess”— defined by the number of degrees, transfers and certificates the school pro- duces — plus other retirement and per- sonal benefits like a “100K Golden Handshake.” The release also accuses May of backing the elimination of rolling three-year con- tracts for full-time faculty — even though he’s been on such an agreement himself. Even though he plans to retire from his position by next August, May has asked to become chancellor emeritus of Dallas College. Over the decades, Dallas College has gone through many changes, and students have responded to the school’s consolida- tion positively, senior director of communi- cations Alex Lyda said by email. Just a minority of all faculty cast a “no confidence” vote in the ballot that Menchaca emailed, Lyda said. More than 3,200 faculty are employed by Dallas Col- lege, including part-time, full-time and ad- junct members. But the ballot was only sent to the roughly 850 full-time faculty there, “forgoing the opinions of a sizeable swath of faculty who also make significant contri- butions” to the school. Of those members, only 266 replied, with 12 12 76 voting against and 190 voting in favor. All told, less than a third of full-time faculty voted, with fewer than a quarter of all full- time faculty voting yes. y S Dallas College Chancellor Joe May received votes of no confidence from some faculty. “Faculty who may long for the days of old h and a system that perhaps served their own needs better in the past, but is not serving the needs our students any longer, may be discontented by the transformation of the Dallas County Community College District to Dallas College,” Lyda said. “The fact re- mains that Dallas College reformed itself with the full support and backing of our Board of Trustees, for the sake of our stu- dents, a point that has been echoed by fac- ulty who have stood in support of Dr. May, despite the recent vote.” Board Chair Monica Lira Bravo also backed May’s vision for Dallas College in an emailed statement. As no-confidence votes in academia become more common, the board is aware that actions like Menchaca’s are “more often a referendum on change rather than a particular leader,” she said. “The Board of Trustees takes the con- cerns of all employees, students and com- munity members seriously,” Lira Bravo wrote. “But we also have confidence in the direction Dallas College is headed as one institution, which was designed to better serve our students and communities, thanks to Dr. May’s tireless efforts during his tenure.” Moving forward, Menchaca hopes to see each of Dallas College’s campuses have its own identity, arguing that’s what makes them unique and special in their fields. He also wants to see May terminated as chancellor. In addition, Menchaca said he’d like in- tegrity and honesty to be restored to the school’s system. Faculty are tired of the at- tempts to control them through intimida- tion and retaliation. Years ago, Menchaca said he realized that education doesn’t pay much, so he started to pursue business ventures. Thanks to that success, he’s uniquely poised to speak out — both for himself and his colleagues who rely on their job to sup- port their families. “I resigned myself to the fact that for ev- ery action I take, there’s going to be a reac- tion,” he said. “I don’t know whether it’s going to be good or bad, but whatever it is, I’m ready for it.” o p courtesy Dallas College twitter l i n OCTOBER 14–20, 2021 DALLAS OBSERVER CLASSIFIED | MUSIC | DISH | CULTURE | UNFAIR PARK | CONTENTS dallasobserver.com MONTH XX–MONTH XX, 2014 DALLAS OBSERVER | CLASSIFIED | MUSIC | DISH | MOVIES | CULTURE | NIGHT+DAY | FEATURE | SCHUTZE | UNFAIR PARK | CONTENTS | dallasobserver.com 2020 O n e
