RDC cancels Symphonic Winds performance over ‘disrespectful’ email

The email came from Dr. Karen Gustafson, who lost her job as a sessional Music instructor when the program was shut down. Gustafson has conducted Symphonic Winds for the last two years.

“Well, as I’m not impressed about the actions and dishonesty and unethical treatment of myself and other faculty and students at RDC, I had said I would do the Convocation with the Symphonic Winds,” Gustafson said in her email to the RDC Registrar. “I do have an ethical standard, unlike the President and Creative Arts Dean and Associate Dean.”

Gustafson told rdnewsNOW Thursday, “The registrar at the college prompted me, asking that due to what happened in the Music department, they just wanted to confirm everything was a go for the Convocation. I responded ‘yes’ because I am upholding my contract even though I don’t have employment next year.”

She says it’s hugely disappointing they won’t be performing as it’s something students and the band look forward to each year.

Gustafson explains that her frustration expressed in the email comes from the way things were communicated when the Music program was shuttered.

“What’s been coming out is a one-sided version of what the college wants the media and community to think is happening,” she maintains. “They said there are only six students coming in next year, but I have evidence in emails and minutes that there are over 20 people who were returning to the program, but aren’t allowed to come back because they aren’t officially in second year.”

Those extra students could have flunked a class or had extended their program to occur over four years, Gustafson says. She also shared that some students received acceptance into the program as late as this spring, including scholarship letters, and now don’t have enough time to apply elsewhere.

Meanwhile, Ward admits he personally made the decision to turf Symphonic Winds’ performance Friday and maintains that the process of suspending the Music program was done in a compassionate and transparent manner.

“Full-time faculty were treated respectfully. What you see on Facebook are angry postings of people who don’t have all the information, half-truths, and say what they wish to say because they can. We don’t say everything because of the terms and conditions of collective agreements,” Ward continues.

“We follow the collective agreement to the letter. If we don’t, we’re in big, big trouble. If you lose your job, are you feeling you were treated compassionately? Am I going to go hug them and say sorry? That would be disingenuous.”

Ward says Symphonic Winds will remain a part of RDC moving forward despite the hard feelings expressed this week.

He adds they’ll still be paid for Friday’s booking as per their original contract.

by Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

RDC cancels Symphonic Winds performance over ‘disrespectful’ email

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