“The question is the credibility of the president of NMC,” he said. “I would say right now given all what’s going on, her credibility is quite the same as that of GMA and Jose Miguel Arroyo of the Philippines,” he told Variety, referring to the Philippine president and her husband.
Sobolewski said Fernandez should prove her credibility since her leadership was the main reason cited by regent Agnes M. McPhetres in her resignation letter, which she later rescinded.
Soboleswki said members of the faculty, staff, administrators and the community met with three lawmakers on Feb. 13 to express their disappointment with leadership of Fernandez.
McPhetres, who is also critical of Fernandez, was not present, he added.
Soboleswki said the regents should take complaints and concerns seriously and do something about them.
He noted that the resignation letter of McPhetres may affect her relationship with Fernandez.
“The crucial point there is for the two to present their evidence and find out what the situation is and who is telling the truth,” he said.
According to Soboleswki, the conflict between McPhetres, a former NMC president, and Fernandez is “the big issue now.”
“The credibility of all concerned is very important,” he said.
“If they’re going to resolve this matter they have to make every effort to make themselves as credible as possible by giving evidence to back up their statements.”
Sobolweski said the regents may not be able to resolve their grievances as the board still has to address NMC’s show cause status of the college.
The regents, he added, are expected to meet at the end of this month to discuss the progress of the show cause report that will be submitted on April 1 to the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
“The regents’ review of our show cause report is going to take up their time so I don’t see a good and appropriate time to take up the grievances because the grievances are many,” he said.
Under NMC board policy, the employee appeals committee can hear employee grievances.
But Sobolweski said the committee can only rule on grievances by a two-third vote of its members.
Soboleswki said there were some individuals in the meeting with lawmakers willing to come out and execute affidavits against Fernandez.
As Faculty Senate president, he encourages those who have grievances to approach him so he can discuss them with the regents.
He said the “turmoil” in the college might affect its accreditation.
The future of the college, he added, is at stake — NMC might reaffirm its accreditation without addressing their grievances.
