Case 2:15-cv-01759-NVW Document 73-9 Filed 03/03/17 Page 1 of 3
March 25, 2014

president Dana Saar, Members of the Baard, Dr. Giasger, Members of the CEC and guests, my

name is: '

Dr. Cleopatria Martinez

Mathematics Instructor at f'haenix Co{lege

Speaking as a ►nember of the community

1 have been employed as a mathematics professor by the Maricopa Community Coi(ege District for 29

years.

1 have always loved my job as a teacher.

During my three decades of hard work for the district, I have never been disciplined and have

otherwise never been in any trouble.

As you are aware, the president of Phoenix College recently attempted to terminate me, but a hearing

committee unanimously rejected the recommended termination.

Although fhe Chancellor ultimately accepted the hearing committee's recommendation not to

terminate'me, the Cha{~ce(lor is now attempting to suspend me for 94 1/2 months.

want to keep my job and far that reason I have followed orders from the administration which have

grossly violated tray academic freedom and have affected my ability to perform my job. Although there

are several examples, due ~o time constraints, I'm just going to give you two examples:

1) f was not allowed #o use the variable "u" in math formulas. My request far copies of a list of math

formulas was denied until t replaced the variable "u" with fhe variable "x".

2) Far the past four years I was not allowed to use any lecture noteslfesson plans I wrote to guide my

daily lectures. I had to memorize all lectures and hoped I did not forget anything.

Writing course materials for students is one of the duties of MCCCD faculty, and because these

materials are faculty generated, PC is obligated to absorb tt~e cost to make copies for studenfs. In

spring 2013 1 selected my colleague's unpublished material in lieu of a pubiislied textbook---the

ma#erial had been approved by the Mathematics Department for this purpose and it had been used

for several semesters. The PC administration refused to snake copies of this unWublished material,

and !was told to have the students make their own copies at their own expense.

The first day of class, I told the students they were responsible for making themselves a copy of the

material at their home, in the PC Library, at Kinkos, Staples, or anywhere else they could do so.

Because it was so important that students gel these copies ASAP, I said I would Help them by having

them copied and bour►d at Staples on my owri time for any student who would reimburse me for the

cost of the copies. The entire class opted to do this at~d they reimbursed me $'11,00. The Phoenix

College administration accused me of allegedly violating tf~e MCCCD cash handling policy. They said

1 was to pay for the student copies out of my awn pocket.

Case 2:15-cv-01759-NVW Document 73-9 Filed 03/03/17 Page 2 of 3
The administration proceeded to dismiss rne. i appealed the dismissal, presented my case io an

appeals committee. This Faculty Hearing Committee found that PC had faiked to carry its burden of

proof. They found no violation of the cash Handling policy but ChancelEor s#ill has suspended me for

14 %2 months because I would not pay for the students' course materials. No faculty member is

responsible for purchasing instructional materials for students and I believe i should not have to

either.

It is for this one time effort on my part to help students that (am being suspended without pay for an

unacceptably long length of time and 1 have not broken any policies.

Like most working people, I cannot economically suNive a 14 month suspension of pay. The

Chancellors suspension will also cause me to lose my health insurance, because I may not be able to

afford to pay my contribution towards continued health care coverage. Under the circums#ances, the

Chancellors 14 month suspension of me, is the functional equivalent of termination from the district.

As you are aware, under the RFP, only this board has the authority to terminate an empkoyee.

While I was never found guilty of violating MCCCD regulations or policy, I am unfairly being punished.

I~am no# guilty of violating any MCCCD policy or regulation including cash handling. I was not

afforded due process

Sus ensro,~

Accordingly, I asked} the board to intervene in my case to rescind the Chancellor's and at

the very minimum allow me to present proof of what l have stated here.

Thank you,

Clsopairia Martinez, PhD

Case 2:15-cv-01759-NVW Document 73-9 Filed 03/03/17 Page 3 of 3