Faculty and staff who are calling for the removal of Springfield Technical Community College president John Cook picketed before a meeting of the school's Board of Trustees Monday evening.
Several protesters who stood outside STCC waving signs demanding Cook’s ouster said his relationship with faculty and staff is beyond repair.
Massachusetts Community College Council President-Elect Margaret Wong said employees have lost confidence in Cook.
“The fact that the current president can allow -did allow- things to deteriorate to this level is shocking,” Wong said.
The group of about 50 rallied outside before filing into a Board of Trustees meeting attended by Massachusetts Higher Education Commissioner Carlos Santiago.
Several demonstrators identified one main reason they want Cook gone: his decision to force out STCC's academic vice president soon after he became president last year. STCC employees last October took a vote of no confidence in Cook.
In a statement, Cook said while not every decision he makes will be popular, he will maintain communication with staff.
