PETITION FOR THE REINSTATEMENT OF MR. LAURIE CALLISTE

To:

The T.A. Marryshow Community College (TAMCC) Council

From:

The TAMCC Lecturers Association (TLA) and Concerned Colleagues

Date:

October 15th, 2024

Subject:

Concerning the Unjust Summary Dismissal of Lecturer Mr. Laurie Calliste

We, the members of the TAMCC Lecturers Association (TLA) and concerned colleagues, hereby petition the College Administration for the immediate and unconditional reinstatement of Mr. Laurie Calliste to his position as Lecturer.

This petition is based on a comprehensive review of the circumstances surrounding Mr. Calliste's dismissal, which has revealed a deeply flawed process, unsubstantiated allegations, and a fundamental failure of administrative duty6. We assert that the dismissal was procedurally inconsistent, substantively unjust, and sets a dangerous precedent for all academic staff at TAMCC.

Procedural Failures and Justification for Reinstatement

Our investigation has uncovered the following critical points, which form the basis of our appeal:

• Central Administrative Failure on Policy Communication: On April 16, 2024, Mr. Calliste reviewed a graded exam script with his students in good faith to facilitate learning. Unbeknownst to him, the School of Arts, Sciences and Professional Studies (SASPS) administration had failed to communicate a critical CXC policy change re-designating this exam as a School-Based Assessment (SBA). Mr. Calliste’s actions were fully compliant with the actual, governing SBA policy, which permits review and return of scripts to allow students to improve their work. The disciplinary action was predicated on an outdated policy, placing the fault entirely with the SASPS administration.
• Unethical Evidence Gathering: The initial complaint was based on a covert audio recording of Mr. Calliste’s teaching session by a student. The use of this illicit recording as primary evidence represents a significant breach of academic ethics and procedural integrity, as most educational institutions, including TAMCC, have clear policies requiring consent before a lecture can be recorded.
• Prejudicial and Irrelevant Allegations: The Chair's report included a series of unrelated grievances—such as unsubstantiated criticism of teaching ability, a baseless accusation of absenteeism when Mr. Calliste was on approved sick leave, and an unfounded allegation of breach of confidentiality—in a deliberate attempt to damage his character and professional standing. These claims lacked specific, documented evidence.

Our Demands (TLA)

The dismissal of Mr. Calliste is a symptom of a dysfunctional process that disregards fairness and the fundamental principles of natural justice. This action has created an environment of fear and insecurity among academic staff.

Therefore, we the undersigned, demand the following:

• The immediate and unconditional reinstatement of Mr. Laurie Calliste to his position, with all back pay and benefits restored.
• A full and formal public apology from the College Administration to Mr. Calliste for the damage done to his professional reputation and character
• An independent, transparent review of the college's disciplinary and grievance procedures to ensure that such a miscarriage of justice cannot occur again
• A clear directive from the administration reaffirming ethical standards and prohibiting the use of covert recordings in disciplinary proceedings.

We have written to the College Council on several occasions and through the Grenada Union of Teachers to have this matter resolved amicably, to no avail. We trust that you will give this petition the urgent and serious attention it deserves.

Respectfully submitted,

The TAMCC Lecturers Association