The last edition of the award-winning college newspaper, The Observer, was obviously flying off the shelves. At least, it seems that was the case in the Dimitry Building, in Lawrence. Under the title of “Civic Engagement” the photo on the cover page showed a group of students and faculty standing up with banners questioning the administrator’s decision to eliminate the Civic
Engagement, Service-Learning, and Community Resources coordinator, Janel D’Agata-Lynch, in front of the board of trustees meeting on April 12.
“Does removing our social worker support our strategic plan?” and “Improve student support and cut it at the same time?”
Were questions written in print big letters in front of the board led by Lane Glenn, the president of NECC. That together with Sarah Pachano’s speech, student representative was an act of fairness, a call for justice.
D’Agata-Lynch, a licensed social worker, had worked for NECC since 2015 in creating alliances with organizations to help students experiencing food, clothing and housing insecurity, advocating for paid-internship student programs, and an adjunct professor. “Students face numerous challenges, including financial difficulties, food insecurity, and housing insecurity, which can significantly impact their academic performance. I believe these students are best served through the Basic Needs Security
Program by a dedicated staff person. Janel D’Agata-Lynch has personified the idea of serving-ness in the work that she has done; on behalf of the students at the college, I call upon the President to reverse his action,” stated Pachano at the meeting.
“Some discontents and murmurings arise amongst some, and mutinous speeches and carriages in other”(Bradford, 1656)
Students talked to an Observer editor expressing their concern. A formal letter and calls from faculty claiming for an explanation were received in our newsroom. Professors and staff showed their discontent to the administration’s decision and full support to D’Agata-Lynch.
The Observer elevated those voices in the Observer in the Spring’23 edition, published in May 2023. Same as looked for answers from administration with no luck.
The First Amendment in our Constitution states Freedom of Speech is Freedom of Press.
On Aug. 23 a Job Fair organized by Mass Hire was held in the atrium of the Dimitry building. It was packed with attendees and representatives of different organizations but the welcoming blue newspaper stand written and edited only by students, was empty. After this discovery, a student editor refilled The Observer newspaper stand with the last edition. The main entrance of NECC’s busy building on Franklin street was again complemented with the work and voice of their students.
However a few days later, Sept. 8 to be precise, an Observer staff member found out the stand was pristine clean, again.
Is there a large number of followers of The Observer on the Lawrence campus that every time we filled up the newspapers flew away or is the last edition front cover and full coverage of D’Agata-Lynch’s case “too good to be shown?’ Is this an attempt to limit the freedom of the press?
Questions raised up again but in a different direction this time.
We are observing. Not only The Observer staff but surely students, faculty and staff are observing too.
If you miss the last Spring edition of The Observer or want to know about the news/stories written by our dedicated staff of students, please visit our website https://observer.necc.mass.edu/
If there is anything you want us to cover, either happy events or mighty concerns, please contact us at observer@necc.mass.edu.
The Observer is your voice.
Also, if you see an empty blue stand, drop us a line. We’ll be happy to fill it up. The Observer is you. The Observer is yours.
