By Justin Muszynski
The decision to reduce the sanctions against Soccer Coach Shaun Green was made by the State University Grievance Arbitration Committee, not CCSU, which was reported in The Recorder last week.
Green originally received a 60-day and four-game suspension, which was decreased to 14 days and one-game. He was also required to write a formal apology to The Recorder, the University community and the athletics department after CCSU police spotted Green on camera along with Assistant Coach Paul Wright taking about 150 copies of The Recorder in May. The apology was thrown out all together from the sanctions.
“After an independent committee heard the full facts and the reasons, they came to the conclusion that it should be reduced,” said Green.
He was also obliged to reimburse The Recorder for its losses, which he has done.
When a faculty member files a grievance, there is a three-step process that follows. However, in the interest if time, the first two steps were informally completed which involved the American Association of University Professors Union presenting the grievance to the University and the President’s Grievance Committee. According to President Jack Miller, the University refused to budge in its position.
“The decision was made by two people, neither of whom work for Central Connecticut State University,” said Miller. “Once we reviewed everything and established a position, we never changed it. It wasn’t the decision that we came to at Central.”
At this point, the final step in the grievance process took place. The State University Grievance Arbitration Committee heard Green’s appeal. The committee decided that the sanctions were too harsh and reduced them.
Kassondra Granata, Editor-In-Chief of The Recorder, says she was able to put her mind at ease after learning that the University held its ground.
“When I found out that the University wasn’t the one who reduced his sanctions, I was relieved in a sense. I thought initially that we did not have its support,” said Granata. “I still believe that Green acted unprofessionally in the event, and that his punishment should have been sustained, but the University has been on our side, so I’m not despondent towards the administration like I was before.”