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ShortLived Sculpture ..
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Although It was cloudy Tuesday, the warm weather helped melt this headless snow sculpture between the Arts Building and the Student Union.
photo by Andy Cross
Former MSCD President Not Returning Brewer Decides on Teaching Position in Gunnison after MSCD Pays for his $60,000 Leave Michael BeDan THE METROPOLITAN Former MSCD President Thomas Brewer has changed course since going on a $60,000 administrative leave last year. Rather than return to MSCD as a history professor in the fall of '94, Brewer has opted to teach history at Western State College in Gunnison, Colo. In a recent telephone interview Brewer confirmed that he was leaving MSCD and said he was surprised that anyone even noticed. "I'm history, so what?" he said. "Who cares?" Brewer elaborated on the change of plans and said it Brewer was an easy decision. "Western State seemed like the best decision for me," he said. "I like Gunnison and the people there."
Brewer said he isn't sure how long he will teach at Western State. "I may teach for a year or two, but no more than three," he said. "I'll be 65 in three years and definitely done by then." Annette Hays, administrative assistant to the History department at Western State College, said the department is pleased to have Brewer coming on board, though his schedule has not been officially determined. There are probably three classes that Brewer will teach in the fall, she said. "He will likely be teaching a survey history class, an upper division history class and a history of economics class as well," Hays said. "It's my understanding that he'll just be teaching in the fall," she added. Stephen Leonard, chairman of the History department at MSCD, said he learned of Brewer's decision through a letter from MSCD administration but hasn ' t spoken to Brewer directly. "I haven't spoken to him personally, but we're sad to lose him," Leonard said. "He does have a right to make that decision though."
Brewer said he will miss MSCD and he enjoyed his time here. "Denver is a good place and I'll miss it and the people at MSCD," he said. Cheryl Espinosa, assistant to the president of State Colleges in Colorado, would not comment on Brewer's salary during his sabbatical. "I have no comment on that, but it is his prerogative to teach wherever he wants to," Espinosa said. System President Glenn Burnham also had no comment on Brewer's salary, she sai". According to MSCD payroll records, Brewer received $22,500 in salary from the Presidents Office in addition to the $60,000 administrative leave. Had Brewer returned to MSCD this fall, he would have been the highest paid faculty member at $65,000 in base salary. Brewer taught for 12 years before becoming a college administrator. In 1988 he was hired as president of MSCD and was given full faculty tenure. His tenure will be transferred to Western State this fall. His salary has not yet been determined.