Indiana University Pathfinders Program Failure‏

It had been my intention to post part 2 of my report on Oz-Stravaganza 2012, but once more, something has come up that requires my attention. Rather than go into details, I'll let my letter to Indiana University speak for itself.

To whom it may concern:
I am writing to you to express my extreme concern and disgust regarding the Pathfinders program and my granddaughter's involvement, or lack thereof, in said program.
My daughter, Melody Pargin, had enrolled her daughter, Gennifer Pargin in this summer's Pathfinder Camp Program as a 8th grader. She was really looking forward to this and I know her mother was very proud of her, as are her grandparents. As an alumni of ISU with a B.S. in Physics, I was thrilled to l;earn that Gennifer was interested in going to college. She is our oldest granddaughter and we had hoped she would be the first of our 13 grandchildren to enter higher education, paving the way for the rest to follow. Unfortunately, I don't think IU will play any role in that education if her recent experience is any indicator.
In the week prior to the June 10th starting date, Gennifer broke her ankle and was confined to crutches for the duration. Being a pre-existing condition, we assumed that IU would adhere to the regulations of the Americans With Disabilities Act and provide accomadations for her condition. Of course, assuming IU would do the proper thing was an error in judgement and one we won't make again.
Due to her injury, my daughter was compelled to transport Gennifer from Sullivan, Indiana to IU in order to insure that her daughter made it to the campus with as little impact as possible. She is, after all, a fine mother and cares deeply for her children. Unfortunately, we have discovered that IU does not share that same concern. When the officials at IU were made aware of the need for a wheelchair in order that Ginnifer might fully participate in the program, IU was unable to comply for over 24 hours., a fact that I find both insulting and quite ignorant on the part of those folks in charge of the Pathfinders Camp Program. Then, to add insult to injury (so to speak), my daughter was charged $30.00 for the use of said wheelchair depsite the fact that this was not due to an injury incurred while on campus (as outlined in the Medical Consent form) but was, in fact, a pre-exisitng conditon and falls within the guidelines of the AWD Act.
Now, Gennifer has withdrawn from the program and has learned a very hard lesson in the ways of the real wolrd and how money is the only driving factor in IU's educational vision. I'm just grateful that I'm not an alumni of IU or I would hang my head in shame at the deplorable behavior of IU.


Please be advised that I have included not only both local and regional news organizations in this communication, but I have also included the Office of Greg Zoeller, Indiana State Attorney General. I consider the actions of IU to be in direct violation of the AWD Act, as well as reflecting very poorly on IU in general. I can't imagine that IU condones violating my granddaughter's rights, but the evidence would indicate otherwise.


I will be posting this letter on my personal blog and posting that blog on Twitter (with over 2000 followers) as a means of informing the general public of how IU treats potential students, as well as their overall lack of commitment to furthering education and instead, placing their emphasis on the almighty dollar. I hope you enjoy my postings.


Should you wish to discuss this issue, I will remain available to discuss my concerns. I'll be curious to see if anyone responds, though I highly doubt it.


Respectfully:


James C. Wallace II

Further reports to follow as we see what happens...

Oz-Stravaganza2012! A Truly Ozian Adventure!! Part 1

A week ago today, I found myself in the auditorium of Chittenango High School, enjoying a most wonderful program devoted to all the Witches of Oz in the Land of Oz and now I find myself reflecting on an incredible weekend in the birthplace of L. Frank Baum and the Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

Months before, I had found myself invited once more to attend Oz-Stravaganza2012 as a returning member of Author's Alley, which is part of a most incredible festival devoted to Oz in all it's incantations. This particular Oz fesrtival takes place in Chittenango, New York, birthplace of L. Frank Baum, which is located in the middle of New York State, just east of Syracuse.

By the end of May, my wife and I had made our plans and eased on down the road to Emerald City and the land of Oz.

By day's end, we had made it into Ohio for the night and the follwoing day, we aimed for Pennsylvania. This year, I was to premier my newest Oz book, The Ozian Adventure of Pickleless & Blu, which is a spin-off of Family of Oz. As usual, my wife and I treat this adventure as our vacation, and so the next day found us approaching my home state of West Virginia and one of a number of casinos that Amanda (my wife and the Creator of the Legendary Potato Soup) and I would visit.

On our way out, we saw not only a waterfall...

... but a tunnel as well. I was reminded of my new book, which features both a pair of waterfalls and a tunnel into Oz.

Soon, a local Pennsylvania winery called Laurel Mountain Winery grabbed outr attention and we found ourselves enjoying some of the local Niagra wines.

By Thursday, we had arrived in Oz, by way of Chittenango, New York and were happy to be there. On Friday afternoon, we took a leisurely stroll down to Sullivan Free Library of Chittenango, where we found my books on display. I happily donated a copy of The Ozian Adventure of Pickleless & Blu and was told that my books were being regularly checked out and read. What could make any author happier than hearing those words?

Friday evening was the first of several outstanding programs featuring various dignitaries from Oz. First off was a gathering of Oz authors including myself, promoting our work and meeting many fine people.

Here I am, still working on trying to look like I'm smiling, which I actually am. Next to me is Paul Miles Schneider, author of Silver Shoes and his new book, Powder of Life.

Here's our illustrator, Gwen Tennille, looking quite normal for her usual self. She did the most incredible illustrations for Of Cabbages, Kings, and Even (Odd) Queens of Wonderland and Oz, as well as Whether the Sea is Boiling Hot and Whether Pigs Have Wings, which I co-authored with Ron Baxley, Jr.

Ron Baxley, Jr., my co-author was also in attendance. He's the one on the left. That hat! Oh that hat!!!

Gregory Maguire, author of the Wicked series of books was also in attendance.

As well as Robert Baum, Great Grandson of L. Frank Baum and his wife, Claire. They seem quite happy to be there! So was I!!

After several hours of meet and greet, the evenings entertainment began with several wonderful singing performances, including Gregory Maguire, who also spoke about writing Wicked. There was also an appearance by Margarette Pelligrinni (left), an original Munchkin from the MGM 1939 Wizard of Oz movie, as well as Myrna Swensen (middle), Munchkin by marriage and Caren Marsh-Doll (right), stand-in for Judy Garland from the Wizard of Oz movie.

Photo courtesy of Paul Miles Schneider

It's always a pleasure to see them onstage and away from the limelight. I have found all three to be wonderful ambassadors of Oz. Margarette Pelligrinni (left) did something I've never seen before. She left John Fricke, (our host for the evening and a really nice guy), speechless when she commented on her pay rate for the movie ($50.00 per week) and Toto's higher paycheck ($125.00 per week). "Where's Toto now?" she asked John. After a quizical look from our host, she replied; "He's pushing up daisies and I'm still here!!!". It brought the house down and John Fricke was speechless. What a hoot.

Tomorrow, we take a look at Oz-Stravaganza 2012 in all its glory!