The Watching Adams Podcast series highlights various experiences and perspectives of former Adams State University students and employees in long form audio interviews. By gathering candid insights from former insiders, these podcasts seek to cultivate unvarnished honesty about the institution. These interviews are available in video format and as downloadable MP3 audio files.
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1. Spencer Harris: The Thousand Dollar Problem
In this episode of the Watching Adams Podcast, we join former Adams State University Visiting Professor Spencer Harris. Spencer taught from 2011-2013 in the Human Performance and Physical Education department.
In this interview, he reflects on the “Thousand Dollar Problem” he encountered with Vice President of Academic Affairs Frank Novotny as well as the challenges he experienced with shared governance and the university’s prioritization of athletics over academics in too many instances. DOWNLOAD MP3
2. Danny Ledonne: Media Violence and Campus Safety
In this episode of the Watching Adams Podcast, filmmaker and former Adams State University professor Danny Ledonne joins Dr. Ben Waddell’s class of Social Psychology students at ASU to discuss campus safety, media violence, and the goals behind his website, Watching Adams. DOWNLOAD MP3
3. Rogelio Briones: Chicano Serving Institution?
In this podcast, teacher, cultural historian, and artist Rogelio Briones recalls his time in the Chicano movement at Adams State University – a “forgotten history,” the myth of the term “Hispanic,” as well as his experiences in the Faculty Senate and observations about ASU Athletics holding too much influence over the institution. DOWNLOAD MP3
4. Richard Flamm: Non-Athlete Black Student Reflects on his Challenges
2014 Adams State University graduate Richard Flamm recalls his challenges paying rising tuition costs, lack of racial diversity among faculty, shrinking academic programs amidst athletic expansion, and ASU’s refusal to provide math tutoring to prepare him for the GRE. DOWNLOAD MP3
5. Elaine Regan: Growing Pains in the Nursing Department
In this episode, former faculty member Elaine Regan recalls her experiences creating many of the courses for the emerging nursing department at Adams State University. Elaine describes the sense of being overwhelmed by upwards of 80-100 hours of work each week, being pressured to pass students who weren’t prepared for the program, and being labeled a “troublemaker” whose vocalizations were interpreted as “threatening” for speaking out about the problems she saw in the department. DOWNLOAD MP3
6. Calvin Moreau: The Adams Police State
In this podcast, Alamosa community member, military veteran, and part-time Adams State University student Calvin Moreau describes being repeatedly stopped by ASU police based on his appearance. He no longer feels safe being on the ASU campus and is considering completing his degree elsewhere. DOWNLOAD MP3
7. Stephen Roberds: A Tenuous Tenure
In this episode, retired professor Dr. Stephen Roberds recounts his seven years teaching at Adams State University. In particular, he recalls conflicts in the classroom with disruptive students that led to him being told by administrators that he had a few hours to decide whether he would resign or be terminated. Roberds reflects on the value and endangered status of tenure at ASU and advocates for faculty to stand up and assert their right to academic freedom and due process. DOWNLOAD MP3
8. Joel Shults: Seven Great Years, One Really Crappy Month
Former Chief of Police at Adams State University, Dr. Joel Shults discusses the time and manner of his dismissal from the university in July 2014 as well as his own theory as to why it occurred. He also talks in detail about issues of campus safety and equity concerning ASU Athletics that he raised publicly upon termination of his employment. Finally, Joel addresses questions of racism within ASU PD. DOWNLOAD MP3
Read his August 2014 Valley Courier op-ed, “It’s not about me.”
Read Judge Kuenhold’s August 2015 report on Safety and Fairness.
9. Dr. Jonathan Rees: Perspectives from the Colorado AAUP
Dr. Jonathan Rees is co-president of the Colorado Conference for the American Association of University Professors (AAUP). He discusses the role of the AAUP in advocating for shared governance, academic freedom, and due process in the university. He shares success stories from the Colorado Conference, his “nightmare” of faculty being singled out and disappeared without a hearing, as well as why a campus in good standing with the AAUP is better for students. DOWNLOAD MP3
Read the CO AAUP’s letter opposing Adams State University’s PNG policy here.
