Injustice in the RECF (448X)

[sazrocks]

First, thank you for your quick response to the concerns in this thread. Thank you also for clearly laying out the timeline of what happened.

I have a few questions though.

@DanMantz

Immediately after the event, the REC Foundation received complaints from multiple sources (over 5) that the behavior of 448X (students and adults) violated G1 and the Code of Conduct.

Can you specify exactly what kind of G1 violations 448X committed? Was it verbal or physical abuse? Offensive language? I (and many others) are wondering what a team could possibly have done short of physical violence that would necessitate a DQ from all remaining events in the season. Solidifying the offense would really help here.

@DanMantz

On March 7, Tarek reviewed his findings (including testimony from people at the CA Championship as well as from the coach of team 448X) with the REC Foundation leadership team, including me. The REC foundation felt the evidence supported the season DQ and Tarek communicated this finding to the coach of team 448X.

Since much of the evidence presented in this thread so far seems to show innocence, or at least a lack of anything truly egregious, can you elaborate on these testimonies? Did the G1 violation occur while the team was talking to the head ref about the call? Or was it due to interactions not shown on camera?

@DanMantz

Note: I recognize that 448X was correct to demand an opportunity to present their side of the story. I agree that this is part of “due process” and the REC Foundation regrets that they did not have this opportunity earlier in the process. I will make the needed procedural changes in order to correct this going forward.

I have a hard time with this one. This was not just a quick error to exclude the team from presenting their evidence. This was over two weeks after a decision had been rendered, and much time had passed in which the team could have presented their evidence while the event was still fresh in everyone’s minds. The fact that it took this long is disturbing.

@DanMantz

On March 11, the coach of team 448X contacted me directly and requested that the children have a chance to present their evidence. I responded that I stood by the REC Foundation decision and I provided my reasons.

Would you be willing to share those reasons with us?

@DanMantz

On March 19, the coach of 448X contacted me again with a letter from our team members, statements they gathered to refute allegations, and a request to allow them to present their side of the story (in the interest of fairness).

Should “our” be replaced with “the” or “their”?

@DanMantz

On March 19, I replied and agreed to arrange a call with the coach and the students. It is true that I requested that the school administration and parents were also present on the call. I did this for transparency for all involved parties (including me).

Why was it necessary to involve school administration for a robotics team that is not affiliated with the school?

@DanMantz

I thank those of you that have cautioned the forum against making any conclusions until the REC Foundation had an opportunity to present their side of the story…

Some of you have immediately supported 448X without knowing all of the facts…

And it shows a lack of respect for the process. Most notably, I’m disappointed that some in the community haven’t given the REC Foundation the benefit of the doubt.

I find this somewhat contradictory. From your own statements, the RECF accused, made conclusions, and punished 448X without knowing all the facts and without giving the team an opportunity to present their side of the story. Does this not show a lack of respect on the part of the RECF for due process or to giving the team the benefit of the doubt?

One more thing:

@DanMantz

As everyone knows, I do not regularly read the forums unless someone informs me about a thread.

I ask that you change this policy. I think it would be very beneficial to hear directly from the community how it feels. It would also help to build a good rapport with the community and would help us to give you and the RECF the benefit of the doubt that you request. As it is, however, there are multiple other open threads where you have been requested for comment and either have not replied at all or have not replied beyond an initial notice of investigation.

Again, thank you for taking the time to read and consider the responses from the community and respond to them.

Edit 1: The threads I referenced in that last bit are this one and this one.

Edit 2: Grammar