An NIU graduate assistant has joined a physical education faculty member in protesting the instructor’s possible dismissal May 10.

Carlos Silvestre, a P.E. graduate assistant, began collecting signatures on a petition March 11 to object to the dismissal of Yoshiaki Takei, an assistant professor of biomechanics.

Silvestre said he collected about 210 signatures for the petition in a day and a half. He said about 80 percent of the students in the physical education department are opposed to Takei’s dismissal.

Takei said he was hired three years ago on long-term tenure, which he believed would give him seven years to establish a record of faculty research.

He said he was told of his dismissal in April 1987 by Nadine Zimmerman, acting P.E. department chairwoman, who said Takei’s progress was “not satisfactory.”

Takei said he is appealing his dismissal to the University Council Personnel Committee.

He sent a statement to NIU Provost Kendall Baker Monday asking to appear before the committee.

“I don’t feel I have been fairly treated,” Takei said. “If I were not standing on strong ground (being supported by students), I would not consider appealling the decision.”

Takei said if he is dismissed he will seek legal help and begin a higher appeal.

“I am trying to do this in the proper manner without violating university regulations,” he said.

“I am glad to know students are supporting me,” Takei said.

Silvestre sent letters protesting Takei’s discharge to several NIU administrators, including NIU President John LaTourette, Baker, College of Education Dean Charles Stegman and P.E. department Chairman Jerry Ball.

Silvestre said Stegman gave him two reasons for Takei’s dismissal.

“I was told Takei had not completed a certain amount of research projects on time,” Silvestre said.

Silvestre called this “discrimination,” and he said it is unreasonable for NIU to expect Takei to perform with the damaged equipment in the biomechanics laboratory.

A high-speed camera and a digitizer in the biomechanics laboratory are broken, Silvestre said.

He stated in the letter to administrators that equipment has “been broken since last August, making the laboratory not fully functional to conduct faculty research and master thesis projects.”

Silvestre said the second reason given for Takei’s dismissal was the instructor’s failure to motivate students.

He said students are upset about Takei’s dismissal, so they obviously approve of his teaching methods.

“It seems that good, high-quality instructors are being dismissed for no reason.

“This will affect the quality of instruction students receive at the university,” Silvestre said.

“There is no clear explanation for this decision,” he said.

“I don’t understand why Dr. Takei is being dismissed,” Silvestre said.

Ball said he is unable to discuss Takei’s dismissal because it involves university personnel.

Takei said Silvestre has observed his instruction and assisted in teaching P.E. classes.