Earlier today, first at Saddleback College and then at IVC, the SOCCCD BOT held a "Trustee Listening Session."
I was unable to attend any of these sessions, but I have heard reports of IVC's meeting. Evidently, many faculty and classified spoke and had much criticism of college administration/managers to offer.
More tomorrow.
14 comments:
Saddleback's Listening session was quite frank without finger pointing: topics included additional FT faculty, Calendar Issues, Nursing start dates and a request to offer a BS degree, issues concerning Veterans, on-line programs.
IVC's was standing room only and could have probably gone on for another hour. Nancy said it was the "best session ever." People were blunt = but not everything was covered still. I was was pleased to see people speak up, especially classified. I thought it was funny how the trustees acknowledged the "school boy pissing contest" between the two college presidents - though why they put up with any of it, i don't know.
As usual, classified were willing to speak up about issues, but only a few (where are all those brave, tenured faculty who write so eloquently here about problems on campus?) faculty aired concerns. it could have gone another hour for sure. Seriously, it that the best room we can offer on campus for an open discussion....what would have been done if 20-25 more people showed up?
They seemed to be listening - though I was shocked at what they did not seem to know despite their good intentions, especially about hiring.
Full-time to part - time ratios both faculty and classified, review of administrators from staff, safety video cameras in common areas, respect, budget allocation model, college service areas, bonds, we're some of the subjects at IVC. Many people did thank the Board for the opportunity to speak and said they cared about the students and loved working at IVC.
The glacial pace of committee process and structure was also addressed. And yes, the childish behavior of both college presidents was acknowledged in public (!). And the money pit that is ATEP was at least admitted ("sordid history" indeed.) ATEP - a monument to Raghu's lack of vision.
Yes, the room was problematic. Perhaps they were not counting on a successful turn-out? Part of me wished it had been set not only in a bigger space but one that is more like where I teach most of the time - dirty and charmless with poor air quality. Maybe next time.
I am feeling optimistic that they heard us, especially about poor treatment and poor leadership.
I think the point was well made that the traditional allocation of resources - 2/3rd to Saddleback, 1/3 to IVC - needed to be adjusted for growth and reality. They seemed to be listening.
I wish I could have attended but I teach at that time. I hear there was a pad of paper that they passed around for people to write out their concerns. Perhaps those of us who could not attend could forward our concerns to the trustees in some manner?
Is that really YOU Roy? I didn't see you there. It doesn't sound like you either.
Posted on behalf of a colleague:
Yesterday’s forum brought back to me the Golden Days at IVC, days when dissent was not only tolerated, but prized. The atmosphere of trust, respect, and intellectual inquiry that characterized the session was a refreshing change from the painstaking silence that has characterized previous forums. I was honored to be in the room.
I hope the Trustees know how much it means to us to be able to speak honestly; how much we love our college; how hard we work to make things go here, despite the difficulties we face; and how much we appreciate their support, their time, and their obvious involvement in the discussion.
You might want to change "painstaking" to "painful." Or another adjective of your choice.
No, I wasn't there. I posted the comment on behalf of a colleague (see 6:13)
I started at IVC after the Golden Days. Yesterdays meeting was the best in my 16 year Career. Who idea was it to do these meetings without administrators/fear? More please with the same atmosphere.
I tried to post a comment yesterday but could not make it past the "type in this code - prove you're not a robot" obstacle. Can that be adjusted? Even today, difficult. And I am NOT a robot.
Anyway, good meeting. It makes me realize that the board mainly hears was the college president chooses to present - and that goes for the good stuff too. There are some accomplishments that occur that Glen would never take to the board because he doesn't like those people or appreciate their programs. So the board gets a limited view of IVC.
The Saddleback president praises most everyone. Glen does not.
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