By Melody Hanatani
Daily Press Staff Writer

SMMUSD HDQTRS — Candidates vying for four open seats on the Santa Monica College Board of Trustees sounded off this week on how to improve one of the top community colleges in the nation during a candidates forum.

Five of the six candidates voiced their opinions on issues of traffic alleviation and workplace environment during the forum, sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Santa Monica.

This year’s election features just one incumbent — current Chairwoman Nancy Greenstein — among the slate of candidates.

The College Board was just one of three locally-televised forums the league hosted on Tuesday, in addition to the Board of Education and Rent Control Board. The league held the forum to educate the public on local candidates and issues with four weeks remaining before the Nov. 7 election.

Candidates were all asked the same questions for the first three rounds. The league received and selected questions prior to the forum.

One question asked the candidates how they would promote a good relationship between professors and the administration, something that has been lacking amid a protracted contract negotiation that was finally settled this week following two years of talks.

The Board of Trustees ratified a three-year contract with the Santa Monica College Faculty Association on Monday. One of the biggest sticking points during those two years was pay raises.

Tom Donner, a SMC college administrator and professor, said fostering a good working relationship between the faculty and administration will be his top priority. Donner suggested the administration ask the Academic Senate to create staff development programs as a show of good will.

Louise Jaffe, a former PTA president, said professors and administrators will need to keep the lines of communication open to maintain a good relationship.

Jaffe said she has a record of “bringing people together” and believes that all the future trustees have the ability to work with the staff to ensure there is no miscommunication.

Another question focused on work-related training programs for SMC students, something the college eliminated approximately four years ago.

Greenstein said she was a new member on the board four years ago when budget cuts forced the school to cut some of its work-training programs. Greenstein said she was the only board member who voted against the measure.

“I feel incredibly strongly today that it was the right vote,” she said. “[We] could’ve cut the budget without eliminating programs.”

Using the Automotive Club as an example, Greenstein said some of the poorest students were impacted by the cuts.

David Finkel, a professor and retired judge, said the board made a serious mistake when it voted to eliminate the programs. Finkel predicts the board will agree next spring to reinstate some of the vocational programs.

With the completion of the new Theatre Arts Building, another question asked what the college could do to alleviate traffic in the neighborhood.

Andrew Walzer, a professor at Los Angeles Community College, suggested implementing a program to encourage students to take public transportation. As an example, he mentioned Los Angeles Community College, which issues free bus passes to students.

“I’d like to see the same thing happen in Santa Monica,” he said.

ANSWERING THE BELL

Candidates were asked questions on an individual basis following the first three rounds, then were permitted to answer one question posed earlier to another candidate. The questions ranged from how the school could better educate students with limitations to whether or not students in the SMC district of Malibu and Santa Monica should receive tuition breaks.

According to Donner, who answered the question concerning physical limitations, the college does currently provide assistance and opportunities to students facing challenges.

Statewide propositions also became an issue when one question asked Greenstein how the school should use additional funding under Proposition 1D, which would bring money to repair school facilities. Greenstein said the money could go towards a new student services center.

Walzer answered a question concerning the relationship between SMC and its neighbors, stating that the administration has a shoddy record of listening to the neighbors and said the school must work to build a good relationship with the residents.

Jaffe answered the question of whether the school should use clean fuel vehicles, expressing that she favors using environmentally friendly buses and hopes it can be achieved through a partnership with an outside party.

The question of why residents in the SMC district do not receive tuition discounts was given to Finkel.

Finkel called the college “a unique institution open to everyone” and said the college cannot deny access to a student based on their residency.

“Our goal should be equity, not drawing distinctions,” he said.

Susanna Kim Bracke, a financial adviser, was the only candidate who did not attend the forum.