Endorsed by: Malibu Democratic Club, Santa Monica Police Officers Assoc., Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, National Women Political Caucus, Entire Malibu City Council, Individuals ranging from local politicians to SMC and Santa Monica-Malibu School Board members.
Question #1: In 100 words or less, what about your background makes you a qualified Santa Monica College Trustee? I am a product of the California community college. I am an alumnus of SMC and both of my children graduated from SMC. My professional career has been as a tenure faculty member, former Dean and the current SMC Board President. I also serve as a member of the Board of Governors for all California community colleges. As you can see, I have an extensive background of what it takes for a community college to be successful for all students. Most importantly, I am the first and only Latina member of the SMC board.
Question #2: In 300 words or less, do you agree with the way the SMC administration dealt with last year’s budget shortfall (i.e., the elimination of several academic programs)? What would you have done differently? Is it wise for the college and students to bring back those programs? Yes, I do agree with the way the Board and the administration dealt with the budgetary shortfall. As a member of the Board, I was forced to do the reduction because the state of California cut our budget by 25 percent. It was very painful to make these cuts, however, it is my responsibility to balance the SMC budget. There were many, many hard choices! We explored a vast number of options, and I had to think of the college as a whole and not as small parts. However, today is a new day.
The college has restored all the cut courses, restored its college reserves to 6 percent (3 percent is required by law) and we are exploring the options of restoring the vocational programs that were cut. It will be a long process. However, I am committed to develop programs that are needed for students and the workforce. Student access to higher education, especially through the community college, is essential to the California economy and our future. Therefore, we must be committed to bring back courses and programs that are needed for all students’ success and access. No one should be denied an education.
As a Board, it was our responsibility to be fiscally sound and responsible.
Question #3: In 300 words or less, why do you think the city of Santa Monica and SMC have had a strained relationship for years? How would you bridge that gap? I believe that the strained relationship is due to communication. There is a great need for better communication. However, there can be common ground, the first being that there is a need for a united commitment to all Santa Monica College students and the college as a whole. Our students are a reflection of the cities of Santa Monica and Malibu. The state and the nation looks at the quality of our students, and give credit to the commitment of the residents for contributing to the higher education of our students. I believe this a high honor for our cities. A strong bridge (puente) is built on trust and a commitment for the college and our cities. We must put aside personal issues that don’t fulfill our value of higher education. However, since I have been on the Board, I have seen the improvement of communication between the city staff and college staff and some members of the Santa Monica City Council and SMC Board members (i.e. — acquiring redevelopment funds for the college and communication of future partnerships between the city and college).
Question #4: In 300 words or less, there have been tensions between faculty and college administrators in recent years. Why do you think the faculty is upset and what’s the first step toward addressing their concerns? What I have learned in the past four years is that everyone has a sense of what the “truth” is. The SMC on-campus community and our president, Dr. Piedad Robertson, have a strong sense of commitment to the college. However, in every community, there are always differences of opinions of how this commitment should be evident. I believe that everyone has his or her own “truth,” and based on that I have a strong faith that our on-campus community will reevaluate its’ commitment to the college and work for the greater good. The faculty, administration, staff and students are currently developing a process to review the shared governance of the college and I have full trust that they will be successful. This committee is in its beginning stages and I hold great hope that it will be respectful, committed and thoughtful of the success of the college.
Our college will always be successful as long as our number-one priority is students.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 27, 2004. Read the original PDF.