Why should I care
about what is happening at College of DuPage?
Background
➤
College of DuPage (COD) is a major economic engine in
DuPage County, both in terms of the number of people
employed there and the number of students prepared for
employment. It is a local treasure that offers
opportunities to residents of District 502: Associate
Degrees in everything from auto mechanics to
philosophy, special certificate training, nursing
program, youth education, Older Adult Institute,
Continuing Education, GED prep, English classes, Career
Service Center, McAninch Arts Center entertainment,
Suburban Law Enforcement Academy, WDCB radio station,
and a community fitness center.
➤ The largest source of revenue for COD is
property taxes of about $70,000,000, which fund about
half of the budget.
Actions by COD Board of Trustees
➤The
forced resignation of President Sunil Chand last May
captured the public’s attention.
➤
Taxpayers are now paying the salaries of two Presidents
for over a year and paying a former Interim President a
consulting contract, which cost taxpayers over
$600,000.
➤ The
board did not include faculty, administration,
community members or students in choosing the finalist
for president as has been done in the past and
recommended by the governing body that gives
accreditation to community colleges.
➤The
Board responded to DuPage United concerns about shared
governance by appointing an advisory board, which had
no binding authority or vote in the selection process,
and those on the advisory board were sworn to secrecy –
they were not even allowed to say if they felt it was a
fair process.
➤
Trustee Atkinson filed complaints against 6 of the
candidates running for COD Trustee in April. Mr.
Atkinson has business connections with the Chairman of
the Board, Michael McKinnon, who also chaired one of
two electoral boards that decided if those candidates
could remain on the ballot even though he too was a
candidate. Vice-Chair Mark Nowak, who was also running,
chaired the other electoral board.
➤ Again
without any input from the key stakeholders, one
Trustee submitted an entire rewrite of the Board policy
manual. The new President then edited the Board's
version twice, with the following impacts:
- Variable tuition. COD will charge more for
courses that have high demand or are expensive to
support. This could discourage people from entering
the medical field, among other fields, which are
critical for the community.
• Complete control over outside speakers will rest in the hands of the President.
• Procedures to implement the policies are not included in the new manual.
• Gives the president more authority
➤ Additional changes made by the new president:
Increase tuition across the board at double the rate from last year.
Double tuition for the nursing and dental hygienist programs
Proposal to change the school colors, which would be a significant financial cost to the school.
Disbanded the Business Professional Institute (worked with business to establish needed training) and the Health Council (identified hospitals to partner with COD to provide needed resources for the nursing program)
Action taken by DuPage United:
➤ Research the issues listed above
➤ Organized teams of leaders to attend key Board of Trustee meeting to speak out
➤Established allies among faculty, student, administration and business community
➤ Educated 1000s of people about the Board of Trustees actions
➤ Held an Assembly with over 250 people from 28 different congregations, associations, and agencies to meet with Board of Trustee Candidates
➤ Led a get out the vote effort to inform voters of the issues and increase voter turnout
➤ Met with 4 new board members and the new chairperson to discuss issues and concerns presented at the Assembly
➤ Leaders spoke out at the board meeting to remind new members of our concerns and requests.
➤ DuPage United is continuing to work with the new Board of Trustees and President to assure that COD play a more central role in job training during this economic crisis as well as make sure COD is affordable and accessible to all the residents of this district.
➤ DuPage United does not support or endorse candidates, however, the candidates that attended the assembly made specific commitment to DuPage United and now DU leaders are working to hold them accountable to their promises.
Results from Actions:
➤ Significantly increased awareness of the above stated issues
➤ Increased the number of informed voters, which led to a shift in the make up of the Board of Trustees
➤ Improve and increased relationships with administration, faculty, students and community leaders.