Dear Editor,
DuPage United, an organization of churches, mosques,
synagogues, and non-profits that work together for the
common good, is concerned about how the COD Board of
Trustees is conducting business.
We have questions regarding why Dr. Chand stepped down and
why the selection process for his replacement has been put
in the hands of just three board members, giving the public
no role in determining who will run one of the most
important tax-supported institutions in DuPage.
On July 24, 2008 DuPage United made two recommendations to
the COD Board:
1.To select the last president, an inclusive committee of
faculty, students, employees, and community leaders was
appointed to review all applicants. That committee chose
and interviewed ten candidates, selected four finalists,
and then hosted open meetings for the entire community to
meet the final four, ask questions, and submit an
evaluation form for the board to consider before hiring one
of the finalists.
Even if the current board is not willing for the whole
process to be as community-centered as last time, at the
very least we recommend that once the finalists are
selected, the board then host open meetings for community
members to meet those candidates, ask questions, and submit
an evaluation form for the board to consider.
2. We also recommend that the Board be very clear on the
responsibilities and authority of the new President, and
also impose strict boundaries on its own day-to-day role at
COD, so that applicants and the public can be assured that
that checks and balances are in place.
These two actions, allowing for additional public input in
the selection process, and clearly defining the separate
roles of the new president and the Board of Trustees, would
help restore public confidence and give COD a better chance
to attract quality candidates.
For the DuPage United Steering Team:
Debbie Fulks, Faith Lutheran Church, Glen Ellyn
Mary Ellen Durbin, People’s Resource Center, Wheaton
Mary Hason, Congregation Etz Chaim, Lombard
John Bagley, St. Thomas the Apostle, Naperville
John Hazard, St. Joseph Church, Downers Grove
Ahmed Qadeer, Islamic Center of Naperville