Glendale Community College Board candidates' Q&A

No amount of local fundraising can replace the millions of dollars from the state and federal government. Therefore, we must focus our efforts on relationships with politicians in Sacramento and Washington, D.C. The board wants to raise thousands in Glendale, with which I agree. However, with the recession in mind, there will be very little money available locally. We need to raise money from Sacramento and D.C. As a businessman and television executive, I have the credibility to lobby politicians for more funding. When I talk to a member of the California Assembly or Congress, they will know that I am working hard on the behalf of Glendale Community College (and not the phone company or gas company).

What should Glendale Community College do to better meet the growing student demand for classes?

The college must schedule classes in a way that fits the students' work schedules and parking and traffic patterns.

Does the college adequately serve the educational needs of its community? How can it improve?

It needs to reach out to students in every part of Glendale. Not just those who come to the main campus. There should be many classes in south Glendale, and at off-campus locations like community centers, Glendale Unified School District sites and online classes. The college must, as its top priority, fix the traffic and parking problem — students cannot learn if they cannot park and get to class on time.

College employees have raised concerns that the Board of Trustees has a tendency to micromanage. How involved should trustees be in managing and organizing operations at the college?