Even though I am not a current board member at the college, I have been analyzing and reporting the college's affairs to television viewers for the past decade. By reviewing the college's audio recording of board meetings, I agree that micromanaging did take place in 2006 and 2007, when the trustee meetings became four hours long. But they have been about one to two hours long recently. So it is less of a problem. The trustees should set policy, not micromanage. But the college must also understand that it is not micromanaging to insist that the college maintain a 5% reserve and not grant raises in difficult economic times. Raises were approved by the current board in 2008 even though it was clear at the time the economic outlook was bleak for the upcoming two academic years. Each year's increase will cost the college an additional amount of $650,000 per year. At this point, Glendale Community College has one of two options: either pay up, which will in turn worsen the college's financial situation, or declare a fiscal emergency before July.
Glendale Community College Board candidates' Q&A
Faculty have complained that health benefits for adjunct instructors are too low and result in unmanageable insurance premiums. How can the college change this?
There should be fair health benefits for adjunct instructors who teach all their courses at the college. But there's no reason why Glendale Community College should increase health benefits for someone who teaches only one or two classes in Glendale and more classes at other schools like Santa Monica and Pasadena college. We cannot afford to give full-time benefits for people who only work part-time in Glendale. It would not be fair to full-time Glendale employees or the Glendale taxpayers
BIO BOX
Name: Vrej Agajanian
Age: 57
Education: California Certified Professional Engineer
Occupation: television executive, consulting engineer
Family: wife, two children
Anita Quinonez Gabrielian
Glendale Community College is struggling through a time of financial uncertainty. What expertise and perspective will you add to discussion about budget cuts?
