2008 Woodie Awards
Forums allow faculty, staff to hear plans of five VP hopefuls
By Julie Ann Sanchez
Last update: 5/17/06 at 8:20 AM CST
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Five executive vice presidential candidates toured and interviewed at this campus with administration, staff and students attending a forum to ask the candidates questions topical to their visit.
The forums had a strong showing of faculty and staff with many of the questions regarding issues such as the future of community colleges, budget issues plaguing venues of higher education, developmental education and student interests at the community college level.
Faculty, staff and students attending the forums were given a questionnaire that asks for the perceived strengths, weaknesses and grading on a scale of 1 to 10 how well the candidate would act as executive vice president of this college.
English Chair Alex Bernal, also a member of the selection committee, said the form helps the committee get a different perspective on the candidates.
Bernal said after each candidate has visited, the committee will gather and begin to choose a new vice president for this college.
Though forums have showed a strong presence from faculty, staff and administration, only one student attended the forum March 23.
At the forum for Dr. Kristine Ford, emphasized the importance of community colleges in higher education.
When asked about the future of community colleges Ford said one of the major challenges facing this college was rapid growth and how to keep up with the increasing flux of students.
"The challenge is expectation to change quickly and grow for the community. We need to figure out ways to manage growth," Ford said.
She also said this college also must "grapple with changing fiscal environment" and keeping up with technology.
One the recurring issues at the forum was discussion of developmental education.
Each candidate emphasized the importance of remedial classes and the service community colleges are providing in those courses.
Candidate Michael Looney said underprepared students are one of the challenges facing community colleges but pointed out that enrichment plans such as the Murguia Learning Institute were good venues to better prepare students for four-year universities.
"Good developmental educators need to be handpicked. If you don't identify the right people, you're not going to get the results," Looney said.
Dr. Mary Ann Grams said students coming into community colleges are coming at all levels.
"There is a disconnect between high school and college curriculum," Grams said.
Grams also advocated the college should start reaching out to students at a young age to boost the college's graduation rate. Grams added partnerships with area school districts could be avenues to better prepare students for college.
"We've got to start very young," Grams said.
Betty Lee Birdsall, director of academic development and basic skills enrichment, attended all the forums and said she was able to get a better sense of personality from each candidate.
Birdsall said she did have a favorite candidate but would support President Robert Zeigler's choice.
"The new vice president should understand the San Antonio community and the hopes and goals of students at SAC," Birdsall said.
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