2008 Woodie Awards
Carole Hayashino
Issue date: 10/17/03 Section: COM Trustee Candidate Statements
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The College of Marin is at a crossroads. The state's recent budget crisis has threatened access to college for nearly 3 million Californians who enroll in one of 108 community colleges. I am running to improve and support a fiscally-sound educational institution that provides (1) access to students who wish to pursue a college education, (2) opportunities for working people who seek training and professional development, and (3) life-long learning opportunities for Marin residents.
The next College Board will be making critical long-term decisions-the hiring of a new College president, the new academic partnership between San Francisco State and the College of Marin, and the planning for a bond campaign to rebuild dozens of deteriorating buildings and aging facilities at the Kentfield and Indian Valley campuses.
These challenges demand strong leadership.
As a college educator at San Francisco State University, I have worked tirelessly to ensure that all students have the opportunity to pursue a college education in a positive learning environment. I offer my experience as a college teacher, as an administrator in the California State University system, and as a political advocate to support access and to improve quality of public education at the College of Marin.
2) What do you intend to do about the deadlock between the Board of Trustees and the Academic Senate?
The Board of Trustees needs to rebuild trust with the faculty and staff. As board members, we have a responsibility to create an environment for students to learn and for teachers to teach. The Board needs to work in partnership with the campus community to ensure that the adopted policies uphold the integrity of the college's mission. The Board should work in partnership with administrators and the Academic Senate as part of a leadership team to support a common mission and vision for the College of Marin.
3) What are your thoughts on the "no confidence" vote as to President Middleton and the resulting search for a new president?
The faculty's dissatisfaction and the loss of confidence in the past president did not occur overnight. The faculty had expressed concerns over the president's direction for the College and his budget priorities. The College of Marin Board of Trustees must share responsibility for failed leadership and creating what the Marin Independent Journal describes as a "campus in turmoil."