2008 Woodie Awards
Jim Geraghty
Issue date: 10/17/03 Section: COM Trustee Candidate Statements
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It is time for change. I'm a candidate for the Marin Community College District board of trustees because I can effectively lead the college back on track to serving the community, respecting employees, and moving our collective vision into action. I want to give back to an institution and community that gave to me.
Input and advisories to the present board and past president from shared governance committees were not taken seriously or considered for their merit. The result was a dangerous downward spiral resulting in our present state of affairs. We, as a community, deserve better than that.
The recent turmoil at the college: "no-confidence" vote, president's resignation, devastating budget cuts, continued internal distractions for staff, and threats of layoffs serve to demonstrate a lack of leadership. The inability of current leadership to build institutional unity, vision and common ground speaks volumes for the need of change. That change can only come from inclusive and transparent decision-making processes and a board that supports and understands the dynamics of a complex institution.
I'm very concerned about our Shared Governance system. The system is the key to mobilizing the college community. Decisions are being made behind closed doors without input from the Classified Senate, Academic Senate, and Student Senate, and this is not right. The best decisions are made with input from people on the front lines, combined with data and a macro-view of our mission.
Unfortunately shortsightedness, special interest agendas, and disrespect for shared governance have created an atmosphere of animosity and polarization of the very factions that need to be working together. I'm running for the board to bring us all back to the table to work through our differences. It's time we choose a path that will rebuild the prestige of College of Marin.
2) What do you intend to do about the deadlock between the Board of Trustees and the Academic Senate?
As a trustee, I would persuade the Board and president to immediately convene and empower the shared governance system we have in place. Once reconvened, we need to educate ourselves to the value of shared governance and strengthen the ability of our college community to participate in decision making. The deadlock is caused by lack of respect towards our shared governance system and a hierarchical outdated management system that doesn't respect input from our talented staff and students.