Comment: I have had a long association with the College of Lake County and continue to believe I bring a fair and pragmatic approach to the position of CLC Trustee. As a graduate of CLC, an adjunct faculty member, and as a 10-year plus trustee I bring a unique perspective to the decision making process. My leadership skills as former Chairman of the Board were recognized by CLC’s Union and Faculty Leaders during a previous presidential administration. I was recognized as bringing a bridge of communication and problem solving between the Board, the administration, and the college community during a difficult presidential administration.
In addition, my experiences as a community activist, business leader, and educator have helped prepare me for this position. As a trustee, I have always tried to make the best possible decisions with the interest of our students, faculty, and the greater college community in mind.
I have deep admiration for the College of Lake County and want to continue to implement our goals of creating an environment of learning, and access for our students, and being as accountable and responsible as possible to ensure our success. My number one goal is to continue making the College of Lake County the best community college in the state, if not the nation.
Do you support these issues as proposed by the ICCTA?
X Yes No
Further Comment: Local government control and the ethics act, opposing reductions in state support for community colleges, and the creation of a state-funded capital construction program are all issues that I support.
Do you support this role as outlined by the ICCTA?
X Yes No
Further Comment: I agree with the role of community college boards as outlined in the above noted handbook. In addition, community college boards are responsible for setting general policies as representatives of the community and should not become involved with the day to day operations of the college. Trustees have a responsibility to stay informed and educated about the complexity of the issues that the college is facing. Well-informed trustees do their homework and must come to the board meeting as prepared as possible. As a trustee we serve the community at large and must make decisions based on factual information that benefits as many of the colleges stakeholders as we can.
If you are elected, will you vote to increase the CLC Board’s accessibility by having the college maintain college email address for each of the CLC Board of Trustees?
X Yes No
Further Comment: williammgriffin@comcast.net
If you are elected, will you vote to require CLC Board members remit itemized receipts in order to be reimbursed for meeting and travel expenses?
X Yes No
Further Comment: I have advocated for this issue to be included as policy for CLC Trustees and continue to believe it is the right thing to do.
If you are elected, will you vote to approve the public release of an annual spreadsheet of the CLC Board’s meeting and travel expenses?
X Yes No
Further Comment: Accountability for the spending of taxpayer’s dollars should be as transparent as possible. Yes, I support the annual preparation of all trustees’ expenses.
CLCFT-PAC is opposed to such decisions being made without public debate, open discussion among Board Members, and a formal vote. In general, CLCFT-PAC supports full transparency of CLC Board debate whenever possible (excluding personnel issues).
If you are elected, will you seek to make the actions discussed and voted on by the CLC Board of Trustees transparent by calling for their discussion/vote in open session whenever possible?
X Yes No
Further Comment: Personnel and discussion of possible real estate acquisitions should be the only items excluded.
CLCFT-PAC is opposed to the CLC Board creating this position without following institutional procedures and argues the only way to monitor such action is through the use of public debate and the call for a public vote. In general, CLCFT-PAC supports full transparency of CLC Board debate whenever possible (excluding personnel issues).
If you are elected, will you seek to make the actions discussed and voted on by the CLC Board of Trustees transparent by calling for their discussion/vote in open session whenever possible?
X Yes No
Further Comment: Possible real estate acquisitions should also be excluded.
CLCFT-PAC opposes increases in student tuition over the last several years and seeks a candidate who is fiscally responsible and will not increase costs unnecessarily. More specifically, we seek a candidate who will not pledge funds to the hire of a position that was not created through the use of institutional procedures and support.
If you are elected, will you seek to eliminate unnecessary costs by refusing to hire positions that are not supported by a need-based analysis?
X Yes No
Further Comment: The College of Lake County, and all other institutions of higher education, face difficult financial decisions now and into the future. Without a compelling case additional personnel should not be hired unless it passes a cost/benefit analysis.
In November of 2008, their contract was again extended another year (for $60,000), through 2009. During Board deliberations it was presented that at least one of the firms was registered as a lobbyists in Washington D.C. When CLCFT-PAC researched this claim we found it to be false, yet the CLC Board did not choose to revisit their decision; the college continues to write a monthly check to these lobbying firms.
CLCFT-PAC is concerned about the cost of lobbying firms who provide inaccurate data and make misleading statements.
If you are elected, will you demand due diligence and accountability from those hired by the CLC Board of Trustees?
X Yes No
Further Comment: I do not support the College of Lake County hiring lobbyists now or in the future. The role of College of Lake County Trustees and specific CLC employees can and should include advocating with our elected officials for specific needs of the college both at a state and federal level.
CLCFT-PAC is concerned about increases in student tuition over the last several years and seeks a candidate who is fiscally responsible and will not increase costs unnecessarily. More specifically, we seek a candidate who will not expend funds on lobbyists without a clear cost-benefit analysis provided to the public.
If you are elected, will you seek to eliminate unnecessary costs by refusing to hire lobbyists if a cost-benefit analysis provided to the public does not justify the lobbyists’ work?
X Yes No
Further Comment: See previous response.