College of Lake County Federation of Teachers
Political Action Committee
Letter to the Editor
Maureen Starshak
CLC PRESIDENT REFUSES TO ANSWER QUESTION
Not yet published
A few weeks ago the Social Sciences Faculty at the College
of Lake County met with CLC President, Dr. Richard Fonte. The CLC Board of
Trustees requested that these types of meetings occur after concerns were
raised about the president’s leadership. On the recommendation of the
administration, the Board voted last month to increase student tuition by
12.5 %, at our meeting, one of the faculty, concerned with fiscal responsibility
asked the following question:
"Within the last 12 months or so, you have added 18-24 new administrative
positions at CLC. At the same time you have increased the number of outside
consultants: two consulting firms, Pauly Group and Evans Consulting, to promote
two administrative positions; two lobbyists to garner state financial support
for the additional building at the Lakeshore Campus; a consultant to assist
with financial aid issues; a consultant to assist with advisement issues;
a consultant to assist in the creation of an AQIP inventory; a consultant
to assist with increasing student retention; a consultant reviewing outsourcing
of the bookstore, and the constant consultant services for computer and programming
(PeopleSoft) issues.
Would you clarify the need for increases in both of these areas (increase
in administrators and at the same time an increase in outside consultants)?
Why is it none of these consultant services can be done in-house?"
Dr. Fonte's response was, "That is a political question and I will not
respond to political questions." We were stunned as the questions are
clearly about the financial administration of the college. We asked again
and his response was the same. With nothing more to say, he left the room.
If this is the way the CLC Board of Trustees seeks to open communications
between the president and the rest of the college, it’s time for a change.
Vote John W. Lumber and O.H. Michael Smith for the two open seats on the CLC
Board of Trustees on April 17.
Thank You,
Maureen Starshak
CLC Faculty, Political Science
Resident of Waukegan
-dedicated to improving the educational experiences
of the citizens of Lake County
CLCFT-PAC