Language modifications to the president’s job position profile were at the center of discussion during the Board of Trustees meeting held Jan. 20.The board voted to list five years of experience in senior administrative or leadership as the minimum requirement for applicants, and that instead of offering guaranteed housing assistance, the profile states: “As needed, assistance with relocating will also be addressed.”
The finalized profile was posted to the Academic Search, Inc. website after the meeting and calls for applications and nominations to fill the position of superintendent/president.
According to the document, the appointee is expected to take office in August and a soft deadline of March 24 has been set as the cutoff to receive nominations and applications.
Stanton Hales, the senior consultant in charge of the search for candidates, presented the preliminary profile as compiled by the 15-member screening committee after a recent meeting.
During the board’s discussion, two primary areas of concern were brought to attention: that the applicant or nominee have “three to five years of senior administrative experience” and that the college would provide or assist with “in-district housing” once a president is chosen.
Trustee Jeanette Mann was opposed to setting a minimum of five years for prospective applicants, saying too high a number “limits the field diversity,” and as a result in the final candidates PCC would be less likely to get a woman or a person of color.
Mann also suggested that the minimum be left at three years, as any number higher would not be “welcoming to people who are creative and innovative,” she said. “[This] sends a signal that you are open to different kinds of experience.”
Lyle Engledinger, dean of human resources, had “no objection” to leaving the minimum at five years, which is the cutoff the board ultimately voted in favor of.
A motion to amend the statement regarding the college’s initial offer to provide help for in-district housing for the new president was passed in a 4-3 vote.
“There is a history of sensitivity to this topic about a house and a car,” said Trustee John Martin during the deliberation. “I would err on the side of being cautious.”
Trustee Mann also voted to remove the statement, saying, “I would hate to give a false signal.”
Student Trustee Brian Abadia, who has an advisory vote on the board, argued to keep the housing agreement intact. “It’s a big draw for candidates,” he said.
- EDITORIAL: Apologize about the real problem - April 23, 2014
- STATEMENT: District apologizes to Oscar winning alum - April 21, 2014
- EDITORIAL: The Forgotten Students - March 26, 2014
