Kim Savage: Candidate Profile

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Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioQA Bio City: DarienWebsite: www.kimsavage.orgOffice sought: College Of DuPage School Board Age: 59Family: Son,Nicholas SavageOccupation: Higher Education ConsultantEducation: MEd, College Student Services Administration and Business Administration, Oregon State University, 1980 BA, Mathematics, North Central College, 1977Civic involvement: Commissioner, Illinois Student Assistance Commission, 2012-presentElected offices held: Trustee, College of DuPage, 2009-present Commissioner, Illinois Student Assistance Commission, 2012-presentQuestions Answers What can the board do to help improve the relationship between the administration and its employees, including full-time faculty members?The relationship between the administration and employees is of utmost importance in ensuring a welcoming learning environment. The tone from the top carries throughout the institution and impacts on students, faculty, and staff. It is vital that the board works to encourage adoption of a positive climate that fosters collaboration and creativity. The PACE survey that was administered last year to faculty and staff identified problem areas that exist between the administration and the full-time faculty members. The president has begun to work toward addressing the factors that were rated "coercive" by the faculty. The board expects to see improvement in this relationship. The board has a great opportunity to work with the college's constituency groups to redefine the dimensions that characterize the relationship between the administration and the employees during the transition period that has begun. Recruitment of a new leader who fits the college's personality and can work collaboratively to shape the programmatic needs of the community is essential. The board must set clear expectations for the president and follow through to make certain the constituency groups are included and heard.Are you currently employed by or retired from a school district, if so, which one? Is any member of your direct family - spouse, child or child-in-law - employed by the school district where you are seeking a school board seat?I am retired from UIC and am currently an independent consultant in assessment and strategic planning. I am not employed by any school district, including College of DuPage, nor is any member of my family.With enrollment up, what should COD be doing as far as available classroom/lab space, staffing and course work options to keep pace with the growth?COD is no longer an afterthought as prospective students consider post-secondary education. In fact, 83 percent of students surveyed this year indicated that it was their first or second choice. The investment in development of academic programs and cutting-edge facilities contributes to enrollment growth that counters state and national trends downward. Careful examination of educational trends and workforce needs must be employed to meet the community's needs for academic programs and facilities. Over the past 6 years, 70 new degree and certificate programs have been introduced at the college, including several 3 + 1 programs. These programs, combined with the statewide goal to increase the number of adults with post-secondary credentials by 2020, offer additional opportunities for enrollment growth, despite an expected decrease in the traditional aged students. Since the college is currently cramped for space during peak periods and the board has earmarked dollars in the fund balance for a Teaching and Learning Center, construction of the facility should be pursued. The new building will alleviate current space constraints and will allow for some flexibility for program expansion. Staffing must be planned to expand or contract with enrollment to adequately maintain academic excellence.The board recently agreed to keep the college's operating property tax levy flat for this year. Is the college reaching a point where a tax levy increase is needed? If yes, how do you justify it? If no, why do you believe that?Tax levies and tuition increases should always be as conservative as possible without jeopardizing academic excellence. I proudly voted against a tuition increase on February 20, 2014 and made the motion to decrease tuition further than the president's recommendation on August 21, 2014. At this time, it is premature to determine whether a tax levy increase will be needed during the next year. Several factors that may impact the college's finances are looming in the distance and unknown at this point. These include state funding for the base operating grant and a possible shift of the pension obligation from the state to the college. If state funding is further reduced, or the pension obligation must be absorbed, administration may need to recommend a levy increase. If there is no resulting change, it may be possible to forego a tax levy for another year.According to a recent Daily Herald report, COD board members approved more than $26 million in spending over a 16-month period without seeing what they were specifically paying for. That's because of a long-standing board policy that allows administrators to pay bills of less than $15,000 without providing itemized reports. Should that policy be changed? Why or why not?The college currently posts these expenses online and should continue to do so. No change in policy is needed to continue this practice. Board members have always had the opportunity to review these items upon request.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?A college is a complex organization; it is not a political football. Trustees should be engaged with and have demonstrated significant interest in the college. As ambassadors for the college, they must be able to establish and maintain relationships with community members. They must also be able to articulate the needs of the college to legislators, as well as the community at-large. From funding to staffing to program delivery, higher education will continue to face significant changes over the next decade. The trustees, administration, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community must collaborate to ensure that the college offers affordability, accessibility, excellence, and value.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Malala Yousefzai, the 17 year-old winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. She lives her values.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Don't do anything you will regret tomorrow.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I am proud of the direction my life has taken, so I do not think I would like a do-over.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Band was my favorite. It taught me how to work hard with others to achieve a goal and to appreciate music.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Follow your passion.