Give public a voice in COD leadership
DuPage United, an organization of churches, mosques, synagogues, and nonprofits that work together for the common good, is concerned about how the COD board of trustees is conducting business. We have questions regarding why Dr. Chand stepped down (as college president) and why the selection process for his replacement has been put in the hands of just three board members, giving the public no role in determining who will run one of the most important tax-supported institutions in DuPage. On July 24, DuPage United made two recommendations to the COD board:
1. To select the last president, an inclusive committee of faculty, students, employees, and community leaders was appointed to review all applicants. That committee chose and interviewed ten candidates, selected four finalists and then hosted open meetings for the entire community to meet the final four, ask questions and submit an evaluation form for the board to consider before hiring one of the finalists. Even if the current board is not willing for the whole process to be as community-centered as last time, at the very least we recommend that once the finalists are selected, the board then host open meetings for community members to meet those candidates, ask questions and submit an evaluation form for the board.
2. We also recommend that the board be very clear on the responsibilities and authority of the new president, and also impose strict boundaries on its own day-to-day role at COD, so that applicants and the public can be assured that checks and balances are in place.
These two actions, allowing for additional public input in the selection process and clearly defining the separate roles of the new president and the board of trustees, would help restore public confidence and give COD a better chance to attract quality candidates.
Debbie Fulks
Faith Lutheran Church, Glen Ellyn
Mary Ellen Durbin
People's Resource Center Wheaton
Mary Hason
Congregation Etz Chaim
Lombard
John Bagley, St. Thomas the Apostle, Naperville
John Hazard, St. Joseph Church, Downers Grove
Ahmed Qadeer, Islamic Center of Naperville
DuPage United Steering Team