Ousted COD president invited back for recognition

Former College of DuPage President Sunil Chand is returning to the campus.

COD trustees next month are feting the former campus leader, who was ousted in May 2008.

"He was president for five years and deserves to be recognized," said board Chairman Kathy Wessel. "It's what we would normally do for a person who is retiring. There's a proclamation, collage of pictures and a small token retirement gift."

Chand said he was excited to be invited back.

"I am extremely honored," he said. "When you receive something like this, it's very kind and gracious and I responded positively."

Wessel was the lone vote against dismissing Chand, but only two other board members remain seated from the board that ousted Chand. Board Vice Chairman Dave Carlin was one of the board members who did vote for Chand's ousting, but on Wednesday, he lauded Chand.

"Dr. Chand is a terrific man who led COD through our important conversion from quarters to semesters and served the college well," Carlin said. "He did a good job for us when we needed to make that transition."

Chand's departure was clouded in mystery as both sides agreed to keep silent about his dismissal. He butted heads with the old board who perceived Chand as too pro-faculty. Chand also caught flak for an ill-fated proposal to open a Costa Rican branch that was spearheaded by Mike Perez, dean of the continuing education program. Chand received a $275,000 payout when he left. His severance package would have paid him through the end of this year.

Chand arrived at COD in 2003, leaving his job as executive vice president for academic and student affairs at Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland, Ohio.

In March, Benedictine University officials in Lisle announced they had hired Chand to take over the university's higher education doctoral program. Benedictine reimbursed COD nearly $30,000 for Chand's employment.

Chand said the program allows professionals from other industries to earn a doctorate in education administration and transfer their career expertise to the educational arena. The program graduated its first batch of students this year, he said.

"Things happen and you move on," Chand said. "I'm at a wonderful place right now fully engaged in this work, and that's an opportunity that might not have been there otherwise."