Erin Birt: Candidate Profile

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:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: WheatonWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: College of DuPageAge: Candidate did not respond.Family: Married, one childOccupation: Family Law Attorney and MediatorEducation: B.A. Case Western Reserve University, 2000J.D. DePaul College of Law, 2003Mediation Certificate, College of DuPage, 2004CADC, College of DuPage, in progressCivic involvement: Treasurer and Member of the City of Wheaton's Community Relations Commission, 2007 - presentElected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: Candidate did not respond.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Maintain quality and affordable educationKey Issue 2 Fiscal responsibilityKey Issue 3 Ensure Board and College responds to community needsQuestions Answers With enrollment up at my many community colleges, it can be challenging to keep pace as far as available classroom/lab space, the number of qualified teachers and available course work options. How would you manage that?Maximize the effectiveness of the funds granted through the Referendum passed on November 2, 2010.In tough economic times, many students (and working professionals) turn to a community college for its educational value. How do you ensure that a person's financial sacrifice equates into an educational benefit?It is essential for the College of DuPage to provide a curriculum that is current and addresses the needs of our community. This can be achieved by reviewing and maintaining quality instructors, keeping the student/faculty ratio low, and approving, and questioning when appropriate, a budget that supports the College's mission to provide quality affordable education.Is a tax rate increase needed and, if so, how do you justify it?Not at this time. The College of DuPage Referendum was passed November 2, 2010 to address the need for updated and renovated facilities, increased parking to serve our students, faculty, and visitors, and to provide up to date occupation-specific education and training such as the Homeland Security Education Center.Community colleges provide many services to a diverse population. Is there a service your college should be providing that it is not, or reaching a segment of the population that it is not?More students today are attending community colleges to strengthen their academic skills with plans to transfer to a four year college or university. Improvements to the library, tutoring services, and student counselling are necessary to provide students with a strong foundation for success at a four year college or university.If you are a newcomer, what prompted you to run for the park board? If you're an incumbent, list your accomplishments or key initiatives in which you played a leadership role.I have lived within District 502 for 20 years and I have enjoyed the resources provided by the College of DuPage. As a student at the College of DuPage, I decided to run for a position on the Board of Trustees because there is a need for board members that are concerned with the best interests of the students, taxpayers, and the community.