Daniel Malloy: 2021 candidate for College of DuPage board

Bio

Village: La Grange

Age: 33

Occupation: Realtor, Baird & Warner La Grange

Civic involvement: Board member La Grange Area Historical Society; Founder/President Waiola Elevates Nonprofit

Q&A

Q. Why are you running for this office, whether for reelection or election the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you, and if so, what is it?

A. I am running for office because I believe our ability to gain knowledge is a right not a privilege. I am 33 years old and do not have children yet. I constantly think about what the future will bring when I have my first child. Leaving my child with crippling, lifelong student debt before they enter their career worries me every day. Community college should not be run like a business where students are seen as commodities instead of potential. Community college should be just that, a community. A community where we all strive to harness our potential: creating success not just for a single student, but for our society as a whole.

Q. How would you grade the current school board on its response to the pandemic? Why?

A. As a member of the community, I believe the board has kept the students and faculty safe. My understanding is in March when shutdowns and quarantines went into place, the board followed the correct steps to ensure students could continue to learn safely online. From an outsider's perspective, they have followed the governor's orders and continue to offer hybrid and online learning.

Q. Did your district continue to adequately serve students during the disruptions caused by the pandemic? If so, please cite an example of how it successfully adjusted to continue providing services. If not, please cite a specific example of what could have been done better.

A. The college has done a great job with getting students switched to online learning. With the CARES Act money the college received, more computers were purchased to help those students who did not have access to one. Hybrid classes are currently happening at the college with a small amount of students participating on campus. However, the campus extensions in Westmont, Naperville, Addison, Carol Stream, and Lisle are not currently being utilized at full capacity. When elected, I would propose that they all be used to continue with hybrid learning effective immediately. They should be converted to satellite campuses during this time to help better serve students.

Q. Do you have a plan on how to safely and effectively conduct classes in the spring? What have you learned from the fall semester that you would change in the spring?

A. With the spring semester in full effect, the board and administration have done a good job in keeping students safe while learning. COD has been following the governor's orders on gatherings and PPE protections. With the purchase of computers to help with online learning, students need to be made aware they can access these at the library on campus. By prioritizing receiving the vaccine for students, faculty, and administration, it will help return more classes to campus in the fall. All precautions should remain in place with masks, hand sanitizer and social distancing in the event more classes can return during the fall semester.

Q. 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 results in an educational benefit?

A. As a board member, I will advocate for every constituent in District 502. I will serve every member of the community whose tax dollars go toward supporting COD. Community colleges should be a resource for everyone at every time in their lives. They do not exist to serve only high school students immediately after graduation. They serve the student who wanted to take a year or two off after high-school and travel. They serve the student who stayed home to take care of a family member. They serve the student who was laid off from work or lost their job due to COVID-19 and is looking to start a new career. They serve the 70-year old retiree who seeks new knowledge and community. No matter what path you're on in life, community colleges offer quality and affordable education. When elected, I will ensure the time that students spend at College of DuPage is beneficial to their overall development and path toward a career. All of their courses should transfer to every public four year college or university in the entire country.

Q. From the college's point of view, what budget issues will your district have to confront and what measures do you support to address them? If you believe cuts are necessary, what programs and expenses should be reduced or eliminated? On the income side, do you support any tax or fee increases?

A. With the Fair Tax Amendment failing to pass this past election cycle, the governor has begun cuts across the state budget. College of DuPage has strong reserves along with a community in full support of its mission. With a smaller portion of COD's revenue coming from the state, the college will continue to remain fiscally responsible. Programs and academics are the faculty and administration's responsibility. Creating new programs can create new avenues of revenue for the college and community. The board should stay fiscally responsible while safeguarding the public's interest in the college.