Chapter 5: Getting Ready

Chapter 5: Getting Ready The General Implementation period and the process of planning a permanent campus took place simultaneously over the two-year period from the summer of 1966 to the summer of 1968. However, for purposes of better clarity the story of each these undertakings will be told separately in this section and the next.

Once the Superintendent/President and Vice President were hired, the implementation work picked up considerably. This section will describe the general implementation activities leading to the start of classes in September, and on through the first academic year. The following activities will be described:            

Board Meeting Locations Developing and Approving the First Full-Year Budget, 1966-67 Replacing a Board Member Hiring Administrators, Staff and Faculty Establishing Locations for the First Year of Classes Creating Curricula and Programs Developing an Athletics Program April 1967 Board Election The Naming of the College, Part 1, 1967 Reaching Out to Students and the Opening of the College The First Year of Classes The Naming of the College, Part 2, 1968

Board Meeting Locations The location for Board meetings was an ongoing concern right from the start.

Except for the second meeting, which was held in the NUSD Board Room, Board meetings were held in the Kennedy High School Library from January through March, 1966. Once the District acquired leased office in space on Thornton Avenue in Newark in April, the meetings began to be conducted there. Lack of space for audience members was a concern. At the August 3, 1966 Board meeting Dr. Epler and Board President Wes Sears discussed advantages and disadvantages of continuing to meet at District offices and asked Trustees to come back with recommendations. Discussions continued at the August 10 meeting.

At the September 21 Board Meeting a motion was made to move the meetings to the NUSD Board Room. The ensuing discussion covered the need for a location convenient to all citizens of the District; the need to maintain an identity as a College District; and convenience and comfort of citizens and Board members (one issue seemed to be the need for a location where smoking was possible). The motion was amended to include the United Auto Workers’ Hall in Warm Springs, if

available. The amendment failed. The motion was amended to limit the designation of the NUSD Board Room “through 1967.” The original motion then passed.

January 11, 1967 Duke reported that the FUSD Board Room, next to the Centerville School, would be available for the District Board use and the Board approved the arrangement.

Board meetings moved to the Serra Center Campus location when the lease was approved in July 1967. A list of all the Board meetings and their locations over the first several years of the District is presented in Appendix 8.

Developing and Approving the First Full-Year Budget, 1966-67 As described above, a preliminary budget for 1966-67 was prepared by the Interim Administrator, Mr. Lloyd Messersmith, working with the County Superintendent of Schools office. The draft budget was submitted on June 22 calling for $1,131,000 and a tax rate of 65 cents, based on an assessed valuation of $174 million – with one cent of tax being equal to $17,400. This was the day after Dr. Epler’s official hiring date. Thus, Dr. Epler was essentially inheriting the budget developed by Mr. Messersmith, the County, and the Board.

The budget received several reviews and revisions during July and after a brief public hearing at the August 3 Board Meeting, it was approved unanimously by the Trustees. The final budget was approved at $1,074,136, reflecting a tax of 62 cents, 57 cents to the general fund and 5 cents to community services. Mr. Nelson Vassallo, Assistant Superintendent, Business Services, Alameda County Schools was in attendance as the final budget was approved. The Argus published a summary of the final budget but a copy of the official final budget document has yet to be found in the college files.

A central point of the debate on the budget was whether or not to include funds for the cost of the site selection process or look to include those costs in a bond measure.

This related to the ongoing debate about whether or not a site should be chosen before a bond was passed. In the end, an undistributed reserved was included in the budget with the intent of it being available for site selection costs. It is also interesting to note that $433,180, or 40%, of the budget was earmarked to continue payments to other districts for students who were given out-of-district attendance permits, as described earlier.

At the May 10, 1967 Board meeting the 1966-67 budget was reviewed and a discussion of the preliminary 1967-68 budget took place. In July 1967 the approval process for 1968-69 budget began. The development and approval of the budget was facilitated by the presence of a Business Manager, as well as other administrators.

Further, with a better idea of actual and potential enrollment a more accurate and justifiable budget was possible.

The total spending program for 1968-69 was set at $1,775,321, representing a 12 per cent boost of $290,000 over the 1967-68 budget, which was for a “freshman-only� class schedule. Most of the total increase was connected with costs from adding a sophomore year of classes.

Replacing a Board Member On June 13, 1966, after six months of service, Board Trustee Rev. Travis Campbell, pastor of St. Paul Methodist Church in Newark, announced he had been transferred

by Bishop Donald H. Tippitt to the Methodist Church in Lemoore California. His term representing Newark was not due to expire until July 1, 1969. At first, Board President Wesley Sears did not support an appointment to fill the spot for the three remaining years, preferring an interim appointment until an election in the coming year. However, Mr. Messersmith found that Education Code required the Board, within a 60 day period, to appoint a replacement for the entire remaining term. The replacement was to come from Newark.

There were subsequently nine applicants for the Board spot: Joan Bordman, June Whiteford, Stuart Carpenter, Gordon Cotton, William Delucchi, Leonard Lucio, Robert Plowright, Dean Sybrant and Rev. John Wilson. On August 11 Rev. John Wilson, pastor of the Newark Presbyterian Church was appointed by the Board with a term to expire on June 30, 1969. Rev. Wilson took the oath of office at the September 7 Board meeting.

Hiring Administrators, Staff and Faculty After Dr. Epler and Dr. Duke were in their positions, the recruitment and hiring of staff and faculty began in earnest.

The hiring activity caught the attention of two community members, Earle W. Nordstrom and James Bray, and at the July 13, 1966 Board meeting they questioned the hiring practices underway. Dr. Epler explained that following authorization to employ personnel, the staff of the College would solicit applications through appropriate agencies and other media. He explained further that the Superintendent, with the assistance of appropriate members of the college staff, would screen applications and candidates, and recommend individuals to the Board for employment. In the case of the top administrative positions in the District, the Superintendent would recommend approximately three individuals to the Board.

The Board then would review the applications of the recommended individuals and hold interviews. The Board would make the final determination and take necessary action to employ all personnel.

The Board directed Dr. Epler to report back on employment procedures and practices and work to codify the processes into a Policy Manual.

The first employee to be hired after Dr. Epler and Dr. Duke was Mrs. Dorothy E. Funk on August 3, 1966 as Secretary to the Superintendent/President.

On August 10, 1966 the Board revised the Organizational Chart that had been approved July 6 to include a position of Administrative Assistant to the President.

Dr. Epler explained that the duties primarily concerned securing Federal funds, but would also be used for various staff studies as assigned by his office.

On September 7, 1966 the Board approved a classified salary schedule. A copy of this schedule has yet to be found in the college files.

On September 14, 1966 the Board approved the creation of a Policy Manual. After further discussion, it was decided that more work was needed on the philosophy of the District, job descriptions, salary schedules and other major items. The work on the Policy Manual was postponed until after the bond election.

On December 12, 1966 the Board approved a salary schedule for faculty. The Argus (A-038) reported the ranges for three classifications: Class I, Bachelors, $7,500 $10,700; Class II, Masters, $8,000 - $12,400; and Class III, Doctorate, $9,000 $15,000. A copy of this schedule has yet to be found in the college files.

On January 11, 1967 the Board unanimously approved Dr. Epler’s recommendation to create 20 full time teaching positions.

At the same meeting the Board approved a Supplementary Salary Schedule Criteria for Instructors. A copy of this schedule has yet to be found in the college files.

However, it was not without controversy. One of the items in the schedule was coaches’ pay and this caused a division amongst the Trustees. The details of the issues and the process to get to final approval are addressed in the section below on the development of an athletics program.

The first full time faculty member hired was Mr. Finis W. (Pete) Wilson, Psychology Instructor on February 1, 1967.

The order of all administrators, classified staff and full time faculty members leading up to the start of classes in September 1967 is presented in Appendix 9. A list of part time instructors hired for the first year of classes is presented in Appendix 10.

On December 6, 1967 Mr. Paul Thompson presented a memo to the Board advising of the organization by classified employees of the District of “Ohlone College, Chapter 490” of the California School Employees Association.

At the February 7, 1968 Board meeting Trustees approved 10 new faculty positions, along with one counselor and one librarian.

At the February 21, 1968 Board meeting Classified Staff, Faculty and Administrators salary agreements were approved. These salary agreements were developed with employee input.

Establishing Locations for the First Year of Classes Throughout the period up to the start of classes in September 1967, there were two site selections tracks going on at the same time: one for temporary space for classes in September and one for a permanent campus site. There were some who hoped the two could be combined and have temporary portables on the permanent site while construction was going on, as some other colleges had done. In the end the task of choosing a permanent site proved too complex and controversial to have a site selected and purchased, with bond money, before classes were to begin.

The defeat of the November 1966 bond measure significantly dimmed the likelihood of selecting, financing and purchasing a permanent site before September 1967. In an article on the January 11, 1967 Board meeting the Argus (A-042) reported that a couple of Board members asked Dr. Epler if it was wise to hire teachers before it was certain buildings for classrooms would be available for fall. Epler was quoted as responding, “We can’t wait until we have buildings to hire teachers nor can we wait until we have teachers before we have buildings.” He said whether or not a site had been selected with classroom buildings when September rolls around, classes at the new college will begin; even if arrangements had to be made with high schools to use their rooms during evening hours.

At the January 18, 1967 Board meeting it was clear Trustees were anxious that no location for classes for the fall had been identified. They agreed that finding a place to hold classes in September should be of highest priority and work on site selection should not interfere with that. Dr. Epler was requested to report on where classes could be held in existing facilities. Epler stated a report would be prepared outlining financial and educational alternatives to various methods of college operations next fall. He indicated that existing facilities should be used as a last resort because this would mean late afternoon and evening programs only. The Superintendents of the Fremont and Newark Unified Districts have expressed willingness to cooperate in providing facilities.

The Board approved a motion to instruct staff to prepare immediately a report indicating where proposed classes might be held in existing facilities and temporary buildings both public and private and to include a list of other available sites.

During January, February and March of 1967, the search for a site or sites for classes in September continued. Discussion with the Superintendents of Fremont and Newark Unified School Districts regarding the use of high school classrooms in the late afternoons and evenings were underway. However no firm arrangements had been made. As college administrators were reaching out to high school students in March, a location or locations for the classes set to start in September had yet to be finalized. On March 20 the Argus (A-050) reported the school run by the Dominican Sisters of San Jose was founded as an orphanage in 1910. In 1960 the mission changed to serve as a “haven for emotionally disturbed girls, the adolescent whose family no longer cares and the pre-adolescent.” The article reported the Center was set to close that summer due to a shortage of funds and professionally trained religious personnel.

During April, District staff followed up with the Diocese of San Jose to explore leasing the site for college classes. At the May 4 Board meeting a report by Dr. Duke indicated an agreement was near on leasing the Serra Center site for classes in September. Also in the works were agreements with the Fremont Boys Club for physical education classes and with Kennedy High School for use of classrooms.

At the July 19, 1967 Board meeting Trustees approved the lease for the Junipero Serra Center (St. Mary of the Palms School for Girls at 650 Washington Boulevard in Fremont) for use as a temporary campus. The 2,500 sq. foot center was leased for $60,000 for the first year of classes. Administrative staff moved from temporary offices at 5920 Thornton Avenue in Newark to the Serra Campus on July 31, 1967.

The Serra Campus had four classroom buildings along with an administrative building. In one classroom building, student personnel services were housed along with the Dean of Students office, student personnel office and bookstore. Music, science labs, and secretarial classes were scheduled at Kennedy High School.

Physical Education classes were scheduled at the Fremont Boys’ Club Creating Curricula and Programs Dr. Epler reported at the October 5, 1966 Board meeting that the District had received formal acceptance by State Department of Education to grant academic credit and to award the Associate Degree. A provisional accreditation would be given for the first year to meet the requirements for Federal applications or support and would qualify the students for transfer courses.

In the midst of the fall 1966 bond campaign, Dr. Epler presented a memo to the Trustees at their October 12, 1967 Board meeting on possible areas of instruction for the new college. Quite likely this was prompted by questions arising during the promotion of the bond to construct a permanent campus site. Dr. Duke explained the memo and discuss were meant to receive the Board’s general thinking and direction to give to the Dean of Instruction, when hired. Snow asked if industry input should be sought and Duke said local advisory groups were needed. Mr. Sears reminded the Board and the audience the District was building a community college geared to the needs of the community, and this should be emphasized. Epler stated the trend nationally and in the State was to use the term “Community College.”

A copy of Dr. Epler’s memo has not been found in the college files; however, the Argus (A-031) published a summary the next day describing the potential program areas and quoting Dr. Epler’s memo: Our program will provide instruction for students who expect to transfer to four-year colleges and universities, for students seeking two-year occupational or career program and for students desiring a two-year general education program. Proposed areas of instruction required by Title V of administrative regulations for junior colleges are social science, natural science and mathematics, health and physical education activities, language,

literature, philosophy and the arts. Included in natural science and mathematics are biological and physical science, and under health and physical education activities are business, engineering technologies, health sciences and public and social services.

At the October 19, 1966 Board meeting Trustees approved the hiring of Mr. William Karasek as Dean of Instruction, Mr. Karasek began his duties on December 1.

Planning the curriculum, faculty positions, and schedule began in earnest with the arrival of the new Dean. In fact, at the first Board meeting after he arrived, on December 14, 1966, the administration proposed the new college adopt the quarter system rather than the semester systems for class offerings. Nearby Cal State campuses and junior colleges operated on the quarter system so there was consensus that the District should go this way and the Board unanimously approved Resolution 12/66-67 to adopt the quarter system.

At the same meeting Mr. Karasek reviewed and recommended curriculum areas to offer in the fall 1967. Board members raised questions pertaining to fire science, home economics, agriculture and data processing. The curriculum proposal passed unanimously (a copy of the curriculum document has not been found in the college files; but a subsequent Argus article (A-038) provided a summary. According to the article, the Board had approved a General Education and Vocational Education Curriculum, including biology, business, engineering technology, health and physical education, languages, literature, philosophy and the arts, mathematics, social science and police and fire science. Mr. Karasek, Dean of Instruction, pointed out that the curriculum was flexible, depending upon the demands of students and the capabilities of the District.

Also at the December 14, 1966 meeting the Board approved the hiring of Mr. Ward S. Blanchard as Director of Library Services.

At the next Board meeting on January 11, 1967 Mr. Karasek presented a partial listing of course offerings. Dr. Epler recommended immediate approval. Karasek reported that a meeting was held with high school counselors who had asked for information in this area as soon as possible. A discussion of the listed course offerings followed. Board members requested that consideration be given to the following areas in future curriculum development: student opinion, remedial courses, a course for teaching assistant training, a course in the study of minority groups in political science and history, and an appropriate stage for drama courses.

Additional courses suggested were an orientation course for freshman and a children's theater. The recommended course listing was approved unanimously with the understanding that courses may be added or subtracted later on and the demand for certain courses would be given consideration. A copy of the course listing has not been found in the college files.

At the February 1, 1967 Board meeting Mr. Karasek reviewed the proposed calendar for the upcoming 1967-68 college year. Dr. Blawie suggested having a free day before finals at the end of each quarter. Other discussion involved the scheduling of graduation on Saturday and possible difficulties and transferring to

other schools because of the calendar dates. The calendar was unanimously approved with the addition of free days on December 8, March 15 and June 14, the Fridays preceding final examination weeks, and the addition of June 21 as a day for final examinations.

The Board unanimously passed Resolution 21/66-67 at the March 29, 1967 Board meeting to authorize submission of an application for funding under the federal Vocational Education Act. The areas of drafting technology, electronics and aviation mechanics were included in the project application.

Thirty-six (36) new courses were added to the fall curriculum at the April 5, 1967 Board meeting. The Trustees unanimously approved the listing presented by Mr. Karasek, with compliments. In the discussion Dr. Blawie felt courses in California History and other political science should be added. Mr. Karasek said finances had a bearing on the courses that could be offered. He indicated the more alternate classes offered, the smaller (thus more expensive) the classes. Dr. Epler cited the number of political science courses offered at neighboring junior colleges. Dr. Edison said California History should be considered by the staff.

Dr. Blawie moved to add a 4-unit California History class to the course list for fall but the motion died for lack of a second. According to the Argus (A-053) Dr. Epler “promised to reexamine the curriculum with the possibility of adding courses in California History and California government.”

The Argus article also mentioned that District staff had been working with Mr. Robert Humason, a consultant with the State Department of Education, to create and offer a year-long course in aviation mechanics. Mr. Humason had formerly worked for an aero-electronics firm. He would shortly be hired as a full time instructor for the college and then be appointed to coordinate vocational education.

The next step in the curriculum development process was the adoption of graduation requirements. At the April 19, 1967 Board meeting the Trustees discussed a set of requirements recommended by Dr. Epler. A number of topics were addressed including: the use of three-unit values; the A.A. and A.S. degree differences; the phraseology “English or Speech” or “English and Speech;” the vocational education student and his (sic) English needs; influence of the test scores on student placement in English; and grade requirements.

Mr. Karasek explained that students would elect Speech in lieu of English only after passing English 21 with a grade of “C” or better or making a score on the placement test equivalent to successful completion of English 21.

In an article entitled, “Basic English to be Must at New JC” the Argus (A-058) provides more detail than the Board meeting minutes about the discussion of the graduation requirements: If English drop outs are looking for an easy time of it at the Fremont-Newark Junior College, they better look again.

A quiet – but significant – battle won by the college’s board of Trustees this week guaranteed that all students would have to enroll in – and pass – basic oral and written English classes before they could gain the Associate of Arts degree that the two-year school will offer.

Trustees, led by Lyle Edmison and Marilyn Blawie, successfully turned back President Stephen E. Epler’s proposal to strike basic English as a required course for all students.

Specifically, Epler wanted vocational and technical course students to be exempt from English in their graduation requirements.

Students graduating with an Associate of Arts degree must earn 90 quarter units, with a minimum of a 2.0 grade point average in the following course requirements: (1) Health education, 3 units; (2) physical education (6 quarters), 3 units; (3) U.S. and California history, government and institutions, 3-9 units; (4) English, 6 units; (5) Major Field, 30 units.

The disagreement between Trustees and administrators started when the college staff attempted to rule out the required teaching of English courses to technical and vocational students.

Charging that other junior colleges have made mistakes because they required students to successfully pass required English (oral and written) classes, Epler said teachers are too hard on technical and vocational students.

Edmison and Blawie agreed that if the college is to be committed to excellence, students should be required to pass English courses, both oral and written, before receiving Associate of Arts degrees.

Blawie said the chief cause of failures at four-year colleges is because students have not learned basic English communications.

Epler told the Board that technical and vocational students fail English in high school. “So to give them another dose of English in junior college could drive them away,” he said.

Edmison, however, declared: “The product from our college will be worth more than the numbers of students attending classes. I would hope that if I lacked skills in oral and written English, that by the time I received an AA degree I would have developed those skills.”

Epler argued that the college is going to be concerned with turning out good policemen, firemen and nurses. Edmison responded with: “I cannot believe that adoption of two quarters of learning to write, be the student a policeman or whatever would be out of line. The written word is essential, and, therefore I moved to amend the motion to include these requirements.”

The motion to approve the Superintendent/President’s recommendation was amended to include the English requirement for all students and then passed.

Dr. Blawie asked that a report on additional Political Science courses be made as soon as possible.

At the same meeting the Board unanimously approved the standards for Academic Probation and Disqualification as recommended by Dr. Epler.

At the next Board meeting on May 3, 1967, Mr. Karasek presented additional course offerings for the upcoming fall term for Trustee approval. Rev. Wilson moved and Mr. Hochler seconded to adopt the additional course offerings as presented. Dr. Blawie discussed the need for a three-part course in American Political Institutions. Dr. Epler explained that first year course offerings were planned for the freshman year level and could be expanded in future years. Dr. Blawie moved and Mr. Snow seconded, to amend the original motion by deleting Political Science 1 and alternative #3 for completion of State requirements, which passed 6-1. The original motion as amended passed unanimously.

On June 14, 1967 the Board approved the formation and membership of a Law Enforcement Advisory Committee. This was the first program advisory committee to be established.

At the June 28, 1967 Board meeting Robert Humason’s instructor contract was adjusted to include coordination of the college’s vocational programs.

At the July 19, 1967 Board meeting Trustees unanimously approved the addition of Military Science 11, 12, 13, 21, 22 and 23 to the curriculum (Army ROTC). This was a partnership program with Stanford University and three of their ROTC instructors were appointed as non-compensated Ohlone instructors. Dr. Epler and Mr. Karasek explained these courses would be held on the Stanford campus at a cost of two to fifteen dollars per student to be paid out of District funds. The addition of these courses made it possible for students to transfer later to complete four year ROTC programs.

At the same meeting Trustees unanimously approved the addition of Geology 30 (Introduction to Geology) and Music 19 (Orchestral Instruments) to the curriculum.

Dr. Epler informed the Board that tentative agreements had been reached with the Fremont Symphony Orchestra for cooperation with college students.

On August 2, 1967 Dr. Epler reported to Trustees that 4,600 volumes had been ordered for the library thus far, with 2,000 copies already received. He added that library shelving was also being installed.

On August 30, 1967 the formation of an Aviation Advisory Committee and membership were approved. Members included: James Nissen, Julius Colbert, Herb Thayer, Max Tegerdine, George Rodgers, and James Nystrom.

At the same meeting Mr. Humason made an initial presentation on occupational programs planned for the college. Discussion of the report covered: actual use of data processing machines plans for shop type courses, cooperation by industry in the use of their equipment, and on-the-job training.

Classes began on September 25, 1967. The curricula and program developments described below took place during the first academic year.

On October 18, 1967 the Board approved the Electronics Advisory Committee and membership: Raymond Spoelman, Hewlett-Packard Corp.; Charles Smallhouse, Philco-Ford Corp.; Shelley Detrick, Royco Instruments; and Richard Wilkenson, Melabs, Inc. On November 1, 1967 the Board approved three new courses: Physical Science 30 (Introduction to Physical Science), Industrial Supervision I (Elements of Supervision), and Aviation 5 (Private Pilot Ground School).

On November 15, 1967 Trustees offered high praise for the first issue of the College newspaper “The Saints Herald” and the two members of the staff who recently won awards from the Junior College Journalism Association.

On December 6, 1967 the Board approved of the Real Estate curriculum and Real Estate courses 5-12 and to grant nine quarter units toward the Associate of Arts degree for POST-Approved Police Academy training given by cities, counties and the California State Highway Patrol.

At the same meeting Dr. Epler reported that all local high school principals were contacted regarding eligibility of certain high school students to attend classes at Ohlone College, providing they do not interfere with day high school classes and the student is recommended by the principal. He stated that there seemed to be interest in this program and that a few were expected to attend the Winter quarter with the possibility of 25-50 students registering for the Spring quarter.

By the winter and spring quarters of 1968 a College Curriculum Committee had been formed and the Board approved 87 new courses between February and May. At the March 27, 1968 Board meeting the Board approved Drafting Technology and Real Estate Advisory Committees with the following members: Drafting Technology Advisory Committee: Fred Horn, Inland Steel Products Co.; David Wayne, Inland Steel Products Co.; Peter Jacobsen, Jacobsen and Associates; George Brumbaugh, Peterbilt Motors Co.; Carl Martineau, Electrical Engineer; Robert Weatherly, General Motors Assembly; John Gill, Mobility Systems, Inc.; and Cecil Perkins, General Electric MC-722 Real Estate Advisory Committee: Frank Gygax, Gygax Real Estate and Insurance; George Crozier, Crozier and Phipps Realtors; Dick Irwin, Red Carpet of Fremont; Frank Kruzik, Frank Kruzik Real Estate; and Jim Critchfield, Critchfield Real Estate Developing an Athletics Program Physical Education was identified as an area of study in Dr. Epler’s memo to the Board on possible areas of instruction for the new college in October 1966. And, of course, where there is Physical Education there is usually Athletics. In the Board

minutes Dr. Epler indicated formal program development would not take place in detail until a Dean of Instruction was hired.

The interest in the community about whether or not the new college district would have an athletic program its first year was clearly high. The first Dean of Instruction, Mr. Carl Karasek was hired on October 19, 1966 and reported to work on December 1, 1966. This obviously prompted a call to District offices by the Argus, as the next day they published an article titled “Local JC District Setting Up Athletic Program.” (A-036) Mr. Karasek was officially on board but the main source in the article was Dr. Duke, who would ultimately serve in the role of Athletic Director for the first year of classes.

Dr. Duke told the Argus the District was in the process of accepting applications for a physical education staff that would guide the college into “A full athletic program” simultaneous with the opening of classes that September. He said this was part of the District’s attempt to present “a full college” right from the start. He was careful to add that although applications had been accepted, they were not solicited.

Dr. Duke said when the new Dean of Instruction arrived the formal process of recruitment would begin quickly, once the Board of Trustees approved the positions to be filled. He also reported the plan was to have inter-scholastic football, basketball, wrestling, baseball, swimming, track and other “major sports which most schools offer.”

That was quite a comprehensive list of sports for a college that had not hired any faculty or found any facilities for classes. However, one can imagine District officials and the Board wanted to make the new college as attractive as possible for students. This would be especially true for those who were going to, or planning to attend, other area colleges such as Chabot and Foothill. The article delved into the Education Code as it related to student attendance at junior colleges and eligibility to participate in athletics. The article concluded as follows: Duke reports current thinking of the District is to plan for a school of 1,000 students on its own campus. Presently some 1,500 Washington Township students have permits to attend Chabot College, and some 150 have permits to attend Foothill. Some 350 other permits are scattered among various junior colleges. Duke adds feelers have been sent to appropriate persons in junior college athletic circles on the possibilities of seeking entrance into a conference. He reported… the school would have to play as an independent in the first season, but would have excellent chance to join a league in 1968.

In January 1967 the Board approved filling 20 faculty positions, including three Physical Education positions, two of which were designated to include coaching: one for football and the other for basketball. At the same meeting the Board approved a Supplementary Salary Schedule Criteria for Instructors. However, it was not without controversy. One of the items in the schedule was coaches’ pay and this caused a division amongst the Trustees. The actual schedule document has not

been found in college files, but through Board minutes and Argus reports, the differing views can be sorted out.

Essentially the issue boiled down to whether or not coaching duties and pay for full time Physical Education faculty should be treated as part of the regular contracted teaching assignment or paid as additional work outside the regular contract. The common practice at the time was to have coaching part of the regular contract, which at the time was referred to as “release time.”

Dr. Epler recommended coaching be paid for outside the regular contract, which tended to be called “bonus pay.” His argument was although most established colleges used the release time approach, it would be difficult for a new and small college to do so. The release time approach would require additional part time faculty to be hired to cover the teaching load of the full time instructor during the season of the sport. The starting budget for the college was very limited and it would be less expensive for the college to pay the full time instructor the bonus pay than to hire part time teachers to cover release time.

Dr. Blawie was a faculty member at Cal State Hayward (now East Bay) and Dr. Edmison worked there as Dean of Students. Their orientation was the release time approach. The other Trustees were more interested in keeping the budget under control. Through a series of three Board meetings, involving significant parliamentary maneuvering, the issue was finally settled at the February 23, 1967 Board meeting in favor of the release time approach. A provision for annual review and been added, which made it palatable to Drs. Blawie and Edmison.

In current times, full time Physical Education faculty who coach have the assignment as part of their regular teaching contract. However, it is not called “release time.” Athletic team participation now carries academic credit for students and, thus, the coaching is assigned as part of regular teaching load. If a part time person is assigned to be a head coach for a sport (a common practice), he or she is assigned a teaching load (and must meet minimum qualifications) and paid at the adjunct faculty rate (which is much more expensive than the “bonus pay” approach).

At the next meeting, on March 8, 1967 the Board approved a similar approach for music and drama teachers.

After the final wrangling at the February 23, 1967 meeting, Trustees convened in Personnel Session at 11:40 pm and reconvened to Open Session an hour and 20 minutes later at 1:00 am. In Open Session the Board announced the hiring of four full time instructors including Mr. Richard A. Paynter, Physical Education. He was also designated as Head Football Coach. Dick Paynter was a physical education teacher at Newark High School and also athletic director and football coach. Blawie publicly expressed her concern about the appointment. She stated the junior college is committed to excellence. She expressed a conviction that with the nationwide recruiting for faculty now underway, a person with experience and qualifications more suitable could be found.

For those interested, Appendix 11 presents the parliamentary details of surrounding the issue of coaches’ pay.

With the hiring of Dick Paynter, the athletic program was officially underway.

Coach Paynter wasted no time in implementing his recruitment program. As a locally established high school coach and athletic director, he was well aware of the various high school and college programs in the area. An Argus sports section article (A-047) three days after his appointment to the position carried a banner headline, “Paynter to Talk to Every Gridder.” In the article Paynter stated, “I hope to talk to every senior football player who wore a helmet last year.”

Although he would not be drawing a paycheck for his new job until September 1, the 35-year-old coach vowed to spend any free time he had available to explain to graduating senior athletes “the advantages of a junior college athletic program over that of a four-year school.” He added, “A two-year school gives a freshman and sophomore athlete a much greater opportunity to develop. Freshman programs at four-year schools are much more limited than the JC program.”

Paynter seemed enthusiastic about starting a program from scratch. “We’ll have to have kind of a pioneering spirit, but look at Laney College in Oakland. In just two years they have an outstanding program and El Cerritos, a new school in portables, went to the Junior Rose Bowl in its first year. I think a lot of kids in this area will want to go to this junior college.”

Several Fremont-Newark athletes including Rich Lockwood and Rich Baker from Irvington, Dave Avila from Newark and Ken Aro from James Logan had been standouts on last season’s Chabot College team.

On April 5, 1967 the Board voted to advertise for bids for uniforms and equipment for athletic teams in 1967-68 year. On April 12, 1967 the Board approved the recommendation from the Student Advisory Committee for the official school colors: Forest Green, Green Bay Gold, and While as the official college colors. On September 20, 1967 the Board agreed with the team nickname “Saints” recommended by the students, which would be changed to Renegades the following year (see the section below on Naming of the College, Parts 1 and 2).

On May 3, 1967 the District hired Richard “Dick” Walsh as a Health and Physical Education Instructor and Basketball Coach. And on May 17, 1967 Barbara L. Walton (Knowdell), was added as a Physical Education Instructor, bringing the department up to three full time instructors and two coaches. (A-064) In August Dave Russo and Rich Statler were chosen by Dick Paynter to be his assistant coaches for the first football season. Russo, 32, had been a teacher and coach at James Logan High School for five years; while Statler, 24, had done student coaching at Cal State Hayward. (Argus, 8/4/67)

According to the Argus (A-064), the college had yet to identify practice fields, but had set up locker facilities on the temporary campus at the Serra Center. The football field at Newark High School (Paynter’s prior employer) was made available for home games. Practice was scheduled to begin September 1 (the “official” start date of Paynter’s contract). The article gave a rundown of the first-year schedule: Saturday, September 23 – Open (negotiating with Cal Ramblers) Saturday, September 30 – Sacramento State at NHS, 11:00 am Friday, October 6 – at Menlo College, 2:00 pm Saturday, October 14 – Job Corps at NHS, 2:00 pm Friday, October 20 – At Moffett Field, 3:30 pm Friday, October 27 – at Santa Clara Frosh, 2:30 pm Saturday, November 4 – At St. Mary’s, 8:00 pm Friday, November 10 – San Jose State Frosh at NHS, 3:00 pm Friday, November 17 – At San Francisco State Frosh, 2:30 pm After only five days of practice, the Ohlone Saints football team travelled to West Valley College on September 8 for a scrimmage. By this time, the team had found practice space at Walters Junior High. The team had 23 players, which was expected to increase after several others completed physicals. (A-071)) On the defensive line were George Vovodich and Paul Johnson at ends, Chuck Bist and Fred Remer at tackles, and Rod Morin at middle guard. Linebacker starters were Dave Milburn and Grant Citer with Vince Conde and Jim Spurlin at halfbacks. Five players including Bist, Morin, Milburn, Conde and Spurlin would play both offense and defense. Steve Smith was the quarterback with Jack Coffey at halfback and Dave Avila at tailback. At flanker, Spurlin was listed as starter with Vince Conde at tight end and Leroy Mendez at split end. On offensive line were Morin and Jim Marshall at tackle, and Dough Lynch at center. (A-071) Also by this time, it had been set for Ohlone to join the Coast Conference in 1967-68 after the first year of independent play, which would include West Valley. After the West Valley scrimmage the team was slated to travel to Gilroy for a scrimmage with Gavilan College on September 11. The first regular season game had also been set for September 23 against the San Quentin Prison squad.

The Ohlone athletic program went on to include cross country, basketball and baseball in the 1967-68 year. More of the specifics of the first season for these sports will be include in the “First Year of Classes” section below. There is also a student-written summary of the first year of athletics in the Tempo magazine presented in Appendix 37.

April 1967 Board Election At the first official meeting of the new District Board on January 3, 1966, the newly elected Trustees were assigned staggered terms in accordance with the county Election Code: Trustees Campbell, Edmison, Sears and Snow were assigned to 3 ½

year terms through June 30, 1969; and Trustees Blawie, Costello and Hochler were assigned terms 1 ½ year terms through June 30, 1967.

At the November 30, 1966 Board meeting Mr. Snow asked Dr. Epler to check on the possibility of consolidating the junior college Trustees’ election with the election of the Fremont and Newark Unified School Districts on April 18, 1967. Mr. Costello asked for verification of first and last filing dates for candidates.

On December 30 the Argus (A-040) reported that Mr. Nelson Vasallo, Assistant County Superintendent of Schools, announced the election for the three seats would be held on April 18, 1967. The filing period was set for January 9 – March 3 in the Country Superintendent of Schools’ office in Hayward. The election would coincide with the elections set for Fremont and Newark Unified School Districts.

On January 5, 1967 the Argus (A-041) reported Mr. Hochler and Mr. Costello announced their intention of run for re-election. At that time, Dr. Blawie had not made a decision.

At the January 18,1967 Board meeting Trustee Blawie read and distributed a onepage statement pertaining to the forthcoming Trustees’ election and the past conduct of Board members. Dr. Edmison requested, in view of the editorial discussed in Dr. Blawie’s statement, that he be on record that, as a member of the Board, he had never been “driven to distraction” by any of the actions of Dr. Blawie and that her conduct before the Board has always been ethical.

The Argus (A-045) published an article on January 19 entitled, “Libel Action Threatened,” Trustee Dr. Marilyn Blawie announced she was about to file a libel a lawsuit against Joe McCord, and his employer Fremont News-Register, who was an unsuccessful candidate in the first Board election.

On March 2, 1967, the day before the filing deadline, three additional candidates entered the race: Joseph McCord, news reporter for the Fremont News-Register (who had been threatened with the lawsuit by Dr. Blawie); Dick McKean, district manager and sales engineer for Lincoln Engineering Company; and Mrs. Pat Wooten, housewife (sic). On March 3, the filing deadline, they were joined by Jack Pimentel, real estate broker and insurance salesman, former high school teacher; and incumbent Marilyn Blawie.

At the April 12, 1967 Board meeting Dr. Edmison voiced his personal concern over recent misleading statements carried in the local newspapers and read a personal statement defining the present activities of the Board and repeating the basic philosophy adopted by the Board in February 1966. President Sears commended Dr. Edmison on his statement and requested that copies be made available to the press for widespread dissemination.

The written statement cannot be found in college files but an article in the Argus

(A-055) the next day reports it related to charges of inaction by the Board on finding a campus site made by candidates for the Board in the April 18, 1967 election. The Argus published the following statements by Edmison: In order to meet a commitment to excellence the Trustees delayed opening the college until they were able to assure themselves and the public that there was suitable time in which to secure the best possible cadre of administrators.”

“In order to secure financing necessary to construct the college the community has no alternative but to issue bonds. This will be dependent upon a successful election which in turn will be dependent upon satisfactory answers to questions which cannot be answered without adequate professional and community involvement like that afforded by architects, engineer and citizen communities.”

“The selection of a competent architectural firm and the selection of a permanent campus site should not be accomplished by superficial appraisal of preliminary and incomplete information and data. The board is intensively engaged in this activity at this time.”

“Selection of a site is highly dependent upon architectural and engineering studies, which will determine not only the esthetic but also the practical and essential feasibility for a campus. Time is of the essence since many months will pass before a bond campaign can be mounted, passed, drawings developed, approved, contracts let, and construction initiated and completed.”

Dr. Edmison went on to praise Dr. Epler and his staff saying they have done a yeoman’s job. And with much emotion he declared his statement had been developed to answer current charges by candidates seeking election to the board.

In other words, he was telling those who were criticizing the Board for inaction they needed to understand the complexity of the steps involved in creating a college campus. Further, they should be aware of all of the effort the Board was expending to make sure the work is done completely and correctly.

As reported in the press, the four challengers were charging the three incumbents with lack of action and for conducting a poor campaign leading to the failure of the November 8, 1966 bond election. The Argus, which had been critical of the Board’s handling of the failed bond attempt, endorsed Dr. Blawie, Mr. Pimentel and Mr. McKean. (A-054) In the April 18, 1967 Board of Trustees election, Mr. Costello and Mr. Hochler were re-elected, while Blawie came in fourth and was unseated by Joseph McCord. The election results were as follows (A-052): Costello, 3,713; Hochler, 3,691; McCord, 3,096; Blawie, 2,588; Pimentel, 2,493; McKean, 1,021; and Wooten, 85.

The bottom line is that Mr. McCord replaced Dr. Blawie.