March 12, 2015 Viking issue

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Former LBCC student charged in animal cruelty case. Page 2

Volume 88, Issue 11

March 12, 2015

Published Since 1927

President Oakley will remain at LBCC By Sylvana Uribe Staff Writer

President Eloy Oakley said he intends to stay with the college despite conflict with the Board of Trustees, according to articles released by the Long Beach Press-Telegram in late February. On Feb. 26, the Press-Telegram reported that it had obtained a memo sent to the Board on Feb. 17 in which Oakley wrote the college was losing focus as attention was being diverted to addressing problems within the school’s governing body. Oakley said the college’s accreditation was complicated when issues were raised about low morale and communication that needed to improve between the president and the Board. Oakley wrote, “These disruptions have led to several key executive team members, including myself, to consider other professional opportunities.” Oakley was in talks to become chancellor of the Coast Community College District in Orange County and oversee its three schools, but said he intends to stay with LBCC and found himself not wanting to leave Long Beach. Area 5 Trustee Virginia Baxter said, “I personally am pleased President Oakley is staying at LBCC. His vision of student success and the commitment to help our students graduate in a more timely manner are goals I can support.” On Feb. 6, the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges notified the college that its accreditation was

Darel James/Viking LISTENING IN: President Eloy Oakley listens as Area 4 Trustee Doug Otto speaks during the Board of Trustees meeting in T1100 at the LAC on March 10.

reaffirmed. The accreditation committee is made up of officials representing 11 Community Colleges and visited LBCC on Oct. 6-9. In its report, the commission recommended that actions be taken to “address communication problems and increase transparency and trust.” In an interview Tuesday, March 3, Area 3 Trustee Sunny Zia said she is looking forward to

working closely with the student body and the district’s employees to gather their input on issues of importance to them. Zia said, “The accreditation team raised a number of important issues to us, like low morale. I look forward to working with the superintendent and my colleagues on the Board to focus on these issues and see what we can do to improve things. At the end of the day, we want to be effective and

make sure we are doing whatever is necessary to assure the educational and career success of our students.” The college is expected to submit a follow-up report addressing the committee’s recommendations by March 15, 2016. At the Board meeting Feb. 24, Vice President Lou Anne Bynum discussed how the college has taken steps to create a three- to five-year plan that would improve

communication and track how the school is perceived by the public. More than 1,200 phone surveys were given to the community in English and Spanish and focus groups were conducted between students and employees. Employees also were sent online surveys, which received a 30 percent response rate. Recommendations based on the research will be presented to the Board in April.

By Sylvana Uribe Staff Writer

dismiss morale issues and tackle them head on. I look to you and your leadership in resolving that.” After the voting, Oakley presented a report on construction projects. Zia said she was concerned with the report’s exclusion of original anticipated completion dates and determining if projects were within their original budget if adjustments kept being made to it. Area 4 Trustee Doug Otto asked questions be made prior to meeting to narrow down on unclear aspects about agenda items in open session. “I will ask those questions because I’m trying to do my job,” Zia said in response to Otto. “It really is an unfair characteristic of a Board member calling to not want to bring up questions and I

ask for you to respect that. I may have disagreements, it’s just a matter of different perspective on policies.” He asked an item be added in the upcoming meeting to look into how the Board is abiding by the rules and any misconduct. Before the meeting adjourned, Karen Roberts, part-time teachers’ union president at LBCC, spoke about part-time employees being the lowest paid in the district. “We’ve fallen behind in our pay. Since I have been doing this for a while, here’s what I think. I think that we just haven’t been able to think outside of the parttime faculty box,” Roberts said. The next Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 24, at 5 p.m. in T1100.

$55,000 compensation bump for Oakley Students hope for healthier food options Kelly Mahaffey Staff Writer Students are curious about the possible kiosk choices during the ongoing construction in the new Central Quad on LAC. “Low-key, I’m kind of anxious to see what’s going in there. Every morning I expect to be surprised with something cool like a mini-Starbucks or Bonsai Bowl,” said James Eldridge, 19 an undeclared major. “I get to school on Monday and I’m like WTF? I thought they were done?” Eldridge said. Olivia Nogales, 18, an economics major, said she also was

surprised. “Now what are they doing to it? Tearing it down, making it bigger, what?” A construction worker on the project told students the power outlets and wiring installed on the back, outside wall is definitely for vending machines but he didn’t wish to be quoted. Students within earshot began a discussion about what they want sold from the machines if they have a say. Travis Swan, 19, a bio-physics major, said, “I’d like to see some vegan options. Things like fruits, veggies, instant oatmeal, chai tea and non-dairy milk.”

In a 4-1 vote, President Eloy Oakley’s contract was extended an additional two years with a 21 percent compensation increase during the Board of Trustees meeting Tuesday, March 10. Oakley’s contract was set to end in June 2017, but has been extended until February 2019. In the amended contract, Oakley’s pay is $320,568, up from $264,348 in his original contract. Area 3 Trustee Sunny Zia voted against the extension. She wanted to make it clear she supports Oakley, but disagreed with the timing and legality of the issue. Zia said to Oakley, “I challenge you and the rest of us to not

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