BOT CANDIDATE FORUM 2017

The League of Women Voters sponsored a candidate forum for candidates standing for election to  the John A. Logan College Board of Trustees, Tuesday evening, March 7, in the Conference Center, on the college campus.  There are three vacancies.  Vying for two of the seats are Becky Borgsmiller,
Mandy Little, William Orrill and Bob Ellis.  Glenn Poshard, who was appointed to temporarily fill the late Bill Alstadt's position, is running unopposed for the third seat. 

There  has been scant news coverage of the forum and there appeared to be scant attendance by current faculty of the college.  The Marion Daily Republican and the DuQuoin Evening Call each ran a story by Chandra Green, but the Southern Illinoisan and the TV stations all ignored it. 

Absent, also, was candidate William Orrill.  Ms. Green reported he had a "prior commitment".  That's not good.  The forum was at 5:30, so it's doubtful it was a doctor's appointment.  Rumor is that it was work related.  If so, that could be a recurring problem.  If the voters are to elect him, his time must be ours. How will he guarantee attendance at Board meetings?  What about committee meetings?  Will he be available to meet with students during regular hours?  Bosses cannot legally ask some personal questions of job candidates, such as those directly related to family status etc.  However, they may state the job requirements, time commitments, hours of business and then ask, "is there any reason you cannot fulfill the duties as described?"; "is there any reason you cannot work the times and days described".  Right now Mr. Orrill is a blank slate to most of us in the community college district.  Tuesday night was the one opportunity for the public to see the candidates, hear them and compare them to each other.  He was a no show. 

Candidate forums in the last couple of elections have provided some sparks, some tension and some entertainment.  This one offered none of the above, with only four candidates attending and only three of those running for the same seats.  There was little disagreement, no animosity and little humor.  On the other hand it was civil and candidate answers were usually concise, perhaps a testament to the no nonsense demeanor of moderator Dr. Mary Pohlman of the League of Women Voters.  We say usually, because Dr. Poshard ran long, even after the "red card" was held up a couple of times. 

Full time faculty

One thread ran through the evening's discussion and that was full time faculty vs. part time.  The College has been replacing full time faculty with part timers.  The general consensus was that this is bad and must not happen again.  Mandy Little offered that faculty need to be invested in the college and that while part time faculty would be OK for "specialty classes", there was a need for full timers to teach required courses.  Glenn Poshard wandered on this issue, saying, "I'm on the finance committee.  I have access to the governor.  I'm in contact...  " and wound up essentially saying, 'there's no money'.  Becky Borgsmiller said, regarding the full time faculty (or lack thereof) issue, that "there are HLC guidelines" and that the college must work with faculty on creative ideas to solve budget problems.  As an example, she mentioned, but stressed she was not advocating for, larger class sizes. 

How to cut the budget

What strategies should the college use if further budget cuts are required?  Raise tuition?  Cut MAP funding?  Cut sports programs?  Cut funding for the Historical Village?  Cut administrative positions?  Cut faculty?  Poshard said no to tuition hike, keep MAP, would not replace full time with part time, that he knew little about the Historical Village's finances and no to cutting sports.  He said he would use his experience at SIU.  " We cut travel.  Attempted furloughs...  " 

Borgsmiller said the Board needs reliable data to make decisions. They must be creative; state funding is not coming back.  She pointed out that dual credit students do not pay and bring no revenue to the college.  Logan does, however, claim their credit hours and these students appear in the headcount. 

Ellis strongly stated that tenured faculty are the backbone of education.  He would "never" raise tuition and would not replace full time faculty with part timers.  Then he kind of got lost trying to not insult part timers.  Little would cut some unnamed areas of the college not making money. 

What ideas to enhance experience and increase retention?
Borgsmiller said the answer is simple.  "Have good full time faculty.  Give students a good classroom teacher and they will remember that teacher. They won't remember board members or even the college president, but they will remember a good teacher."

Ellis good naturedly acknowledged that Borgsmiller's answer was a hard one to follow and that he wished he could have given it.  Then he diverted into saying he'd recruit "not the little guys with the crew cuts and sweaters, but the old retired people". 

Little said that, "Becky described my experience" as a student.  Faculty made her experience and it's why she and others spread the word about Logan. 

Poshard said there is a need to track students and fund remedial programs.  There needs to be early intervention and that the "most at risk are developmental students".

What to do to work with and interact with SIU?

Ellis said that SIU was coming out to Logan for the first time in 50 years.  Mandy Little pointed out that there had been a 2 + 2 program with SIU for many years, and explained how it worked for seamless transition.  Poshard pointed out that SIU has had an office, at Logan, for several years.  He thought SIU should be encouraged to offer research programs at Logan.  Borgsmiller also thought Logan should work toward student's seamless transition when tranferring, but pointed out that Logan should not be tied exclusively to SIU. 

Should JALC continue to support athletics?  Should they fund scholarships for out of district athletes?

Little said sports has to be looked at.  She pointed out that when Logan gives a scholarship to an out of district athlete, the student's room and board must also be paid.  She was for recruiting local athletes. 

Poshard was rah rah for sports, but didn't speak to the out of district issue.  He did say that Logan should promote intramural sports and that sports was no different than other extra curricular activities. 

Borgsmiller said the priority has to be academic programs. Athletics is a cost that may not be supportable at this time.  Ellis said it is necessary for recruitment and was absolutely opposed to eliminating athletics. 

How is the CHEC building a benefit to the far flung residents of the district?

Poshard said Marion has the Hub and Carbondale has the SIU Recreation Center.  If the CHEC only serves locals, that's OK. 

Borgsmiller said the CHEC has a positive impact on so many, especially the elderly.  She could say nothing negative about it.  Ellis said it was finally getting viable and was a source of pride.  Little suggested discounts for those who live far away. 

Former President Mike Drieth was paid a $290,000.00 contract buyout.  Was he forced out?

Borgsmiller said it was a firing.  The troubles started when he was pushed.  Ellis said he had no direct knowledge of the matter. 

Little said all three students involved in the hiring process were for hiring Mike Drieth.  "Was he forced to leave?  Absolutely!"  It was a huge loss for the college. 

Poshard said, "I don't have the knowledge.  Don't agree with severance pay for voluntary departure.  I don't know what happened there." 

What do they think?

Bob Ellis thinks faculty and staff should be sent out into the community to solicit ideas and advice.  Mandy Little believes it is not the Board's job to meddle in day to day operations or reorganization.  The current Board has created fear in the faculty.  It has lowered student morale by their treatment of their teachers. 

Poshard said he had seen no intimidation in the three months he has been on the Board.  He pointed out many community service projects Logan helps with and took the opportunity to tie himself to the college and promote the Poshard Foundation. 

Borgsmiller said the biggest issue at Logan is instability.  The huge RIF hurt the school.  She said the reorganization was a failure.  The number one priority is stability. 

What to think of them?

This was a well behaved bunch who seemed to have no animosity toward each other.  For the most part, they stuck to the questions they were asked and two of them seemed like they would bring needed change to the Board.  Glenn Poshard is running unopposed for the seat that was held by the late Bill Alstat, prior to Poshard's appointment.  We will focus on the race for the other two seats.

Bob Ellis describes himself as a journalist, master editor, writer, former mayor of West Frankfort.  He said he got into the race because "many have said JALC could use your expertise".  He thought West Frankfort should be represented.  Mr. Ellis seems like a conscientious candidate, but his expertise is not in higher education.  This was apparent in his answers throughout the night.  This isn't a good fit.  The current situation calls for new Board members who are familiar with higher education, have an intimate knowledge of John A. Logan and a clear understanding of the events that have take place there in the last couple years.  Anyone else is going to have the wool pulled over their eyes by the dark forces of nepotism, retribution and "reorganization". 

Mandy Little says she wants to serve because she remembers what it's like to be a student and wants to bring that perspective.  She is concerned that this board has not offered respect to the student trustee.  She also remembers what it's like to be one of those.  While we were not impressed with Ms. Little the last time she ran for the Board, things (and she) have changed.  Then, she seemed enthralled to the older board members, with whom she'd served while a student.  It was hard, then, to picture her saying 'no' to power.  This a different candidate.  She gets it.  She knows how the place works, knows what's happened and is calling B.S.  The firing of Mike Drieth obviously was a shock.  Her sense of outrage was evident, when the candidates discussed whether he was pushed or jumped.  Hers was the voice of someone who's been betrayed, knows it and is now clear eyed. 

Becky Borgsmiller says she has 40 years' association with the College and wants to bring that experience to bear.  Her focus is on needed stability.  She points out she has many years banking experience, a couple decades experience working at Logan and previously served a stint on the Board.  She says, "I feel an obligation to serve, given the situation."

Mr. Orrill is the job candidate who couldn't come to the interview.  This employer (the voting public) has a deadline to hire.  The election cannot be delayed and their will be no more League forums for these candidates.  Voters can't base decisions on yard signs. 

Based on the one opportunity the public has had to view these candidates, it's clear to us that the two open seats should be filled by the two candidates who will most assuredly be agents for change, have institutional experience and love the College.  Those two candidates are Mandy Little and Becky Borgsmiller.