Acting Chair Mazzochi calls the meeting to order. Part A. Organizational meeting.
Roll: Trustees present except Birt.
Public Comments:
Jacob Coates: I am here for Buffalo Theater — you can tell by my dyed hair what I’m here for. It’s important. I don’t have a lot of skills besides theater — but I feel passionately and strong about theater. The art of story-telling. Our heritage. It is life itself. We need to breathe life into it. I’m just saying words. Maybe you don’t even care about. But they mean something to me and I think they should mean something to you. Many people have come out and more would be here if schedules hadn’t conflicted. We need theater.
Angela Aiello. I was a theater student at COD form 2009-2011. Had Buffalo Theater experience in summer 2009. A friend of mine and I went to see the play “A Couple of White Chicks Talking aBout”. We couldn’t believe these two talented actors, Connie Canaday Howard and Amelia Barrett, would be our teachers. As a reader for a play, I realized how hard directors have to work. It helped me understand the man Having a professional equity theater on campus wouldn’t benefit campus doesn’t make sense to me. In order to work with an Equity Theater would have to commute to the city. Not impossible, but very difficult with school and work. It is great to have a professional environment here. We loved seeing our teachers on stage doing what they love. So many times theater majors are told they do not have a career in theater. Seeing that Connie and Amelia having a career was inspiring to us. Bringing back Buffalo
Anthony Leyva -2010 COD alum. I am in support of Buffalo Theater Ensemble. I am confused by the brand new theater that has unobtainable numbers attached to the new proposal. 600 subscribers is a high number. (Student goes on to describe how the new proposal for subscribers and grants is not feasible. He notes that collaboration is the basic tenet of theater. But this proposal has no sign of collaboration in it)
Mary Ann Zlotow — retired faculty and 502 taxpayer. At April 14th mtng I heard comments from BoT members I heard terms that bothered me. Calling the COD Farm, the Buffalo Theater, etc. were called “auxiliary” and told that they need to be self-sustaining. What is auxiliary is the waterfall! Part of an expensive beautification project . The bronze cast sculpture of a chapparral. The number of trees and the decision to continue planting annual and not perennial flowers. Those are auxiliary and not self-sustaining. Case in point — the library’s cupola. Now you have to fix a problem that wasn’t even a problem before renovation. Case in point — the hotel. More taxd dollars in advertising to make it self-sustaining. I take issue with the provost of Roosevelt U ho says these improvements have made COD unquestionable better. They have come at the cost of taking away the arts. You could maintain the Community Farm and the Arts. They are far more important to the campus than the waterfall. How ironic to renovate the Arts Center and then cut back the Arts. I hope more community member will speak out and help this BoT understand that the Arts are worth fighting for. That’s how I want my money spent.
Walt Zlotow — community member. “All things pass- only the arts endure.” Except at COD!
John Kraft- Wozniak and Birt voted for all those frivolous items just mentioned. And others. Please nominate people that participate in the BoT as the next officers of the Board.
Richard Jarman, CODFA VP
Item B6. I think we have made clear where the faculty are on this. I am not going to repeat any of the arguments at this juncture. I will address the description of BTE as a non-academic program and thus an auxiliary function. From prior discussion, here and elsewhere, I detect a lack of consonance as to what constitutes connection to an academic program. We argue, and I think it has been sustained, that BTE (just like its predecessor) meets the standard for being considered academic or having an academic connection.
In the limited time I will describe two examples from disparate areas of the college that I argue are analogous to BTE, each of which is unarguably connected to an academic function and, as such, financially supported. I will not touch other more controversial functions that have tenuous or even no academic connection.
The Russell Kirt Prairie on the west side of campus is often described as an outdoor laboratory used extensively by biology classes. I often see groups of students boldly venturing into the thigh-high grass. It is also of value to the community, being one of the few prairie areas still remaining in DuPage County. No revenues are generated and costs are involved; it is not self-sustaining. We lamented its neglect during the last regime. Would the world still turn if, in the words of the song, paradise was paved over and they put up a parking lot? Yes. Would students still get to pass biology? Yes. However, resources such as the Prairie make COD special, as the presidential candidates have been at pains to point out.
The Fitness Center was transformed from a modest room into a lavish showpiece during the referendum rehabs. It serves a dual function for students taking fitness classes and community members wanting to work out. The community memberships don’t go far in covering the costs. I seem to recall there are around two hundred. The Fitness Center relies heavily on the taxation of $1 per credit hour.
BTE is much more closely aligned with these hybrid academic – community functions than a true auxiliary. It is not the academic program in of itself, but it plays a vital role in augmenting and energizing the academic program to which it is allied (theatre). It also plays a vital role to sustain the community as has been made abundantly clear by the many testimonials. And I believe that the community is prepared to put their money where their mouth is in pledges and subscriptions.
I urge you all to consider it in this spirit.
Thank you
Kyle Rarick – community member, former COD student. In Spring 2014 I was a student who signed the original petition to bring back BTE. I was involved in videos that were made to support the BTW.
You have the opportunity tonight to do something spectacular for this campus and for all of the Chicago region. But I am concerned about the draft proposal — the BoT describes conditions that the BTE must fill. This draft was not prepared together with BTE professionals. They do not fit BTE’s current model nor its overall history in the college. The 3rd time since Fall 2015 pleading and fighting for BTE. In order for BTE to have success, the BoT should be involved in one to one conversations with the professionals involved with the company.Theater is not veneer. It cannot be measured in that way. IT has different kinds of lasting impressions and memories on us.
Keith Yearman–
SINCE THE FACILITIES MASTER PLAN WAS FIRST INTRODUCED IN 2001, WE HAVE SPENT MORE THAN $500 MILLION ON CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS. THESE PROJECTS ADDED SUPRISINGLY LITTLE FLOOR SPACE. DESPITE ADDING LARGE BUILDINGS LIKE THE HEALTH AND SCIENCES CENTER AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION CENTER, WE OFTEN FOUND OURSELVES WITHOUT ENOUGH CLASSROOM SPACE DURING PEAK TIMES.
I LOOK AT A BUILDING IN CHICAGO, AT 225 N. COLUMBUS DRIVE. IT’S AN AWARD WINNING, 87-STORY SKYSCRAPER NAMED AQUA. THIS BUILDING HAS 1.9 MILLION SQUARE FEET OF FLOOR SPACE, MORE THAN THE 1.5 MILLION THROUGHOUT THE COLLEGE (EVEN POST CONSTRUCTION).
THE COST OF THAT STRUCTURE ON SOME OF CHICAGO’S PRIME REAL ESTATE? $300 MILLION. HOW IS IT THAT THIS COLLEGE IS AT HALF A BILLION AND COUNTING? WE COULD HAVE MORE THAN DOUBLED THE FLOOR SPACE OF THIS COLLEGE FOR LITTLE MORE OF HALF OF WHAT WE SPENT SO FAR. WHERE HAS THE MONEY GONE OVER THE YEARS?
HOW MUCH BLOAT AND WASTE WERE INVOLVED IN ALL OF THESE PROJECTS?
COUPLE THIS WITH THE EXCESSES AND WASTE OF GUN CLUBS AND HONEY BOURBONS AT THE WATERLEAF. HOW MUCH BLOAT, WASTE AND EXCESS ARE WE TALKING ABOUT IN TOTAL? CAN WE GET A COMPLETE ACCOUNTING, INCLUDING WITHIN THE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS?
I FIND IT OUTRAGEOUS STUDENTS HAVE TO COME PROTESTING AND GROVELING TO THE BOARD TO GET FUNDING FOR AN ARTISTIC GROUP AND OTHER ACTIVITIES, GIVEN ALL THE WASTE OF THE PAST. I URGE THIS BOARD TO REVERSE COURSE – PUT ACADEMICS AND THE ARTS FIRST.
Trustee Diane McGuire — speaks to the best president for COD. The best president will not be appointed as the result of a tainted search process. I have spoken about it.
Dr. Kavalier — her EdD form U of Texas has somehow morphed into a PhD as listed on her application. These two degrees are very dissimilar. So I ask which degree does Kavlier have?
Dr. Rondeau — what is not on the page rather than what is. Her current employment — IBM Watson group. Artificial Intelligence. I came across Dr. Rondeau’s Linked In profile. Partner with Allen Austin Global leadership and consultants. IBM is her previous employment. At IBM, she is a consultatn and not a partner. IS she working at a search firm that also has an office
Union League Club of Chicago. Boasts as members Chris Robling and Willam Haye are Board members. How does one do this long distance? Does she have an Illinois address? I don’t know for sure where she works or where she lives.
We have a a very important role as Bot members to have an honest and transparent process. We have the opportunity to do our own search and do our own research.
Trustee Mazzochi — If you had come to the interviews of these two candidates or submitted your concerns your questions would have been answered. I also offered you the chance to personal conversations with these candidates. Dr. Kavalier did confirm that yes, her doctorate is considered to be a PHD. In Educational Administration.
Dr. Rondeau — I find it appalling that you are impugning the integrity of someone who is by all measures is a national hero and has served her country. She has been contacted by newspapers because of your allegations. Dr. Rondeau says your allegations are confused. She explained to us that her employment with IBM. If being part of the Union League of Chicago would preclude being president that would include Dick Durbin and Barack Obama.
You should seek the information from those sources.
We are aware of your concerns about the process. We have supplied you with the information but you continue to hold your view. Had you come to forums you would have seen how the public was grateful for the chance to participate and see that the college is now on a road to change.
If you had gone to the Presidential Search Committee meetings, people who gave hundreds of hours of their time to the process, you would
McGuire -there are inconsistencies.
Mazzochi rules her out of order.
Wozniak tries to respond. Chair Mazzochi rules him out of order.
Recognition– Resolution of Appreciation for Student Trustee Roark for her service. Donating in her honor to the library the book “Things Fall Apart.”
Acting Chair Mazzochi reads the resolution.
Roll: All Trustees present vote yes.
Acting Chair Mazzochi — announces the appointment of Luz Elena Escamilla as of April 15th, by operation of law. She is already making substantive contributions to our discussions.
Board Secretary Napolitano conducts the swearing in of Student Trustee Escamilla.
Acting Chair Mazzochi — We will move into the election of officers.
Acting Interim President Collins convenes and serves as Chairman Pro Tem until the new officers have been elected.
Napolitano — Acting Secretary while the meeting is going on. Calls roll. There is a quorum.
Entertains nominations for Chairman-
Olsen — Deanne Mazzochi. (Describes the difficult situation that Mazzochi faced when Kathy Hamilton resigned)
No further nominations are named. From April 2016 till 2017.
Vote:
McGuire answers “present.”
Wozniak answers “present.” All others say “yes.”
New Chair is Deanne Mazzochi.
Nominations for Vice-Chairman
Mazzochi suggests David Olsen. Discusses how helpful been, even while being new.
No further nominations.
Vote:
Wozniak: No.
McGuire “present”
All others vote yes.
New Vice-Chair is Olsen.
Nominations for Secretary.
Mazzochi nominates Napolitano.
No further nominations.
Vote:
McGuire “present.”
Wozniak: “present.”
All others vote yes.
Napolitano is Secretary.
Vote for treasurer. VP of Adminstrative Affairs
Discussion of BoT meeting dates.
Mazzochi discusses the possible need for more meetings as the HLC issue continues. Mazzochi will try to get Board packets together earlier. Wants to have more information more in advance so that regular BoT meetings are run more efficiently.
We can have substantive policy discussions at Committee as a whole meetings.
Vote: All trustees vote yes.
Authorized Bank Signatures — to agree with new officers of the BoT.
Vote:
All vote yes.
Organizational component of the meeting is over.
Brief 5 minute break.