Chaparral 2012-2013: CSEA Connection

CSEA Connection

By Hoover Zariani
CSEA President

We have all been hearing a lot a about "structural change" recently from the campus administration.  While at the time of this writing we do not yet know about the impact of Proposition 30 (as well as 32), there are changes that will happen regardless of the passing of these initiatives on November 6.

Clearly, as shared by Dr. Riggs at the Classified Meeting on October 25, the college cannot simply continue to operate as if nothing has changed. In fact, much has changed.  We have shrunk in size, going from being a 4500 section offering institution to 3000 to 3500 sections being offered.  Many have shared with me that they believed we should never have grown to that size as an institution.  In hindsight, that has cost us a great deal, but regardless, we must move on from here and probably not let that happen again.

We (and I mean that collectively as a college) must not only hope that these structural changes are done properly and fairly, we must also actively engage in them. A new era of accountability is hopefully upon us, and we cannot make decisions simply based on this area or that area of the campus or favoritism toward a particular side.  In order to survive and thrive this difficult situation, decisions need to be made to best serve the college and ultimately our students.

In order to achieve these lofty goals, there must be fairness in this process, and we will work diligently to ensure that.  However, in order to make sure that the process works, it takes more than a few key employees.  There must be engagement of classified at all levels:

Involvement in Governance – This is so important in the day-to-day operation of the college and in the long term.  All governance committees are open to everyone.

Involvement in the hiring of New Superintendent/President – As Dr. Riggs had mentioned, we need to be active in the search for the new Superintendent/President and we will set up another meeting so he can discuss what he believes we need.

Involvement in evaluation of administrators – Your honest and constructive input is invaluable in making sure we are running at 100%.

Involvement in elections that impact us (from board to statewide) – As you already probably know, the outcomes of several propositions this year and the board elections next year have an impact on the entire campus.

Involvement in the board meetings.

Things can, do, and will continue to change in the foreseeable future.  Without your participation, they will still change, but perhaps to our collective detriment.  The time is now. We must ALL do what we can to help navigate through difficult times.

If you do not change direction,
you may end up where you are heading.

(Lao Tzu)

Visit us on the web: www.glendale.edu/csea

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