BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
District Board Room
July 25, 2207
Budget and Finance Committee Meeting
There was an interesting report from Larry Eisenberg and others on the possibilities for oncampus housing at City, Trade, and West. These three were the only three colleges that
responded to an invitation from the district to participate in an exploration of housing possibilities.
Various potential renters are being considered: international students, local students (in
particular, single-parent families), students with special needs, and even faculty. Surprisingly, ten
acres was identified for possible development at City (including the driving range), the same
amount at Trade, and over 30 at West. It was argued by Steve Maradian, president at City, that
student success would be enhanced with student housing, as it would boost retention, et al. It
would also build a sense of community on campus and tie the colleges more closely to their
surrounding neighborhoods.
Cost concerns were raised, especially in terms of City, given the driving range complications.
Supervision worries were also discussed, but it was determined that the idea warrants further
exploration. The next step will be for the entire board to have a presentation and discussion as a
Committee of the Whole.
Open Session
1. The CalWORKS director at City complained of cutbacks in her program and of a lack of
support from her administration. She was encouraged to talk further with them.
2. A representative from the New America Foundation gave an update on the progress toward
instituting Instant Runoff Voting in district elections. Several board members have expressed a
sharp interest in this, especially after the expensive runoff this spring. There are currently two bills
dealing with this in Sacramento, and the City Council is looking into it. If the city were to adopt it,
we would also, for somewhat complicated legal reasons.
3. A resolution in favor of duly recognizing Filipino World War Two Veterans was passed.
4. There was an extended preview of the new websites that have been developed for all nine
campuses. They have a common basic layout, and each home page has a testimonial section, as
well as photographs that will be changed frequently. Each is also distinctive, however.
5. The Consent Calendar was approved, but not before an extensive discussion about the
apparent high fees paid to various Facilities consultants ($2.1 million for labor compliance
oversight, for example). Larry Eisenberg was instructed to come back to the BOT with a detailed
description of what each of these consultants would be doing.
6. It was Rocky Young's last BOT meeting, and he was honored with a large plaque. Each of the
BOT members spoke in praise of his tenure as chancellor. Kelly Candaele called him "a man of
honor...respected around the state...who brings pride to the Board of Trustees." Warren Furutani
cited his leadership statewide with CCC finance issues, especially equalization, which he was
able to bring to a resolution on favorable terms for the district. In his own comments, Rocky said
that chancellors get both too much credit and too much blame, and that we work as a team in the
district. He cited the Guild and the Senate as key partners. He reiterated that the district has the
potential to be the best, if it can maximize the benefits of our size, while minimizing the problems.
If we can, he claimed we would become the model for the state.
David Beaulieu
DAS President
213/891-2294
dbeaulieu@email.laccd.edu