By Kelly Savio Staff Writer
Gilroy
– Thirteen goals the Gavilan College Board of Trustees set out
to accomplish in 2006 turned out to be a wash – some goals were met
and others fell short.
Gilroy – Thirteen goals the Gavilan College Board of Trustees set out to accomplish in 2006 turned out to be a wash – some goals were met and others fell short.
“I think we had some real home runs on our goals,” said Trustee Deb Smith of Gilroy. “I think we knew others were going to be ongoing and so we have a lot of room for improvement on those. But, we worked hard to make great strides in most of our goals – we took them very seriously.”
The list of goals included everything from providing public reports on the college’s mission and services to improving the appearance of the campus and attracting more transfer-oriented students.
One goal Smith considered a home run was the goal to determine how to best utilize Measure E money. The money went toward landscaping projects to improve campus appearance, funded research on potential campus properties in Coyote Valley near Morgan Hill, and helped retrofit and modernize the main campus in Gilroy.
“I do think (the board) did a lot of work on expanding the campus,” said Betsy Avelar, Gavilan Associated Student Body president. “And I think they’re working on their goal of attracting more students. I’ve heard about plans to create housing on campus using land from the golf course, and that would expand the campus’ accessibility.”
Smith also called the new 16-week academic program a home run.
In addition, the goals explicitly stated the board hoped to expand the music program on campus by hiring one full-time faculty member and expanding arts available to the community on campus.
“That’s a check – we accomplished that by hiring Maria (Amirkhanian),” Smith said. “She’s a concert pianist and she’s just fabulous. She’s got so much knowledge and she’s an amazing teacher. She’s been quite an asset and I think we’ve worked hard to offer more of the arts to the community.”
Progress made on many goals is hard to gauge because they are so vague, Avelar said. But trustees are willing to admit some goals were not nearly as successful as others.
“The one that certainly stands out is seeking a suitable (campus) site in San Benito County,” said Trustee Kent Child said. “We prematurely selected the airport site without adequate interaction with the community. It was a poor decision, and we’ve changed that decision. Now we’re having more talks with the community; we’re finding more suitable sites and even though we could have handled it more effectively and efficiently from the beginning. The end results have been good.”
In reviewing the 2006 goals, most board members agreed they each needed to improve their participation in state and national conferences, and other activities for community colleges, Smith said.
“I think we’ve come to recognize that each of us needs to try and attend at least one conference a year, if not more,” she said. “It’s a great way to get new ideas, have discussions with other college’s boards and see what works other places that might work for us, too. This is one area we definitely need to improve in.”
The list of goals leaves room for board members to set their own individual goals, and Child said one of his main goals will be to meet face-to-face with more members of the wider community, including Morgan Hill, Aromas and Gilroy, even though he represents the Hollister constituency.
Smith said she’d like to do additional work in meeting with local businesses and creating classes that will help their employees, including management and communication classes, which could improve the local economy in the long run.
Steve Kinsella, president of the college, and spokeswoman Jan Bernstein-Chargin did not return calls requesting comment.
“One goal I’d like to see for 2007 is more interaction with students,” Avelar said. “I know the board oversees the whole college, but the reason they’re really there is for students. If they’re going to be effective, they need to meet with students and interact with them, and so far I don’t really think that’s happened.”
Kelly Savio is a staff writer for South Valley Newspapers. Reach her at 408-842-2205 or [email protected].
