A former president wants to return to Southwestern College –as board member.

    Norma Hernandez, who worked at Southwestern College (SWC) in different positions until she retired in 2006, is running for Seat 4 against incumbent and current board president, Yolanda Salcido.

    Hernandez said she wants to become a board member to try to repair the deterioration that she said has occurred in the college since she retired in 2006.

    “Morale amongst faculty and staff is at all time low, and classes for students have been cut by 40 percent during the last year,” she said. “When I retired in July, 2006, Southwestern College was not on probation from WASC. I left the college with a balanced budget; a 7 percent reserve; and a newly established fund for projected retirement obligations.

    “Since I left, I have seen the deterioration in the relationship between the board, administration, and the faculty and staff. There is evidence of a lack of respect toward shared governance and shared decision making on the part of the board and administration.

    Hernandez was referring to several issues that have inundated the college in the past few years, including being at risk of losing its accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, the lay-offs of several faculty members after supporting a student protest questioning current Superintendent/President Dr. Raj Chopra, and differences between the administration and the student newspaper .

    “Recent administrative actions toward suppressing 1st amendment rights of faculty and students by placing four faculty members on administrative leave and putting barriers on the printing of the award-winning student newspaper, The Sun, also reinforce the deterioration of the college in fostering an environment of trust and respect for all employees and students,” Hernandez said.

    Hernandez cites her experience working in different positions in SWC for 31 years as her best presentation card that she is the ideal candidate to become a member of the governing board, a board that has been criticized by faculty and staff for its support of Chopra’s not always popular decisions.

    “Having worked at Southwestern College for 31 years as a teacher, counselor, administrator, and superintendent/president, I possess vast experience, knowledge, and a keen understanding of the issues that the college is currently facing. I have a proven record of supporting a positive campus climate, and of working collaboratively with all groups to resolve issues and problems,” she said.

     “I am confident that, as a board member, I can work with all constituent groups to get the college off probation. I also want to restore significant numbers of classes to meet the needs of the students. Most importantly, I want to restore excellence to SWC, and an environment that is collegial and supports teaching and learning.”

    She said that she’s running against incumbent Yolanda Salcido “because in the past eight years on the board she has consistently contributed to the deterioration of the college as evidenced by the accreditation team’s observations of board micromanagement, oppressive climate for employees, confusion about the board’s role, and the handling of potential conflict of interest and ethics violations.”

    Hernandez said that, as a board member, she would try to involve “all constituent groups working together in an environment of trust, collegiality, and collaboration. I have a track record for resolving conflict, fiscal crisis, and low morale through processes that respect the voices of faculty, staff, and students.”

    Hernandez is endorsed by both the faculty and staff unions. The student newspaper, The Sun, has also endorsed her candidacy.

    “This election will determine the future of Southwestern College, the only institution of higher learning in South County. As a board member, I will work with faculty, staff, and students, to… reestablish a campus environment that supports trust, accountability, and transparency.”

    To learn more about Norma Hernandez, visit her website www.hernandez4swc.com.