SMRR 2006 Candidate Endorsements — College Board
Candidate: Louise C. Jaffe

SMC's Vision is "Changing Lives Through Excellence In Education." I am committed to this vision.

1. How will you promote good working relationships among faculty, staff, administration and the Board of Trustees? (approximately 200 words)
   
   I believe that respectful, ongoing communication is the key to building trust and credibility and that the budget process needs to be transparent and on a timeline that allows for meaningful reflection and discussion of funding priorities and challenges.
   
   An effective College Trustee does not work in isolation. I will strive to work collegially, constructively, and productively with my fellow Board members, administrators, faculty, classified staff, students, and community members to improve services for students and to build a climate of open communication, respect, and partnership. Specific recommendations to establish ongoing, constructive dialogue include joint budget workshops with the Board of Trustees, Academic Senate, Faculty Association, and CSEA; restructuring the budget development calendar to allow for more input, review, and consensus building; receiving updates from classified staff as well as faculty at all board meetings; and assigning Board liaisons to sit on working committees with administrators, faculty, staff, and students.
   
   I am willing and able to devote a great deal of time to meeting with key stakeholders and building personal trust and credibility.
   
   In all efforts and communications, I will aim to build consensus as the foundation for progress.
   
   In all efforts and communications, I will be mindful of my role as one of seven elected Trustees.
   
   
   
2. What priority should Santa Monica College give to vocational education programs? (approximately 200 words)
   
   As a member of the College Board, I will strive to maintain and improve SMC's record as the #1 transfer school to 4 year colleges. I will also focus keenly on developing and expanding vocational options, basic skills, and job training for students who are not interested in pursuing a four year degree.
   
   SMC and SMMUSD need to expand options and pathways to success. SMC can and should explore and develop job training and career path partnerships with local industries including the transportation, health care, hospitality, entertainment, recreation, and construction industries. This must be a top priority; however it must be done mindfully and strategically, so that new and expanded programs are sustainable and will provide viable employment in the 21st century. Technology has changed the face of many industries and new models and partnerships must be developed and implemented that are relevant in today's and tomorrow's economy. SMC has begun an "environmental scan" of workforce development opportunities. I fully support this effort, and along with the current board and the community, wish to see viable vocational programs implemented swiftly.
   
   I will also work with the College and the School District to explore and define opportunities for Santa Monica and Malibu high school students to benefit from dual enrollment class offerings and to create a seamless path for local high school students interested in pursuing vocational training through SMC.
   
   
   
3. Apart from its educational role, what are the obligations of a community college to its surrounding community? (approximately 200 words)
   
   I believe that the college's obligation to the community is to fulfill its public charge to provide access to lifelong learning opportunities for personal, social, and professional improvement. In fulfilling its educational role, SMC must be a good neighbor and a good community and institutional partner.
   
   SMC must continue efforts to ensure environmental health and sustainability, using green technology and materials for new construction, maintenance, and vehicle upgrades. SMC must continue efforts to work cooperatively and collaboratively with the cities of Santa Monica, Malibu, and Los Angeles, and with neighborhood groups to minimize the impact of college-related traffic and parking and to maximize the utilization of clean energy public transit. To maintain our community's continued access to college programs, SMC needs to acquire a permanent replacement shuttle lot and develop parking self-sufficiency. The college should also continue working with the Big Blue Bus to encourage increased student and staff ridership, invest in an environmentally friendly shuttle bus fleet, and work with the City of Santa Monica to establish safe pedestrian and bicycle routes to SMC. New college facilities should be designed to be attractive and accessible to the community with programming that enriches our civic learning community.
   
   SMC must develop and maintain the ongoing communication and shared respect essential for an advantageous relationship and partnership with the cities, the school district, relevant non-profit organizations, and neighborhood groups.
   SMC is supported by the goodwill and self-interest of the community at large and it must operate in a manner that will sustain and promote that goodwill.
   
   
   
4. What are the most significant challenges facing Santa Monica College and what would be your approach to these challenges? (approximately 400 words)
   
   Financial challenges and inadequate communication have resulted in strained relations on several issues with the City of Santa Monica and neighborhood groups and with the faculty and classified employees associations. The College must strengthen communication and collaboration practices in order to build trust and improve these integral relationships.
   
   Financial health and sustainability remain challenges: SMC must eliminate its deficit while developing new programs that are financially sustainable. Resolving the issue of parking is of critical importance in stabilizing Santa Monica College financially. Students must have access to the college for the college to be successful and able to offer the depth and quality of programs desired and most beneficial to the community. The faculty contract needs to be resolved. Meanwhile, the college has a huge workload of capital projects which needs to be well-managed and supervised.
   
   The issue of funding rests largely with the State Legislature. I believe that SMC Trustees, working closely with staff and strategic partners, can begin to address issues in Sacramento to improve funding and other consequences felt here in Santa Monica.
   
   With Dr. Tsang as the new college president, a new Santa Monica city manager, a new Malibu city manager, a new school district superintendent, and new members on the SMC Board of Trustees, all the pieces are in place to move forward together to further the college's mission, for the benefit of the students and the community, with communication, partnership, collegiality, and respect as cornerstones for continuous improvement and progress.
   When the Board of Friends of Sunset Park opposed vehicular access to Airport Ave. for Bundy Campus students unless traffic mitigations could protect the residential neighborhoods, what was your position?
   
   As a 20 year Sunset Park resident and SMC neighbor, I attended FOSP meetings and argued for a more accommodating posture to SMC. I arranged for FOSP President Zina Josephs to join me for a tour of the Bundy Campus --- everyone should go visit; it's beautiful! I spoke publicly before the SMC Board of Trustees and the City Council in support of providing access to the 609 space parking lot for students and actively lobbied City Councilmembers to reach an agreement to provide access for students.