Improving communication at City College

By Milton Marks, III

The importance of good communication in bringing together various constituencies at City College

"I have one overriding goal for this year: Improving communication at City College.

I am a firm believer that there are good ideas and valuable thoughts at every level of this institution and throughout the community. I also know that the Board of Trustees must avoid acting primarily in a top-down fashion. It is in the interaction of diverse constituencies and the consideration of diverse opinions that we can arrive at new ways of thinking that far exceed what we can accomplish in isolation. It is imperative for us to have faith in the process and strength to see us through difficult deliberations.

I have heard references to the "City College Family" on many occasions since I joined the Board in January 2001. Indeed, we are a family in that we are joined in common purpose and mission, revel in our collective achievements, mourn our personal losses, and remain united. Those are all good things.

But, it is also important for us to appreciate that families also face interpersonal problems and dissent. Healthy debate and dialogue that sometimes gets heated and seems confrontational does not mean that we do not continue to feel respect, admiration, and even love for members of our family.

In fact, it is in allowing ourselves to work through problems, to hear what each of us feels, and to craft solutions together that we can grow as a family. Let's find a way to encourage greater dialogue, to get more people to attend our Board meetings, to meet regularly as a Board with our colleagues in government on the School Board and the Board of Supervisors, and to work through issues in a public forum. We do not have to agree on everything at the beginning of the process, but we can agree to open up the debate.

As Trustees of a public institution, we should do everything in our power to set an example to shine a bright light on our work. I am convinced that what we have to say to each other is enormously important. Let us not try to shorten the process of open and engaging dialogue + whether in person, on the phone, through surveys, or in public meetings. It may be uncomfortable for some of us, but, in the end, it will be worth it as we become even more effective as Trustees, Administrators, Faculty, Classified Staff, and students."