Why I am Running

By Paul "Mac" McNamara

Synopsis of the key points of why Palomar Community College needs a change from the current incumbent Governing Board

Recently, I was made aware of some issues at Palomar Community College. Candidly, it was disturbing what had transpired there. I think you would agree, a community college offers learning across the most diverse band of the educational spectrum. It is one of a community's greatest assets, because it offers, among others:

1. Affordable beginning path to a four-year degree.
2. Associates degrees in practical disciplines.
3. Certificates in work related areas.
4. Retraining in a dynamic work force.
5. Community Education in personal growth areas of interest.

And probably one of its most important but unsung roles that most of us have needed at least once in our life is - it gives us a second chance.

After discussions with Palomar College faculty, staff, and opinion leaders in north county, it became abundantly clear that the Palomar College leadership has come up short in critical areas despite the terrific work of faculty and staff in the trenches at Palomar. There is every reason to believe that current management on campus has made the College needlessly vulnerable on its regional accreditation--the gold standard in higher education and the lifeline to financial aid access for students. Morale has suffered on campus, again needlessly. Palomar College is one of the largest economic drivers in north county, and I could not sit on the sidelines when approached by faculty and staff to alert me to the issues and ask for my help.

Specific issues that were brought to my attention include the recent placement of the College on warning by its accreditation agency for serious deficiencies in planning and budgeting after almost a decade of expressed concern by the agency. This is especially egregious when it occurred at a time when the north county community was asked to support hundreds of million dollars in bonds for the College (and we did!). Add to this management failure, the current leadership decision this spring to increase the pay and benefits of the President, DESPITE no pay increases for faculty and staff, DESPITE canceling hundreds of classes for budgetary reasons, and DESPITE the failure of the President to fulfill his promise to complete an earned doctorate.

This series of failures should have been met by public outrage, but it has not--I felt compelled to do something about this and that is why I decided to do something about it. I filed to be a candidate for Palomar College Trustee. I could not stand by and let this happen again, and I am going to do my best to mobilize a justifiable outrage and unseat one of these incumbents while sending a powerful message that hubris and neglect are NOT qualifications for continuing in office.

Finally, a personal note. Maintaining US history as a graduation requirement means something very dear to me. It comes under periodic attack at Palomar College. Knowledge of US history is ESSENTIAL to citizenship, informed voting and good public policy. As one who served our country for almost 28 years, I felt and lived American history every day. I want to share that with the community and believe that serving on the Governing Board is a platform for achieving that ideal.

Respectfully,

Paul McNamara Candidate for Palomar College Trustee