Restoring Civility to the Board

By Tim Nader

Board Members can accomplish more by respecting each other, teachers, students and all citizens.

Accepting dissent is sometimes the price of democracy and freedom, and it is a price well worth paying. I served as a foreign aid volunteer after 9/11 in a Central Asian country struggling to make the transition from communism to democracy. Democracy is precious to me and should be to every American.

One of the concerns cited by the accreditation commission when Southwestern was placed on probation earlier this year, was the atmosphere of fear that currently exists because employees and students cannot give their opinions without fearing retaliation. Respect for the rights of all citizens is therefore an accreditation issues, as well as a legal and moral issue.

I will ask the Board to hold meetings in facilities large enough to accommodate all citizens who wish to attend, and will never lock anyone out of a public meeting. I will oppose the practice of abruptly ending Board meetings to cut off discussion, and I will oppose violations of citizens' First Amendment and other Constitutional rights. Instead, I will seek to insure that Board members and citizens have the opportunity to express their opinions without fear of retaliation in any form. When I had the honor of serving as Mayor of Chula Vista, these were non-issues. They will be non-issues again if I have the honor of serving on the Southwestern College Board.