Witnessing events through the lens of a camera brings a close-up perspective of the surrounding world in the eyes of a photographer. Every time the shutter clicks, it creates a photo of a moment that can be kept, treasured and shared, and engraves a permanent image in the mind of the photographer. This was my experience, working as a photojournalist at the governing board's reorganization meeting last April.
This was an exceptionally emotional and volatile meeting. On the agenda were several items affecting the lives of Southwestern College's students, faculty and staff. Watching the drama unfold behind the camera as several positions, programs and departments were eliminated left unsettling images engraved in my mind that I will not soon forget.
I still see the faces of students as they plead with the governing board to reconsider their stand on faculty reassign time. Invaluable time lost with faculty that these students believe to be a stronghold in their continuing education. Images of Blackwater protestors fill my head of them declaring their opposition to SWC partnering up with such a controversial company.
With several high profile and essential positions being cut, faculty and staff did their best to get the board to reconsider the layoff of Sylvia Lugo, performing arts coordinator, and Elisandra Singh, creator and manager of SWC's web site.
Anger and despair showed vividly on the face of Outreach Director Fernando Poveda as he spoke of a letter from the superintendent of the Sweetwater Union High School District to Superintendent Chopra that called for his dismissal due to his involvement in uncovering the sexual-harassment scandal with Greg Sandoval. Determination, uncertainty and disbelief were captured in the face of Nevada Smith, director of community and media relations, as she defined her list of accomplishments at SWC and defended her job.
Business majors and faculty begged the board not to dismantle the School of Business.
For the most part these pleas fell on deaf ears. Board member Nick Aguilar asked many questions that the rest of the board refused to answer with any clear detail. Aguilar, along with ASO President Leticia Diaz, expressed their concerns with Chopra's all-or-nothing package. They asked that the measure be broken up or tabled for further investigation into the discriminating letter and time to consider the recommendations of staff and faculty willingly offering their own pay and time as an alternative to these drastic layoffs and changes.
Tears flowed from students, staff and faculty as they offered other alternatives than the firing of these essential personnel and the removable of viable SWC departments.
All in one, the reorganization package passed with a majority. Only Aguilar and Diaz voted not to accept the deal. Jobs were lost, positions eliminated and departments dismantled.
All taxpayer-sponsored governing board meetings are open to the public and so they should be. Here at SWC meetings are generally held in spaces that only accommodate a small number of people and many miss the opportunity to see their elected and hired officials in action. Members of the governing board bickering with each other like preschoolers' fighting over a toy is a sight that every voter should have the opportunity to witness. Perhaps if they did, they will be much more aware the next time that the voting polls come around. I know that as a student and a citizen, I will.
Governing board meetings, at a minimum, should be held in Mayan Hall or even Devore Stadium, giving every student, staff and faculty and concerned citizen the ability to watch the circus.
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