Search to Start for New Prez

Valley College President Tyree Wieder's upcoming retirement brings the selection process of a new president to the forefront, but Wieder still has things to accomplish before leaving her position next year.

"Several years ago I really wanted to stay because we had projects moving along like the bond program, and I really wanted to see planning completed for those," said Wieder. "We're kind of at that place now."

The Educational Master Plan and Strategic Plan, which is focused on revising and expanding the curriculum, is a priority for Wieder. Another program underway is the Basic Skills Initiative; a statewide pilot that seeks to expand English as a Second Language, and help students who are unprepared for college-level work.

Wieder also wants to make sure the summer renovations to the humanities, math and science, engineering buildings, and planetarium, which are part of the bond program, are thoughtfully planned out before she leaves. The renovation will force faculty staff in these departments to abandon their classrooms toward the end of the spring semester to allow construction.

"I won't be here for the construction, but I want to make sure everything is planned out as best we can," she said.

Wieder announced her retirement at this time to allow the chancellor and Board of Trustees time to conduct a search and have someone in place by July of next year.

According to chapter six of the selection of college president Article III, the Board of Trustees will direct the Los Angeles Community College District Chancellor, Mark Drummond, to start a search process that will begin at the community college level. Faculty, staff, and other representatives will develop an announcement describing the position and criteria to be used in selecting a successful candidate. This will result in a recruitment and advertising plan.

The chancellor will then develop a Presidential Search Committee composed of Valley faculty, staff, a student representative, and community representatives, among others. Individuals in the committee will be elected by their peers.

"I hope the chancellor gives the green light [to begin the search] in early January," said Joanne Waddell, professor of physical education and Valley chapter president of the American Federation of Teachers' faculty guild who has served in two vice president and three dean search committees.

The committee will review the applications of all eligible candidates and interview the candidates that seem to fit the qualification they will look for. The Search Committee will then invite three to five candidates to the campus where the candidates will be introduced to staff and community members. Of these candidates, the committee will recommend three to the chancellor, who then will forward his recommendation to the Board of Trustees, who make the final decision.

Although Wieder will not be active in the selection process, she does believe that certain qualities are necessary in a president.

"Listen to what people are saying, listen to what people are not saying," she said. "Listen to different points of view because sometimes those different points of view have merit."

Valley Star Photo Editor Paul Olden contributed to the story.