By Catherine Edman Daily Herald Staff
Published: 5/30/2008 12:11 AM
:http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=200260
The pressure on College of DuPage trustees continued Thursday after they officially welcomed Interim President Harold McAninch back to the fold. A former board trustee and the president of the faculty union both demanded answers as to why former President Sunil Chand was removed from his job Tuesday morning. Chand, who'd led the school for five years, was reassigned to the status of president emeritus. He'll now focus on fundraising.
"The aftershocks continue to ripple through the halls and offices," said Glenn Hansen, president of the COD Faculty Association. "There is a wide gamut of emotions.
"A sentiment often expressed in comments is, 'If this can happen so quickly to a president who is highly respected at local, state, national and international levels, who is next?'" Hansen asked.
Joseph Morrisey, a former trustee, said he's known three presidents at the school, and "all have been outstanding administrators with clear visions for COD."
"Two seem to have been summarily dismissed during the terms of present board members," Morrisey said. "What does this say about the board? Does this board accept its role as one of oversight and governance or is it attempting to be administrators?" Morrisey continued.
Foreign language professor Gino Impellizzeri, who said he was speaking more as a concerned citizen, expressed outrage at the suddenness of Tuesday morning's vote. "I am shocked at this in-the-dead-of-night little event," he said.
Chairman Micheal McKinnon would not discuss any specifics regarding Chand after the meeting, saying it is a protected "personnel matter."
"Keep in mind all actions are done with the best interest of the taxpayers in mind," he said. "This was a very difficult decision." McKinnon did say the "mutually agreed upon" discussion to transfer Chand to president emeritus "began last week."
"The college will continue," he said. "Right now, we have two presidents."
McAninch will determine Chand's duties. He said Chand will be working with the foundation board on an endowment campaign to raise $10 million for health-related fields.
There's no timeframe yet to conduct a search for a new president at the school. But McAninch stressed his intention to serve for a "short" duration. And by short, he said he intends to spend the winter in Arizona as always.
McAninch served as president at College of DuPage from 1979 to 1994 and worked on several occasions after retiring as an interim president elsewhere.
The board agreed to pay him a salary of $107,680, the amount he is allowed to earn during a calendar year as a retiree with the State University Retirement System. McAninch also will get a monthly housing allowance of $416, which is prorated from $5,000 annually. Chand received a yearly housing allowance of $10,000. The board also will give McAninch a $600 monthly car allowance.
