Another COD administrator stepping down

By Catherine Edman Daily Herald Staff
Published: 9/26/2008 3:36 PM

The College of DuPage is losing another administrator. Vice President of Academic Affairs Christopher Picard recently submitted a request that trustees granted allowing him to return to the faculty. Starting next semester, he'll work in the English department.

"He requested the opportunity to return to teaching," COD Interim President Harold McAninch said.

No further explanation was given. Picard did not return calls.

The transfer includes a step-down in salary. Picard's current salary for leading the Glen Ellyn-based school's academic department is $139,860, college spokesman Bill Troller said. When he transfers to the faculty Jan. 12, he'll be paid $91,400 a year.

Picard's department was under the spotlight earlier this year when a proposal though the continuing education department was presented to trustees about opening a satellite campus in Costa Rica. After news of the plan sparked strong public criticism, the plan was withdrawn for administrative review and was not presented again.

McAninch said if Picard works through the summer semester and picks up more than the standard course load, he could return to within about $15,000 of his original pay. Full-time faculty who teach English composition must carry 12 credit hours, while those who teach literature must teach 15 credit hours.

Picard started as the head of the academic department in 2001 and previously served in a similar role at North Central Michigan College. According to his curriculum vitae, he last taught English in 1992 when he worked as a part-time instructor at Troy State University.

He'll be replaced in January by Joseph Collins, who is now the COD associate vice president for academic planning and assessment.

This is the second top-level change in the past six months. In May, trustees removed President Sunil Chand from his job, transferring him to the role of president emeritus. McAninch, brought in to serve on an interim basis while trustees search for a new president, said he's reviewing the overall structure and organization of the school and plans to recommend changes to trustees this fall.