Supporting and Realizing an Effective Government

By John "Jack" Holton

This paper oulines the characteistics of an effective College of the Desert government and my approach to achieving that effectiveness.

OPENLY COMMUNICATIVE

I will push for and adhere to the policy that: the College of the Desert governing body clearly and in a timely manner communicate the nature of and reason for any fundamental change in:
1. Operating procedures
2. Operational expenditures
3. Tactics and/or
4. Strategies.

These changes should be reported to the faculty, staff, students businesses, and other community organizations that may be significantly affected by such changes. This is an apparent change in existing policy.

RESPONSIVE TO COMMUNITY NEEDS

I will be available on campus at least one day per month hear the concerns and suggestions of the faculty, staff, students and interested community organizations with regard to the operation and management of the college. I will also provide an internet address where I can be reached for such comments. I promise to take appropriate and timely action to address those concerns that are warranted.

ETHICALLY RESPONSIBLE

As a board member I will, within my powers, take measures to ensure that sufficient monitoring of college operations with respect to ethical practices are implemented.

Moreover, once such practices are supposedly uncovered, the board should make a significant effort to understand the nature of; and take immediate steps to solve such problems. This does not seem to be the case with the significant law suit which the College now faces. This law suit could have been avoided had the board taken prompt and decisive action as to its nature and solution. I will be vigilant to ensure that this does not happen again.

ECONOMICALLY EFFECTIVE

I have managed multimillion dollar budgets in industry. I have consulted with community colleges and installed information processing systems to address their administrative processing needs. I have planned and executed university information technology curriculums. I have taught university finance and accounting courses.

With such a broad background of educational and business experiences, I can and will make informed and economically effective decisions regarding the allocation and use of the College's resources.

INFORMED

As indicated before, I will take significant strides to get input from the faculty, staff, students, businesses and other community organizations to make informed decisions that will effectively address their needs. I will encourage my associates to do likewise.

I am also quite familiar with and quite often use a variety of computer based research tools to find solutions to my problems. In addition, my extensive connections with senior staff at other community colleges in California will enable me to solicit their input and suggestions regarding issues such as student and faculty recruitment etc.

PARTICIPATORY

Where capable of being utilized successfully; the faculty, and students, and community organizations should be encouraged to and actively participate in planning and deciding the use of college resources. As stated previously, I will make a concerted effort to solicit their input for the decisions which I make regarding College plans and operations.