Students lack representation

Peralta Colleges Student Trustee Nicole Tobor has been noticeably absent from every board meeting this semester and more of half of the meetings in the fall.

Tobor was one of just two candidates seeking to represent students on the district's governing board. There are seven members elected by the public, and two positions for student members.

"From my understanding, she had some health problems" in the fall, and this spring, "she had a class that conflicted with the board meetings," said Peralta Board President Bill Withrow (Area 1--Alameda).

Student Trustee Yvonne Thompson was sworn in simultaneously with Tobor, but has not been in communication with her. "When I tried to connect with her, she was unavailable," said Thompson of her initial encounters with Tobor. "I kind of had to start by myself from the beginning."

Student Trustees receive a monthly stipend of about $250 for attending meetings. Records show Tobor received four stipends for attending meetings in June, July and December, and during the Board's August recess. She has not been compensated this year as she has not attended the meetings.

Tobor did not respond to requests for comment.

This is not the first time Peralta has faced this situation. In 2005, then Student Trustee Lana Spencer took ill and was unable to complete her second term. It was believed that Spencer would complete the term, but without a policy the position could not be filled, said said Lisa Watkins-Tanner, assistant for the president's office at Laney College.

"We didn't know she was sick," said Watkins-Tanner, who served as ASLC president and student trustee with Spencer. Watkins-Tanner was asked to create the policy, but was unable to implement it due to the other responsibilities associated with the position.

"It's important if anything happens," said Watkins-Tanner. "They could get sick, God forbid they could die…or they could even be crooked." She said there needs to be a way for students to be represented.

President Withrow wants the position to be filled and thinks the vacancy "doesn't reflect well on the institution.

"We have to come up with a better way of motivating students to serve," Withrow said. "We as an institution have to do better."

In accordance with California Education Code, every district must have one "non-voting student member" on the governing board.

For the last decade, Peralta's Board Policy calls for two student trustees on the board, each with an "advisory vote." In May 2007, the board voted 4-3 against granting students the privilege of making and seconding motions.

In order to qualify for the ballot, a student must gather 200 written signatures of currently enrolled students, includeing 100 from other campuses.

But the position has not been widely advertised. Notice of the position was buried on page seven of the Feb. 26, 2009 Laney Tower in the calendar section. Petitions were due Feb. 27, 2009. Announcement of the vacancy was on page one of the January 31, 2008 Laney Tower.

Last year, then-Student Trustees Marlene C. Hurd and Reginald James called for the "postponement of the student trustee elections until May" in an April 10, 2008 editorial in the Tower. They cited that the election was not "adequately publicized" and should be postponed "for the sake of transparency, adhering to the democratic process and ensuring students are effectively represented on the board."

At a May 2008 board Policy Review Committee meeting, a policy was proposed for replacement and recall, but it was not heard nor sent to the full board for consideration.

Thompson, who herself was hospitalized from last July to September, and had to attend meetings via teleconference until the last meeting in October 2008, said that the need for a policy is now recognized.

Thompson is proposing a committee made up of the four AS presidents from the four Peralta campuses and her, that will take applications, interview students and make an appointment.

President Withrow doesn't think the board should interfere with the process."I don't want the board interfering in that process. I feel this is something the students should do," he said. "But the board may have to take action soon."

Thompson said, "I would like to see this happen before I get sworn-in in June." Thompson will be sworn in for her second term June 9.