In a meeting held Nov. 9, student senators voiced their opinion about a proposal that will add a new risk management supervisor in spite of school budget constraints.
In a recent address to the Board of Trustees, Superintendent-President Dr. Lori Gaskin called for a full-time risk management supervisor to oversee natural disaster planning at City College. While some faculty objected to the new proposition, student senators feel that this will bring a new sense of safety to the campus and its students.
“I went to high school in the Santa Barbara [School] District and we always had fire drills and earthquake drills; everyone knew their route if something happened,” said Geneva Sherman, president of the associated student senate. “I don’t feel like I would be prepared if anything were to happen.”
If the position were approved, whoever is hired would also work as the supervisor of campus security. According to Student Trustee Joel Negroni, by bringing the two forces together, overall safety on campus should rise.
“I understand that there’s an important need for faculty [in other departments], but being in a safe environment also goes with our education,” said Negroni. “There always has to be someone taking the lead and ensuring that things are getting done.”
As the meeting continued, Allison Curtis, associate dean of educational programs, acknowledged that at the beginning of her career at City College, there was a risk management position filled. After the multiple budget cuts made to school programs, disaster planning quickly took the back burner as priorities rose in other departments.
The idea of offering the risk management position as part-time instead of full-time was discussed during the recent Board of Trustees meeting, as well. However, senators feel that this job would require a person working as a full-time administrator.
“Part-time is going to take twice as long as what a full-time position would do,” Negroni said.
Sherman agreed by recognizing the ever-changing atmosphere of the students and their methods of “getting information.”
The reorganization plan will be delivered to the Board of Trustees at the Dec. 13 meeting.
