As of midnight on Wednesday, Nov. 6, David Morris is predicted to be elected as a Board of Trustee member representing Area 4. According to unofficial results from the County of Santa Barbara elections division, David Morris won the vote by 83.08 % while opponent Aruni Boteju fell behind with 15.83%.
At SoHo Restaurant and Music Club, candidates eagerly awaited election results.
Morris, hopeful for his win, noted that his support for the school stems from his extensive commitment to the school.
“I taught at City College pretty extensively, [and] was involved in the Faculty Association and on the faculty senate,” Morris said. “Also two of my sons went to City College, so I’ve had a long-time connection with the college. I appreciate what the college has done for my family.”
Bobbi Abrams, the CEO of the SBCC Foundation, and Cornelia Alsheimer, the Faculty Association President, supported Morris throughout his campaigning process.
“I endorsed David Morris, he seemed very prepared when I first met him and I was confident in his abilities considering his history with City College and the community,” Abrams said.
His priorities focus on collegiality, creativity, and collaboration. Morris’s goals for budgetary issues and overall cohesiveness within the school correlate closely with City College’s values and have attracted the popular vote.
“My main goal is collaboration within the college because there are too many people that disagree,” Morris said. “Because of that, you’re losing the ability to connect with them. I believe that faculty, staff, and the school should be working together.”
Board President Jonathan Abboud also highlighted his confidence in Morris and his policies.
“I’m excited for David, he has all kinds of experience and has been a faculty member before,” Abboud said. “He’ll do a great job handling Measure P and communication [within] the school.”
While Morris celebrated his victory, Boteju, who also has deep ties to City College, reflected on her long-standing commitment to the institution and her vision for its future.
While supposedly losing the election, Boteju still remained hopeful. Regardless of the results, she shared her thoughts on how she would contribute to City
College because that was always her main priority.
“[My daughter] started at City College during the pandemic,” Boteju said. “And my sister is a graduate of City College as well. I went to City College as well.”
Boteju has been in it for the long haul. An adamant supporter of Measure P, she believes that it serves to help not only students and faculty but the Santa Barbara community as a whole.
As a single mother with two children, she understands how financial strain can put pressure on a community. She had planned to help implement the bond to improve City College wholly and with purpose.
“At the end of the day, we need to come together, as a Board of Trustees, as executives, everybody,” Boteju said. “Because at the end of the day, the community supports City College tremendously.”
Boteju was clear that all we need to do is keep working for a better future for City College and Santa Barbara in general. City College faculty is confident that Morris will carry out his policies effectively and become a great addition to the Board of Trustees.
