SMC Board Seeks Applicants for Vacant Seat

By Lookout Staff

Sept. 17 -- There is a rare opportunity to join the Santa Monica College Board of Trustees without running for office.

The Santa Monica Community College District is seeking applications from qualified Santa Monica and Malibu residents interested in filling a vacancy on the seven-member panel created by the resignation of Trustee Patrick Nichelson, which becomes effective Sept. 30.

The new trustee -- who will be appointed to fill the vacancy at the Board's meeting November 3 -- would serve until the next regularly scheduled board election in November 2004.

The board is elected by voters in the community college district that encompasses Santa Monica and Malibu and is the governing body for the college, which serves approximately 25,000 students and provides vital educational services to communities in the region.

To be eligible to serve on the Board, an applicant must be at least 18 years old, a resident of the Santa Monica Community College District, a registered voter and must not be disqualified from holding civil office by the Constitution or any law of the state.

The Board is seeking candidates who have the ability and time to fulfill the responsibilities of being a trustee, which includes:

• Participating fully in the work of the Board, including attending all meetings and some college events, studying issues and agenda items, and participating in trustee education programs.
• Being knowledgeable about the communities served by the college and be willing to act on behalf of and for the benefit of those communities.
• Being committed to community colleges and their missions, as well as understanding educational, social and economic policy issues.
• Engaging in balancing the needs of a variety of diverse groups and being able to build consensus.

The Board generally meets at 7 p.m. the first Monday of the month, but frequently convenes at 5:30 p.m. if a closed session is required, and reserves the third Monday for special meetings and workshops, as needed.

For information and applications, please contact the SMC Office of the Board of Trustees at (310) 434-4241. Information is also available on the college's Web Site.

Applications must be submitted by Oct. 6 to the Office of the Board of Trustees, Santa Monica College, 1900 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica 90405.