The Blur Between Southwestern College and Foundation

Wow! You've got to be kidding me! Who is Alioto working for? The college or the construction companies? There are such blurred lines here I am sure the payroll lists get blurred, too. How much of that money is landing in his pocket? And how about Chopra? Tonight he is hosting a fundraiser for Salcido with even more money coming from the construction companies - $10K alone from Seville, the company overseeing the bond monies. So let me see if I have got this right, the board gives a raise to Chopra, a housing allowance, which no other Sup/pres has ever received, and let him live in a high rise downtown outside of the district, and give him a car allowance and pocket change to boot? Perhaps he is also involved in "pay-for-play" as he must give back to the master that feeds him. Word on the street is that the board is fixin' to give Chopra another raise if they lose the election so that the new board will be stuck with him or they will have to spend more money on getting rid of him rather than on the students. Despicable! What a farce that the board passed a Code of Ethics policy last night!
— October 14, 2010 11:01 p.m.

Letters

Mister Bender, you talk about fact and fiction, yet you continue to use misleading information like, "In fact, while other colleges are cutting classes and staff, Southwestern College is offering new programs, not cutting staff, and increasing the funds allotted to cover employee health care.." Yes, SWC added a whole 34 new sections, but has had to cut more than that due to under enrollment - this while other college districts in the area are adding 1200 new sections. The college has cut over 100 positions, most adjunct faculty and hourly staff, as well as a much needed dean of research, while they are about to complete the process to hire a new marketing person to help with the PR campaign to reelect two undeserving board members, have added many positions in finance to help support Alioto's kingdom building, and new police officers to keep everyone on their best behavior. While the addition to monies in the health and welfare package is appreciated, it was to ensure that out-of-pocket expenses didn't rise for a fourth straight year. I don't mind you letting the community know what is happening at SWC, but give the the facts without omission and do it for the students, not to support the campaigns of board members that need to go so we can save our school.
— August 21, 2010 7:49 a.m.

Southwestern Suitors

The college is putting on a free picnic for the community to involve them in the snow job going on there. Meanwhile, the district canceled a BBQ for staff and teachers just last week. Why? It wouldn't allow staff to take the time off to attend and teachers don't return to the campus until next Monday. The idea was to foster an environment of trust and respect. How do you do that when no one can show up? Speaking of fostering an environment of trust and respect, Mr. Alioto insisted on going on record to bar leadership from the teachers and classified staff from the stage to welcome back their colleagues at opening day activities - a decades old tradition in a program put on by the Staff Development Committee (made up of teachers and staff). That was, of course, until the next Accreditation Oversight Committee meeting where it mysteriously disappeared from the minutes without explanation. How is that meeting Recommendation 8 - "that the college set as a priority fostering an environment of trust and respect for all employees and students"? See all Accreditation recommendations here: http://www.swccd.edu/Pdfs/Accreditation_Oversight… This administration and board is going in the wrong direction. They can build as many buildings as they want and take as much money from the construction companies as they want, but that will not help SWC remove the "probation" status from its accreditation. They need to take accreditation seriously or those buildings will remain empty. Of course, one board member described meeting accreditation recommendations as putting on nice clothes to attract a pretty girl, it's all about perception and putting on appearances. (you can request the June board meeting audio records through Chris Bender on this - be prepared to wait a long time). Let's get these people out of there and get back to education. That's what the community needs and what the community wants.
— August 12, 2010 9:42 p.m.