Faculty Seeks Meeting on Chancellor Selection

Faculty representatives from the various San Diego Community College campuses have requested a meeting with the district’s board of trustees Aug. 27 to discuss Wednesday’s appointment of Augustine Gallego as the new district chancellor.

The presidents of the academic senates at Mesa, City and Miramar colleges are upset that the trustees did not consult the faculty before approving Gallego, now director of instructional and student services for the district and a 14-year veteran of various district posts.

“We are concerned about the process,” Myles Clower, past president of the City College faculty senate, said Friday. Gallego was appointed two weeks after Chancellor Bill Wenrich announced his resignation to take a similar post in Dallas. Trustees had been expected to announce only an interim chancellor Wednesday and formation of a search committee for a permanent replacement.

Although surprised at the choice, most of the faculty presidents Friday expressed strong support of Gallego, saying they were questioning the quick process of selection and not his appointment. However, Miramar College professor Bob Bacon, a candidate for one of three open seats on the board in November, said he personally is unsure whether Gallego has the necessary background to be chancellor.

Trustee Evonne Schulze, one of two members who will remain on the board next year, said Friday that she will be happy to meet with the faculty. “But I don’t want anyone to think we made this decision in a vacuum. . . . We talked to a lot of people, and there was all sorts of input. And the board was unanimous in its strong support of Gallego.”