SANTA ANA : College Ethics Policy Gets Preliminary OK
Rancho Santiago College trustees, who have frequently clashed this year when discussing their ethical behavior, have given preliminary approval to the college’s first policy on ethical conduct.
The policy, the result of a state mandate that requires community colleges to adopt ethical codes by 1992, was drafted by trustees Charles W. (Pete) Maddox and Carol Enos.
“I think it makes a lot of difference,” Maddox said. “On the board level, there hasn’t been anything for 21 years to fall back on in terms of a definition of unethical behavior.”
Maddox, who was elected to the board last November, has been at the center of several controversies regarding charges and countercharges of unethical behavior.
Maddox has accused fellow trustee Rodolfo Montejano of unethical behavior in filing campaign financial statements and in his dealings with the college’s now-defunct swap meet. Maddox has been blasted by some board members for conducting independent investigations into various college matters.
Maddox said he hopes the new policy will signal an end to much of the controversy.
“I think this is a real positive step forward for this board working together in a more productive manner,” he said.
The policy is expected to receive final approval when the board meets Aug. 26.
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