WESTSIDE NEWS : SANTA MONICA : College Faculty Will Hold Advisory Vote

Santa Monica College faculty members agreed to hold an election to determine whether to give the board of trustees a vote of no confidence for its selection of an out-of-state candidate to head the college.

The decision by the Board of Trustees to appoint Massachusetts Secretary of Education Piedad Robertson as college president has bitterly divided the faculty, most of which favored Darroch F. (Rocky) Young, a popular administrator at the college.

In an emotional meeting Thursday, the faculty voted 111 to 92 to hold a no-confidence election. Those in favor of the advisory election said it was a way to express frustration and disappointment over the board’s decision.

“A vote of no confidence is our best way to tell the board that it must develop a professional, collaborative relationship with the faculty,” said Karin Costello, an English teacher. Faculty members have until noon Friday to cast their ballots.

The vote will have no effect on the board’s decision, which is final.

Those who opposed the decision said a vote of no confidence would further damage faculty relations with the board. Some said while they did not agree with the board’s decision, they felt the board followed proper procedures.