College of DuPage Board meeting fireworks better than July 4th's

Just returned from the best show in town: the first COD Board meeting since "Grantgate" (President Breuder's May 9 email detailing his slimy machinations to scarf up $20 million from the state which resulted in the Governor cancelling it and all future

grants pending due diligence). After 45 minutes of the COD administration VP's and President Breuder touting their accomplishments, the public got their chance to speak and they didn't disappoint. One after another after another the "little" people stood up and called for Breuder's resignation or firing; for the Board to investigate "Grantgate"; for the Board to rescind their June 26 vote to build a $50 million classroom not needed as enrollment has dropped from 34,000 to 28,000 the past few years; for the Board to address the monstrous $469,000 compensation package to President Breuder and the $2.5 million pay package for his top 9 Administrators (called 'Millionaires Row'), and on and on for an hour. Everyone who spoke acquitted themselves well especially the student speakers. Again and again the Board was asked, begged, challenged and demanded to address the spiraling financial shenanigans plaguing the College of DuPage, hurting the COD taxpayers, faculty and students. Let's hope the Board gets the message. It's clear that President Breuder never will.

COD VP doesn't address Board member's building criticism

College of DuPage Executive VP Joseph Collins, in his rebuttal letter, didn't address the substance of COD Board Member Kathy Hamilton's letter explaining her June 26 vote, the only one, opposing the new $50 million classroom building at COD. Three weeks after the vote, Wilson argues the building is necessary because COD enrollment is up. He then goes on to say that "for all intents and purposes" COD is out of space for scheduling classes in the prime morning and evening times. That phase, of course, means nothing. It is a rhetorical trick to justify doing what is not substantiated by a thorough study of all existing classroom space in an already overbuilt campus when many students are switching to online classes from their "home" classroom. The absence of a thorough study, and not the undisputed fact that enrollment is up, was the substance of Hamilton's argument and vote. She argues that the taxpayers and the community are not served when such justification is not provided. President Breuder is proud of stating he runs COD like a business. As one who just retired from 42 years in business, I can assure President Breuder and Vice President Collins that a sound business never spends $50 million on a building that has not been thoroughly researched and vetted.

A tennis gem in Glen Ellyn

Tucked away in the western edge of Glen Ellyn's scenic Lake Ellyn Park is possibly the oldest recreational facility in all of Glen Ellyn: nearly century old clay tennis courts. Upon entering the gated facility with a membership key, one is transported back to a bygone era when tennis was played on clay or grass instead of the hard surfaces developed in the modern age. The packed green clay forms a subsurface topped with a gritty material which gives the courts their soft, natural feel. The ball bounces higher on the clay slowing down the game and extending rallies well past those possible on hard surfaces. Surrounded by abundant trees and shrubs one forgets about the fast paced modern world lurking just yards from the old time tennis action. The feet and knees take less of a pounding and if you fall you're more likely to wind up with dirt stains rather than cuts and abrasions. No matter how exhausted one is after a couple of hours of competitive tennis, both players must take up the rollers and brush implements to smooth out the now gouged court surface and clean off the white court lines. That is part of the special ambiance experienced with the opportunity to play the game as it was in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Waterleaf or waterfall: COD priorities all wet

The DuPage community is rightly abuzz over the Governor's office cancelling a $20 million grant for a new classroom building at College of DuPage. It resulted from publication of President Robert Breuder's May 9 email to the COD Board detailing his machinations to get the $20 million that would make Machiavelli proud. But this is just the first publi...c airing of a number of issues regarding spending and governance at COD that have been percolating during Breuder's five year tenure. One involves Waterleaf, the professionally run, French cuisine restaurant Breuder installed on campus. What business does a community college have using tax payer and tuition dollars to compete with local eateries? Why should anyone support such an un-educational enterprise that lost $576,000 in 2012. Waterleaf is so desperate it's reduced to advertising in the local church bulletin. Then there is The Waterfall installed by Breuder and the Board to beautify the campus. We're not talking about any waterfall, but a two million dollar extravaganza. Assuming the water is recycled it's not a waste of water, but sure is a waste of money. Meanwhile, last May, COD severed its 27 year association with the Buffalo Theater Ensemble, over its $80,000 annual shortfall in ticket revenue. This long time theatrical gem provided wonderful art for the community and good training for student cast and crew members.

A wise aphorism states that when looking for mis-management, 'just follow the money'. At COD it's 'just follow the water.'