Take COD off; put Boycott Three on probation

After boycotting the College of DuPage Board meeting December 17, the three holdover members, Erin Birt, Joe Wozniak and Dianne McGuire (the Boycott Three) signaled their intention to stay on strike against governing the college till, well, they get their way. The Boycott Three opposed every reform measure that the new Board majority implemented in the past eight months, putting COD on the road to recovery from the educational, administrative and financial tsunami that led to COD's extraordinary placement on probation by the Higher Learning Commission. But without a majority, the Boycott Three could only flail away in meaningless protest as virtually every excess of the Bob Breuder administration was swept away, setting the stage for COD to thrive. With the abrupt resignation of Board Chair Kathy Hamilton, the Boycott Three recognized their power to deny the Board a quorum to act in furtherance of this urgent reform. But in so doing they worsened the COD situation beyond measure. COD is now largely shut down, being unable to authorize expenditures over $25,000 or even approve new educational programs. What is most despicable about their action is that it was their governance, along with the three members who have mercifully left the Board, which enabled and even participated in the mis-management and gluttony that plagued COD for five unfortunate years.

Come on Higher Learning Center, do the right thing. Recognize the reform which cannot be rolled back and remove COD from educational probation. While you're at it, place the Boycott Three on Double Secret Probation, giving the reform Board a quorum and leaving the Boycott Three to stew in their infantile excesses away from the public arena which they have so pitifully served.