Permanent positions allow visions to happen

Over the past several years, interim positions and shuffling titles has weakened the progress towards the vision of MHCC.

Interim or reduced staff and administrators reduce the ability of the college to progress. There is not enough time for an interim to make and achieve goals, fix problem areas or benefit their department greatly when they will be quickly moved to another position or move on from MHCC.

In 2010 the college received four new, permanent deans. Robert Cox, for example, filled four interim positions before becoming Dean of Student Success and Enrollment.

There are currently two interim deans at MHCC, Eric Tschuy of Humanities and Rick Bolesta of Science.

According to the director of communications Maggie Huffman, the college is “conducting executive searches now.” The job posting online for the two dean positions expires on Feb. 10.

Huffman added that the college “consolidated areas to achieve administrative savings.”

“Organizations often do this to achieve savings or increase efficiency. We would not call this shuffling which implies randomness. Strategic decision-making goes into creation of the organization,” added Huffman.

Math instructor and former president of the Full-Time Faculty Association Sara Williams said that while interim deans are a result of less funding from the state, they are also less of a vision in hard times for the college.

Williams added that she is unsure whether the interims selected to fill positions were chosen for their merit, worthiness or their availability.

Interim positions may allow programs and/or departments to be weakened because they are not as invested in a department as a permanent position would be. They essentially act as space-filler until the college hires a full-time replacement.

Part-time or interim employees are a short-term solution to a problem.

The goals formulated seem to be tied to narrow and short-term visions. We feel there is a need for long-term goals, progress and commitment.

College President Michael Hay was an interim for his first year and his second contract solidified his position until he retires this June. The board is considering applicants to fill Hay’s position, with the quality of long-term commitment in their top priorities after one of the shortest-term presidencies.

A long term and commitment to MHCC administration will allow goals to be made that affect the school over the duration over a longer period.

“MHCC has an active and fully engaged president, Mike Hay, and an active and fully engaged Board, as well as many other leaders throughout the college for their administrative areas,” said Huffman.

Williams said that board seems to be prioritizing for long-term goals due to current uncertainty in the administration.

Following these changes, the board will have at least two board members will retire and bring four seats up for election. This provides an opportunity for a fresh perspective to be brought to the college.

Williams said that she hopes the new board members will bring a fresh perspective to the college as well as a willingness to ask questions.

So, with a new college president in the works, a possibility of two new deans as well as three new board members in the spring, we at The Advocate hope to see the administration and faculty of MHCC coalesce into a definitive direction that is aimed at maximizing the student experience and effectiveness at the college. What else would they be here for?