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Victoria College Board of Trustees candidates:

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  • Originally published April 30, 2008 at 1:06 p.m., updated April 30, 2008 at 1:06 p.m.

WHAT ARE YOUR QUALIFICATIONS AND/OR REASON FOR RUNNING?

Walker: I have been on the Victoria College Board since 1985 and have worked with the other Board members to keep Victoria College an institution with strong fiscal controls, which provides an outstanding academic education, solid vocational and technical programs, and a wide range of continuing education courses.

McEnroe: I am a college graduate, lived at the same address since 1987, and a former faculty member at Victoria College.

WHAT ARE THE TWO MOST PRESSING MATTERS FOR VC AND YOUR THOUGHTS TO ADDRESS?

Walker: The top priority for Victoria College this year is the selection of a new president to replace the retiring Dr. Jimmy Goodson. Victoria College over the past 59 years has only had three presidents. It is important that the board finds a new president who will continue a path of stable leadership. Providing quality education with affordable tuition and low taxes is always at the forefront. Victoria College students perform very well when transferring to four-year universities. Vocational education programs are praised by students and employers who hire them. Victoria College receives grants because of its conservative fiscal management.

McEnroe: No response given.

WHAT IMPACT DO YOU THINK UHV’S EXPANSION TO A FOUR-YEAR INSTITUTION WOULD HAVE ON VICTORIA COLLEGE?

Walker: Victoria College and UHV have had a partnership for the past 34 years, which has benefited both institutions and the community. Only when a decision is made as to whether UHV will become a four-year institution and then whether it will remain as a shared campus or move to a different location can Victoria College assess the impact on its mission. No matter what changes UHV may make over the coming years, it is important that the beneficial partnership between Victoria College and UHV continues as each institution responds to their own challenges and that of our community.

McEnroe: I think the expansion of UHV to a four-year institution will probably hurt the enrollment at Victoria College. This community does not have sufficient population to support both VC and UHV.

Are there other academic areas VC should add (for example additional foreign languages)?

Walker: Victoria College is monitoring the demand for existing courses as well as new courses. The desire for such courses must be balanced with the fiscal responsibility of using the college’s resources to its best use. If the demand and need are there, the college will work to implement desired new courses.

McEnroe: No response given.

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE COLLEGE’S ROLE IN LOCAL WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT?

Walker: Victoria College is structured to respond to the changing vocational educational needs of our region. As an example, when the chemical industry needed trained process operators, they began working with Victoria College. These corporations donated more than $1 million to create the state-of-the-art, two-year chemical process program. Victoria College has also provided specialized training programs for different technical jobs in short programs. Local and prospective employers have used training provided by Victoria College and have been impressed with the response time and results. Work force development is a key part of what Victoria College provides to our community.

McEnroe: Victoria College has been a positive influence on workforce development for Victoria. The addition of vocational training has added to the value of VC for our community.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON VC TAXING THE OTHER COUNTIES IN ITS SERVICE AREA AND NOT JUST VICTORIA COUNTY?

Walker: The ability of Victoria College or any community college to tax outside of its county is governed by state law. This complex procedure would begin with the county to be annexed presenting the Victoria College board with a petition for annexation. The board would then call for an election on the annexation issue for that county. Since that petition has not been presented, to lower the tax burden and provide additional value to Victoria County citizens higher tuition rates are charged for out-of-county residents. Equalizing the burden of providing higher education is something which demands the constant attention of the citizens, schools and the legislature.

McEnroe: I was surprised to learn that VC could tax other counties in the service area. While those counties would have to vote for this tax, I do not support it.

WHAT SHOULD BE THE ROLE OF VC IN IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN GENERAL FOR THE REGIONn?

Walker: If a community college is doing all the right things, raising the quality of life in the community should be felt directly or indirectly by everyone. Ask the next nurse who treats you where they were educated. It should be felt directly by those receiving education from the technical programs and those wanting a strong academic background. Victoria College also provides basic adult education and continuing education courses. Victoria College strives to encourage each individual to start learning. Improving the quality of life in the community is what Victoria College is all about.

McEnroe: No response given.


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