Last month, College Of DuPage students saw their school’s name on TV, in newspapers and on the radio. College President Robert Breuder’s $763,000 severance package became COD’s claim to fame for the week. As the board of trustees reaffirmed a buyout for Breuder’s retirement Jan. 28, COD was thrown under a magnifying glass.

Stephanie Torres, student body president and former student trustee, was saddened to see the school that has given her an abundance of opportunities portrayed in such a cynical manner.

“I am not happy that we are getting negative media attention because COD has provided so many opportunities to both traditional and nontraditional students,” Torres said. 

“I think it is important to know that the articles don’t tell the whole story,” Torres added.

Public knowledge of the contract was widespread by the Jan. 28 meeting. Nearly 400 people gathered in the imposing SSC lobby, known as the Living Room, with many people speaking out against the college.

“Do you have any shame?,” a member of the crowd questioned. As he stared into a red-faced Breuder’s eyes, police stormed to take him away from the microphone as his comment was deemed “unnecessary” by the board. His comment was just one of many that criticized the personal character of the college president and members of the board.

Student Trustee Omar Escamilla, saying “yes” to the payout, condemned the crowd’s protestations.

“I’m very proud to say I go to COD,” Escamilla told The Courier on the night of the Jan. 28 vote. “I don’t feel ashamed or embarrassed unlike many people who commented tonight.”

Rachel Musselwhite, president of the Pride Alliance at COD, called for a more civil discussion.

“I think both sides could have done better in how they expressed it, and I hope that going forward they do change how they act and are more respectful and more transparent,” Musselwhite said.

Torres sympathized with the trustee members.

“I can only imagine what it is like to have people come each month and criticize you and your leadership style. It is not easy,” Torres said.

Breuder will retire March 31, 2016, as opposed to sometime in 2019 as originally stipulated in his contract. As part of the buyout package, Breuder would get the Homeland Security Education Center building named after him and help choose his successor.

Aside from the backlash from Breuder’s buyout, COD will likely remain in the headlines for the next few months with the upcoming board of trustees election in April.