College of DuPage’s adjunct association hosted a trustee candidate forum March 11 in the Turner Conference Center. The forum featured all twelve candidates vying for three seats on the board of trustees.

The event featured the candidates taking questions from the audience and providing opening and closing statements. Many questions discussed the college students, faculty and the recent severance package of college President Robert Breuder, who was in attendance.

The candidates expressed their hopes for COD in the future and were quick to that CODAA for hosting the event.

When asked about President Breuder and his severance package, almost all the candidates were in agreement that Breuder was wrong to accept the package.

Former board Chairman David Carlin, however, defended Breuder, saying the president had helped the college.

“I find it disappointing that any one candidate would single out any college employee, especially one that is sitting in the room,” Carlin said. “This college became what it is because of the contributions of people in the room.”

Though many of the questions stemmed from recent college events making headlines, some questions at the forum addressed student issues. The candidates each had 10 seconds to answer, “What improvements they would like to make for students?”

Incumbent candidate Kim Savage wanted to ensure students were successful.

“I want to increase the number of completions,” Savage said.

Dan Bailey aimed for changes in student services like counseling.

“I want to increase the number of counselors and decrease student debt,” Bailey said.

Pihos also wanted to see changes in student services.

“[I want to] make sure all the necessary support services are in place so students can accomplish their goals,” Pihos said.

Claire Ball wanted to make the college more transparent.

“Open the books, clean out the expenses and stop paying on these large, questionable things,” Ball said.

Keeping the college’s money out in the open was something that Bernstein was also adamant about.

“Let’s stop the hemorrhaging of cash, so that we can keep tuition constant, and pay our faculty what they really deserve and get more permanent faculty,” Bernstein said.

Incumbent candidate Nancy Svoboda expressed the need to focus on non-traditional students.

“The retirees of our district really need to get more attention,” Svoboda said.

Carlin wanted to see change inside the classroom.

“Making sure that when students take a class they are learning something, and they can apply it to the workforce,” Carlin said.

Napolitano also wanted to ensure students were ready for the real world.

“I want to work with business leaders to ensure that students are either four-year college ready or career-ready when they graduate with their associates,”  Napolitano said.

In the classroom, Matt Gambs expressed the desire for more technology.

Deanne Mazzochi wanted to make sure that students were not being held back.

“I think we need to really analyze which classes are serving as bottlenecks for students which are causing students to not advance and get their associates degree or which are causing them to drop out,” Mazzochi said.

Joseph M. Wozniak, father of current board member Joseph C. Wozniak, wanted to repair the damage Breuder had done.

“I, again, wanted to ask Dr. Breuder not to accept his severance package,” Wozniak said in response to how he will make improvements for students.

Roger Kempa simply wanted to help keep COD’s alumni connected.

“I want an alumni association,” Kempa said.

A group of students who attended the event in support of Sandra Pihos felt that the candidates had their pros and cons.

Kayla Lendy, a first-year sociology major, felt that the way candidates presented themselves was pivotal.

“I’m impressed and disappointed,” Lendy said. “If the candidates cannot present themselves well here, how can we expect them to represent the college well?”

Kaylee Anderson, a first-year undecided major, said that aside from her support for Pihos, the recent events at the college made her want to attend the forum.

“We were all in disbelief when we heard about [the recent scandals],” Anderson said. “I think we just wanted to see how we could make a change.”

The candidates running for April 7 election are: Dan Bailey of Wheaton, Claire Ball of Addison, former Trustee David Carlin of Naperville, Roger Kempa of Darien, Matt Gambs of Naperville, Sandra Pihos of Glen Ellyn, Joseph M. Wozniak of Naperville, incumbent Nancy Svoboda of Downers Grove, incumbent Kim Savage of Darien, Deanne Mazzochi of Elmhurst, Frank Napolitano of Bloomingdale and Charles Bernstein of Wheaton.

Registered voters living in community college district 502 are eligible to vote.