For the past 6 years, College of DuPage President Robert Breuder has ruled with a controversial hand. He’s been reprimanded by critics, both within COD and in the community, for focusing on unnecessary amenities and questionable spending. His contentious leadership style has gotten to the point where full-time faculty voted that they have no confidence in his abilities as a president, something that has never happened in COD’s history.

This vote came in last September, and since then the issue has unraveled steadily. At the Jan. 21 board of trustees meeting, the board announced a buyout for Breuder: a $763,000 severance package and the naming of the Homeland Security Education Center after him in exchange for his early retirement in March 2016, 3 years ahead of schedule. The board’s decision was 6-1, with Vice Chairman Kathy Hamilton as the sole “no” vote.”

For those who have been following the story for some time now, this outcome came as no surprise. Hamilton has long been at the front of the campaign against Breuder. She’s notoriously outspoken about her negative feelings toward him, and remains such in the wake of his retirement. She hadn’t voted “no” because she wants Breuder to stay; she voted “no” because she wants him fired with no compensation. Her views may stem from the fact that they’re complete opposites: Breuder is seen as fiscally irresponsible and Hamilton’s goal is to save the taxpayer’s wallet.

That tension between Breuder and Hamilton have played out these past few months. At board meetings, some members and citizens alike have voiced their opinions in the manner of a passive-aggressive bunch of teenagers. However, the bottom line is this: we elect trustees to make our college better, and for the most part, they try their best to accomplish that.

It’s easy to focus on the low points of Breuder’s presidency, but to be fair, he has had his highlights too: the 3+1 programs, the Homeland Security Education Center, the MAC, the Physical Education Center and the overall aesthetic improvement of the campus. He’s not a Disney villain out to destroy the college. Hamilton isn’t either. They are simply people who want to do well by the school and the citizens of DuPage County. They just happen to have completely different ideas on how to go about that.

If a happy medium exists between these two opposites, we’d better find it, and fast. Soon Breuder will be gone, and with that a new era begins along with a new president. Hamilton and Breuder will have to put their differences aside in order to find the right fit. It won’t be easy, but it will be necessary.

And so, this epic Breudergate saga must come to a close. This schoolyard fight has gone on long enough and leaves a significant scar on our renowned reputation. Nearly every headline about COD has been negative lately. Not one publication or TV news outlet will focus on the quality education and amenities this college has to offer when it’s more entertaining to shout “fight” in a huddled circle.

Instead of fueling this fire, let’s finally move forward. No more pointing fingers, no more “he said, she said,” and no more petty comments. We are an important and respectful institution. It’s time to start acting like it.