BARHAM ON TSC RUNOFF BETWEEN ZAVELTA AND CANTU

By John Barham

cameroncits.blogspot.com
It has been a number of years since I served as a dean at Texas Southmost College. 

Nevertheless, as a resident of Cameron County, I have retained a vital interest in the welfare of the college. 

When I left TSC, I left with an abundance of wonderful memories of the college and its students, faculty and staff. In considering the well-being of the college, it is my sincere opinion that the residents of the college district will have the opportunity to strengthen TSC in the runoff election for the board of trustees, through early voting, which begins June 6, and also on election day, June 18.

During my 40 plus years in higher education, I saw many boards in diverse locations come and go. It was clear to me that board candidates run for a multitude of reasons, not all of which are in the best interests of the institutions they purport to serve.

For some, running for a college board position is an an act of ego-building, while, for others, their attainment of power and position is manifested in exercising clout to see that certain college staff members are eliminated; and, at the same time insuring that friends and political cronies are employed . 

 And, of course, in south Texas, we all too often witness the intense jockeying for school board positions by those with pecuniary interests in steering contracts to favored individuals and enterprises.

When community college boards are made up of civic-minded and broadly experienced men and women who rise above petty politics, colleges thrive and students benefit. 

 However, when narrowly focused trustees seek to involve themselves in the day-to-day functioning of a college, the usual outcome is that administrators feel pressured to engage in extreme micromanagement rather than working with a board in a collegial manner to establish sound policy and direction. Obviously, we do not want that sort of politically-inspired situation prevailing at TSC


In the runoff election for the TSC board, there is only one qualified candidate, a candidate who has had many years of direct experience with college and university instruction and administration. 

That candidate is, of course, Tony Zavaleta, who in contrast to his inexperienced opponent (who is backed by unlimited campaign funds supplied by an out-of-town millionaire) is running a shoestring campaign, banking on the good judgment of Cameron County residents to turn back the efforts of a political cabal to gain a foothold on the college board. 

Accordingly, please cast your vote for Dr. Tony Zavaleta. Early voting began June 6, and election day is June 18.

(John Barham, now retired, was a Texas Southmost College dean and provost.)