On Wednesday, July 12, the Faculty Association and the California State Employees Association (CSEA) of Santa Monica College held an interview of perspective candidates for the November election to the Santa Monica and Malibu Community College District Board of Trustees. There are three vacancies. Despite the summer vacation the interviews was well attended, and drew a host of faculty, classified staff, community leaders, labor leaders, students and the press. Each candidate was interviewed separately reponding to the same set of questions posed by representatives of the CSEA and the Faculty Association.

There were several tense moments when the two incumbents, Annette Shamey and Pat Nichelson provided lackluster and occasional evasive responses to questions regarding their support of the unilateral settlement decision made by the Board last January during the contentious contract dispute between the District and the Faculty Association. While both claim to be defenders and supporters of labor unions, they nevertheless defended their actions, adding that they had the best interests of the college at heart. Their explanations drew less than an enthusiastic response from the audience. A third candidate, Joe Weichman, a student at SMC, drew the most favorable response, clearly positioning himself as a supporter of the faculty, staff and labor while repeatedly stating his independence from "special interests." A fourth candidate, Margaret Quinones was unable to attend due to pervious travel plans.

Although the interviews were held before the deadline for filing for candidacy, and well before the all important SMRR interviews and convention, the community and college employees got their first glimpse of what to expect if either of the candidates succeed in winning a seat on the Board of Trustees. Another candidate interview will probably be held soon to include all candidates who were not interviewed in July.

FACCC-PAC recently published its endorsement criteria for evaluating perspective candidates for elective office. Maybe we as faculty ought to consider them in assessing perspective candidates and incumbents for SMMCCD Board of Trustees election this fall. They include:

1. Is the candidate viable?

2. Is the candidate a member of FACCC? ( or is/was a member of a labor union)

3. Is/was the candidate an instructor in the California Community College System?

4. What is the candidate's record of support for community college faculty?

5. What is the candidate's record of support for community colleges?

6. What is the candidate's record of support for public education?

7. What is the candidate's knowledge of issues pertaining to California's Community Colleges?

8. How accessible and responsive is the candidate to duly authorized FACCC (i.e. Faculty Association and CSEA) representatives or members?

9. On which legislative committees (i.e. district policy committees) does the candidate have an interest to serve.

The Faculty Association has not endorsed any candidate as yet, and will hold a second interview of candidates who were unable to attend the July interview. It will be held on September 27, at 6:30p.m. in Business 111. At issue for the FA is which of the candidates will prove to be supportive of labor and faculty, and demonstrate an ability to think independently when it comes to District policies and decision making that impacts students, staff, faculty, and the community.