During a very crucial decision that the Board of Trustees had to make this year in Aug., Student Trustee Donnell Jones purposely went to the restroom to avoid a vote that would censure a fellow trustee.
At a summer board meeting President Vivian Malauulu and Trustee Sunny Zia had a public dispute, leading to comments about Malauulu’s Christain faith from Zia.Â
The dispute has led to Zia being censured, a formal statement which expresses a severe disapproval.
The censure may not have any immediate impact on students, but has the potential to cause further issue with the board.
The student trustee is the only paid position a student can carry on the board of trustees, and represents the voice of students at Long Beach City College.
It is imperative that Jones be present and vocal during important discussions and meetings.
Though Jones was not present during the meeting in July where Zia and Malauulu had their dispute, board meetings are posted to YouTube shortly after each meeting and remain there for anyone to view.
According to the Community College League of California, the primary responsibility for all trustees is to attend all open board meetings and to prepare, study issues and ask questions.
Before the board voted to censure Zia, a motion was passed that would allow Jones to have his advisory vote go before the board’s vote for the rest of the semester, in order to have a better representation of student voices.
Since Jones now has the opportunity to influence the vote of the trustees, Jones must use his new advisory vote whenever it could make an impact.
Issues such as the censure are prime opportunities for the student trustee to take a stance on whether a censure is too excessive or not.
As the student trustee, Jones must be vocal and ask questions that he believes the students would want or need to be answered on our behalf and be present for all votes where our voice is meant to be heard.