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Published on 07/24/1995 All articles from this issue

Chancellor's challenges

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By Jennifer Bixler / Town Crier Staff Writer

Chavez ready to deal with changes as new head of Foothill-De Anza district

It's a big leap from lecturing in the classroom to the chancellor's office of one of the largest community college districts in the United States.Leo Chavez, the new chancellor of the Foothill-De Anza Community College District, has done just that. A West Valley College president for the last six years, Chavez was chosen from an extensive search across the nation, only to be found next door in Saratoga.

While president of West Valley, Chavez still managed to teach classes. "It gives you as an administrator what the students' needs are," Chavez said.

Chavez, who has taught since 1976 when he began teaching at San Jose City College, will have to evolve as an educator into a full-time administrator. While president of West Valley Chavez continued to teach classes. The heavily scheduled position as chancellor will prevent him from teaching, for the time being.

"I'm going to miss teaching. I have to change my role so I can work on a one-on-one basis with students," Chavez said.

"At West Valley, I could see the students outside my window. Now, I'm going to have to walk up the hill at Foothill or drive down to De Anza to see students," Chavez said.

Both presidents, Martha Kanter of De Anza and Bernadine Fong of Foothill, are welcoming the new chancellor with praise.

"The fact that we've had a great relationship with Chavez, both Fong and I will have trust established, a wonderful benefit for the district," Kanter said.

Fong added: "We're really delighted. He has a forward way of thinking and he's familiar with the area."

Being chancellor will present Chavez with challenges. Some of the challenges he will have to meet head-on will be the differential fees established by the California Legislature, minority representative faculty, the unions present at the colleges and the Flint Center in Cupertino.

"People who come to a community college with a bachelor's degree are discouraged to attend by (the school) administering a higher fee, so full-time students can take those courses," Chavez said of the rationale behind differential fees. "I don't think there should be a differential fee."

Differential fees at Foothill have resulted in significant drops in enrollment. Foothill has dropped 30 percent in enrolled returning students because of the differential fees, Fong said.

"Both campuses were hit hard by the differential fee, as it hit all community colleges in the state," Kanter said.

Chavez rejected complaints that staffs have not had enough minority representation. "I accept the responsibility of the composition of the community that we serve. I also accept that we shouldn't hire based on race and gender," Chavez said.

"I would like to offer a capability to diversify the staff. You don't hire people to fill your diversity pool, but based on quality," Chavez said.

Unions at both Foothill and De Anza colleges have played a major part in the morale of the faculty.

"Unions play an important and positive role. No doubt we share the same goals, the welfare of the district," Chavez said. "I've been on both sides of the table. I have a very clear recollection of what its like on the union side."

Unlike other community colleges, the Foothill-De Anza Community College District has a full-scale performing arts complex in the presence of Flint Center, located on the De Anza campus.

"Among my priorities is the role of the Flint Center. Clearly, the Flint Center is a tremendous community aspect. It's critical to continue to enhance the cultural life of this district," Chavez said.