In a 4-3 vote during West Valley­Mission Community College District's Feb. 5 meeting, with trustees Bob Owens, Chris Constantin and Jeffrey Schwartz abstaining, the board passed a resolution in support of Prop. 57 (The Economic Recovery Bond Act) and Prop. 58 (The California Balanced Budget Act).

Owens said he was concerned with the appropriateness of the resolution, since Prop. 57 would have no clear impact on community colleges. The bond measure would allow the state to consolidate its deficit and restore fiscal stability without raising taxes. The act would retire the state deficit through a one-time bond of up to $15 billion. Prop. 58 provisions include requiring the enactment of a balanced budget, addressing fiscal emergencies and establishing a budget reserve. Both propositions must be passed in order for either to go into effect.

"It troubles me that this has no direct fiscal impact on this district," Owens said. "Where do we stop when we go down this road? It's an issue we have to face at some point."

Constantin questioned what steps the district was taking to prepare should major budget cuts occur to California's education system in March. This could amount to cuts of about 20 percent in the community college district's budget.

"My concern is that we don't put ourselves in the same place we were in last year," he said.

Layoff notices, which were distributed to faculty last spring, forged negative relationships between the district's administrators and teachers. Schwartz said the district has initiated the earliest planning of its budget in its history that he could remember to prevent a crisis from happening again. He reminded those in the audience to take action now to prevent another catastrophe.

In addition, the newly appointed Interim President Robert Jensen— replacing former West Valley College President Marchelle Fox, who served the school for eight years—participated in his first board meeting. The college also recently designated a new student body president, Duncan Skinner.

Jensen reported to the board that the school is focusing on increasing enrollment through enhancing noncredit classes and bringing back a senior program. Jensen will serve through the end of June, until a new, permanent president is appointed.

Jensen has served as a chief executive officer in higher education since 1978. His leadership at four community colleges in California and Arizona comprises a broad range of expertise and experience in administration, curriculum, instruction, planning, institutional research, professional development and community outreach.

Jensen holds a bachelor's degree and a master's degree from Linfield College in Oregon. He began teaching in 1962, but returned to college on a National Graduate Fellowship to earn his doctorate in community college administration from Washington State University. From 1969 to 1976, Jensen served in numerous positions at Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham, Ore., rising to dean of the college.

In 1976, Jensen moved to California as deputy chancellor at Los Rios Community College District in Sacramento and two years later was appointed president of that district's American River College. Jensen's 19-year career in California includes major accomplishments at several community colleges. He has also served at the state level as president of the California Community College CEOs and president of the State Executive Committee of CEOs.

Jensen worked as chancellor of Rancho Santiago Community College District in Santa Ana from 1984 to 1991 and as chancellor of the Contra Costa Community College District in Martinez from 1991 to 1995. In 1995, Jensen left California to become chancellor of Pima Community College in Tucson, Ariz., where he served until his recent retirement in 2003.