College Chancellor’s Hiring Power Curbed

The chancellor of Rancho Santiago Community College District, who has had veto power over potential new hires, now must meet with a hiring committee to discuss any recommended candidates she proposes to reject.

The new policy was prompted by disagreements between Chancellor Vivian B. Blevins and Academic Senate President F. Richard Manzano.

Manzano had accused Blevins of disregarding the Senate’s recommendations on prospective hirings, which Blevins denied. But the Board of Trustees concluded that a problem existed in the district’s hiring procedure and told Blevins and Manzano to come up with a new hiring policy that all could live with.

Under the policy, the district’s hiring committees, which screen faculty applicants and make recommendations on whom to employ, must view a videotape made by Blevins and Manzano.

If Blevins chooses not to hire any of the candidates recommended by the committees, she will be required to meet with the committee members to try to reach a consensus.