The deadline has passed to turn in applications for the Bakersfield College president position, and a new president is expected to be hired by the end of this semester. But BC students don’t seem to care.
William Andrews, the BC school president, has announced his retirement will officially begin on July 1. After working three years as president, his last day in office will be June 30.
“I still have a huge responsibility for the next couple of months. The job has to be done,” said Andrews.
“With all due respect,” said Kevin Trihuy, business administration major, “I went three semesters without knowing the president’s name, and I am not going to care what the next president’s name is.”
Cristin Celedon, English major, mentioned, “I don’t think he even comes to this school. I’ve never seen him at all, and I have been here for three years.”
Jordan Matthew Belardes believes students concentrate on work, classes and transferring.
“I don’t care about his name because I’m pretty sure he doesn’t care of mine,” he said.
Andrews mentioned some increasing challenges the upcoming president might face.
“Our state budget problem will be a challenge,” he said. “This issue will eventually hit state colleges pretty hard, so (the next president) needs to build a budget.”
The Selection Committee will be on its third step by March 28. This committee has accepted applications for the president position and will hold interviews by the end of March.
According to Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg, the applicant’s names have to be kept confidential. The names of the applicants deemed qualified will be released toward the end of the semester.
Students also give a reaction to the new upcoming president.
“I don’t know how this decision will affect my education,” said Adriana Urrea, construction management major.
One of the concerns students had was the lack of knowing what the presidential powers are.
“I have read about the president, but I don’t know what he has done,” said Celedon. “Since I know nothing about the current and upcoming president, I have to do some research to know what’s going on,” said Belardes.