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Volume 41, Issue 4
October 14, 2003
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October
14, 2003
Legend's View
Glasper a good choice
With all the upset over the Maricopa Community Colleges District’s
“search” for a new chancellor, one important fact has been
overlooked.
Rufus Glasper is a good guy.
The governing board has failed us a number of times as the community has
recently come to see, but their faults should not be the only blemishes
on an otherwise impressive record.
Glasper is an active member of the community. One need only look over
the chancellor’s list of community involvements to understand the
man’s “do-good” nature.
The Phoenix Urban League, the Board for Black Family Child Services and
many other groups count Glasper as a helping-hand if not a member or executive.
Glasper has also been honored with various awards, including the Kellogg
Foundation Fellowship in Community College Leadership in 1989-1990 and
the Maricopa County Chapter of the National Association of the Advancement
of Colored People’s Roy Wilkins Award.
Many opponents to Glasper complain that the administrator’s lack
of direct classroom experience limits his understanding of what is most
important to the colleges: educating students.
However, Glasper sought to make up for this shortcoming through open dialogue
with educators.
He tried his skills as a teacher for ASU.
Glasper’s own education focused on finance, which is desperately
needed as the district prepares to request additional money in the upcoming
bond election.
Having first received certification as a public accountant, Glasper “earned
a bachelor’s degree in business administration, and a master’s
and advanced degrees in school business administration” as well
as “his doctorate of philosophy degree in higher education finance,”
according to his biography.
So why did so many rally against Glasper when he was the only candidate
up for the position of chancellor?
Many people who opposed the governing board’s decision to name Glasper
the new chancellor were, in fact, opposed to the board itself.
The community’s perception of the governing board was tarnished
during their last search by evidence of internal corruption.
During the search that resulted with Fred Gaskin named chancellor, one
of the favored candidates received confidential information prior to his
interview to help him through.
The candidate refused to join in the deceit for the position and stepped
out of the running.
The board quickly rushed through a second search and found Gaskin.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with the exploits of Gaskin during
his short time in office; he was not a good choice.
Glasper has not been removed from any office under questionable circumstances,
so he’s already a step ahead of the last chancellor.
More importantly, Glasper has the experience and character to change the
district for the better.
Perhaps one of the first improvements our new chancellor should make is
to refuse to allow corruption in the district’s leaders to continue
to play a role in the board’s decisions.
Rufus Glasper has served the district well for almost two decades.
Hopefully, as chancellor, he will maintain his integrity and the district
will finally get through this chaotic period that divided the community.
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