Southwestern College has gone full circle on an administrative position that heads its grants and research department, an area that was deemed inadequate by the accreditation team that placed the college on probation earlier this year.
SWC's governing board unanimously voted to eliminate the dean of research, evaluation and planning, and to reduce the title to director. It will no longer oversee computer services. Two employees in charge of the research department have been dismissed in the past year.
Lack of an efficient research department was identified as one of the college's 10 deficiencies by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) when its visiting accreditation team placed SWC on probation.
Dr. Cidhinnia Torres Campos was hired last July as SWC's dean of research, evaluation and planning. She was terminated in March when the governing board voted not to renew her contract. Her contract ends in June.
Chris Bender, SWC's chief communication officer, said he could not confirm if she was placed on administrative leave due to personnel rules.
Torres Campos' heavy workload was also identified by the accreditation team.
"(Torres Campos' hire) appears to be a good faith effort to address the college's research and planning needs," the team reported. "However, that effort could well be subverted by the additional responsibilities that are assigned to the position."
SWC had not employed a full-time researcher for four years prior to Torres Campos' arrival. Her hire was criticized by some faculty members for being one of three administrators added to the college's payroll shortly after five classified employees were laid off.
Linda Gilstrap, director of research and grants, was one of five employees laid off last spring in a structural reorganization. The board voted 4-1 to approve the plan. Chopra said the reorganization was necessary to balance the school's annual budget for 2009-2010.
Gilstrap, who led the grants office for 13 years, said she secured more than $70 million in funding for the college during her tenure.
The new position will be paid between nearly $90,000 and $128,000 a year. Chopra said the director will be paid less than what the dean was receiving, but there is no "substantial difference" in salary.
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