Board chooses downtown

The Delta College Board of Trustees made its decision on the zone of the new Saginaw center at the April 15 meeting. They chose the downtown zone, which was recommended by Delta College President Jean Goodnow last month. The other three zones being considered were Buena Vista, Oldtown and Michigan Avenue.

Dennis Browning, Mayor of Saginaw, was the only person to speak during public comment.

“You’ve got a tough decision to make,” said Browning. “Delta is always, always a part of our community.”

Goodnow thanked everyone who sent letters of support regarding the new Saginaw center. She then asked that the board approve the downtown zone.

Before voting in favor of the downtown zone, Board member Earl Selby made a substitute motion, asking that the Board select the Buena Vista zone.

“My focus is student success, excellence and community partnerships,” said Selby.

Selby noted that faculty was not involved in the decision, saying this was a major flaw in the decision-making process. He said this decision directly impacts the faculty, as they will travel to the center and teach the curriculum.

“To have left the faculty out is stunning to me. I can’t quite get my hands around how and why did that happen,” said Selby. “Because I can’t say it was by accident. The administration, to its credit, thinks these things through.”

Selby also noted the impact on students who live in Buena Vista, where Delta currently operates the Ricker Center. Selby said there is a greater population density in Buena Vista than there is in downtown Saginaw.

“It’s with great trepidation, reservation, that I take this position contrary to the president, to the administration,” said Selby.

Board member Karen Lawrence Webster said she believes the downtown zone is the right choice.

“Businesses in the city of Saginaw have a number of different opportunities to get economic development support because it’s a city,” said Lawrence Webster. “We have to move forward.”

Board member Dee Dee Wacksman voiced her support for the Michigan Avenue zone.

“It’s not very far from downtown,” said Wacksman. “That was my first choice.”123