desert community college district board of trustees agenda item

PRESS STATEMENT OF
DR. DAVID A. GEORGE
PRESIDENT, COLLEGE OF THE DESERT
DATE: June 10, 1996 PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA
It was with a great deal of sadness today that I informed the Board of Trustees that I
intend to resign the Presidency of College of the Desert and the Superintendent's
position of the Desert Community College District prior to the start of the fall semester.
I believe that this action is consistent with my philosophy during the last decade of
placing the interests of the college district and its students above my own.
College of the Desert, including the Palm Desert and Copper Mountain campuses, is an
invaluable part of a thriving desert community. These quality institutions of higher
education, vocational training, personal enriclnnent and adult education play an
extremely important role in the health of our business community and the vitality of our
cultural environment. To see this institution and its fine reputation denigrated because
of allegations of impropriety in my private conduct is painful to me and runs contrary to
all I have worked for since joining the district as its chief executive. While I cannot
control the seeming obsession of the local media with this sto~y, I can remove myself
from the leadership position at the College with the hopes that their journalistic interests
will then be confined to me and not this important institution.
I wish my colleagues in the faculty, administration and staff the best in their endeavors in
the coming years. I have greatly enjoyed my work with the College of the Desert
Foundation and the Friends of the Copper Mountain Campus. I am especially proud of
the community financial support we have been able to generate over the past several
years in light of diminishing governmental support for education and implore our
community to maintain that support in the future. My heart will always remain with the
students who show such motivation and dedication, many times overcoming extreme
challenges to pursue their educational goals. I have indicated n ~y willingr~ess to work
with the Board of Trustees to effect a smooth transition in leadership so that the
programs of the College will not suffer. I appreciate the support the Board has given me
during this difficult time and the professional manner in which they've represented this
college.