By Monique Larkin
By Monique Larkin
Chancellor Salvatore Rotella has resigned from his position to become Chancellor Emeritus.
His retirement was to take affect Oct. 16.
The Riverside City College Board of trustees unanimously approved Rotella’s decision April 11.
All five of members of the Board met in closed session for two hours.
They decided that instead of being an emeritus by retiring, he will still remain as chancellor for all three campuses only until a new chancellor comes to RCC.
His salary was raised from $197,000 to $213,000. It includes cost of living and a 2 percent increase.
The Board chose a consultant April 18 who is to advise them in deciding who will be the new chancellor who will take over for Rotella.
They chose Sharon Tanabe representing Korn/Ferry International.
Tanabe was also a consultant on the hiring of Rotella as RCC’s college president 13 years ago.
Rotella will serve as an adviser in the selection process.
Oct. 1 is the goal that the Board has set to find a new chancellor. Board of Trustee member, Mark Takano said that RCC needs Rotella to remain as an authority figure because the college cannot run with a retired chancellor and no one to step in for him.
“This college needs Rotella’s experience to help guide it in this transition phase in order to choose a new chancellor,” Takano said.
However, Board of Trustee member Grace Slocum remains concerned since she said it has been six months since the new chancellor selection process was to begin, and it is now just starting to commence.
“Whatever Rotella decides, he gets,” Slocum said.
She is also concerned for the student’s representation in the selection process.
“I think sometimes they forget why they exist in the first place,” Slocum said. “That is to serve the students, and they tend to forget that a lot.”
Slocum said that students will be encouraged to get involved in the selection process, but as to how much of their involvement will be considered she does not know.
“It still remains to be decided,” Slocum said.
