When dealing with a community, which is more productive? Symbolism or proactive approach; should one exist without the other?

The Cerritos College Board of Trustees could be doing a better job of discussing items that directly affect the student population.

As of late, the board has spent a sizeable amount of time going back and forth on topics such as the Trump resolution, which was a topic of discussion on Oct. 7 and on Nov. 5 that only take a stance but wage no direct action.

The Trump resolution reiterates the board’s intolerance over hate speech, which is important, but comes off as eight individuals reassuring the community that they are decent people.

Rest assured, the community knows that this is why the board members were elected to take the position they now hold.

Left in a quite important and growing stack, a set of resolutions that directly help the Cerritos College population, sit waiting patiently.

Resolutions that could be on the floor like, an increase in brighter lighting for the campus, safety training for night professors when it comes to active shooters or emergencies in general, broader safety training for students, which lay unwritten.

While it is not a bad idea to take a stance on the hateful rhetoric being spewed by someone running for office, it is fair to ask if it is the job of the board to do so.

The board rejected the resolution on the grounds that it must represent an entire community and there isn’t a unanimous disdain for Trump in said community.

As powerful as it was to have the college community band together against hate, it is only a symbolic act.

This act would lead to nothing but giving the college a political stance.

Instead, the community could take a more proactive route and offer AB-540 students better resources and aid the growing Dreamers Club.

Action is the keyword in this situation, and these meetings are not being held wisely.

Now, the people who pushed to pass the Trump resolution were definitely in good faith [A stand against a political figure like Trump is important.]

However, signing off on a resolution that says, “We don’t support Trump” virtually changes nothing.

The recent board meetings have taken up weeks of time on arguing over value-based issues.

School and politics should not mix in such a way.

The Board of Trustees, along with the involved community, should focus less on political scandals and more on the original task, student success.

Donald Trump hasn’t come down to thank us for support, Cerritos College isn’t suddenly seen as a supporter of hate speech and the board members have not come out as Trump supporters.

Whether or not the board agreed on this resolution, the argument wasted the time that could have been used to discuss real issues.

Why not use that time to discuss the possible transition from an 18 week semester to 16 week semester?

What about discussing all the money in reserves?

Nope.

But how about a tedious political debate on the biggest joke in presidential candidate history?

Trump is a jerk, we get it, but our goal as a college is to push for success and the board of trustees should not be wasting time with these petty issues.

It’s time to get back to the roots and sustain our core values.