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Interim Chancellor Miles Outlines Plans for Greater Transparency at PCC

March 6, 2012

Tucson, AZ – Interim Chancellor Dr. Suzanne Miles today announced a series of measures to improve accountability, transparency and oversight at Pima Community College.

“Maintaining the trust of the people of Pima County must be among the top priorities of this College,” Dr. Miles said. “The community we serve must be completely confident in our processes and procedures.”

The five measures were prompted by concerns raised recently over the College’s employment of an out-of-state consultant who provided leadership training for administrators.

“Directly confronting those concerns is not an option,” Dr. Miles said. “It is a requirement.”

The measures are:

  • Requiring PCC employees who receive offensive communications from vendors or others doing official business with the College to contact their supervisor immediately;
  • Requiring PCC employees who intend to formally endorse any product or service of a commercial nature to obtain prior approval from their supervisor;
  • Requiring the PCC business office to provide additional scrutiny on costs that non-local and non-Arizona-based vendors may seek to impose on the College;  
  • Requiring PCC employees who are directly or indirectly involved in the selection of vendors to disclose any financial or personal relationships they have with a person or firm seeking to provide goods or services for the College;
  • Updating and reviewing the College’s purchasing manual to ensure the most efficient and effective use of public funds.

“The immediate implementation of these measures should send an important message,” Dr. Miles said. “Under my watch, there will be no hesitation in addressing any issue that could waste our limited resources or cast this institution in a negative light.”

The PCC Governing Board voted unanimously on Feb. 29 to appoint Dr. Miles Interim Chancellor while the College conducts a national search for a permanent successor to Dr. Roy Flores, who had to step down for health reasons.

In a message to PCC employees, Dr. Miles wrote of the need for the College to make “a fresh start” during a period of transition.

“The times call for a new direction that emphasizes participatory leadership and outreach to our many constituencies – neighborhoods, K-12, businesses, community and faith-based organizations, and local and state governments,” Dr. Miles wrote.

CONTACT:
C.J. Karamargin
Vice Chancellor for Public Information and Government Relations
(520) 206-4850
ckaramargin@pima.edu