Professional Relations Committee: Political Endorsement Process

By Luke Lara, FA Ombudsperson

In the November 2024 election, MiraCosta College had its first seriously contested seat for the Board of Trustees in a decade. At the same time, the Oceanside Unified School District (OUSD) Faculty Union approached the Faculty Assembly (FA) for support in endorsing an OUSD Board of Trustee candidate. In addition, a MiraCosta College faculty member running for the Board of Trustees at Palomar College requested an endorsement from the Faculty Assembly. Without a process for political endorsements in place, the Faculty Assembly Council (FAC) declined to endorse any particular candidate for any election in 2024.

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The Professional Relations Committee (PRC) took on the charge to develop a political endorsement process as one of their main projects over the 2024-2025 academic year. After diligent research about political endorsement processes at other similar unions and educational settings, the PRC proposed a multi-phase roll out to the FAC. Phase one includes developing a process to endorse candidates for the MiraCosta College District governing board, establishing guiding principles, creating a website with information, and identifying procedures for candidate applications, interviews, and decision-making by the FA to begin in fall 2025. Phase two includes exploring the development of a memorandum of understanding to reciprocate support for endorsed governing board candidates with other faculty unions that have overlapping district boundaries (e.g., Palomar Faculty Federation and OUSD Faculty Union). In addition, phase two includes researching the possibility of establishing a Political Action Committee (PAC) to provide financial support to endorsed board candidates.

The FAC unanimously voted to adopt the political endorsement process, including phase one and two. Phase one is complete and there is a new Endorsements page on the FA website dedicated to the Political Endorsement Process. The goal is to complete phase two during the 2025-2026 academic year.

Reach out to Luke Lara if you have any questions.