She has already done so much. She comes to student events. She isn’t afraid to ask the tough questions. She doesn’t shy away from the tough situations. She has already done great things for this college. And she already knows the great things about our area.

So, why are we even looking for a new college president when we have all that the students want in Dr. Vicki Martin?

By the college’s own admission, this institution is facing mammoth financial deficiencies that have caused cuts in areas that have infuriated students.

Those cuts have included removing the cafeteria and cutting bookstore hours at the regional campuses. Yet, somehow there is extra money to search for what we already have: a qualified college president.

While Martin was Vice President at the Oak Creek Campus, she was involved in student events, created student-oriented items such as the Internet Café and was always looking to us students for ways to improve our school.

Since becoming interim president, she hasn’t changed. During a recent forum with the company hired by MATC to find our next president (as though we really need to be looking), Martin was mentioned often.

She had become the benchmark for what the students are looking for. I’ve asked students and faculty alike, and the answer has been the same, they like Martin and all she has done. So, I must again ask, why are we even looking?

Even Local 587 has expressed having a good relationship with her. Some may think that might be a bad thing, maybe even a conflict of interest. But I see it as a good thing because by having that good relationship there can be good communication, which in turn is good for all.

Perhaps it’s protocol. Perhaps due to the last president’s dismissal, they don’t want to look as though they had intended on replacing him with her.

I can understand that. But since the dust has settled, and Martin has done what she has always done, students now see the true value of her type of traits and what that means to students. As it has been said before, how can a president know what is good for students without knowing us first? And how can a president ever know us unless he or she spends time with us?

Martin does just that.

And even under these tough times, both economically and with the changes made that students have hated, Martin has faced each situation with grace.

She has willing opened herself up to take on the hard questions because she cares what we students think.

Someone who cares, isn’t that what we need, especially after all we’ve been through?

There are plenty of other colleges for us to attend. I hope MATC realizes this. I’ve heard our previous president brought in money, and that’s good.

However, a college can have all the money in the world, but if it doesn’t care about its students it won’t be a college for much longer. MATC faces greater concerns than just financial. Although, I understand it’s a big issue, there are more.

The college needs to improve its reputation. Martin lives here, and has for a long time. She not only knows our college, but also our area. With this information, she can change the perception of our college.

And as I have mentioned, she knows her students. What better way to defend the value of the college than by knowing us
students?

So, to those involved in this decision, I ask – no I plead – let us make this decision. We haven’t had a say in much that has occurred around here lately, but at least give us this one.

Not only will this give us something we truly desire, but it will also save the college thousands of dollars, which can be used in other much-needed areas.

I know we’re just the students, but if our opinion matters at
all, please let us have Dr. Vicki Martin as our college president.
I hope that isn’t too much to ask.