Chancellor Steps Down

Following a vote of no confidence, the LACCD Chancellor Francisco Rodriguez is set to resign from his position come November.

By: Kaia Mann, Editor-in-chief

LACCD Chancellor Francisco Rodriguez resigned after over a decade of service with Los Angeles community colleges effective Nov. 2, following concerns about his role in district-wide financial and discrimination issues.

Rodriguez stated his retirement from the position is due to his need to spend time with his family and assist his father with health issues. However, this resignation comes on the heels of a 29 to 0 vote of no confidence from the LACCD Academic Senate which took place in May.

This no-confidence vote follows a letter that was sent to the board from Angela C. Echeverri, president of the District Academic Senate on Nov. 15, 2023, detailing growing concerns over the mishandling of sexual assault and discrimination cases within the district as well as financial irregularities. 

This letter specifically cites Los Angeles Southwest English professor, Sabrena Turner-Odom’s prolonged legal battle regarding sexual harassment allegations against Howard Irvin, the former vice-president of the school in 2017. Despite her complaints to college officials and a formal Title IX grievance, it wasn’t until 2022 that the case was sent to court in which Tuner-Odom resulted in a $10 million Jury verdict in her favor.

The Academic Senate’s letter highlighted the district’s handling of Irvin’s procurement irregularities as well as the lack of transparency in internal investigations within the board. It also discussed how these issues affect the district’s finances, operations, and students and staff. 

According to the official resolution of no confidence, the district is still in legal battles involving LA Southwest and Turner-Odom, and there are several other high-profile cases alleging serious Title IX violations by district officials that are currently in various stages of litigation.

The vote of no confidence, which was supported by at least five local academic senates (including City, East, Pierce, Southwest, and West colleges) highlighted several “financial and procurement irregularities” within the district under Chancellor Rodriguez. These issues include legal costs, potential mismanagement of funds, and problems related to transparency, fairness, and accountability.

Before being appointed Chancellor in 2014, Rodriguez served as the president in the MiraCosta Community College District and president at Cosumnes River College. In his time as chancellor, Rodriguez was able to increase state funding, expand racial diversity for students and faculty, and spearhead policies for the success of minority students-specifically Black and Latino men. 

The district has yet to comment on who is set to take over as LACCD Chancellor.