The Los Angeles Community College District’s (LACCD) Board of Trustees passed H. Resolution 1165 on Nov. 4, condemning both Azerbaijan’s offensive attack against Armenia in Nagorno-Karabakh and Turkey’s interference in the conflict.
Board members Andra Hoffman, Steve Veres and Mike Fong condemned Azerbaijan in the Zoom meeting for continuing aggressive military operations despite its previous cease-fire agreement with Nagorno-Karabakh.
The document also stated that the Board fully supports the return to an immediate cease-fire between Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan. LACCD Board of Trustees President Andra Hoffman said that the District recently made the decision to terminate a contract with Mercury Public Affairs for doing business with the Turkish government to stand in solidarity with Armenia.
“It’s really important for us as an educational institution and as a governing board to speak up, not just because we have Armenian students, Armenian faculty and Armenian staff in our community college family but because it’s the right thing to do,” Hoffman said. “We can’t tolerate these injustices any longer. I know that all of my colleagues feel the same way and that’s why we’re putting forward this resolution today.”
Another topic of discussion was the donations made to the nursing students among various colleges in the District. LACCD Chancellor Francisco Rodriguez said that the District received $100,000 from an anonymous donor to support nursing students. LACCD also received donations from City National Bank and the State Foundation to support nurses who will be working in the front lines.
The Board also passed a resolution to salute all veteran students, staff and faculty who have either served or are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. The resolution encourages colleges to celebrate Veteran’s Day with educational activities to acknowledge the contributions made by veterans.
Trustee David Vela said that the Board backed legislation for veterans to receive a proper amount of funds and resources to ensure they would have the support they need, especially during COVID-19.
Board Vice President Steve Veres said he and the Board aim to assist LACCD veterans.
“It’s important to make sure that we can do all the things we need to do to support you, and to make sure that your transition into your careers and working life is as good as it can be,” Veres said. “I know it’s a ton of discipline that you pick up on, but certainly transitioning into a career workforce is what we want to be about.”
Other topics mentioned during the meeting include a brief discussion regarding the LGBTQIA+ Bill of Rights that passed in October and Los Angeles Southwest College’s technological developments in the nursing simulation labs.
More information on the Board’s meeting agenda can be found here: https://go.boarddocs.com/ca/laccd/Board.nsf/Public
