Orange Coast College

Mr. Chairman, I...
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Excerpts from Board Minutes
pertaining to critical moments during
Mr. Peterson's tenure of office.

OF THE MANY matters of business handled by the Board of Trustees over the years, a few have been singled out and recorded here to indicate the tremendous scope of problems which face these men in pursuing the duties entrusted to them by the electorate.

Yardstick for rapid growth, along with which come proportionate problems, is the budget.

It might be noted that on August 4, 1947 the Board of Trustees approved the first operating budget for the new District in the amount of $264,253.

On August 5, 1963 the Board took official action adopting a budget of $5,110,978 for the 1963-64 school year.

Appointment of Basil H. Peterson as District Superintendent and President.

As Dr. Parker stated in Chapter #5: "The entire Board knew that this was probably the highest and perhaps the most important business we would ever do for the District–the selection of a superintendent."

On July 28, 1947 Basil Hyrum Peterson, PhD was offered and accepted the position of District Superintendent and President of the then non-existent college. The results of this appointment are written on the pages of this book.

Authorization for First Tax Over-ride Election

On March 14, 1949 official action was taken by the Board of Trustees authorizing the holding of an election on May 20, 1949 for the purpose of increasing the present tax limit from 35c to 64c (29c increase) per $100 of assessed valuation for a seven-year period, to provide money for the purpose of:

Building school buildings;
The making of alterations or additions to the school buildings;
The supplying of school buildings with furniture or necessary apparatus;
The improvement of school grounds.

Minutes of the special meeting of the Board held on May 27, 1949 to canvass the votes of this election reveal that the tax override carried as follows: Votes cast - 2406; in favor - 1594; against - 812.

An account of this election can be found in Chapter #6 of this volume as recounted by William F. Kimes.

Suspension of Instructor Under Dilworth Act

In 1953 the California State Legislature passed legislation known as the Dilworth Act, which required that under the Education Code (Section 12600-12607 and 14130.5) any public school employee was required to answer whether or not he was a knowing member of the Communist Party.

It had been rumored that tests by individuals would be made of this Act, and in fact, Orange Coast College was chosen as the scene for one of these tests.

As school opened that fall, all employees were required to sign an "Oath of Allegiance" in compliance with the new Act. One instructor refused to sign this oath and requested an open hearing before the Board of Trustees.

This hearing was held in the form of a special called meeting of the Board on October 7, 1953. Over 50 citizens were present, as well as the Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union and one of the Union's attorneys. The instructor in question steadfastly refused to answer the question which was required by the State law, and the Board had no recourse but to dismiss him.

The case was carried to the Superior Court of California in Orange County, presided over by Judge Robert Gardner. The Court found in favor of the Plaintiff (Orange Coast College).

The Defendant then took the case to the State District Court of Appeal (Fourth Appellate District), where the original action of the Board of Trustees of Orange Coast Junior College District was again upheld.

This closed a rather painful chapter in the history of the college.

Purchase of Mineral Rights to Campus

When the campus was acquired from the United States Government, the mineral rights to the property were not a part of the deal. In fact, it was specifically stated "that all mineral rights are reserved for separate sale."

The District had always been interested in procuring these rights, not for exploration purposes, but to prevent this type of activity from taking place should someone other than the District acquire them.

In the early part of 1958 word was received that the oil and gas rights underlying the campus property would be disposed of by Public Auction "under the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949" on May 15, 1958. This gave little time to prepare for bidding, and no money had been allocated in the 1957-58 budget for such an expenditure.

2:00 p.m., May 15, 1958 arrived as did Sid Ostrow and Stanley M. Friedman, Auctioneers, conducting the auction on behalf of the General Services Administration. Bidding was held "on the front steps of the Administration Building" (although the building in fact had no steps). Board Members were present, but by prearrangement had agreed that Dr. Peterson would act as spokesman for the District. With bid deposit check in hand he entered into the bidding when necessary, each time debating just how far to go. It was one of the few times when BHP was known to be in a cold sweat.

Other bidders gradually withdrew and mineral rights on the 243.2 acre campus went to Orange Coast Junior College District for $18,240.00. In June General Services Administration advised the District the bid had been accepted, with balance due (deducting the 10% required deposit) immediately.

A requested delay of payment until fall at which time 1958-59 fiscal funds would be available to the District, was approved by GSA, and on December 11, 1958 the check was sent and full mineral rights to the campus belonged to the District.

Establishment of Second Campus

After many months of study, taking into consideration the growing enrollment of the college and the increasing population within the area which the college served, the matter of the establishment of a second campus was brought before the over-all Citizens Advisory Committee at their annual meeting early in 1961.

As a result of the discussion at that meeting and the opinions expressed by members of the committee, the Board of Trustees took format action at the March 27, 1961 meeting approving a basic plan of action for the development of Orange Coast Junior College District.
This plan encompassed the following four points: (1) establishing a maximum enrollment per campus; (2) taking steps to obtain a second site; (3) developing a plan for financing an expansion program; and (4) exploring the possibilities of expanding the boundaries of the District.

At this same time they authorized the administration to proceed to locate and arrange to purchase a suitable site of approximately 100 acres in the Huntington Beach Union High School District for a second campus.

The search for such a piece of property was initiated. After con sideration of numerous possibilities, the most suitable and desirable land was determined to be some 122 acres at the northeast corner of
Golden West and Smeltzer in Huntington Beach, owned by Mr. W. G. Lewis.

At their September 11, 1961 meeting the Board acted to proceed with negotiations to purchase this property, making a proposal for an option-purchase of said site over a six-year period, subject to the approval of the site by the Division of School House Planning, California State Department of Education.

After a long series of negotiations the deal was consummated and this site was purchased for what was to become the second campus of the Orange Coast Junior College District, later officially named, Golden West College.

Abrogation to Conditions in Quit Claim Deed for OCC Campus

The terms of the Quit Claim Deed to Orange Coast College by the Federal Government in 1948 contained the conditions that the District would not have full title to the property for 25 years. With the consideration of the sale of Harbor Boulevard frontage it was necessary to acquire full title to that portion of the campus to be sold. Late in 1961 a request was sent to the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Division of Surplus Property (the agency now handling such matters) for abrogation to conditions in the Quit Claim Deed covering that land which would be involved in a sale.

The Government advised it would be impossible to permit partial abrogation. They would approve, subject to GSA concurrence, the abrogation of restrictions as related to ALL of the property covered by the Quit Claim Deed, by payment to the U.S. Government of the unamortized portion of public benefit allowance on the total property; or they would permit the sale of that portion of the property in question, on the basis that the Government and the District participate in the proceeds of the sale to the extent of their respective interests.

On November 27, 1961 the Board officially requested approval of the United States Government to abrogate conditions on the entire 243.19 acres of the campus without delay.

On February 5, 1962 a Resolution was approved whereby the District would acquire unrestricted title to the property as of March 19, 1962 at a cost of $271,546.20; and directing the Orange County Auditor-Controller to draw a warrant in that amount from the District's funds.

This gave the District official title to the campus.

On November 23, 1962 the Deed was officially recorded.

Authorization to Call for Second Over-Ride Tax

As a part of the plan for the development and expansion of the District, it was determined necessary to seek additional funds from the taxpayers in order to finance such a plan.

Months of deliberation had taken place both among the Board Members and the administrators, and with representative citizens of the community. The assistance of the over-all Citizens Advisory Committee had been sought and offered.

Thus, at their meeting on January 22, 1962 the Board of Trustees took formal action calling for an over-ride tax election to be held on April 17, 1962 in which the electorate would be asked to vote on establishing an override tax for capital outlay purposes in the amount of 10l/2C for $100 of assessed valuation, for a period of 20 years. The proper Resolution was filed and the wheels were set in motion for this step forward.

On April 17, the election was held. By an uncanny stroke of fate,
the vote when counted yielded an exact number of "yes" and "'no" votes– 3271 each.

In addition to these 6542 votes there were a number of absentee ballots about which there was some question. Only absentee ballots which had been received in the County Superintendent of Schools office at the close of the working day Friday, April 13, had been counted. The District pointed out that according to the Education Code, absentee ballots for bond elections (and over-ride tax elections are operated as nearly as possible in conformance with bond elections), may be opened up through six days following the election. Nine unopened absentee ballots fell in this category.

In view of this fact, the Board took action at a special called meeting on April 19, approving the following Resolution, which had been prepared by the Orange County Counsel, legal adviser for the District:

WHEREAS, an election was held in this District on the 17th day of April, 1962, for the purpose of determining whether or not the maximum tax rate should be increased for capital outlay purposes, and

WHEREAS, the election is conducted by the County Superintendent of Schools of Orange County, California, and
WHEREAS, this Board is informed and believes that the County Superintendent of Schools has refused and does refuse to count absentee ballots received by him on and after April 14, 1962, and
WHEREAS, the Board believes that said ballots should be received to and including the 23rd of April, 1962,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the County Counsel of Orange County, California, is hereby authorized and directed to commence a suit in the Superior Court to compel the County Superintendent of Schools to count absentee ballots received through Monday, April 23, 1962, and to consider said absentee ballots in the canvass of the election.

The Superior Court of Orange County found in favor of the District; the nine absentee ballots in question were opened and counted (6 "for", and 3 "against"); and the tax over-ride election passed with the close vote of 3277 (yes), and 3274 (no).

Sale of Portion of OCC Campus

Consideration had been given for some time to the sale of valuable Harbor Boulevard frontage property which was used by the college for agriculture purposes. It was the consensus of the Board Members and the administration that this property had long since become too valuable to be used in agriculture and could best serve the District by the revenue it would bring by its sale. This money would then be available for development of the second campus to be built in the district, as well
as for construction of needed additional facilities on the present campus.

At their May 14, 1962 meeting the Board took action to institute procedures in connection with the advertising for sale of some 33 acres of Harbor Boulevard frontage land owned by the District, in accordance with Education Code Sections 16051 through 16065; that this procedure include the appraisal of the land value so that a fair price per acre might be set; and establishing a calendar for the sale of this property to the highest bidder or bidders.

After one unsuccessful call for bids, several bids were received on this property on October 12, 1962.

At a special called meeting on October 15, the Board accepted the high bids of O. Z. Robertson (or Nominee) for the combined parcels in the amount of $ 1,158,000.

The Controversy Over CREST Magazine

With the publication of the second issue of CREST , the student literary magazine, in the spring of 1962, severe criticism was voiced by numerous citizens with regard to materials included. The controversy reached serious proportions to the point of character attacks upon Dr. Peterson and Board Members personally, and the receipt of threatening telephone calls in the homes.

In the true tradition of "freedom of speech" a good bit of time at all of the Board of Trustee meetings during the summer of 1962 was devoted to an opportunity for persons desiring to be heard on either side of this issue. The Board and the administration spent many hours in deliberation and the pursuit of the proper solution to this matter.

A questionnaire was developed and sent to administrators, faculty members, and student body leaders. As a result of answers to this qucstionnaire a proposed set of guidelines was developed. Further deliberations and revisions of the proposal followed. In the fall the Board of Trustees took action approving a resulting set of guidelines to be followed in future publications of this kind.

Resolution of Certificate of Honor

The final Board meeting attended by Dr. Peterson was held on January 27, 1964. A Certificate of Honor was presented to him at that time, signed by the five present members of the Board: Harry R. LeBard, Walter M. Longmoor, Donald G. Hoff, Worth Keene and Robert L. Humphreys.

The Resolution read as follows:

WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of the Orange Coast Junior College District desires to recognize Dr. Basil H. Peterson, Scholar, Teacher, Counselor, and College Administrator for exceptional service as District Superintendent and President of Orange Coast College for the years 1947-1964, and

WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees desires to honor Dr. Basil H. Peterson for his enlightened educational leadership and foresight in the development of Orange Coast College into an institution of national prominence and academic excellence in the realm of Junior College Education, be it

RESOLVED that the Board Of Trustees awards Dr. Basil H. Peterson a Certificate of Honor dated this 27th day of January, 1964.

IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be made a part of the official Minutes of the Board of Trustees meeting of the abovementioned date.

A few weeks later, in his absence, the Board granted the title President Emeritus to Dr. Peterson.

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