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Vergara returns home as new director

La Verne’s new housing and residential life director, Derek Vergara, reminisces in front of Brandt Hall, thinking of how it used to be. He was the resident director of Brandt from 1987-89 while pursuing his masters degree. / photo by Veero Der-Karabetian
La Verne’s new housing and residential life director, Derek Vergara, reminisces in front of Brandt Hall, thinking of how it used to be. He was the resident director of Brandt from 1987-89 while pursuing his masters degree. / photo by Veero Der-Karabetian

by Martha I. Fernandez
Managing Editor

Faced with leading a new and fairly inexperienced staff, Derek Vergara admits that currently his main priority as the new director of housing and residential life is “still trying to get my feet wet.”

Having spent about two weeks on the job, Vergara was instated into the position on Sept. 18 and has had to make vital decisions for the department early on.

Recently, Vergara officially named and promoted Chris Freeman and Becky Martinez to area coordinators for Brandt Hall and the Oaks, respectively.

Freeman was originally hired as an assistant area coordinator while he finished his graduate work at Azusa Pacific University.

“Chris has a lot of transitioning to do from an assistant to a full-time profession. I support his grad work but it is more secondary now,” he said.

Martinez was chosen to replace Cheri Martinson, former Oaks area coordinator, during her maternity leave. Martinson resigned her position earlier this month.

“Cheri bought a new home and has a new child,” said Vergara. “I think she has her hands full.”

Although both Freeman and Martinez are fairly inexperienced in residential life, Vergara is confident in his decision.

“Both Chris and Becky have a lot of passion and creativity,” said Vergara. “I know they’ll rise to the occasion.”

An assistant area coordinator position is still vacant. Vergara said he is reevaluating qualifications for the position.

Vergara is no stranger to the University and its atmosphere. He served as Brandt Hall resident director from 1987-89 while he worked on his graduate degree at Azusa Pacific University.

“There is a little bit of transition, but it is good to be home,” he said. “It’s very familiar to me.”

Vergara returns to ULV after five years as the associate director of student life for the residence halls at the University of California at Irvine.

Among his plans are assessing facilities with area coordinators and the Operations Department and focusing on residential life issues.

“I really want to evaluate facility issues. This is a place where people live, it’s not just a dorm,” he said. “They’re residence halls and are far from being dormant.”

Aside from his supervisor duties, Vergara hopes to build a relationship with students in the halls. “I’m a big student advocate. I think they are the pulse with what goes on here.”

Martha I. Fernandez
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Veero Der-Karabetian
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