LANE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
BOARD OF EDUCATION
DECEMBER 12, 2001
1\ Attendance
Chair Robert Ackerman called the meeting of the Lane Community College Board of Education to order at 7:40 p.m. Present were: Board Members George Alvergue, Roger Hall, Mike Rose, Lucille Salmony, Kathleen Shelley, and Dennis Shine. Also present were President Mary Spilde; Vice Presidents Marie Matsen and Cheryl Roberts; Assistant to the President Tracy Simms; College Counsel Tim Harold; Lane Community College Education Association President Margaret Bayless; Lane Community College Employees Federation President Alen Bahret; and Associated Students of Lane Community College President Jennifer Gainer.
2\ Presidents Report
· Mary Messal, financial systems specialist, Business Development Center, and Joan Aschim, public information officer, Institutional Advancement, were selected October and December Classified Employees of the Month.
· State revenue projections indicate a shortfall of $721 million, a 6.3 percent reduction. It is expected that Oregon will take longer to come out of the recession than the rest of the country with real relief not coming until 2003. The House and Senate have set up committees on budget rebalancing, revenue options, and economic stimulus. Spilde testified at the budget rebalance committee hearings. The community college message is that we want to be part of the economic recovery as we already provide a part of the solution to our economic problems and to cut us now would not make any sense at all. Andrea Henderson, executive director of the Oregon Community College Association will continue to work on trying to minimize community college cuts. Business partners are being asked to write letters in support of minimizing community college cuts.
· Senator Castillo and Representative Al King met individually with Spilde to hear about Lanes budget challenges and what it is doing to focus its economic development efforts.
· Lane currently has a budget projection showing a $6.7 million shortfall, and the number may grow. Every 2 percent reduction in state funds means about $650,000 per year for Lane. Projections are not changing at this time, but the shortfall could increase by $3.9 million.
· Staff are being provided ongoing communication about the budget situation. Direct emails, forums, and website information have been provided.
· Two meetings have been scheduled with lay budget committee members to review assumptions and budget principles and criteria.
· Senate Majority Leader, Dave Nelson, was on campus to visit with business people from the community to ask what the state might do to assist businesses. Much of the focus was on education and how Lane serves the business community.
· Three budget work groups are being established: Criteria Application, Efficiencies, and Transparency. Board members are encouraged to participate.
· Cheryl Roberts and Mary Spilde have recently visited two outreach centers, Florence and Cottage Grove. It was suggested that a spring board meeting or work session in Florence and a summer meeting in Cottage Grove be held.
· The Department of Community Colleges and Workforce Development conducted an FTE audit on November 27. The focus of the audit was lower division transfer, professional technical, self-improvement, ESL, and GED courses. Although a few issues were raised, no material findings were noted.
· Alen Bahret, outgoing president for the Lane Community College Employees Federation, and programmer analyst for Computer Services, received a special recognition plaque for his outstanding work as a Classified Union president. For the past eight years, Bahret worked with the college to engage in mutual problem solving and participated productively at board meetings. The plaque states that an honorary place at the board table will always be held for Bahret.
Bond Report
Bob Mention reported that bond projects reached an 80 percent level of completion last week.
Last week reached 80 percent level of completion with the bond projects. Three active projects include the Workforce Training Center, Performing Arts addition, and Central Plant Upgrade (heating/water improvements). Center Building, phase 2 remodeling, is seeking a building permit, and the Center fourth floor remodeling hopes to commence during summer.
Sewer Lagoon Upgrade
There are four alternatives to solve the upgrade problem. Two involve upgrading the lagoon and two involve package plants. The option that best meets Lanes needs and budget will be presented at the January meeting.
Seismic Upgrade
Bond funds are insufficient to meet all of the colleges needs for seismic upgrades. The Bond Management Team recommends that all of these improvements be made in the order of their importance, as funds are available.
Archives
Results of a cost/benefits report comparing solutions to housing the colleges archives showed that the best choice, economically, would be to build a new archive facility on campus. However, since the current budget for the archives storage is only $128,466, this solution would require additional funding in order to complete it.
LASR Report
Linda DeWitt was not present due to illness and, therefore, no discussion was held.
3\ Agenda/Review
Add Budget Rebalance, 5-D, after Budget Assumptions, 5-C. Move KLCC Fundraising Consultant, 3-C, to 5-E.
4\ Statements from the Audience
Alvergue, moved, seconded by Shine, to hear all statements, subject to the 3-minute time limit.
Salmony encouraged email communication to board members.
Motion approved 6-1 (Salmony, No).
Twenty speakers from an overflow audience advocated for resolution of the faculty contract. The speakers included: Margaret Bayless, Judy McKenzie, Beth Frye, Jim OBrien, Ann McGrail, Jerry Ross, Bonny Simoa, Michael McDonald, Jane Benjamin, Mark Harris, Pam Dane, Jay Frasier, Ingrid Gram, Margaret Robertson, Jeff Harrison, Bob Barber, Maurice Hamington, Phil Martinez, Stan Taylor, and Bob Baldwin. Patti Lake, manager, encouraged board approval of the management employees working conditions agreement for 2001-02.
5\ Consent Agenda
Alvergue moved, seconded by Shelley, to approve the Consent Agenda consisting of the following:
Minutes
Minutes of the November 14 and 27, 2001, board meetings.
Personnel
To appointment Pamela Harrison, classified, Financial Aid advisor, Student Financial Services, Level 11, Step 3, effective November 26, 2001;
To appointment Brandi Judd, classified, Financial Aid Advisor, Student Financial Services, Level 11, Step 2, effective November 19, 2001;
To appointment Christine Marshall, classified, administrative specialist, Academic Learning Skills/English As A Second Language, Level 9, Step 8, effective November 8, 2001;
To regretfully accept the letter of resignation for the purpose of retirement from Weltzin Bill Blix, faculty, Art & Applied Design, effective January 1, 2002;
To regretfully accept the letter of resignation for the purpose of retirement from Joe Farmer, management, director, Foundation, effective December 31, 2001;
To regretfully accept the letter of resignation for the purpose of retirement from Kurt Schultz, faculty, Health & Physical Education, effective December 31, 2001; and
To regretfully accept the letter of resignation for the purpose of retirement from Fran Thomas, faculty, Health & Physical Education, effective December 31, 2001.
It is recommended that a contract in the amount of $196,650 for Mold Remediation of Building #4 be awarded to Project Development Group, Inc. of Vancouver, Washington, and that the president, or designate, be authorized to execute the contract; and
To approve the 2001-2002 new appointments and reappointments to the advisory committees as indicated on the attached lists.
Motion unanimously approved.
6\ Monitoring Report: Benchmarks
Craig Taylor reviewed the following Benchmarks from November and December:
· Goal Accomplishment of Former Students
· Employment of Professional Technical Students in Jobs Related to Their Training
· Professional Technical Students Satisfaction
· Transfer Students Satisfaction with Lane Preparation
· Change in Employee Headcount
7\ Lane Community College Foundation Fund Raising
The Foundation received consensus support to serve as the primary coordinator of college fundraising efforts.
8\ Management Employees Working Conditions for 2001-02
Rose moved, seconded by Hall,
To approve changes to the Management Employees Working Conditions document as outlined in the attachment;
To approve a 1.25 percent retroactive cost-of-living increase for 2000-01;
To approve a 3 percent cost-of-living increase for 2001-02;
To hold the amount set aside for steps for implementation of the new management compensation study; and
To withhold the allocation of professional development funds for 2001-02.
Motion passed 5-2 (Shine and Ackerman, No)
9\ Budget Assumptions
Alvergue moved, seconded by Hall, to approve the 2002-03 Budget Assumptions.
.
Motion unanimously approved.
10\ 2001-02 Budget Rebalance
The board discussed the following topics:
· Recommendations for dealing with the shortfall
Lanes 2001-02 budget has a shortfall of $1,369,698. Because the state revenue projection as of November 30 shows a much larger decrease, the college is planning to increase the pull back from restricted carryover.
· Recommendations for implementing cost savings in the current year.
A proposal directing all staff to take steps to limit spending in the current year has been developed for discussion by the board. Chair Ackerman stated that he preferred a more aggressive efficiency program to see how far Lane could cut expenses without impacting enrollment or staff or impairing programs.
Discussion about revenue options for the year will be held at a future meeting.
11\ KLCC Fundraising Consultant
Rose moved, seconded by Shine, to recommend that Netzel Associates, Inc. of Culver City, California, be retained for approximately $191,000 to perform the function of KLCC Fundraising Consultant and that the president, or designate, be authorized to execute all documents necessary to complete the award.
Motion unanimously approved.
12\ Reports
Board Members
Mike Rose commended Mary Spilde, Cam Preus-Braly, and others who testified before legislative committees regarding the community college budget situation. He complimented the participation by students in the Culinary Arts Program at the recent Library and Arts Fair.
Roger Hall wished everyone a Happy Holiday!
Robert Ackerman said the Governors budget is showing deficits of $700-900 million
George Alvergue thanked Mary Spilde for her holiday cookies and applauded the faculty members who gave statements earlier in a very dignified manner.
Dennis Shine continues to attend Lane Council of Government meetings.
Kathleen Shelley recognized the Culinary Arts students for preparing a Thanksgiving dinner at Whitaker School. Shelley joined Lane staff at the legislative hearings held December 10 and 11.
ASLCC President
Jennifer Gainer supported Lane staff at the legislative budget hearings and passed on student concerns for increased possible increases in Bookstore and Foodservices costs. ASLCC is soliciting student input on an increase in tuition and fees; a raffle was held at a recent Pow Wow to establish a short-term loan fund for all students and a petition was circulated in support of the Long House project.
LCCEF President
Alen Bahret said it had been an honor representing the LCCEF as its president and participating in about board 100 meetings. He plans to devote a major amount of time on the new LASR project.
LCCEA President
Margaret Bayless thanked Alen Bahret for his support and mentoring throughout the past years and thanked board members for extending the time to hear all those who gave statements from the audience.
Vice Presidents
Cheryl Roberts
The Office of Instruction and Student Services Highlights was distributed. Roberts commended the TRIO Learning Center (TLC) for exceeding all of the prior experience criteria during each of the four years it has been in operation. This resulted in the TLC receiving a perfect score in the last grant competition, and Lane was awarded the Student Support Services program for five instead of four years (2001-2006).
Marie Matsen said it had been a pleasure working with Alen Bahret and that he had represented classified employees well throughout the years.
13\ Date, Place, and Proposed Agenda Items for Next Regular Meeting
The next meeting will be Wednesday, January 9, 2002, beginning at 7:30 p.m., in the Boardroom, Building #3, Lane Community College.
14\ Future Agenda Items
Longhouse January
15\ Adjournment
The board meeting unanimously adjourned at 11:18 p.m.
Motion unanimously approved.
______________________________
Robert Ackerman, Chair
_____________________________
Mary Spilde, President/District Clerk
Prepared by:
Laura Tamura, Board Secretary