LANE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
BOARD OF EDUCATION MINUTES
January 9, 2013
1. Attendance
Board members present: Bob Ackerman, Pat Albright, Susie Johnston, Gary LeClair, Rosie Pryor, and Sharon Stiles. Absent: Tony McCown. Also present were: President Mary Spilde; Executive Dean Kate Barry; Chief Financial Officer Greg Morgan; Legal Counsel Meg Kieran; Lane Community College Education Association President Jim Salt; Lane Community College Employees Federation President Bob Baldwin; and Association Students of Lane Community College President Mary Weatherhead.
A. Chair Stiles called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m.
B. President's Report
Thank you to everyone for accommodating our late start time this month, but it was for a very good reason. Earlier this evening, Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy honored Lane in her State Of The City address at the Hult Center. She gave us a Community Award for our Downtown Campus which she called an "exemplary model of sustainability in keeping with goals and values held by the city, the college and throughout the region." Everyone here should take pride in this recognition and I have to say it has been a delight to work with the mayor and the city throughout this comprehensive and rewarding project. Our new campus really has energized downtown Eugene.
Some of us were just there on Friday for a staff commemoration. They gathered at the old Downtown Center and passed a piece of carpeting laid in 1977 hand-to-hand until reaching the new Downtown Campus, where I joined them, and we enclosed the swatch in a time capsule that was sealed and secured under concrete. It was fun and I can't wait for everyone to get to see the new campus.
I'd like to thank Jenette Kane for the event and for organizing the phenomenal task of moving. She pulled together a great team from Facilities, Public Safety, the Bookstore, ESL, Energy Management, IT, Human Resources, ABSE, ESL, SBDC, and others. We'll be working out a few kinks as with any new construction, but we're in business. We're looking forward to our Grand Opening celebration on March 15.
The Eugene City Club will get a tour that day when they hold the first of six meetings this year at our Downtown Campus, thanks to the determination of Brett Rowlett. This will be our chance to help that group see firsthand some of the tremendous economic impact that Lane has in our community.
Congratulations to Greg Evans who was appointed Monday to the Eugene City Council to replace Pat Farr, who was elected to the Board of Commissioners. Greg will represent west Eugene on the council. As you know, Greg teaches at Lane and founded our renowned Rites of Passage summer academies program.
Three cheers for December's Classified Employee of the Month, Michael Levick of the Academic Technology Center. Michael began working at Lane in December 2003. He is a high performance employee totally dedicated to students and faculty and staff. I don't think we could do without him.
Hats off to faculty member Margaret Robertson. She has been named a Sustainability Fellow in the Higher Education Associations Sustainability Consortium, which is a part of AASHE, the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.
We concluded our annual employee fundraising campaign last month with a participation rate of 44 percent, the best ever, and a total of $118,248. That exceeded our goal of $115,000. Congratulations to the Foundation and the "Feel the Power" campaign team, and sincere thanks to every individual employee who contributed.
I'd like to recognize High School Connections for a couple of accomplishments. First, director Deron Fort wrote a great article for the "League Innovations" newsletter, titled, "Combining a Fifth Year of High School and First Year of College: Creating a Win-Win-Win for Students, School District, and Community College." You can find the article online at www.league.org
Second, Student Recruitment & Outreach Coordinator Gerardo Cifuentes collaborated with Eugene School District 4J to offer FAFSA student aid labs for 4J high school students, taking our counselors and financial aid experts on site to present information and help students complete the form. Research shows that FAFSA completion correlates strongly with college enrollment, particularly among low-income populations.
Following the trend from fall, winter term enrollment also is down from a year ago, but again, it's an expected adjustment after our 40 percent growth over the last three years. At present, registrations are down 10.5% compared to winter 2012
In late November we arranged for an external maintenance review of our aircraft fleet as part of our proactive plan following the off-airport landing of one of our planes earlier that month. We needed to have the work done quickly to minimize disruption to student training so we contracted with all of the available, qualified maintenance facilities between Roseburg and Portland. Because of the timeline and the need to serve students, we did not go through the usual process of getting three bids for each job, but the work performed paid standard labor rates and did not result in any significant cost disadvantage to the college. This was a variance to the board's procurement rules, but we felt it was urgent to meet the needs of the students before the end of the year.
Let me just mention a few special events coming up this month:
This Saturday, January 12, we are hosting a Community Gang Prevention Symposium in partnership with the City of Eugene, local school districts, police agencies, University of Oregon, Lane County Department of Youth Services, social service agencies, and others. It will be all day in the CML beginning about 9 a.m. It will offer information about local gang problems, address stereotypes, show what prevention techniques work, and create a plan to solve our community's criminal gang problem.
On Tuesday, January 15, we are celebrating the retirement of Foundation Director Janet Anderson at a special event in the Health and Wellness Center.
Another retirement I'd like to acknowledge is that of Steve Barton, who has been with KLCC for 35 years. We will say farewell to Steve on Thursday, January 24, 2013 from 5-7 at KLCC, 136 W 8th Ave.
On Thursday, January 17, we will have a performance of "Pouring Tea: Black Gay Men Of The South Tell Their Tales," a one-man play with Dr. E. Patrick Johnson. He is a scholar, artist and activist and a professor of performance studies and African American studies at Northwestern University. The performance will be from 1-3 p.m. in the Ragozzino Performance Hall. This is sponsored by our Diversity Strategic Direction Committee and Diversity Office. In March, they are sponsoring another presentation about the life and times of singer, actor, athlete and civil rights activist Paul Robeson to be performed by our own faculty member, Dr. Stanley Coleman.
This afternoon I did another Comcast Newsmaker's interview. We talked about the opportunities and challenges facing community colleges and our unique role in economic recovery. Newsmaker interviews may appear on CNN Headline news.
1) Personnel
The college's current personnel appointments were presented.
C. Board Agenda Review/Changes
Item 2.B., CM/GC Services for Building 11 Remodel, was removed from the consent agenda and added to discussion/action as item 4-A.
D. Statements from Audience
Justin Blakely, former student, expressed dissatisfaction with Disability Resources.
Rodger Gamblin, IT Technician and LCCEF Officer, voiced a complaint that the Fitness Education Center seems to raise the level of gravity each time he takes a break from working out, and he asked the board to look into that. (humor)
2A. Consent Agenda
McCown moved, and seconded by Pryor, to approve the Consent Agenda consisting of:
- The approval of the December 5, 2012 meeting minutes
Motion passed unanimously.
3. Policy Review
A. Second Reading
1. Interfund Loans, E.090
Albright moved, seconded by Pryor, to approve the second reading of board policy E.090, Interfund Loans.
Motion passed unanimously.
POLICY NUMBER: E.090
POLICY TYPE: BUDGET AND FINANCIAL
POLICY TITLE: INTERFUND LOANS
Loans from one fund to another shall conform to the requirements of ORS 294.4680 and be authorized by the Board of Education. Interfund loans may not be from: a Debt Service fund, a Financial Aid fund, employee/retiree benefit funds, or funds legally restricted to specific uses. Repayment of the loan must be budgeted according to an approved schedule and at a stated rate of interest.
The full repayment of interfund loans shall occur no later than:
five years from the date of the loan, if the funds are to be used to acquire or improve real or personal property, orJune 30 of the fiscal year following the year in which the loan was authorized, if the funds are to be used for operating purposes.
ADOPTED: June 9, 2004
REVIEWED: May 9, 2007
REVIEWED: December 2, 2009
B. First Reading
1. Debt Issuance and Management, E.100
No changes were recommended to this policy. A second reading will be held in July.
POLICY NUMBER: E.100
POLICY TYPE: BUDGET AND FINANCIAL
POLICY TITLE: DEBT ISSUANCE AND MANAGEMENT
The president shall ensure that sufficient funds are available to meet current and future debt service requirements on all indebtedness, while adequately providing for recurring operating requirements. The issuance of debt limits the college's flexibility to respond to future learning priorities; consequently, the college shall issue and manage debt in a manner which maintains a sound fiscal position, protects its creditworthiness and complies with ORS 341.675 and ORS 341.715.
To meet the objectives of this policy the president shall ensure that the college incurs and services all debts in a manner that will:
- Maintain a balanced relationship between debt service requirements and current operating needs.
- Maintain and enhance the college's ability to obtain access to credit markets, at favorable interest rates, in amounts needed for capital improvements and to provide essential learning services.
- Prudently incur and manage debt to minimize costs to the taxpayers and ensure that current decisions do not adversely affect future generations.
- Preserve the college's flexibility in capital financing by maintaining an adequate margin of statutory debt capacity.
The board shall approve borrowing as described in Board Policy C.040. Long-term debt (due more than a year in the future) shall not be issued to fund normal operating needs.
ADOPTED: June 9, 2004
REVIEWED: May 9, 2007
REVIEWED: December 2, 2009
4. Discussion/Action Items
A. CM/GC Services for Building 11 Remodel
Pryor moved to approve that Chambers Construction be awarded a contract for CM/GC services for the Building 11 Remodel in the amount of $69,125. LeClair seconded.
Motion passed unanimously.
B. Small Business Development Presentation
Jim Lindly, Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Director, presented information on the SBDC. SBDC provides support and guidance for those operating or starting their own business. Business advising is offered to help develop strategies for growing and improving established businesses or starting a new venture. SBDC also provides employee training for businesses seeking to update employee skills. Many of the businesses SBDC has worked with have achieved success in the community, such as Café Yumm.
The SBDC is working with Greg Morgan and Brett Rowlett on the project for small business incubation at the old Downtown Center. They are working with the University of Oregon; although the program the UO is proposing may be different from what Lane is considering, there may be ways to partner with them that can be explored.
Areas of concentration for SBDC include health professions and related fields, private sector manufacturing, and government contracts. The SBDC serves Lane County, including Florence and Cottage Grove, and Lindly is working on making more connections in Oakridge.
C. Energy Management AAS: Building Controls Technician Option
Spilde explained that the Energy Management Associate of Applied Science is proposing to add a new option, Building Controls Technician, which was developed following a suggestion from the Energy Management Advisory Committee. The new option has gone through a full review, and the college is recommending approval.
Science Dean Sarah Ulerick and Energy Management instructor Bruce Alford explained that the Resource Conservation option will be eliminated and the Building Controls Technician option will take its place. The Building Controls Technician option has a more viable employment outlook.
Albright moved to approve the Energy Management AAS: Controls Technician Option. LeClair seconded.
Motion passed unanimously.
D. Foundation Major Gifts Campaign
Spilde provided background on the proposed next major gifts campaign. Feedback from the board retreat in September was provided to the Foundation board to get ideas of what would make a compelling argument in the community. Facilities projects include the Center Building Commons, which has also been submitted to the state and has committed bond funding, and a culinary and hospitality institute. Potential focus areas for scholarships are the Honors program, Rites of Passage, High School Connections, and bridging the gap for high achieving, low income students. Program endowment was not as popular in the last campaign, so funding was reduced in this campaign.
Factors for finalizing the goals for the next campaign are the economy, what is happening in the community, and what is likely to gain support.
The board agreed on the proposed plan, although Ackerman suggested a more aggressive campaign by raising the scholarship amount from $10 million to $20 million. Spilde informed the board that the priorities will be taken back to the Foundation board for testing of the ideas with our donors.
5. Accountability/Reports
A. Benchmarks
Craig Taylor, Institutional Research, Assessment, and Planning director, responded to questions and comments on the following Benchmarks:
- OUS Grades of Transfer Students (2011-12)
- OUS Grades of Transfer Students (2010-11)
B. Facilities Update
An update on the status of bond and facilities projects was presented to the board.
C. Compensation and Benefits A.080, Monitoring Report
Dennis Carr, Chief Human Resources Officer, answered questions and responded to comments regarding the Compensation and Benefits monitoring report.
6. Reports
ASLCC President Mary Weatherhead reported that the student union was able to accomplish a lot of work over the break, including a day-long retreat to plan for the legislative session. Weatherhead will be doing an internship at the Oregon Student Association. There is the potential for a special election this term; students may be asked to vote on a fee increase next month. Regular ASLCC election dates are scheduled for April 8 through 18.
LCCEF President Bob Baldwin reported that the classified union is increasingly lacking confidence in administration to run fair and unbiased hiring committees. He noted that the compensation and benefits monitoring report has never addressed presidential compensation. The union is given to believe that Lane has the most highly compensated president in the state. That would be an interesting point for the college to make public.
LCCEA President Jim Salt reported that community colleges will have their work cut out for them to increase state support, and he recommended that we not simply push for a particular number but be more strategic in the making the needs for community colleges more clear by showing what the costs are, what the students are currently paying, and what the state should be responsible for. The conversation on performance based funding is continuing, and LCCEA will continue to oppose it. Universities, community colleges, and K-12 are coming together to look at their compacts and identify ways to work together and achieve goals.
Executive Dean Kate Barry reported that Academic and Student Affairs is busy with the start of Winter term. She distributed highlights which included recognition of Drafting Instructor Margaret Robertson as well as the Senior Companions program.
Chief Financial Officer Greg Morgan reported that Facilities Management and Planning was busy over the winter break resolving a problem which arose as a result of some work done by EWEB. Steps are being taken to improve communication when work is scheduled which may affect our campus.
Board Reports
Albright reported that he took a tour of the new Downtown Campus, and it is looking great. Albright is convinced that the Small Business Development Center is the secret to economic success. He has attended town meetings in preparation for the ACCT National Legislative Summit.
Johnston responded to Baldwin's statements regarding the president's compensation, stating that it is the board's responsibility to set the compensation and salary for the president. She attended the City event where Lane received an award; it is gratifying to see Lane get recognized. Johnston is looking forward to seeing Spilde receive the First Citizen award at the Eugene Chamber Celebration of Business.
LeClair mentioned that a friend is developing a business model, and he will refer him to the Small Business Development Center.
Pryor requested that the Board of Education hold a meeting at the new Downtown Campus in the near future.
Ackerman suggested a slightly more aggressive Foundation capital campaign. The last Opening Doors campaign for the Health and Wellness building showed strong evidence of goodwill in the community.
Stiles commented that the award received tonight from the City of Eugene could not have happened without collaboration of many people at Lane and the guidance of President Spilde. She thanked David Mills and Mark Richardson from Facilities for the work recently done at the Florence Campus. The Florence campus received a $5,000 grant from the Three Rivers Foundation for Lane students, targeting singles parents. Stiles thanked Janet Anderson for coming to see her and Mary Jeanne Kuhar on stage at the Holly Jolly Follies.
7. Date, Place, and Proposed Agenda Items for the Next Regular Meeting
Wednesday, February 6, 6:30 pm, Boardroom, Building 3, Lane Community College
8. The board meeting unanimously adjourned at 8:43 p.m.
______________________________ _____________________________
Mary Spilde, President/District Clerk Sharon Stiles, Board Chair