LANE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
BOARD OF EDUCATION MINUTES
July 13, 2016

1. Attendance
Board members present: Philip Carrasco, Susie Johnston, Matt Keating, Gary LeClair, and Tony McCown, Rosie Pryor, and Sharon Stiles. President Mary Spilde participated by telephone. Also present were Vice President Brian Kelly, Executive Dean Mary Jeanne Kuhar, Lane Community College Employees Federation President Bob Baldwin, and Associated Students of Lane Community College President Robert Kirkpatrick.

A. Board Chair Tony McCown called the meeting to order at 6:34 p.m.

B. Election of Chair and Vice Chair
Chair McCown opened nominations for chair of the board of education.

Johnston nominated Sharon Stiles for chair of the board.

Motion passed 6 - 1. Keating dissented

Nominations were opened for vice chair of the board of education.

LeClair nominated Rosie Pryor for vice chair.

Motion passed 6 - 1. Keating dissented.

1) Statements from Newly-elected Chair
Stiles thanked her colleagues for having the confidence in her ability to serve as the chair for this next year. This is going to be an exciting year just in the fact that we are going to be recruiting and hiring a replacement for President Spilde – not that she can ever be replaced. We will work hard to be diligent and transparent in that accomplishment. Stiles looks forward to a promising year of positive movement. We have large challenges in our budget balancing, but she has the confidence in this board’s ability to work together to come to the best fiduciary decisions. The board may have had their differences this past year, but because of the years of service most have given, we know best how to work together for the success of the students. Stiles looks forward to a productive year.

C. President’s Report
Brian Kelly read the President’s Report:
First, I'd like to thank Tony McCown for leading the board this year as board chair, and present a small token of appreciation. It’s been a challenging year, and Tony has done an outstanding job guiding the board and the college through the ups and downs.

Later this meeting, I will introduce the 2016-2021 Strategic Plan for board discussion and approval tonight. We presented a draft last meeting. This work represents a robust process that engaged many stakeholders from across the college as well as community members through the community conversations led by the board. I’m looking forward to the discussion this evening.

Welcome to Richard Lubben, our new Arts Division Dean. He comes to Lane from McAllen, Texas, where most recently he was associate professor of art and department chair at South Texas College. He has an impressive arts background, and we’re excited that he’s joined Lane.

Total reported FTE for spring term 2016 was 10.1% lower compared to last year.
Total registrations for fall term after seven weeks of registration show that enrollment is down only 3.2% compared to the same point last year. This is a welcome indicator that our enrollment decline is leveling out.

You may have heard about a gang-related shot fired in downtown Eugene recently that went through a library window. You may also know that an unrelated incident happened at the same time at our Downtown Campus when an inebriated driver’s car struck part of our courtyard. Lane Public Safety Sgt. Jake Ryker was on site and immediately pulled in bystanders for their safety as well as fire personnel who had responded to the car crash. Additionally, Public Safety Chief Jace Smith immediately put both our academic building and Titan Court on lockdown until the situation was safe. I want to commend Public Safety for their fast and effective response on behalf of the college and the downtown community. They routinely keep our downtown students and staff safe from drug and gang activity.

In other safety news, thanks to Vice President Brian Kelly and Public Safety Chief Jace Smith for encouraging members of our Emergency Planning Team to sign up for the Disaster Resilient Universities Network Listserv. This is an excellent source of information and one of the outcomes of the recent ACCT safety summit that some of you and members of our staff attended.

Our workers compensation experience rating has now dropped to "0.60" which means that we have experienced 40 percent fewer workers compensation claims during the past three years than would be "normal" for a similar employer. This workers compensation performance over the past three years reflects a strong commitment to safety and health by the college. This also results in a savings of over $125,000 in annual workers compensation premium costs.

Lane has been selected to work with the U.S. Department of Energy National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL). We are in the process of updating our solar master plan and will receive technical assistance to assess, rank, and prioritize solar electric projects to best move us toward our goal of generating 6 million kwh/year of renewable energy by 2050. We hope to use the outcomes of the technical assistance to apply for funding resources like local or state grants, community donors, and other sources. Special thanks to Anna Scott in Facilities for her leadership on this.

Eugene’s U.S. Track and Field Trials cast the spotlight on Lane Community College a couple of times. On Sunday, July 10, Lane student Dakari Hightower tied for sixth place in the men’s high jump at 7 feet, 3 inches. You’ll recall that he set a record the Northwest Athletic Conference track and field championships last month with a height of 7 feet, 1/4 inch.

On July 4, Lane graduate Cyrus Hostetler took first place in the men's javelin throw final with a throw of 273 feet, 1 inch. The mark earned him a gold medal and a spot on Team USA in the Olympics. Really awesome athletes who got their start at Lane Community College.

I am grateful to the Classified Professional Development Team in helping the college celebrate outstanding work of our classified employees. This month, Spring 2016 Employee Recognition Awards were presented to three outstanding staff:

• Denise Bennett in Food Services, who has kept our students and staff fed and our kitchens running with a smile for many years;
• Andy McClure, a dedicated custodian not only of college facilities but also of our college vision, mission and core values; and
• Michael Levick, project coordinator in Academic Technology whose innovations in technology and mentorship of students have greatly improved tech service and access for the entire college community.

Executive Dean Mary Jeanne Kuhar and Interim Dean for Extended Learning Lida Herburger have been reaching out to the Cottage Grove community and have established a local advisory committee which met for the first time last month. In addition, local media are doing a good job of informing the local public as Lane looks for input and advice on the future of our Cottage Grove campus and mission.

The Lane Child and Family Center is remodeling its playground into a natural play-scape with grass, trees and natural materials. The playground will celebrate its new features in fall 2016. Natural playscapes are places of exploration, discovery and learning and “play” a positive role in early childhood development. Thanks to Management Coordinator Sue Norton and her team for this advance.

The Register-Guard has had the good sense to hire Lane alum Mohammed Alkhadher. Mohammed is a former Torch editor who did a responsible accurate job of reporting for the Torch. We’re glad to see him at the RG.
Consumer Reports magazine distributed its August issue with a cover story on student debt and student profiles. The lead profile is a nursing student who went to the University of Rochester, Portland State University, and Lane Community College. They quote her on the cover as saying, “I kind of ruined my life by going to college.” Unfortunately, the article does not explain how community colleges differ from universities or the success that two-year colleges have had in reducing student debt.
The League For Innovation IStream online publication features science undergraduate research at Lane in its July issue. Thanks to Science Division Dean Paul Ruscher for pulling together our article which explains how providing research opportunities beyond the lab benefit both science majors and non-majors.

Mary, Dawn, and Brian attended the Governance Institute for Student Success in Bend last month with board members Sharon, Rosie and Susie.
Later in July, Mary will attend the Oregon President’s Retreat at Treasure Valley Community College.
Finally, later this summer I will take some actual vacation time at an undisclosed location.

Just a reminder that there’s no board meeting in August, but the board is scheduled to hold a retreat on July 25 and 26.

1) Personnel
The college’s current personnel appointments were presented.

E. Board Agenda Review/Changes
McCown moved to remove Item 2-E, Building 18 GMP, from the Consent Agenda. LeClair seconded.

Motion passed 6 – 1. Keating dissented.

Keating moved to remove Item 3-B, Board Appointments to Community Organizations, from the agenda. Motion did not receive a second.

F. Statements from Audience
Brian Rodgers, graduate, thanked Lane for the Automotive Technician program. Rodgers attended from 1998 to 2000 and is now an employee at Sun Automotive.

Craig Noel, graduate, expressed support for the Automotive Technician program. He graduated in 1987 and is now the General Manager for Sun Automotive. He stated that he hires graduates from Lane’s program and trains them in the field.

Justin Blakely, former student, expressed dissatisfaction with services he received from the Center for Accessible Resources.

2A. Consent Agenda
McCown moved, and seconded by LeClair, to approve the Consent Agenda consisting of:

• Approval of the June 8, 2016, Minutes
• Resolution No. 608, President’s Annual Authorizations for FY 2016-2017
• Blackboard Purchase – Sole Source
• Manufacturing Technology Lathe Purchase
• Community College Rules of Procurement

Motion passed unanimously.

4. Discussion/Action Items
A. Strategic Plan
Kelly presented the 2016-2021 Strategic Plan for board approval. Work on the plan had begun in 2014-15 with internal and external conversations held by the board. College Council had approved the planning process subcommittee and timeline. There were multiple opportunities for engagement in development of the plan. In March of this year, an all campus planning workshop was held. In April, discussions were held with College Council and other campus groups. Revisions to the plan were posted on the website and in The Weekly. The plan was submitted to College Council in June but consensus was not reached. The vote was 8-1 in favor of the paln. The dissenting votes expressed concern that there had not been enough opportunity for union input. Upon board approval, a press release will be sent out highlighting the community’s involvement.

LeClair moved to approve the 2016-2021 Strategic Plan. Johnston seconded.

There was some concern expressed regarding the Key Strategies and ensuring the financial sustainability of Lane Community College. Kelly responded that both the Finance and Facilities Councils have long term plans, and the board will be seeing a long range financial plan and comprehensive master plan for the campus. There has been heavy campus involvement in both plans.

Motion passed unanimously.

B. Board Appointments to Community Organizations
Gary LeClair was appointed to serve as the Lane Community College representative to the Foundation for 2016-17.

Phil Carrasco was appointed to serve as the Lane Community College representative to the Lane Council of Governments for 2016-17.

Susie Johnston was appointed to serve as the Lane Community College representative to the Oregon Community College Association for 2016-17.

Matt Keating was appointed to serve as the Lane Community College representative to the KLCC Community Support Board for 2016-17.

Motion passed unanimously.

A concern was raised that the board could benefit from a more transparent system to recommend board members for appointment to community organizations. Spilde suggested that the board work on language to add to one of the board policies or create a new policy regarding the process.

C. Presidential Search Update
Kelly updated the board on the search process for the next college president. Applications will be accepted until October 15. The search advisory committee will review applications and recommend approximately seven semi finalists to move forward for “airport” interviews before the end of the year. Following this process, finalists that are chosen will come in for full-day interviews and meet with the public, students, and board. The committee and the board will participate in a diversity training in early September.

4. Accountability/Reports
A. Facilities Update
An update on the status of bond and facility projects was presented.

B. Student Services-Global Directions Monitoring Report
The Student Services Global Directions Monitoring Report was presented to the board.

C. Treatment of Staff Monitoring Report
The Treatment of Staff Monitoring Report was presented to the board.

6. Reports
ASLCC President Bobby Kirkpatrick reported that ASLCC is halfway through the hiring process for officer positions. A fall welcome week is scheduled to bring activities to students to help get them involved and improve retention. Student Life and Leadership Interim Director Christina Walsh mentioned that there are groups on campus willing to offer trainings to the officers; the board and administration are welcome to come and present.

LCCEF President Bob Baldwin reported that the union and administration are currently in bargaining, but nothing has been accomplished yet.

Executive Dean Mary Jeanne Kuhar reported that Health Professions has received a Kellogg Foundation planning grant for $100,000 for the Dental Therapist Program. Dental Hygiene Coordinator Sharon Hagan has done quite a bit of work investigating how this program will work in Oregon. The dental therapist is intended as a midlevel provider in dental offices and would expand services in rural communities in Oregon.

Vice President Brian Kelly recognized KLCC for their coverage of the Oregon Country Fair. He complimented Jace Smith and the Public Safety Department for keeping staff and students safe at Titan Court. The budget was loaded this year earlier than it has been in twelve years at Lane. Kelly recognized the many people at Lane involved in completing the Strategic Plan. He commended Human Resources and Facilities Management and Planning for the amazing Workers’ Comp rating and standing. Kelly was honored to be part of the celebrations to recognize the work of the classified team; the three employees recognized this summer were Andy McClure, Denise Bennett, and Michael Levick.

Board Reports
Johnston congratulated Health Professions for the Kellogg Foundation grant. This will add to the work the college has been doing for the community here and in Cottage Grove. Johnston attended two conferences – one on campus safety and the other on student success. Both were worthwhile and offered valuable information.

McCown thanked everyone for an interesting year leading Lane’s board this past year.

Keating congratulated the newly appointed chair and vice chair and looked forward to working with both of them. He complimented the past chair on his work. He attended the campus safety summit and thanked his colleagues who attended. He congratulated his colleagues for their appointments to community organizations, and thanked the board for their flexibility and openness to considering a policy for those appointments.

LeClair congratulated the chair and vice chair and thanked McCown for his leadership.

Carrasco noted that the election cycle is underway and there will be a lot of work to do. He encouraged his fellow board members to listen to each other to get to a place where everyone is okay.

Pryor congratulated the outstanding athletes in their Olympic exploits. Welcome Robert. She attended the safety summit and the institute on student success, where there were plenty of productive conversations. She thanked Keating for speaking up on things he has questions about. She thanked her colleagues for the debates and conversations regarding budget process. She requested a review of the tuition policy.

Stiles noted that it has been a stellar year and thought that there will be more discussions during the coming year. She attended the safety summit and met Chief Jace Smith. It is refreshing to know how much is being done for safety on our campuses. She attended the institute on student success and was glad to spend time with DeWolf and Kelly and talk about all this is done to support student success at Lane.

7. Date, Place, and Proposed Agenda Items for the Next Regular Meeting
Tuesday, September 20, 2016, Boardroom, Building 3, Lane Community College

8. The board meeting unanimously adjourned at 8:37 p.m.

______________________________ _____________________________
Mary Spilde, President/District Clerk    Sharon Stiles, Board Chair