LANE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
BOARD OF EDUCATION MINUTES
July 16, 2012
1. Attendance
Board members present: Bob Ackerman, Pat Albright, Susie Johnston, Tony McCown, Rosie Pryor, and Sharon Stiles. Board members absent: Gary LeClair. Also present were: President Mary Spilde; Vice President Sonya Christian; Lane Community College Employees Federation President Bob Baldwin, and Associated Students of Lane Community College President Mary Weatherhead. Lane Community College Education Association President Jim Salt participated by telephone.
A. Chair Johnston called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m.
B. Election of Chair and Vice Chair
Chair Johnston opened nominations for chair of the board of education.
Ackerman nominated Sharon Stiles for chair of the board. McCown seconded.
Motion passed unanimously.
Chair Stiles opened nominations for vice chair of the board of education.
Albright nominated Rosie Pryor for vice chair. McCown seconded.
Motion passed unanimously.
1) Statements from Newly-elected Chair and Vice Chair
Stiles made the following statement as newly-elected board chair:
"First I would like to thank the board for their confidence in me, and I look forward to working with you and the staff in the coming year. There is so much that is going well at Lane Community College and, as board chair, I intend to keep the focus on why we are here – to transform lives through learning and fulfill our mission. I think if we all remember why we are here – to provide education for our students – we will have a successful year.
I also want to take this opportunity to respond to Jim Salt's memo and to the emails we have received from Bob Baldwin and that he has sent out to classified employees. These communications are based on assumptions and conclusions that are not based in fact – for example, the board did not approve this statement "in retaliation" for anything. The statement clearly recognizes everyone's right to free speech. It is grounded in the college's values, board policies and our strategic direction of safety and it reflects labor relations principles and existing contact language. If you read the statement you will see that. I want to be clear that the board stands behind the Statement of Expectations for Professional Behavior that we approved last December. We saw that the deterioration in public discourse was happening at Lane and we believed it was and is our responsibility as the board of an educational institution to model the behavior we want to see in the world. As an independent governing board, we do have the right and responsibility to set ground rules for the board room and the college. Other than this general statement of expectations, though, we did not dictate the details, but we asked the president to start a discussion within the college community about our commitment to our core values and to constructive problem solving and dialogue. She introduced the statement at Spring Conference, and I expect further discussion to take place. Every person around this table and beyond should have a common interest in creating the best learning and working environment for every individual – staff, managers, faculty, students – and instead of asking the board to withdraw its statement, I would ask that you join with us on the important work of developing a safe, respectful, professional environment for all.
Thank you again for your vote of confidence, and I look forward to a successful year.
At this time, I would like to call on the newly elected Vice-Chair to make any comments."
Pryor's statement as newly-elected vice chair was as follows:
"There seems to be some confusion about why the Board of Education adopted a statement about civility. I'm grateful for an opportunity to set the record straight – from my perspective at least. Nothing in my words should be construed to represent the views of my colleagues.
I believe that participating in these meetings is a privilege. One that is all too easy to take for granted. In communities and villages, all over this planet there are people who would marvel at the opportunity we enjoy here to engage in a free, open and safe discourse about the matters of most importance to us.
I believe the respect we show for each other is the way we pay tribute to that freedom. What shuts discourse down is not just tyrannical kings and dictators, but those who would intimidate by hurting with words.
Respectful people can respectfully disagree. My intent, in agreeing to creation of a statement about civility, is to clarify that I do not intend to tolerate disrespectful discourse in this room.
Some here have justified past comments by stating that it may be necessary to bring news to the board that is difficult to hear. I submit that any information provided in a respectful manner with intent to achieve a positive outcome is never difficult to hear.
Some have also chosen to interpret the board's intent in a "he said, she said" manner designed to meet their own needs for outcomes that have nothing to do with civil discourse and everything to do with matters that are not adjudicated in this room by this board, but by our designee, President Spilde.
Yet another interpretation stretches the imagination by invoking horror stories of what civil discourse might do to threaten freedom of speech. I submit that the very conviction that we have no obligation to take care of each other in the way we communicate may be at the very root of what is wrong with a great many things today.
So...for anyone who believes there is some entitlement to treat others disrespectfully, my answer is no—not here, not in this room, not between us. We are all better than that.
Thanks for giving me the opportunity to share my thoughts."
C. President's Report
Congratulations to Sharon Stiles and Rosie Pryor for your election as chair and vice chair. I'm looking forward to a productive and exciting year. I also want to thank Susie for her past year and second term as chair. You've done an exceptional job, and I just want to thank you for your leadership and support.
I want to thank Team Lane for getting us successfully through U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials as the official training site. Special thanks to Chris Hawken, Grady O'Connor, and their army of volunteers. We received numerous compliments on our athletic facilities, beautiful campus and friendly and helpful staff and students. Thanks also to Public Safety, Facilities and Marketing, and Pat Albright for the nice story about our track upgrades in the official Trials program. Thanks to Gerardo Cifuentes, Brett Rowlett and the numerous volunteers at our booth in the festival area outside Hayward Field. Finally, congratulations to Cyrus Hostetler for making it onto Team USA despite breaking his javelin in two on his first throw, and later injuring his left knee. Cyrus got his start in track and field right here at Lane.
I was pleased to present medals to women heptathlon winners with six-time Olympic medalist, Jackie Joyner-Kersee. It was a thrill.
Congratulations to KLCC for winning five Public Radio News Directors, Inc., awards from its annual competition. KLCC is judged in Division C: Small News Staff. They won first place for commentary, first place for spot news, first place for breaking news, second place for spot news, and second place for writing. They do a first-rate job, and we are lucky to have them in our community.
Kudos to Greg Evans, faculty member at Lane and founder of our Rites of Passage program. He's also a board member for LTD and just received the American Public Transportation Association Outstanding Public Transportation Board Member of the Year award. It's good to see Greg is getting some well-deserved recognition this year. You may recall that in February, he received the 2012 Trailblazer Award from the Oregon Northwest Black Pioneers association.
Kudos once again to Chief Financial Officer Greg Morgan, Rose Ellis and Cathy Nolan in the budget office for earning the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada, for the seventh year in a row.
A Lane student who uses the pen name Savanna Lilly won third place in the national League for Innovation literary competition for her essay titled, "Code of Honor, Code of Ethics." Thanks to instructor Will Fleming for coordinating our submissions and to Tamara Pinkas for representing us on the League.
Our Phi Theta Kappa chapter earned the Two-Star Chapter distinction, bringing us closer to the ultimate Five-Star distinction. This honor recognizes the chapter's efforts to reach out to more students, provide personal and professional development opportunities, work with administration, and be active on campus and in the community.
We have good news this last month in that a week after fifteen global banks were downgraded, Lane Community College's bond rating was upgraded from A+ to AA+ long term rating. Our credit rating was upgraded from A+ to AA-. As a result of our bond rating and the work that has been done over the last few years to improve our ending fund balance position and the good bond market in recent weeks, instead of realizing $38 million for the bond, we realized $44 million while keeping the rate per thousand of assessed value at .25, which is what we pledged to the voters when we passed the bond.
On the legislative front, the U.S. House and Senate finally agreed to extend the current interest rate of 3.4 percent for new federally subsidized Stafford loans for an additional year. Thank you to our Oregon Congressional delegation for their work and support of this issue.
Earlier this month, a Federal District Court struck down a major portion of the Department of Education's "gainful employment" regulations. Issued last year, gainful employment rules were aimed at restricting career training programs that are not providing students with successful outcomes.
On June 20, we hosted State Representative Phil Barnhart for a town hall meeting on campus to introduce his constituents and local business owners to representatives from some of the lesser known state agencies/programs. Issues such as preventing identity theft, Oregon's Healthy Kids Program, and the fiscal conditions of Oregon counties were discussed. Thank you, Brett, for organizing this.
You may have heard a collective groan statewide on June 19 when the Institute for a Competitive Workforce, an affiliate of the US Chamber of Commerce, issued a report called "Leaders and Laggards" that gave Oregon community colleges poor marks for cost effectiveness. The report was based on IPEDS data that counts degree completion but disregards non-degree seeking students and services important to the community college mission such as GED, English as a Second Language, Adult Basic Skills, and others. IPEDS does not account for the high percentage of students who transfer to Oregon University System (OUS) institutions without an associates' degree, nor does it count dual enrollment and similar programs, and it does not reflect the differences in OUS and community college missions. The report did not consider our student success initiatives or our strong partnerships with OUS schools and did not show that many OUS resident students have taken at least one class at a community college, or that our enrollments have increased nearly 30 percent while state appropriations have declined by more than 20 percent. We did not get local calls but the report was in the Salem Statesman Journal and the Oregon Community College Association provided us with talking points.
It's been busy on campus. Last month, we hosted guests from Australia and Scotland who were here to learn more our sustainability initiatives. We also hosted stakeholders from Oregon community colleges and universities for a convening on 40/40/20 and Achievement Compacts. The ideas and comments will be passed on to the Oregon Education Investment Board and the Post-Secondary Achievement Subcommittee. It was the beginning of a conversation, not the end, and we will certainly have more of them.
I had an opportunity to see Dale Parnell and bring him up to date on what's going on at Lane. He is not able to come to campus right now. He is primary caregiver for Beverly, who has had a stroke and some surgeries. I took a Powerpoint to show him all of the things the college is doing. He recapped the story of hiring Ed Ragozzino, and he was very sorry that he missed the dedication of the Performance Hall. We had a good visit, and hopefully we can get him back to campus before too long.
I would like to remind you that the Rites of Passage Capstone ceremonies are tomorrow, Tuesday, June 17, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Longhouse. It's a nice event and worth attending.
Also, mark your calendars for the grand opening for Titan Court, which will be some time on the morning of Tuesday, September 18. We will get further details to you as they develop.
Enjoy your summer.
D. Board Agenda Review/Changes
No changes were made to the agenda.
E. Statements from the Audience
Justin Blakely, former student, expressed dissatisfaction with services received from Disability Resources.
Bob Baldwin, LCCEF President, distributed a handout regarding the board's statement on expectations for professional behavior.
Phil Martinez, Economic Instructor and member of Lane's Achievement Compacts Taskforce, spoke of the deep commitment of the Taskforce. He stated that the point of the Taskforce report is that the path projected by the achievement compacts is a path of failure and urged the board to take leadership on this issue and statewide.
2. Consent Agenda
Pryor moved, McCown seconded, to approve the Consent Agenda consisting of:
- The approval of the June 13, 2012, meeting minutes
- Appointment of District School Clerk and Deputy Clerks
- Resolution No. 583, President's Annual Authorizations for FY2012-13
Motion passed unanimously.
3. Policy Review
A. Second Reading
1. Expanded Options, D.120
McCown moved, seconded by Pryor, to approve the second reading of board policy D.120, Expanded Options. Changes are reflected below.
Motion passed unanimously.
POLICY NUMBER: D.120
POLICY TYPE: MISCELLANEOUS
POLICY TITLE: EXPANDED OPTIONS PROGRAM
Consistent with ORS 340.005 to 340.090 ("Expanded Options Program") Senate Bill 300 (2005 Oregon Laws, Chapter 674, Sections 1-21), the Board is committed to providing additional options to students enrolled in grades 11 and 12 to continue or complete their education, to earn concurrent high school and college credits and to gain early entry into post-secondary education.
Eligible students may apply to take courses at Lane Community College through the Expanded Options Program. A student is eligible if he or she is in grade 11 or 12 or is 16 years of age or older, has developed an education learning plan and has not completed four years of high school. A student must demonstrate preparedness for the intended courses at Lane. A student who has graduated from high school may not participate; however, a student who has completed course requirements for graduation, but who has not received a diploma, may participate in the Expanded Options Program.
Lane Community College will provide written notice to the student's school district and the State Department of Education and shall enter into a financial agreement with the student's district such that each district will be responsible for their students' tuition, fees or other required instructional costs associated with the student's enrollment.
The College does not intend to provide special education and related services to the student.
ADOPTED: April 12, 2006
REVIEWED: July 8, 2009
REVISED: July 16, 2012
2. Advertising, D.130
Albright moved, seconded by Johnston, to approve the second reading of board policy D.130, Advertising. Changes are reflected below.
Motion passed unanimously.
POLICY NUMBER: D.130
POLICY TYPE: MISCELLANEOUS
POLICY TITLE: ADVERTISING
GUIDELINE:
Advertisements shall relate to the mission, vision, and core values of the College.
TRUTH IN ADVERTISING:
Advertisements shall tell the truth and shall reveal significant facts, the omission of which would mislead the public. Advertisers are responsible for providing accurate copy. Prior to making advertising claims, advertisers shall have in their possession documents that substantiate such claims.
RESTRICTIONS:
Advertisements shall tell the truth and shall reveal significant facts, the omission of which would mislead the public. Advertisers are responsible for providing accurate copy. Prior to making advertising claims, advertisers shall have in their possession documents that substantiate such claims. Lane Community College reserves the right to refuse any advertisement at any time, including, but not limited to, the following:
1. Advertisements that are deemed to wrongfully discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, color, national origin, religion, or sexual orientation or disability.
2. Advertisements deemed to contain statements, illustrations or implications which are offensive to good taste or public decency. not consistent with the College's mission and vision.
3. Advertisements for any product or service which if purchased by a qualified individual would be in violation of any law.
4. Advertisements bearing the name/logo "Lane Community College" or "LCC" must be approved by the College.
ADOPTED: September 13, 2006
REVIEWED: July 8, 2009
REVISED: July 16, 2012
3. Policy Review
A. First Reading
1. Tuition Waiver for Family of Oregon Fallen Service Members, D.140
A first reading was held on board policy D.140, Tuition Waiver for Family of Oregon Fallen Service Members, was held. A second reading will be held in September. There has been a great deal of conversation in the legislature about this issue, and some agreements were made by the Oregon Community College Association (OCCA). Changes suggested below maintain the policy originally passed and updates for the law passed in the 2012 session.
POLICY NUMBER: D.140
POLICY TYPE: MISCELLANEOUS
POLICY TITLE: Tuition Waiver for Dependents of Veterans Family of Oregon Fallen Service Members
Lane Community College will provide a tuition waiver to the spouse and children age 23 and under (including adoptive and step-children) of members of all branches of the United States Armed Forces or United States Coast Guard who:
Died while on active duty, orDied as a result of a military service-connected disability, orIs 100% permanently disabled as a result of a military service-connected disability as certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs.
In addition, the student must be a resident of the Lane Community College district at the time of application for a waiver. The spouse of the fallen service member must initiate the request for a waiver within ten years of the determination of death or 100% disability. The spouse will lose eligibility upon remarriage. Dependent children must initiate this benefit prior to age 23.
Students will receive a first-dollar tuition waiver if they are the survivor of a member of the U.S. Armed Forces or U.S. Coast Guard that died on active duty or died as a result of 100% service-connected disability, and do not receive the Marine Gunnery Sargeant John D. Fry Scholarship. Students who are the spouse or dependent of a member of the U.S. Armed Forces or U.S. Coast Guard that is 100% percent disables or died as result of less than 100% disability shall be granted a waiver in coordination with other student financial assistance (including VA Benefits) for which the recipient may be eligible, utilizing other grant resources before applying this tuition waiver in order to provide a total benefit not to exceed the total estimated cost of attendance.
The tuition waiver is available to students admitted to a certificate or degree program only. This waiver is also limited to 135 college credits or the completion of an Associate degree, whichever comes first. The waiver does not include required fees and may not be applied to community education programs or distance learning programs for recipients residing out of state. Continuation of this tuition waiver benefit is contingent upon the student meeting the applicable satisfactory academic progress requirements.
Lane Community College will provide a tuition waiver to the spouse and children (including adoptive and step-children) of members of all branches of the United States Armed Forces or United States Coast Guard who die, or have become 100% permanently disabled, in connection to their service, and who listed Oregon as their permanent residence at the time of application for a waiver. For purposes of this policy, determination of a permanent, 100% service-connected disability shall be documented by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The tuition waiver is limited to 135 college credits or the completion of an Associate degree, whichever comes first. The waiver does not include required fees and may not be applied to community education programs or distance learning programs for recipients residing out of state. This waiver shall be granted in coordination with other Student Financial Assistance (including VA Benefits) for which the recipient may be eligible, utilizing other grant resources before applying this tuition waiver in order to provide a total benefit not to exceed the total estimated cost of attendance. Continuation of this tuition waiver benefit is contingent upon the student meeting the applicable satisfactory academic progress requirements.
The spouse or domestic partner of the fallen service member must initiate the request for a waiver within ten years of the determination of death or 100% disability. The spouse will lose eligibility upon remarriage. Dependent children must initiate this benefit prior to age 23.
ADOPTED: May 13, 2009
REVISED: March 9, 2011
2. Security of Personal Information, D.150
A first reading was held on board policy D.150, Security of Personal Information, was held. A second reading will be held in September.
POLICY NUMBER: D.150
POLICY TYPE: MISCELLANEOUS
POLICY TITLE: SECURITY OF PERSONAL INFORMATION
Consistent with Oregon's Identity Theft Protection Act (ORS 646A.600 to 646A.628), the Board is committed to protecting the personal information of all College consumers that is included in any college electronic data or written records.
The President is authorized to establish an identity theft prevention program designed to detect, prevent and mitigate the theft of personally identifiable information as defined by ORS 646A.602 (11) that is included in any college data, records or that is requested in any college procedures.
This policy applies to any college record or procedure which contains a person's personally identifiable information. In the event of any breach of security, any person whose personal information was included in the breach will be notified as soon as possible, consistent with Oregon's Identity Theft Protection Act.
This policy complies with the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003, Sections 114 and 315.
ADOPTED: November 13, 2002
REVISED: July 27, 2004
REVISED: July 13, 2005
REVISED: June 11, 2008
REVIEWED: July 8, 2009
Discussion/Action Items
A. Career Technical Education
Andrea Newton, Executive Dean of Career Technical Education, presented information on Lane's Career Technical programs. Lane has over 40 programs in areas such as Advanced Technology, Health professions, Business and Computer Information and others. There are 20 Associate of Applied Science Degrees, 7 two-year certificates, and 22 one-year certificates. There are also Career Pathways certificates, and many of our programs transfer to four-year institutions.
Each program has an advisory committee; the number of advisory committee members totals over six hundred. Cooperative Education opportunities are available in all of the career technical programs, allowing students to learn and work in the field for credit. Field supervisors often serve on the advisory committee and offer valuable feedback for program enhancement.
Lane works closely with state organizations such as the Oregon Department of Community College and Workforce Development and the Oregon Employment Department to help meet the needs and requirements of industry and local economic development. Recent additions to Lane's Career Technical programs include Health Information Management, Physical Therapist Assistant, and Web Design. One-third of the college's budget is spent on career technical programs, but many programs receive funding through grants and industry donations. New trends in career technical education include online or hybrid delivery, "sharing" programs with other colleges, career pathways, sustainability practices, and accelerated programs.
B. Lane County Immigrant Integration
Spilde informed the board that many local organizations have endorsed the Lane County Network for Immigrant Integration Statement of Principles, and that the organizers have requested that Lane Community College consider endorsing as well. Lane's Multicultural Center has already given its support.
McCown moved that the board endorse the Lane County Network for Immigrant Integration Statement of Principles. Pryor seconded.
Motion passed unanimously.
C. Achievement Compacts
Christian presented Lane's Achievement Compacts Taskforce revised report, which offers an alternative framework for Achievement Compacts. According to the report, instead of a bilateral agreement with the state, the framework should be shifted to an "Achievement Partnership." Community colleges and universities would commit to making public their institutional score cards and accreditation reports. Eliminating the agreement would liberate institutions to do their best work and strive for real quality improvement.
The board appreciated the work of the taskforce but was concerned with the language of the recommendation. The board focused on the alternative framework proposal on page seven of the taskforce's report. Board members expressed concern about the political viability of the recommendation, distracting from the real focus, which is increasing funding and student success, and the fact that the achievement compacts passed 75 to 13 so it does not seem to make sense to pursue that goal.
It was agreed that two board members and the President would meet with the taskforce to discuss the alternative framework proposal with the purpose of bringing back a statement on Achievement Compacts for approval and submission to the Oregon Education Investment Board. McCown and Albright agreed to work with the taskforce.
The board took a ten-minute break at 9:05 pm.
D. President's Evaluation
The board has conducted the annual performance evaluation of President Mary Spilde. Johnston read a summary of the board evaluation, stating that Spilde continues to demonstrate extraordinary leadership. Spilde received an outstanding performance evaluation for the eleventh consecutive year.
Ackerman moved, seconded by Pryor, to approve the results of the President's 2012 Evaluation.
Motion passed unanimously.
E. Board Appointments to Community Organizations
LeClair was appointed to serve as the Lane Community College representative to the Foundation for 2012-13.
Pryor was appointed to serve as the Lane Community College representative to the Lane Council of Governments for 2012-13.
Albright will continue to serve as the Lane Community College representative to the Lane Economic Committee of the Lane Council of Governments.
Albright will continue to serve as the Lane Community College representative to the Oregon Community College Association.
Ackerman moved to approve the above appointments. McCown seconded.
Motion passed unanimously.
F. Downtown Campus Update
Spilde informed the board that the college has closed the New Market Tax Credits and realized a bit more funding than was planned when all was said and done.
There are currently 35 applications and deposits for housing. A focused marketing plan has been put into place and is moving forward.
The ceremony for the opening of the housing building will be on the morning of September 18, with a larger grand opening planned for some time after the academic building opens.
5. Accountability/Reports
A. Benchmarks
The following Benchmarks were presented.
General Fund Revenues and Transfers by Source - LaneGeneral Fund Expenditures by Category - LaneGeneral Fund Operating Expenditures – Lane and All Oregon Community Colleges (graphic and table)
B. Facilities Update
An update on the status of bond and facility projects was presented.
6. Reports
ASLCC President Mary Weatherhead reported that the student government is in the process of filling board positions. Lane has once again taken the lead in the state for the voter registration drive. 676 students have been registered to vote during summer term, bringing the total for the year to 3,325. Some of the goals for the academic year are to register 6,500 voters, promote tuition equity, and support mandatory cultural competency training for Lane employees. She encouraged attendance at the car show to be held at Lane on August 18 and Eugene's Pride Festival at Alton Baker Park on August 11.
LCCEF President Bob Baldwin stated that he was proud to be a part of the taskforce on achievement compacts. It is a good model of participatory and collaborative process. He noted the attempts to change college culture, claiming that one of the first "don'ts" is: Don't mandate it from the top down, find a common concern from the grassroots and develop it from the bottom up. The board's statement on professional behavior is seen as a dictatorial process and has already been used for discipline. The union will continue to present the truth, even if it offends.
LCCEA President Jim Salt stated that the board's statement on civility will create more problems than the problem it was intended to resolve. He asked the board to read and consider his message distributed prior to the meeting. He hoped that it will lead to a greater recognition of free speech, the right of representation, and the duties of the board to hear statements that it may not always appreciate but has a sworn responsibility to hear and respond to. Salt did not challenge the goal of the board; he challenged the method that is being proposed.
Vice President Sonya Christian distributed written ASA highlights to the board in a handout.
Board Reports
McCown encouraged the board to attend the Rites of Passage graduation ceremony and the car show that will be held in August.
Ackerman commented on the opposition to the board's civility statement. Because the civility language is legally embedded within the two collective bargaining agreements, it is already a part of our culture and part of our contractual obligations to each other. The essence of the statement is to ensure that our professional relationships will be respectful, civil, and professional, even when we disagree. The statement is a work in progress, therefore we have established a process in which the statement can be changed or modified. The statement is also embedded within our policies, which promote respect, fairness, and openness in our academic relationships. If we withdraw the statement, we will repudiate the principles under which we were founded and will regress half a century. For those reasons, I think that we should continue with the process of the civility statement, and fill out a committee that would make recommendations for a permanent policy.
Johnston attended the OCCA board workshop, where some great discussions were held. She looked forward to attending the Rites of Passage ceremony. She congratulated Stiles and Pryor on their leadership positions. She thanked the board members for their support over this past year. It was a great opportunity to chair the board again. She thanked Ackerman for his work as vice chair. She noted that the board's statement on expectations for professional behavior came from a broad discussion of attitudes seen in the news and outside community, and she resented the accusation that the board is mandating from the top down. The statement has its roots in Lane's core values, mission, and vision, and there are similar articles in the LCCEA and LCCEF contracts.
Albright attended the Olympic trials and was pleased that he managed to help get Lane in the program. He took responsibility for the creation of the civility statement, because he had been observing that discourse and respect has been deteriorating in all public bodies, not just at Lane. In recent months, he has witnessed a discussion of issues at Lane that have crossed the line in identifying individuals in a derogatory manner. There are legal or complaint procedures for taking care of those matters. He commented that the memo received from Baldwin was confusing at first glance, but on second scrutiny showed a misrepresentation of the facts and, when extended to other groups, created a ripple effect. When things of important consequence are stated, they should contain the truth and represent facts. Albright stated that he has lost his sense of trust that the communications the board receives are accurate. The board's statement on civility only asks that people should be certain of what they are saying, and say it in an appropriate manner; that's not too much to ask of anyone. Trust, honesty, openness, and mutual respect are what is expected. The board's statement was not intended to be used as a disciplinary action. The board has merely requested that administration and staff find ways to improve discourse at this institution of higher education. That's what we should be striving to do. Albright was concerned that the intent and facts have been misrepresented, and that misrepresentation is creating problems within the college community and should be retracted and corrected.
Pryor addressed Baldwin and questioned his intent in twisting the words of the board, which is simply enforcing what has long been the history in this organization. To Salt, she agreed that free speech is his right, but speaking with respect is his responsibility. She acknowledged that everyone around the table has the best interest of the college in mind. Pryor congratulated the budget office on the upgraded credit rating.
Stiles attended the OCCA workshop after being delayed by a flat tire. Over $30,000 was given to students at the Florence Scholarship Night. The Florence Center is offering a technology team camp for teens this summer.
7. Date, Place, and Proposed Agenda Items for the Next Regular Meeting
Wednesday, September 19, 2012, Boardroom, Building 3, Lane Community College
8. The board meeting unanimously adjourned at 9:54 p.m.
______________________________ _____________________________
Mary Spilde, President/District Clerk Sharon Stiles, Board Chair