LANE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
BOARD OF EDUCATION MINUTES
June 13, 2012
1. Attendance
Board members present: Bob Ackerman, Pat Albright, Susie Johnston, Gary LeClair, Tony McCown, Rosie Pryor, and Sharon Stiles. Also present were: President Mary Spilde; Vice President Sonya Christian; Chief Financial Officer Greg Morgan; Legal Counsel Meg Kieran; Lane Community College Education Association President Jim Salt; and Lane Community College Employees Federation President Bob Baldwin; and Associated Students of Lane Community College President Mary Weatherhead.
A. Chair Johnston called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m.
Chair Johnston reminded everyone that the meeting will be conducted under the guidelines of the board's statement on Expectations for Professional Behavior.
B. President's Report
It's the time of year when we celebrate success and completion on many levels.
First I would like to welcome Mary Weatherhead, as the new elected president of ASLCC.
We've had lots of celebrations the last few weeks—
- Rhody Days from May 18 to 20. Our Florence team hosted an Art Fest booth showcasing the artwork of students, faculty and staff, for the humane society by raffling off a two-night stay at Siltcoos Station;
- The Employee Gala on May 23 honoring about 1,000 years of collective service and celebrating our first 40-year employee, Sue Thompson;
- ASLCC's Lanestock music and arts festival on May 31;
- he Asian and Pacific Islander Student Union Luau on June 1;
- The dedication of the Ragozzino Performance Hall on June 1, a wonderful memorial tribute to our late faculty member and community performing arts leader Ed Ragozzino.
The best is yet to come with college graduation on Saturday at the Fairgrounds, beginning at 4 p.m. We also have Florence Scholarship Night on Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Events Center, and on Friday we have the Trio Celebration at noon and the NASA Graduation at 6 p.m., both in the Longhouse.
The Foundation has much to celebrate. We completed the Opening Doors Campaign surpassing our original goal of $23 million with a total of $29.4 million. We also welcomed a new scholarship endowment with a $125,000 anonymous gift.
The 2012 Distinguished Alumni Awards were announced at the President's Circle reception on May 17, including Jacque Betz, city manager for Florence; Karen Bernheim Cardin, corporate jet pilot for Les Schwab Tires; Dan Dunnington, stockbroker, retired from Morgan Stanley; and Colt Gill, superintendent of the Bethel School District. Kudos to these outstanding alumni.
I would like to congratulate graduating student and track star Gylany Crossman. She was awarded the 2012 NWAACC Red Lion Scholarship, the first from Lane to win this prestigious award. She was the fall and spring Southern Region Champion, and she shattered Lane's 35-year-old school record in the 3,000 meter, running 9:48.73. Gylany is finishing Lane with a 4.10 cumulative GPA and is going on to compete for the Adams State Grizzlies in Alamosa, Colorado.
Spring term Faculty Recognition Awards were presented last week, honoring Alice Warner of Academic Learning Services, Reza Oskui in Math, and Bill Woolum in English. I had the honor of presenting Bill's award and while he has more than earned it, I am sad to say he is one of this year's retirees.
Hats off to Carrie Newell, Lane biology instructor, who probably is Oregon's most well known and respected marine biologist. Carrie helped open the new Whale, Sealife and Shark Museum in Depoe Bay last month.
We continue to develop our international program and last week met with Mark Ashwill of Capstone International Recruiting about Vietnamese opportunities. I also attended a meeting and dinner with International Agency Partners.
Later this month we will host guests from Australia and Scotland that are here for the sustainability conference.
We've achieved some notable success with benefits. Thanks to the extended work of HR employees in partnership with Pacific Benefit Consultants, we reduced the health insurance renewal rate for classified and management employees, from 9.8 percent to 7.1 percent for the coming year. This means there will be no increase in employee contributions for health insurance next year. We also reduced premium rates for long term disability and life insurance rates for classified and management staff. This is good news for employees and for the budget. Many thanks to Human Resources, the classified union, and the Management Steering Committee.
On the state front, Governor Kitzhaber selected Oregon's first Chief Education Officer, Dr. Rudy Crew. He formerly led New York City and Miami-Dade public schools systems with significant accomplishments, including the New York initiative to adopt curriculum standards for all schools, eliminate tenure for principals, and introduce school-based budgeting, and the Miami-Dade Parent Academy providing more than 100,000 parents with courses and workshops designed to help them support students' education. Since 2009, Dr. Crew has been a professor in the Rossier School of Education at the University of Southern California. He will begin a three-year contract on July 1.
The latest quarterly revenue forecast on May 22 shows that Oregon's economy continues to grow, but too slowly to make much difference in the state budget. The state budget has grown by $115 million from three months ago, but that's largely the result of some one-time legal settlements and is already spoken for. Nonetheless, there is increasing confidence that budget planners won't have to make more cuts over the final year of the 2011-13 budget.
In Washington, negotiations to extend the current subsidized Stafford loan interest rate at 3.4 percent for an additional year have heated up. Last week House Speaker Boehner sent to President Obama some newly proposed offsets to cover the near $6 billion cost of an extension. While less controversial than previously proposed offsets aimed at the Affordable Care Act, they have since been rejected by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. However, late last week Senator Reid offered two new potential offsets that may be able to garner bipartisan support; both involve reforms to the pension system. With rates set to double on July 1st, Congress will need to act quickly regarding an extension.
Secretary of State did a performance audit on Career and Technical Education community colleges to evaluate whether we are meeting the workforce needs for high demand jobs. The report was released today and the headline is Improvement Needed to Better Meet Oregon Workforce Skills. This is not related only to community colleges, but to all the organizations involved in workforce training. The recommendations are not too helpful for us, because those are things we are already doing it.
You've heard that Dr. Michael R. Gottfredson was selected by the State Board of Higher Education, and the University of Oregon Search Committee on which I served, as the finalist for president of the University of Oregon. The state board will meet this Friday to vote on the appointment. Dr. Gottfredson currently is Executive Vice-Chancellor and Provost at the University of California, Irvine, and a Professor of Criminology, Law and Society. He is a well regarded scholar and a successful academic leader with a strong record of achievement.
I want to draw your attention to the Op-Ed in today's issue of the Register Guard condemning the recent racial intimidation last month. The Op-Ed was submitted on behalf all of the local public agency leaders: the University of Oregon, Lane Community College, the school districts, LTD, the county, the cities. Colt Gill, who was mentioned as an outstanding alum, authored the first draft of the letter and then we all signed on to it and submitted it. We have already received thanks from many groups in the community today for taking a stance against this kind of behavior.
The current publication of Denali Literary Arts Magazine is a great one; there is one in each of your places.
Just a reminder that we will be closed on Fridays from June 29 through August 31.
I'd like to end my report with two special thank you's.
First, thanks to Torch Editor Kinzely Phillips and her staff for reporting excellence this past year. Kinzley took on some complex and challenging issues, and The Torch did a good job of keeping students informed and engaged. I understand that the incoming editor, Byron Hughey, already is at work, and I look forward to working with him.
Finally, it is my pleasure to thank outgoing student body president Mario Parker Milligan for a second outstanding year.
That concludes my report.
3) May Highlights
May highlights at Lane Community College as offered in the board mailing were presented.
4) Personnel
The college's current personnel appointments were presented.
C. Board Agenda Review/Changes
Resolution No. 580 for Downtown Campus New Market Tax Credit Financing was added to the agenda as item 4.D.2. Resolution No. 581 To Supplement Financial Aid Appropriation for FY 2011-12 and Resolution No. 582 Authorizing Budget Transfers for 2011-12 were added to the consent agenda as items 2.G and 2.H, respectively.
D. Statements from Audience
Justin Blakely, former student, expressed dissatisfaction with services received from Disability Resources.
Rodger Gamblin, IT Technician and LCCEF Officer, commented on the board's statement on Expectations for Professional Behavior, stating that there may be information presented during LCCEF President Bob Baldwin's board report that may seem harsh, but it is believed that the information is important to relay to board members.
BUDGET HEARING
A. The board meeting recessed, and the Budget Hearing was called to order at 7:02 p.m.
B. Statements from the Audience
No statements were made from the audience.
C. Discussion/Action: Tuition Approval
The budget that was approved by the budget committee included a $4 per credit tuition increase and $.50 per credit for student success initiatives.
LeClair moved to approve the $4 per credit tuition increase and the $.50 per credit fee for student success initiatives. Pryor seconded
Motion passed 6 – 1. Ackerman dissented.
D. Resolution 575, 2012-13 Budget Adoption and Appropriation
McCown moved to adopt Resolution 575, 2012-13 Budget Adoption and Appropriation. Stiles seconded.
Motion passed unanimously.
E. Resolution 576, Imposing and Categorizing Taxes for 2012-13
Albright moved to adopt Resolution 576, Imposing and Categorizing Taxes for 2012-13. LeClair seconded.
Motion passed unanimously.
The budget hearing adjourned, and the board meeting reconvened at 7:06 p.m.
2A. Consent Agenda
Pryor moved, McCown seconded, to approve the Consent Agenda consisting of:
- The approval of the May 9, 2012 meeting minutes
- Downtown Campus Furnishings
- Downtown Campus Audio/Visual & Kitchen Equipment
- QECB Resolution No. 577
- General Obligation Bond Resolution No. 578
- Resolution No. 579 to Supplement Administratively Restricted Fund Appropriation for FY 2011-12
- Resolution No. 581 to Supplement Financial Aid Appropriation for FY 2011-12
- Resolution No. 582 Authorizing Budget Transfers for 2011-12
Motion passed unanimously.
3. Policy Review
A. Second Reading
1. Equality of Opportunity in Admissions, D.070
McCown moved, seconded by Stiles, to approve the second reading of board policy D.070, Equality of Opportunity in Admissions. Changes are reflected below.
Motion passed unanimously.
POLICY NUMBER: D.070
POLICY TYPE: MISCELLANEOUS
POLICY TITLE: EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY IN ADMISSIONS
Lane Community College accepts all students who are 18 or over or have a high school diploma or GED. Students who are under 18 and have not graduated may still attend if they follow the guidelines for Under 18 Students. Under no circumstances shall an applicant who is otherwise qualified be denied admission or given a preference for admission to the college based on an individual's race, color, national origin, sex, age, marital status, familial relationship, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, mental or physical disability, religion, expunged juvenile record, or veterans' status or association with any member of these protected groups.
ADOPTED: November 9, 1998
REVISED: June 9, 2004
REVISED: October 17, 2006
REVISED: May 13, 2009
2. Student Activities, D.090
Ackerman moved, LeClair seconded, to approve the second reading of board policy D.090, Student Activities.
Motion passed unanimously.
POLICY NUMBER: D.090
POLICY TYPE: MISCELLANEOUS
POLICY TITLE: STUDENT ACTIVITIES FEES FOR STUDENT-INITIATED PROGRAMS
Students may be assessed a mandatory fee for the purpose of supporting a board approved student-initiated program. The board may approve those student-initiated programs that it determines provide educational value to the students consistent with the college mission and goals. After board approval, the fee initiative will be placed on the ballot for the student elections. The student election results, as they relate to the fee initiative, are advisory only. After the student elections, the fee initiative will come before the board for final approval or disapproval.
ADOPTED: November 9, 1998
REVISED: July 12, 2000
REVISED: December 2002 (former Policy Title: Tuition and Fees)
REVISED: July 27, 2004
REVISED: June 14, 2006
REVIEWED: April 8, 2009
3. Affirmative Action, D.100
McCown moved, Albright seconded, to approve the second reading of board policy D.070, Equality of Opportunity in Admissions. Changes are reflected below.
Motion passed unanimously.
POLICY NUMBER: D.100
POLICY TYPE: MISCELLANEOUS
POLICY TITLE: AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
The board directs strict adherence to the principles embodied in Oregon and Federal "Affirmative Action" legislation. Lane Community College shall take affirmative action in the recruitment and employment of members of protected groups. Protected groups are those groups of persons who have historically been subject to discriminatory practices. Protected classes include age, sex, race, color, religion, physical or mental disability, national origin, veterans, familial relationship, marital status, gender identity, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and expunged record or association with any members of these protected groups. Lane Community College has an adopted affirmative action plan and is committed to maintaining and following its affirmative action plan in the recruitment and employment of members of protected groups.
ADOPTED: December 13, 2000
REVISED: July 27, 2004
REVISED: July 19, 2006
REVISED: May 13, 2009
B. First Reading
1. Expanded Options, D.120
Meg Kieran, Legal Counsel, recommended that revisions be made to this policy in order to be consistent with recent changes in ORS. Recommendations for revised language will be made at the July meeting.
POLICY NUMBER: D.120
POLICY TYPE: MISCELLANEOUS
POLICY TITLE: EXPANDED OPTIONS PROGRAM
(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
2. Advertising, D.130
Changes were recommended to this policy to eliminate duplicate language and address concerns regarding the protected classes listed and the level of restriction of commercial speech. Recommendations for revised language will be made at the July meeting.
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.
- Advertisements that are deemed to discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, color, national origin, religion or sexual orientation.
- Advertisements deemed to contain statements, illustrations or implications which are offensive to good taste or public decency.
- Advertisements for any product or service which if purchased by a qualified individual would be in violation of any law.
- Advertisements bearing the name/logo "Lane Community College" or "LCC" must be approved by the College.
ADOPTED: September 13, 2006
REVIEWED: July 8, 2009
4. Discussion/Action Items
A. Achievement Compacts
PUBLIC HEARING
A. The board meeting recessed, and a Public Hearing was called to order at 7:13 p.m.
B. Statements from the Audience
No statements were made from the audience.
The public hearing adjourned, and the board meeting reconvened at 7:14 p.m.
1. Recommendation for Approval of Achievement Compact
Christian gave background on the Lane Community College Achievement Compact for 2012-13. This is a template that Lane's taskforce worked with to determine targets. Craig Taylor, Director of Institutional Research, Assessment, and Planning (IRAP), shared the work of the taskforce in developing the numbers in the Achievement Compact, including five months of taskforce discussion, data support from the Oregon Department of Community Colleges and Workforce Development in providing historical data, and considering various methodological scenarios. All of the numbers have a sensitivity around enrollment, and enrollment in turn is sensitive to factors such as economic downturns, tuition increases, and changes at the University of Oregon.
Board members expressed some concern that several of the factors are not measurable, and that data can change. However, the compact needs to be submitted to the state.
LeClair moved that the board approve the completed Lane Community College Achievement Compact for 2012-13. Pryor seconded.
Motion passed unanimously.
2. Achievement Compacts Taskforce Report
Christian presented the report done by Lane's Taskforce on the Community College Achievement Compact. The taskforce was introduced, including Bob Baldwin, LCCEF President, Jim Salt, LCCEA President, Phil Martinez, Economics instructor, and Craig Taylor, Director of IRAP. Christian discussed the history of Oregon's 40-40-20 educational attainment goal leading to the current framework for achievement compacts, Lane's response to the current framework for 2011-12, and an alternative framework for 2012-13 and for increasing education attainment in Oregon. A copy of the report is attached.
B. Board Evaluation Instrument
The board has been considering changing the board evaluation instrument for quite some time. Spilde explained that most board evaluations are self assessments only. The Lane Community College Board of Education evaluation instrument was changed to reflect that trend, and a copy of board expectations will be distributed each July.
Stiles moved to approve the revised board evaluation process. Albright seconded.
Motion passed unanimously.
C. President's Evaluation Process
Spilde explained the board policies C.020 and C.060 and the monitoring reports that are used for evaluation of the president.
McCown moved to approve the process for the president's evaluation process. LeClair seconded.
Motion passed unanimously.
D. Downtown Campus Update
1. Naming Approval
Spilde explained that the Downtown Campus housing complex was recently designated "Titan Court," but formal approval from the board is necessary.
Pryor moved to approve the naming of the Downtown Campus housing complex as "Titan Court." Albright seconded.
Motion passed unanimously.
2. Resolution No. 580 for Downtown Campus New Market Tax Credit (NMTC) Financing
Spilde explained that although the board has already approved a resolution on NMTC, the attorneys are continuing to work on it and have made a couple of recommendations for additions to the resolution that they believe will more adequately protect the college. The first is to divide the project into three condominiums to protect the public money that has already gone into the project. The second is to strengthen the "put and call" language. The Lane Community College Foundation will be the entity that holds the building, but once all of the tax credits have been given out, this language allows the college to take it back.
LeClair moved to adopt Resolution No. 580 which adds the supplemental provisions needed for NMTC financing. Ackerman seconded.
Motion passed unanimously.
5. Accountability/Reports
A. Benchmarks
The following Benchmarks were presented.
- College Now Enrollment
- College Now Students Enrolled in Credit Courses (not College Now) 1-year Later
- Students 16 to 19 years of Age Enrolled in Credit Classes
B. Facilities Update
An update on the status of bond and facility projects was presented.
C. Treatment of Learners Monitoring Report
The Treatment of Learners Monitoring Report was presented.
D. Treatment of Staff Monitoring Report
Treatment of Staff Monitoring Report was presented.
6. Reports
ASLCC President Mary Weatherhead reported that Lanestock was recently held at the college on May 31. Voter registration and education will continue through the summer. ASLCC officers are focusing on the transition for the coming year.
LCCEA President Jim Salt reported that the academic year is coming to an end and faculty are working hard. Summer will give them time to focus on their disciplines and be fresh for the new academic year. Salt complimented Gamblin for his comments during statements from the audience; it is not easy to respectfully disagree with the board. It is unfortunate that the board feels at odds with basic principles of academia. Salt stated that he has received several messages from faculty saying that they feel their free speech rights are not being respected. He complimented the Achievement Compacts Taskforce and felt proud to be part of that group. He reported that he has been re-elected president of LCCEA.
Christian distributed ASA highlights. She welcomed Mary Weatherhead and congratulated Salt. She congratulated Lane's IT team for their incredible work and particularly our new CIO, Bill Schuetz.
Chief Financial Officer Greg Morgan thanked the board for adopting the financial resolutions at the meeting tonight. One of those was the issuing of the second half of our bonds. In connection with that, in the next few days the board will be sent the Preliminary Efficiency Statement for information only. He reported that the budget office once again received the GFOA outstanding budget award for the seventh year in a row.
Board Reports
LeClair commended Christian for her excellent presentation of the taskforce report.
Ackerman commented that the board's statement on civility began after board members noted a general downslide in civility in public discourse in the United States, and the board wanted to take some remedial action while still preserving the rights of speech of their constituents. He welcomed those who may have a better way to do so to submit a suggestion to him for the agenda. He commented that the work session and dinner held with the Foundation board before the meeting was a great opportunity to witness the work of the Foundation staff and board of directors.
Johnston appreciated receiving the Denali publication and looked forward to the upcoming graduation ceremony. She attended the dedication of the Ragozzino Performance Hall, and it was good to see Ed Ragozzino's family and community members there. She noted that freedom of speech can be done without hurting others, and that is something that needs to be worked on.
Pryor reported that the Oregon Community Credit Union will hold a quarterly meeting on strategic workforce reviews on June 22. She asked the board to consider inviting LTD to come talk to the board about the status of the West Eugene extension of EmX. She brought up the issue of safety on 30th Avenue; perhaps it can be addressed at the next board retreat.
Albright was proud to see a former student of his identified as one of Lane's outstanding alumni.
McCown also attended the Ragozzino event. It was great to see Lane's Performing Arts on display.
Stiles reported that Lane was in the news three times this week featuring retirees from the Florence Center and outstanding alumni, Jacque Betz. Donations were received in retiring instructor Carol Unser's name to help restore the back portion of the Florence Center. The Florence scholarship event is scheduled for Thursday night. Stiles commended Lia Averett at the Torch for putting together profiles on board members and the president.
7. Date, Place, and Proposed Agenda Items for the Next Regular Meeting
Monday, July 16, 6:30 pm, Boardroom, Building 3, Lane Community College
8. The board meeting unanimously adjourned at 9:25 p.m.
______________________________ _____________________________
Mary Spilde, President/District Clerk Susie Johnston, Board Chair