LANE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
BOARD OF EDUCATION MINUTES
May 11, 2016
1. Attendance
Board members present: Philip Carrasco, Susie Johnston, Matt Keating, Tony McCown, Rosie Pryor, and Sharon Stiles. Members absent: Gary LeClair. Also present were: President Mary Spilde; Vice President Brian Kelly; Interim Vice President Dawn DeWolf; Lane Community College Education Association President Jim Salt; Lane Community College Employee Federation Vice President Bob Baldwin; and Associated Students of Lane Community College Vice President Maria Dresser.
A. Chair Tony McCown called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
B. President’s Report
We had a great Spring Conference on Friday. Guest speaker Dr. Julianne Malveaux was very good. Our workshops focused on diversity and equity and did a lot to move our collective meter on cultural competency. My thanks to Greg Evans, Media Services and everyone who pitched in.
I want to distribute the latest edition of Lane’s publication, the Community College Moment. I want to thank Russell Shitabata, Aryn Bartley, and Ben Hill, co-editors. This is my airplane reading for when I go to Scotland in the summer, and I always enjoy it.
I’m also distributing information about a grant that we are proposing to the Kellogg Foundation. For about two years, I’ve been involved in an organization called Community Catalyst around providing dental health to marginalized populations. There’s a model program in Alaska with one of the tribes there. We were invited to submit a proposal for a planning grant to develop a dental therapy program which will build on the dental assisting and dental hygiene programs that we already have but basically provide a program for a new mid-level professional with expanded functions. I’ve asked Sharon Hagan, Dental Hygiene coordinator, to join this work, and she has had the opportunity to go to Alaska to see how that program is set up. Kellogg and Community Catalyst really believe that this program belongs in community colleges, as opposed to a master’s degree level program. The purpose of the grant is to determine the interest in a dental therapist program offered by community colleges. The project emphasis is on diverse student recruitment and service to underserved patients emphasizing Latino and Native American tribal college students and care for underserved patient populations, many of whom do not have access to dental care. We are very excited about being invited to submit this application. Part of the requirement is that we communicate with the board and let you know that this work is underway.
Kudos to ASLCC’s student Mariana Sofía Paredones for organizing a peaceful rally about the presidential race, expressing her point of view and speaking up for marginalized members of our society.
I’d like to welcome Carl Yeh as director of Student Standards. He joins us from OSU, and he has also worked at the UO and Southwestern Oregon Community College.
I appreciate Laura Greene for stepping up to be our Interim Health Clinic Director. She has served the clinic for the past two years and has ten years’ experience as a nurse practitioner.
Thanks to Greg Holmes and Brian Kelly for presenting to Moody’s Investors Service last week. We want to issue $14,115,000 in general obligation refunding bonds and get a bond rating from Moody’s. Refinancing the 2009 bond would reduce our annual debt service requirements, saving $932,844, or 5.73%. Clearly, this would be good for the college and for taxpayers. As you know from last month’s discussion, balancing the 2016/17 budget without a tuition increase would lower our ending fund balance to 6.9%. A healthy fund balance is important to maintaining our overall financial position and getting a good bond rating, as well as allowing us to capitalize on the bond market savings. We are expected to replenish our fund balance back to 10% as per board policy, and we will hear back from Moody’s about our bond rating on May 19. If the bond market stays favorable, we would sell bonds on June 1 and they would mature in June 2024. Please note that at your places is the college's tax-exempt bond post-issuance compliance policy that was referenced in last month’s resolution. This is the process that the college will use to safeguard the tax -exempt status of the college's bonds.
This is the seventh week of spring term. Total registrations for all classes are down 9.8% compared to the same point last year. Included in that is a 14.6% decline in total credits, except for College Now, where credits are up 34.8%.
I am delighted and not at all surprised that our CLASS remodel is winning design awards. The project won a national Illumination Award of Merit for lighting design and also an Excellence in Concrete Award. Finally, it was a finalist for the Daily Journal of Commerce Oregon Top Projects awards. Congratulations to our team of bond project leaders, facilities staff, our design partners and our contractors.
Compliments to Lane’s Science Division Dean Paul Ruscher, who also self-identifies as our resident weather geek. Paul led a team from Science, IT, Facilities, Florence and Cottage Grove, to establish three operating weather stations that are part of a national project called the Citizen Weather Observer Program. This enables Lane to participate in a national weather network that feeds data directly into servers that work in conjunction with National Weather Service partners. Eventually we will be on national weather maps and we will be able to create custom web pages for each of our locations. We will have better information to help us plan and prepare for adverse weather.
I interviewed with the Wall Street Journal last week for another story on student debt and the particular way that has affected community colleges and how we have responded to help students.
I believe you all know that former longtime board member Dennis Shine’s wife, Kate Wallace, passed away last month. Kate was a community force and will be missed by many. I appreciate everyone who has shared your condolences with Dennis.
- Late last month I attended the Achieving the Dream (ATD) symposium, and as I shared with staff on Friday, we will be relaunching our ATD effort. We hosted ATD coaches here last week.
- In early June I’ll be attending the College Promise Initiatives meeting at Princeton.
- I was able to attend this year’s All Oregon Academic Team student recognition hosted annually by the Oregon Community College Association and the Phi Theta Kappa honor society. Congratulations to Lane scholar Madison Shell, our member of the team. She’s an outstanding track athlete, having made All American rank in steeple chase and cross country. She plans to continue her education at Concordia University for a degree in sports management.
- We held an open campus conversation on strategic planning in late April to get more feedback as we work toward setting our direction for the next five years.
- I attended the US Bank economic forecast breakfast yesterday. It’s no wonder our enrollment is down; one of the statistics is that there are 5.5 million more jobs above January 2008 and 14.2 million above the trough of February 2010. Sadly, a lot of these are not family wage jobs.
There are several events on campus this month. You can read about them in the Lane Weekly staff newsletter, but I will mention a few you might want to note for your calendars:
* Diesel Days, promoting our diesel tech program, will bring heavy equipment to campus from several local businesses. That will be this Friday and Saturday.
* Food Scene Eugene highlighting our culinary programs and including the Iron Chef Eugene competition, will also be this weekend, from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, and 12-5 p.m. on Saturday.
* On May 18 we have our annual Employee Recognition Gala. This gets more poignant every year. This time we will honor 33 10-year employees, 28 20-year employees, 9 30-year employees, and 3 40-year employees. We will also applaud 72 retiring employees. This is an amazing record of service.
* Our Veterans Services office has organized some Memorial Week displays and events for next week, including a POW/MIA Remembrance Table Dedication Ceremony on May 23.
The Eugene City Council and LTD continue to explore possible future routes for EmX and/or enhanced bus service. At a joint meeting on April 25 the two boards advanced three corridors for further study: Coburg Road, Highway 99, and a combined River Road/30th Avenue route that would serve our main campus. Further analysis will be done of each corridor and presented to both boards later this year.
I would like to congratulate ASLCC and the Oregon Student Association on another successful voter registration drive. They registered 1973 Lane students, part of 21,000 students registered statewide through the Student Vote Coalition. Great work! And in case anyone needs a reminder, Election Day is next Tuesday. Get your ballots turned in today!
1) Personnel
The college’s current personnel appointments were presented.
C. Board Agenda Review/Changes
Carrasco requested that the Chinuk Wawa Native American courses be placed on the agenda as item 3-D.
D. Statements from Audience
Linda Perkins, Construction Technology student, provided information about the projects happening in the Construction Technology program. She invited the board to come see the tiny house in Building 12 that will be going to a church in the Whitaker neighborhood.
Wes Shorack, Construction Technology student, provided information about the projects happening in the Construction Technology program.
Adrienne Mitchell, Academic Learning Skill instructor and LCCEA Vice President, asked the board to revisit the decision not to accept the proposal of the Budget and Finance Subcommittee which included a $3 tuition increase. It is not possible to use one-time funds without threatening the fiscal liability of the college.
Gordon Nettles, tribal elder, stated that the Chinuk Wawa Native American Language courses were targeted for elimination. He urged the board not to eliminate the courses.
Cheyenne Walker, student, urged the board not to eliminate the Chinuk Wawa Native American Language courses.
Derek Muniz, student and Native American Student Association co-chair, urged the board not to eliminate the Chinuk Wawa Native American Language courses.
Kathy Cole, Chinuk Wawa instructor, urged the board not to eliminate the Chinuk Wawa Native American Language courses.
Drew Viles, English instructor and member of the American Indian Language committee, urged the board not to eliminate the Chinuk Wawa Native American Language courses.
Nick Viles, student, urged the board not to eliminate the Chinuk Wawa Native American Language courses.
Jaeci Hall, community member, urged the board not to eliminate the Chinuk Wawa Native American Language courses.
Mary Johnson, University of Oregon student, urged the board not to eliminate the Chinuk Wawa Native American Language courses.
Jeff Harrison, English instructor and member of the American Indian Language committee, urged the board not to eliminate the Chinuk Wawa Native American Language courses.
Carol Watt, English instructor and member of the American Indian Language committee, urged the board not to eliminate the Chinuk Wawa Native American Language courses.
Jerome Viles, student, urged the board not to eliminate the Chinuk Wawa Native American Language courses.
Nareem Santina, student, urged the board not to eliminate the Chinuk Wawa Native American Language courses.
Marie Sagaberd, Custodian, urged the board not to eliminate the Chinuk Wawa Native American Language courses.
Leilani Sabzalian, Administrative Coordinator, urged the board not to eliminate the Chinuk Wawa Native American Language courses.
Dean Middleton, Media Services, urged the board not to eliminate the Chinuk Wawa Native American Language courses.
Siv Serene Barnum, Degree Evaluator, urged the board not to eliminate the Chinuk Wawa Native American Language courses and talked of the barriers students face when applying for their degree.
Beth Shepherd, Chinuk Wawa instructor, urged the board not to eliminate the Chinuk Wawa Native American Language courses.
Zacary King, student, urged the board not to eliminate the Chinuk Wawa Native American Language courses.
Tracy Palmer, student, urged the board not to eliminate the Chinuk Wawa Native American Language courses.
Lexi Sving, student, urged the board not to eliminate the Chinuk Wawa Native American Language courses.
Brian Bird, student, urged the board not to eliminate the Chinuk Wawa Native American Language courses.
Carson Viles, former student, urged the board not to eliminate the Chinuk Wawa Native American Language courses.
Jordan Tangavelou, student, urged the board not to eliminate the Chinuk Wawa Native American Language courses.
Matthew Yook, former student, urged the board not to eliminate the Chinuk Wawa Native American Language courses.
Zack Bly, student, urged the board not to eliminate the Chinuk Wawa Native American Language courses.
Marge Helzer, Anthropology instructor, urged the board not to eliminate the Chinuk Wawa Native American Language courses.
Claire Williams, student, urged the board not to eliminate the Chinuk Wawa Native American Language courses.
James Florendo, Native American Coordinator, urged the board not to eliminate the Chinuk Wawa Native American Language courses.
Board took at 10-minute break at 8:15 pm.
2A. Consent Agenda
Stiles moved, and seconded by Pryor, to approve the Consent Agenda consisting of:
- Approval of the April 13, 2016, Minutes
- Purchase of Manufacturing Technology Equipment
Motion passed unanimously.
3. Discussion/Action Items
A. Spotlight on Student Success: Center for Accessible Resources (CAR)
Terri Minner, CAR Director, and Renee Mackey, CAR Department Coordinator, presented information on the services provided by the Center for Accessible Resources.
Minner explained that the services provided by CAR align with Lane’s Core Theme Number Two: Accessible and Equitable Learning Opportunities. CAR is governed by two areas: ADA and Section 504 of 1973. The department received praise after the recent visit from the Oregon Civil Rights Department.
According to ADA, a disability is a physical or mental impairment that limits one or more life activities. Many disabilities are obvious, but many are invisible. CAR sees several students that have multiple disabilities, which means that the services for each student are customized and tailor fitted. More than 70% of CAR’s students have invisible disabilities, and 49% have more than one diagnosis.
In order to receive services, students must provide medical documentation. Common accommodations include extended test times, reduced distraction, audio recorders, and note takers. On average, CAR services approximately 6.75% of Lane’s students. Each student is assigned an advisor. CAR works with the faculty, Facilities, and the community so as not to duplicate services. An electronic newsletter is sent out to the campus community and includes tips and resources for faculty and staff. CAR has two private testing centers with specialized adaptive technology for students that need it.
It is a big transition for students coming out of the K-12 system. In K-12, parents are advocates and the voice of the student, but in college, students have to learn to request services themselves. CAR helps with the transition to universities, working with sister colleges to make sure documentation arrives and accommodations are set up for the student when they attend.
8.3% of all Lane graduates last year identified as having a disability. Over 92% of them reported that CAR helped them to be more successful.
B. Old Downtown Center Building
Brett Rowlett, Director of Governmental and Community Relations, stated that the college has been looking for options for the former Downtown Center building on Willamette. Lane has been approached by community groups looking for space. A concept that has garnered increasing support from community and business leaders includes transforming the building into a vibrant business, arts, and technology incubator, also known as an innovation hub.
Redeveloping the vacant 66,000 square foot building into an innovation hub would require extensive renovations. College staff have consulted with representatives from Pivot Architecture and Anderson Construction, and initial estimates for building improvements range from $4 million to $9.5 million and could include tenant improvements, seismic upgrade, updating building systems, façade improvements, and technology.
In February, the Eugene City Council, acting as the Urban Renewal Agency Board, added the redevelopment of the former Downtown Center Building to a list of downtown improvement projects under consideration for public funding. The City Council is conducting work sessions to discuss each improvement project. The LCC project is scheduled to be discussed May 18. The Council is also considering how to fund any projects they vote to move forward. A public hearing will be held on May 23 to consider amendments to the Urban Renewal Plan, and a final decision is scheduled for June 8. Urban renewal, also known as tax increment financing, is a tool used by cities to finance improvements and developments in specific areas of a city by reinvesting in the area’s property taxes. If approved, Lane would be expected to fund one half of the innovation hub project. Spilde indicated that funding would not come from the general fund.
The board discussed how the project would fit into the college mission. It would be a huge asset to the community; Lane could seize the opportunity as the City of Eugene did with the college several years ago with the new Downtown Center. The project has a lot of momentum and is an opportunity for the college to be a better steward of its resources on behalf of the taxpayers. Kelly stated that the building is currently costing about $60,000 to maintain. Rowlett stated that, if the City votes to approve the project in the Urban Renewal Plan, the next stage would be identifying potential partners for the building spaces.
Carrasco moved that the board support the proposal brought forward by Brett Rowlett in coordination with the City of Eugene and that we use the mechanism which is being included in the Downtown Renewal District as part of the many projects that they are considering and also the mechanism of the tax increment finance. Johnston seconded.
Motion passed unanimously.
C. Tuition and Ending Fund Balance and Impact on Budget
In April, the board reviewed the FY2017 budget proposal as put forward by the Budget and Finance Subcommittee and voted not to increase tuition and instead directed that the dollar amount would be derived from the ending fund balance. Spilde explained that one of the budget balancing components presented in April was the use of some of the ending fund balance in conjunction with the increase in tuition. To take additional funds would leave an ending fund balance of 6.9%. Board policy BP245 requires that a plan is developed to restore it to a level of 10% within two years. If A Better Oregon does not pass, there is no way to comply with BP245 without reducing programs and services. If enrollment declines further, Lane will be in a precarious position. Other funding factors statewide could also negatively impact Lane, including the layoffs at Intel which will affect state revenue. Spilde wanted the board to be clear on the implications of its decision. 84% of Lane’s students qualify for the Pell grant, which covers tuition and fees, and 74% receive it. The Oregon Promise gives every student $1,000 more than they would otherwise receive, which helps pay for tuition, books, and living expenses.
The board discussed the issues of raising tuition and providing affordable education. Holding the tuition rate this year could trigger the need for larger tuition rate increases in the future. A decrease in tuition revenue could result in program and service reductions. If programs are cut, students may have to stay in college longer to get what they need, which would cost more over time. It is a struggle to balance affordable college and the scope of a comprehensive community college. Perhaps Lane has evolved to be greater in scope than taxpayers and students are prepared to support. The impact of taking away one of the only pieces of revenue the board has control over was shown earlier in the meeting with the prospect of eliminating the Chinuk Wawa program.
Discussion was had about board policy BP725 which requires the board to adjust the per credit tuition rate to reflect changes in an appropriate index for two-year public colleges since the last tuition adjustment. However, board members felt that to imply that the board should automatically raise tuition every year is unacceptable. A $3 increase would put tuition over $100 per credit which board members felt is too much, but it is in line with the other community colleges in the state.
Keating moved that the board comply with BP725 and raise tuition per the Higher Education Price Index (HEPI). Carrasco seconded.
Motion failed 3 – 3. McCown, Carrasco, Keating in favor. Johnston, Pryor, Stiles against.
D. Chinuk Wawa Native American Language
Carrasco stated that the offering of the Chinuk Wawa language signifies the values for which Lane stands. Language customs should be celebrated. He suggested that the college works with the Native tribes and increase the enrollment in the courses. Lane sits atop indigenous land, and they are asking us to respect it.
Carrasco moved that the college consider producing a game plan to make sure that Chinuk Wawa enrollment is increased. Keating seconded.
Spilde explained that if this program is preserved, another will need to be eliminated in order to maintain expenses, and every program has its passionate supporters. Several board members agreed that voting to not raise tuition and then asking the college to maintain programs puts the administration in a difficult position. Spilde noted that the college will need time to work with the American Indian Language committee and the tribes.
Keating moved to amend the motion to increase tuition in the amount of $3 in support of Chinuk Wawa and vital programs in the foreseeable future at Lane Community College. Amendment failed for lack of a second.
Original motion passed 5 – 1. Keating dissented.
E. Presidential Search
Kelly reported that community and campus forums are scheduled to provide opportunities for the community and campus to contribute ideas for the presidential profile. Preston Pulliams from Gold Hill Associates will be on campus to facilitate the forums. The Presidential Search Advisory Committee will meet on May 26.
F. Chinuk Wawa Native American Language
Carrasco reopened the discussion on the Chinuk Wawa courses.
Carrasco moved that the board direct the administration to sit down and develop a game plan to reinstate the program. Pryor seconded.
The board discussed the period of time in which to reinstate the program. Spilde noted that it may take up to three years to reestablish. Carrasco asked that it be reinstated within the month. Spilde responded that the program can be reinstated, but another program is likely to suffer. Keating noted that every program is vital but the only way to keep programs afloat is to use the revenue mechanisms available.
Motion passed 5-1. Keating dissented.
4. Reports
Pryor moved to suspend the reports due to the lateness of the hour. Keating seconded.
Motion passed unanimously.
6. Date, Place, and Proposed Agenda Items for the Next Regular Meeting
Wednesday, June 8, Boardroom, Building 3, Lane Community College
7. The board meeting unanimously adjourned at 10:55 p.m.
______________________________
Mary Spilde, President/District Clerk
_____________________________
Tony McCown, Board Chair
Prepared by: Donna Zmolek, Executive Assistant to the President/Board