This page is part of the 2016 Lane website archive, and is presented for historical reference only.

May 9, 2012

LANE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
BOARD OF EDUCATION MINUTES
May 9, 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; 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 Mario Parker-Milligan. 

A.  Chair Johnston called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. 

B.  President's Report
I want to introduce the board to this new report, Reclaiming the American Dream: Community Colleges and the Nation's Future.  I have a copy for each of you, and it is also available on the AACC website as well.  This is a report from the 21st Century Commission on the Future of Community Colleges.  The report underscores that the connection between education and prosperity is direct and powerful, but the American dream as we know it is at risk.  It states that because the highly educated population is fundamental to economic growth and a vibrant democracy, community colleges can help reclaim that dream, but to do so we have to step up.  The report suggests that we redesign students' educational experiences, reinvent institutional roles, and reset the system.  I was a member of this commission, and there were some members who thought the report was too bold, and there were others, like me, who thought it wasn't visionary or bold enough.  The reason for that is that so many of the things that are recommended in this report, Lane is already engaged with and doing a lot of this work, which made me feel good.  I think a few things are missing:  I would have liked to have seen a strong statement that community colleges be the voice of quality in the completion agenda, I would have liked to have seen more explicit mention of the democracy commitment and sustainability, and I would have liked to have seen a commitment to not just closing the skills gap or educating workers, but educating empowered workers, educating students not just to be workers but to be citizens who are actively engaged in building healthy communities.  These are the things that Lane stands for and the things that are reflected in our mission and values.  However, within the narrower framework of this report, the framework of completion, I do think the report causes us to think about the work that we do and at least ask the questions about how we need to change.  As you would expect, many of the recommendations are already underway. 

We have updated enrollment reports: Winter FTE is down 1.7 percent overall, but credit FTE is up by 2.3 percent and non-credit down by 25.7 percent. Year-to-date, total FTE is down 1 percent. This is the leveling off that we've been expecting following our 40 percent increase over the last three years.

The Foundation board and staff are working on their five-year strategic plan. They will share preliminary results with you at the joint board meeting in June.

I want to congratulate Oregon Research Institute as our Cooperative Education Employer of the Year. ORI is a good example of how investing time in internships benefits both the business and the students. We honored ORI at the annual advisory committee gala and also recognized our Business Department Advisory Committee for excellence. I'm glad many of you were able to attend that event.

A couple of kudos are due to the Small Business Development Center. They will receive the 2012 State and Regional Small Business Development Center Excellence and Innovation Awards from the U.S. Small Business Administration. The national award will be presented during National Small Business Week May 20-25 in Washington D.C. Last week, they won the 2012 Outreach and Engagement Cooperator Award from the Oregon State University Extension Association, for significant contributions to OSU Extension programs and helping the service stay viable throughout Lane County. Congratulations to Jim Lindly and his staff.

As you may know, we are the official practice site for the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials from June 21 to July 1. I hope you've admired our billboards at the Gonyea and Schaefer entrances to campus. Pat Albright is on the program committee and is no doubt ensuring some publicity for Lane. We also have several staff volunteers coordinated by Coach Grady O'Connor. And of course, we're all cheering for javelin thrower Cyrus Hostetler, who started his college career at Lane. In 2008, Cyrus broke the college record by nearly 30 feet with a throw of 241 feet, 7 inches. That qualified him for the 2008 Olympic Trials and later that year, he completed his associate degree with a 3.30 GPA.

The Department of Education intends to create a negotiated rule-making panel to address the issue of student aid fraud. Specifically, the panel will propose regulations to address organized crime rings that use distance learning programs to collect numerous Pell grants. The panel is also expected to propose regulations related to the disbursement of federal student aid funds via debit cards and other banking mechanisms in order to prevent abuse and fraud. Contact Brett if you'd like additional information.

I would like to congratulate ASLCC for its record-setting spring voter registration drive. Mario will share the final totals later, but I would like to remind everyone to get your ballots in. The final day to vote in the May Primary is next Tuesday, May 15. I'd also like to congratulate Mary Weatherhead and Judicael Ouermi (Tajo) for their election as ASLCC president and vice president for next year.

The Oregon Education Investment Board met yesterday.  We are refocusing our work on the larger goal of creating a P-20 system.  Yesterday we received a report on the ten-year budget that the governor is proposing.  He has created program funding teams that will make recommendations to him about funding levels. 

April and May are very busy events months at Lane but I'd like to recall a few:

  •  Kudos to Vice President Christian and her team for a very well received Spring Conference last Friday. The day offered excellent professional development opportunities. Turnout was good and response was enthusiastic.
  •  Thanks to board members Susie Johnston, Tony McCown, Bob Ackerman, and Pat Albright for joining us for the Achieving the Dream breakfast with visiting coaches, Dan McConochie and Diane Troyer.
  •  We celebrated Earth Week with a kick off at the Solar Station, and despite some rain, everyone got "charged up." A few EV owners plugged in, including our own Rodger Gamblin and Mara Fields. Thanks to Anna Scott and everyone in Facilities and Sustainability for this milestone project and the day full of activities. Thanks also to Stan Taylor for the Peace Symposium focused on democracy and corporate rule.
  •  We enjoyed great turn outs and publicity for our annual Job Fair, Hands-on Career Day, Drug Take-Back Day, and International Day. Teamwork got the job done and I'd like to commend Tina Hunter, Deron Fort, Jace Smith and Jennifer Falzerano for their leadership on these respective public service events.

 There are several upcoming events to consider, and you'll find details for these on our website:

  •  African American Parent and Student Success Conference on Saturday, May 12, at the Center for Meeting and Learning;
  •  Our continuing Festival of Films From Around the Islamic World with three more Wednesdays to go including May 16, "Earth" directed by Deepa Mehta of India; May 23, "Ten" directed by Abbas Kiarostami of Iran; and May 30, "The Lizard" directed by Kamal Tabrizi of Iran;
  •  Speaker, journalist and poet Taman Kahn will be here Thursday, May 17, to talk about "History's Omissions: Islam's First Women;"
  •  The Second Annual Lane Family Day will be Saturday, May 19;
  •  Our annual Employee Gala is Wednesday, May 23, to recognize 10-year, 20-year, 30-year employees and Retirees;
  •  We have one quiet and one noisy event on Thursday, May 31—the Gift of Literacy reading program for young adults in the Center for Meeting and Learning that morning; and Lanestock, the ASLCC music event that afternoon;
  •  Finally, you should have received your invitation to the dedication of the Ragozzino Performance Hall which was rescheduled to Friday, June 1.

Marketing is working with Helen Garrett and an admission's team from the University of Oregon to market the new TAG program--Transfer Admission Guarantee. The UO will provide contact information for applicants who have been "wait-listed" and we will mail them a postcard featuring our mascots and inviting students to apply to the TAG program, with the pitch, "A smart start to your four-year degree." We're also working hard to develop a brand for our downtown student housing and the subsequent marketing campaign, which we will share next month. Also downtown, exterior and interior signage for the Titan Store & Market is underway. Work is just beginning to strengthen our marketing materials for this fall's International Program recruitment cycle. Jennifer Falzerano is providing excellent guidance to ensure we have a competitive campaign. As part of our effort to strengthen awareness of the depth and breadth of Lane's community partnerships, you have a copy of one ad from a series that features our incredible Cooperative Education Program.

Tonight's marketing update is brought to you by the Construction Technology program, encouraging students to "Start your career here!" I'd like to conclude my report by showing their video.

2)  Personnel
The college's current personnel appointments were presented.

C.  Board Agenda Review/Changes
Item 4.B., Accreditation, was removed from the agenda. 

D.  Statements from Audience
Bob Baldwin, speaking in his role as the Lane Central Labor Council President, encouraged the board to endorse the Lane County Network for Immigrant Integration.

Justin Blakely, former student, expressed dissatisfaction with Disability Resources. 

Russell Shitabata, English instructor and Community College Moment Co-Editor, distributed copies of the Moment and thanked everyone who helped with this edition. 

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

  • The approval of the April 13, 2011 meeting minutes
  • NetApp Equipment

Motion passed unanimously.

3.  Policy Review
A.  Second Reading
1.  Possession of Firearms, D.030
Albright moved, seconded by McCown, to approve the second reading of board policy D.030, Possession of Firearms.

Motion passed unanimously.

POLICY NUMBER: D.030
POLICY TYPE: MISCELLANEOUS
POLICY TITLE: POSSESSION OF FIREARMS

No person, including students, employees, college patrons and vendors may bring, possess, conceal, brandish, use or be in possession of a firearm, destructive device, or other dangerous weapons as defined by law, or give the appearance of being in possession on college-owned or controlled property or at activities under the jurisdiction or sponsorship of the college, except as provided by ORS 166.370 and federal law. As authorized by ORS 659A.001(4), the exceptions provided by state and federal law do not apply to Lane employees while engaged in work activities. Permitted exceptions include use in conjunction with approved instructional demonstration.

ADOPTED: November 9, 1998
REVISED: November 16, 2004
REVISED: February 15, 2006
REVISED: April 8, 2009

2.  Equality of Opportunity, D.060
The board conducted a first reading of policy D.060, Equality of Opportunity, in March.  A second reading was held in May.  Suggested changes are listed below to align with other policies concerning protected classes.

Ackerman moved, seconded by Stiles, to approve the second reading of board policy D.060, Equality of Opportunity.

Motion passed unanimously.

POLICY NUMBER: D.060
POLICY TYPE: MISCELLANEOUS
POLICY TITLE: EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY

The board directs strict adherence to the principles embodied in Oregon and Federal "Equal Employment" legislation.

Lane Community College shall provide employment opportunity to all qualified persons and prohibit discrimination on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, physical or mental disability, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, veteran's status, familial relationship, expunged juvenile record, or association with any member of these protected groups one of a particular race, color, sex, national origin, marital status, age or religion, or because of an individual's opposition to safety and health hazards or application for Worker's Compensation benefits.

ADOPTED:   November 9, 1998
REVIEWED: June 9, 2004
REVISED:    October 17, 2006

REVIEWED:  March 11, 2009

3.    Conflict of Interest, D.080
Pryor moved, seconded by Albright, to approve the second reading of board policy D.080, Conflict of Interest.

Motion passed unanimously. 

POLICY NUMBER: D.080
POLICY TYPE: MISCELLANEOUS
POLICY TITLE: CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Board Members, candidates for Board positions, and employees shall avoid actions as a public official or public employee that have the effect of being to the private, personal or financial benefit or avoidance of detriment of the person or the person's relatives. Relatives include spouse, domestic partner, children of the person, or spouse, or domestic partner, or the brothers, sisters or parents of the person, or the person's spouse or domestic partner and any individual to whom the person owes a duty of support. The Government Ethics Act set forth in ORS Chapter 244 is applicable to Board Members, candidates for Board positions, and employees.

ADOPTED: November 9, 1998
REVISED:  September 8, 2004
REVISED:  May 10, 2006
REVISED:  May 13, 2009

B.  First Reading
1.  Equality of Opportunity in Admissions, D.070
The following changes were recommended to this policy.  A second reading will be held in June. 

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 Fees, D.090
No changes were recommended to this policy.  A second reading will be held in June. 

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
The following changes were recommended to this policy.  A second reading will be held in June. 

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

4.  Discussion/Action Items
A.  Arts Presentation
Rick Williams, Dean of the Arts Division, introduced Miriam Champer, Performing Arts student.  Champer described her experience at Lane Community College as one that taught her more than just music.  Champer graduated from the University of Washington last June and is now doing post graduate work in medicine.  She credits Lane's program as giving her skills that will serve her throughout life. 

Williams delivered a presentation, highlighting the work in the Arts Division.  New classrooms have been built to support the program.  The Arts programs are ones that enhance intelligence and teach students to think creatively, solve problems and make decisions.  Foundations of art build foundations of life, and the skills learned in the arts transfer to all disciplines. 

B.  Achievement Compacts
Christian distributed the preliminary framework for the Achievement Compacts as developed by Lane's taskforce, which includes Bob Baldwin, Phil Martinez, Jim Salt, Craig Taylor, and Sonya Christian.  The taskforce will review Lane data for the last five years for each of the measurements for which the data are available.  Targets will be reported in a variety of ways including numerical values when expected impacts are quantifiable and as narrative assessments when qualitative.  Members of the taskforce expressed concern regarding targets.  In looking at criteria, some can be influenced and others cannot, so target setting can become an imprecise process, such as in the subject of student engagement, where outside factors can play a role.  Senate Bill 1581 requires each community college board of education to have a compact with the state; therefore, a final recommendation will be brought to the board at the June meeting. 

C.  Downtown Campus
Spilde updated the board on the Downtown Campus project.  The new market tax credit process is moving forward; Lane has signed off with the three allocatees, and it is a very complicated process.  It should be finalized in June and close the funding gap.  In fact, the next item on the agenda is a resolution to facilitate the New Market Tax Credit financing of the project.

Lane has fully engaged with Blanton Turner to develop the materials to move forward on the housing project in order to have students renting the apartments by fall. 

D.  Resolution No. 574, New Market Tax Credits
Pryor moved to adopt Resolution No. 574 for Lane Community College Downtown Campus New Market Tax Credit Financing. McCown seconded.

Motion passed unanimously.

E.  ASLCC Election Results
McCown moved to approve the 2012 ASLCC election results.  LeClair seconded.

Motion passed unanimously.

5.  Accountability/Reports
A.  Benchmarks
Craig Taylor, Institutional Research, Assessment, and Planning director, responded to questions and comments on the following Benchmarks:

  • Change of Employee Headcount: Number of Employees by Group – Fall Term

B.  Facilities Update
An update on the status of bond and facility projects was presented.

C.  Financial Condition and Activities:  Quarterly Report, A.050
The Financial Condition and Activities Quarterly Report was presented. 

6.  Reports
ASLCC President Mario Parker-Milligan thanked the board for approving the election results.  ASLCC met their goal of registering 5,000 students to vote, registering 2,641 just spring term and accounting for 18% of the state's registered students.  There is more work to be done educating students on the ballot measures and candidates.  Last week students met with congressional representatives.  This is Parker-Milligan's last meeting of the board of education as ASLCC President.  It's been good to have had the opportunity, but he will be leaving the students in good hands with Mary Weatherhead. 

LCCEF President Bob Baldwin noted that the spike in classified staff in the Benchmarks represents the time that the union began representing timesheet classified staff.  He also noted that, while the college tracks part-time credit faculty, there is no tracking of part-time classified staff.  The renewal rate for insurance premiums could come in as high as 9.8%; the college and union had agreed that the college would pay 7.4%, and LCCEF is opting not to open up negotiations.  The raise in premiums could mean roughly $10 to $30 per family.  A recent ruling on an arbitration came back in the union's favor.  The college had violated the contract on a situation with emergency leave.  Baldwin stated that this is a classic instance of what to expect from Human Resources on a daily basis and why the group has lost confidence in the HR Director. 

LCCEA President Jim Salt distributed a table showing disparity in cuts between education sectors.  Certainly all are underfunded, but community colleges have been hit the hardest.  He has asked the OEA executive board how it will respond to that inequity.  The state may feel that colleges can just raise tuition, but it is not realistic to raise it so significantly as to balance our budgets.  Salt expressed gratitude that consensus was reached in the budget and finance committee on the budget proposal, and he commended the student representatives.  Salt appreciated Parker-Milligan's work and was sorry to see him go.  He supported the goals of the achievement compacts but not the process and strongly supported the idea of not considering targets.  The good news on OEBB insurance rates is that it came in around 7% and below the amount agreed to in the faculty contract. 

Vice President Sonya Christian recognized Parker-Milligan's work.  She also recognized Helen Garrett and Don McNair, who are wrapping up leadership roles on the Oracro Association and CIA, respectively.  Regarding the benchmarks, Christian pointed out that headcount and FTE have increased while staffing has decreased.  This shows that we are doing something extraordinary at Lane.  The Academic and Student Affairs Leadership Team is beginning to recognize that there will be an enrollment decline starting next year, which will be more challenging to deal with than the increase.  It is time to increase recruitment efforts. 

Greg Morgan commented that Parker-Milligan has been an engaged and active student body president and made a difference in the governance process.  Morgan pointed out that managers make tough decisions and probably won't win popularity contests and regretted that they seem to be targets as of late. 

Board Reports
McCown reminded Baldwin that personnel decisions aren't made in a bubble, and he hoped no one would be singled out in that regard.  He received an invitation to Lane Family Day.  He attended last year, and it was one of the best events he has attended at the college.  It is a good experience for the children of our community to receive early exposure to college.  McCown thanked Parker-Milligan for his work as ASLCC President.

Stiles appreciated Parker-Milligan's work as ASLCC President.  There has been a decline in enrollment at the Florence Center.  Focus groups are reviewing scheduling and recruitment, and there has been good feedback from those.  A new salsa garden has been approved for the Florence Center. 

Pryor congratulated Parker Milligan for his two years as ASLCC President. 

Albright recognized Parker-Milligan's leadership.  He stated that it may not be a negative thing that Salt has found flaws in the achievement compact process; it may in fact lead to improvement. 

Ackerman thanked Parker-Milligan for his service as ASLCC President. 

Johnson also acknowledged Parker-Milligan for representing Lane and our students for two years.  She attended the Achieving the Dream breakfast, the Solar Station Grand Opening, and the retiree luncheon.  Johnson commented on Baldwin's remarks regarding Lane's Human Resources Director and asked him not to insult Lane's staff who are working hard and doing an excellent job.  Staff workloads have been pushed beyond capacity, yet they still come to work and give their very best. 

7.  Date, Place, and Proposed Agenda Items for the Next Regular Meeting
Wednesday, June 13, 6:30 pm, Boardroom, Building 3, Lane Community College

8.  The board meeting unanimously adjourned at 9:45 p.m.


______________________________                        _____________________________

Mary Spilde, President/District Clerk                         Susie Johnston, Board Chair