LANE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
BOARD OF EDUCATION MINUTES
September 16, 2014
1. Attendance
Board members present: Bob Ackerman, Pat Albright, Matt Keating, Tony McCown, Rosie Pryor, and Sharon Stiles. Board Members absent: Gary LeClair. Also present were: President Mary Spilde; Vice President Brian Kelly, Executive Dean Dawn DeWolf; Lane Community College Education Association President Jim Salt, Lane Community College Employees Federation Grievance Chair Denise Brinkman, and Associated Students of Lane Community College President Michael Weed.
A. Chair Albright called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
B. President's Report
Welcome back everyone. I hope you've had a good summer and are ready to make our 50th anniversary year one of Lane's best. I am grateful for the time I had back home in Scotland and for a brief vacation, and I'm glad to be back on campus.
First I would like to say how pleased I am that Dawn DeWolf accepted an appointment as our interim VP of Academic and Student Affairs. After a failed search and with our full scale accreditation visit coming up, it was essential that we have a chief academic officer in place. In addition, we will be launching a process for development of a new strategic plan, aligning staffing to enrollment demand and developing a program review process in the coming year. I am delighted that Dawn accepted this challenge. Her knowledge of accreditation, her leadership work at the state level and her deep knowledge of the college, among many other strengths, will be an asset to the college.
It is with great sadness that I share that our dear friend and colleague, Nancy Hart, passed away yesterday. She recently retired as director of Disability Resources, and Child and Family Education. Nancy demonstrated amazing grace and courage in dealing with cancer over the last two years. She was an incredible advocate for students with disabilities and she will be missed.
I also want to acknowledge the passing of John Paxin. He was on the ASLCC senate last year until he had to resign for health reasons. He died on July 27.
I was impressed to see how much progress has been made on the CLASS project. It's phenomenal. I'm really looking forward to our renewed facilities and services for students.
Congratulations to Academic Learning Services instructor Steve McQuiddy. His book, "Here on the Edge," about a World War II conscientious objectors camp and its members' impact on the cultural revolution of the 1960s, has been named a finalist for the Dayton Literary Peace Prize. This is a prestigious international award given annually to one book each in fiction and nonfiction. The winners will be announced later this month.
Writing instructor Sandy Brown Jensen has published a review of digital storytelling in education in the September issue of Learning Abstracts published by the League for Innovation. Sandy notes that "digital storytelling is being used at every educational level, from kindergarten to postdoc."
I'd like to applaud the Senior Companion Program for 40 years of helping frail elders and adults with disabilities live independently. Congressman Peter DeFazio, a long time supporter of the program, attended their celebration.
Lane's inaugural dinner in the garden, Al Fresco, was a hit and brought tangible benefits to Lane. Our title sponsor, Ninkasi, wants to do it again next year, and our other two sponsors also will return. The student experience was unique and exceptional: it was their first large-scale event at a remote site. Center staff was thrilled to work one-on-one with the students. And now we have wonderful outdoor tables for future events.
Thank you to everyone who participated and helped with the Eugene Celebration parade and the evening concert at the Cuthbert. I hear the weather was beautiful, and the sea of Lane blue looked amazing! Our entry won second place in the "Judges Know Best" category. It was a terrific way to kick off the college's 50th anniversary year! Special thanks go out to Pat O'Connor, Steve Webb, and Marleena Pearson, who helped coordinate drivers for the Lane bus and ambulance. I'd also like to thank all of our volunteer judges and especially Ty, who proved it's never too hot to march in a parade, and to Pat and Matt for carrying our 50th Anniversary banner.
You'll hear more tonight about our 50th anniversary plans, including the celebration on Wednesday, October 15. We learned just yesterday that Governor Kitzhaber will be there to kick off the ceremonies at 4 p.m.
As of last week, Titan Court was leased at 93 percent, and we expect to be at 95 percent by next week. Congratulations to Jenette Kane and to the Campus Advantage management team.
Enrollment continues to decline as the economy continues to improve. It's great that more people are back to work, but of course, this impacts our budget and is a key issue this year. As of yesterday, two weeks before fall classes, registrations were down 22.2% compared to a year ago. Remember, this will continue to fluctuate.
Last month, the Downtown Center hosted two community town hall meetings. On August 5, Oregon State Treasurer Ted Wheeler discussed retirement security at an event sponsored by LCC, the SBDC, and AARP. On August 19, a panel of experts discussed global warming and options for reducing carbon output while increasing prosperity in Oregon. Panel members included State Rep Phil Barnhart, State Treasurer Ted Wheeler, Oregon Global Warming Commission Chair Angus Duncan, Former State Economist Dr. Tom Potiowsky, and more. Thank you to everyone who attended.
In a first-ever letter signed by the presidents of all 24 universities and community colleges, we urged the HECC to fund institutions at a level that would enable them to make progress toward increasing graduation rates, reaching under-represented student populations, and making progress toward the state's 40-40-20 goal.
On August 14th the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) approved a $519 million "agency request budget" for the 2015-17 biennium for the Community College Support Fund. This figure was much lower than the $650 million community colleges requested to help keep us on track to meet the state's 40-40-20 goals. We'll discuss the budget in more detail later in the meeting. The recommendation now goes to the governor, and the Governor's Recommended Budget is released at the beginning of December.
The State Office of Economic Analysis released its quarterly revenue forecast late last month. Revenues are continuing to improve over what was last forecasted in the May. While the continued economic growth is good news for the state, we are now $27.4 million away from the "kicker kicking" and about $300 million being returned to the taxpayers, so this is obviously something we will be watching closely over the last few months of the biennium.
The deadline to register to vote for the General Elections coming up in November is October 14. We will be in Florence for a board meeting that evening, so if you need to update your voter information, make sure to do it today.
On July 29, I presented at a congressional briefing in Washington DC about student loan default rates.
The national study that Lane participated in around default rates gives our figures on defaults along with strategies and recommendations for trying to impact that default rate. We don't have a lot of control over this. We can't control much on the front end, and yet we're responsible on the back end if people don't pay, long after they have left the college. In preparation for an agenda item that was requested on this issue which we will have more detail about at the October meeting, I want to share our default prevention plan. Once you get to 30%, we are required to put a default protection committee together and develop a plan. Please take a look at our plan before our meeting in October. I'm also sharing some of the default management strategies that are both in this full report as well as part of our default plan and come back to you in October with specific recommendations. The maximum proposed cost is $447,000. It's a big number, and we can back off from that number depending on what we want to do. We'll get our final number next week some time. Right now we are tracking under 30%, so that means the clock restarts, and we don't have to worry about hitting a third year over 30%. Nevertheless, we will soon get our 2012 number (we're currently dealing with 2010 and 2011) and it wouldn't be surprising if that continues to track over 30%. So we will have to spend some money to try to impact this. One of the strategies is to have the college select a more intensive default management program. This is where we would contract with companies that do this work. Klamath and Umpqua Community Colleges have done this. These are debt collectors, so they are going to go after students who are in default until they get some resolution. There is some impact for the college from a public relations perspective and how we try to work with and treat out students, so it's an importance decision. But we have to balance that with putting the college and other students at risk.
I attended the Oregon President's Council retreat in Coos Bay in early August. I also attended the Governance Institute for Student Success (GISS) at the end of August.
I did a telephone interview with Open For Business magazine to talk about our role in economic development and related topics. Vice President Dawn DeWolf also interviewed for that issue.
I am pleased that I will be visiting Florence on October 9 for a PEO meeting, and returning on October 14 for your next meeting. We will kick off the October board meeting with a 50th anniversary celebration for the Florence community.
The very next day is our main campus 50TH anniversary celebration, on Wednesday, October 15, with ceremonies beginning at 4 p.m. in the Center for Meeting and Learning. You'll be hearing more about that tonight.
Before we start partying, however, we will get our year in gear at fall in-service on Thursday, Sept. 25, and don't forget that classes begin September 29. We will have our Fall Welcome booth up for the start of classes. If you want to volunteer to meet and greet and help students find their way around campus, contact Donna Zmolek, Tina Lymath or Barb Delansky.
1) Personnel
The college's current personnel appointments were presented.
E. Board Agenda Review/Changes
No changes were made to the agenda.
F. Statements from Audience
Rodger Gamblin, LCCEF Officer, clarified that when he spoke at the last board meeting he took care to consider his audience and tried to be respectful and make sense. The next day, he had a union member who did not feel that he would be harsh enough to represent her in her situation.
People need to feel that their officers have strength; being polite doesn't always do the job. He recently spoke to John Lively and Lee Beyer, both of whom are alumni from Lane, so that helps to maintain a positive attitude in Salem.
Michael McDonald, English Instructor, commented on the increased class sizes and took exception to the belief that these larger classes will be reduced through attrition.
Dennis Gilbert, Physics Instructor, stated that Lane is now overloading classes and undermining educational quality. Sections are being cut under flawed assumptions, and the net result has been the elimination of classes for which there is a demand.
2A. Consent Agenda
Keating suggested a revision to the July 2014 minutes to add the alternate community organization representatives.
McCown moved, and seconded by Ackerman, approve the Consent Agenda consisting of:
• Approval of the July 9, 2014 minutes with the suggested revision
• Legal Services
Motion passed unanimously.
4. Discussion/Action Items
A. Spotlight on Student Success: Board Report
Albright stated that he and several other board members attended the Governance Institute for Student Success sponsored by Blue Mountain Community College and the Oregon Community College Association (OCCA) held at Oregon Garden at the end of August. Robust discussion was held at the Institute of issues that need addressing to better facilitate student success. One that struck him was the need for leaders to engage in courageous conversations. He invited other board members to share their experience at the Institute.
Pryor noted that it was the single best training that she has participated in and regretted that three of the board members were not able to attend. Some of the issues discussed were budget priorities, best practices, and the need for an effective board self-assessment. She would like to see the board plan for a retreat longer than a four-hour period of time. She urged the board to consider making time to dedicate to the college and come to the table to talk about some of these issues.
Stiles shared that the Institute focused on how the board operates and how that relates to student success. The board now has a student success item on the agenda, but what is missing is how that relates to the student. She suggested moving the benchmarks to the beginning of the agenda. She urged the board to register for a class – it is a new experience every time. She agreed that there is a need for a longer board retreat.
Keating thought that the Institute was most engaging. It was a dynamite team. Those that weren't there missed out and could benefit from the discussions. He suggested a weekend retreat. One of the topics that struck him was how your community college defines student success. Students take classes for a myriad of reasons. He would like to see recognition of student success similar to the classified employee of the month or the faculty recognition award to recognize students succeeding in different disciplines. He pointed out the need for students to consult with a counselor to map out a plan to move in the direction for succeeding, whatever that looks like for the student.
Albright commented that 85% of high school graduates feel like they are ready to go to college, but reality says that 75% of those test into remedial programs. Lane needs to identify what we can do to make sure these students have the resources and ability to be able to move to college level and be successful.
Ackerman noted that students can't have success until they have access. He pointed out that hardly a word had been said about student finances and loans. He suggested a session to reconstruct a shadow budget to look at expenses.
McCown stated that he came onto the board wanting to change things for the better, so any talk about evolving is encouraging. Now we need to identify how to get it down to student level. One place the board lacks is with the connection to the college outside of the realm of the board. Intimate personal knowledge of the campus could be bolstered and would make board members more approachable.
The board agreed to meet for a weekend retreat some time before Thanksgiving. Dates of availability will be determined.
B. 50th Anniversary Preview
Tracy Simms, Marketing Director, Joan Aschim, Public Information Officer, and Brett Rowlett, Director of Government and Community Relations, gave the board an idea of what to expect for Lane's 50th Anniversary Celebration. An event will be held on October 15 for the college and the community, but there are many other aspects of Lane's anniversary.
Thank you cards have been created to encourage staff to write notes with those cards to get the word out. A new 50th anniversary logo was created. A 50th anniversary website was developed which includes highlights from every decade, fun facts, and numerous event information. Staff and community members are encouraged to share their memories about Lane. Billboards, banners, and posters have been developed. Newspaper ads will appear in the Register Guard. There will be several spots on the television, radio, and newspaper. Every opportunity to get the word out will be taken – through social media sites, publications, and internal and external communications.
Several events will be held and some have already occurred, such as the Eugene Celebration and a concert at Cuthbert, an open house at the October board meeting in Florence, presentations to local community groups, and the anniversary celebration will be incorporated into existing campus events such as the Harvest Dinner, Inservice, and Graduation. Ninkasi is labeling one of their beers as Titan Ale for campus celebrations. The Foundation is helping with fundraising for the cost of expenses related to the anniversary celebrations.
C. Accreditation
Executive Dean Maurice Hamington reported that 14 days after our celebration, we will host evaluators from the Northwest Commission of Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) on our campus. Self-evaluation reports and a tentative visit schedule have been sent to NWCCU. The self-evaluation is now available online. Hamington suggested that the board read the entire evaluation report with emphasis on areas having to do with governance and planning. A lunch with the board and evaluators is scheduled for October 29. More information will be shared with the board in October on what to expect for the evaluation visit.
D. State Budget Recommendations
Spilde informed the board that the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) has released its budget recommendation for community colleges. The recommendation is $519 million and is totally inadequate. The board considered making a formal statement. OCCA will continue to lobby for $650 million. Spilde asked the board to decide at the October meeting if they want to make a statement that community colleges will not be able to meet the state's goals at the HECC's recommended level of funding.
E. Enrollment Update
DeWolf reported that enrollment was down for summer term 24% compared to Summer 2013. Fall term enrollment is down 22.2% compared to this time last year. Spilde reported that attempts are being made to follow up with students who have applied to the college but not yet registered. Executive Dean Kerry Levett reported that staff is also working with returning students who are on academic progress alert. Spilde said that an analysis of the impact on the budget would be brought to a subsequent meeting.
Ackerman expressed interest in conducting a poll of students who aren't returning to Lane and their reasons. Institutional Research, Assessment, and Planning Director Craig Taylor noted that follow up studies have been conducted in the past, but they were costly, consumed much staff time, and the reasons for students not returning were varied, such as financial reasons, underpreparedness, life circumstances – many situations that could not be controlled by the college. Board members concluded that there are ways to get that information and would like to dive deeper and find out what is going on with students that didn't return to Lane.
F. Budget Committee Appointment
Keating moved, seconded by Pryor, to approve the appointment of Twila Jacobsen, Zone 4, to the Lane Community College Budget Committee to complete a three-year term effective immediately and ending June 30, 2015.
Motion passed unanimously.
4. Policy Review
A. Second Reading
1. Budget Preparation and Adoption, BP 220
Pryor moved, seconded by Stiles, to approve the second reading of policy BP 220, Budget Preparation and Adoption.
Category: INSTITUTIONAL EFFECTIVENESS
Policy Title: BUDGET PREPARATION AND ADOPTION
At the direction of the board of education, the president shall study budget needs and prepare recommendations on programs and services for budget committee consideration. The recommendation of advisory committees and interested citizens and organizations within the college district shall be considered by the president in developing the budget document. The college budget shall be prepared and adopted in compliance with Oregon Local Budget Law [ORS 294].
ADOPTED: November 9, 1998
REVISED: December 10, 2003
REVIEWED: January 9, 2008
REVIEWED: January 12, 2011
REVIEWED: September 16, 2014
Motion passed unanimously.
2. Governing Style, BP 360
Pryor moved, seconded by McCown, to approve the second reading of BP 360, Governing Style.
Policy Type: GOVERNANCE AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTIONS
Policy Title: GOVERNING STYLE
The board will govern with an emphasis on meeting community needs, respecting diverse viewpoints, leading strategically, clearly distinguishing board and president roles, making collective decisions, being future-oriented, and being proactive.
More specifically, the board will:
1. Operate in all ways mindful of its obligation to the people of its district.
2. Strive to govern with excellence, particularly in matters such as attendance, policy-making principles, respect of roles, speaking with one voice, and adherence to ethical practices.
3. Keep adequately informed about relevant global and local educational and other issues, actively gathering information to fulfill this role.
4. Direct, control, and inspire the organization through the careful establishment of the broadest organizational values and perspectives through written policies.
5. Focus chiefly on intended long-term impacts on the world outside the organization (Ends), not on the administrative or programmatic means of attaining those effects.
6. Be an initiator of policy. The board will be responsible for board performance.
7. Use the expertise of individual members to enhance the ability of the board.
8. Monitor and regularly discuss the board's own process and performance.
a. Self-monitoring will include an annual comparison of board activity and discipline to its Governance Process and Board-Staff Relationship policies.
b. Continual redevelopment will include orientation of new members in the board's adopted governance process and periodic board discussion of process improvement.
9. Acting as a committee of the whole, perform the functions of the Audit Committee including:
a. The appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of any public accounting firm employed by the College to audit its financial statements.
b. The appointment, compensation and oversight of independent counsel or other advisor as deemed necessary to carry out its audit duties.
Additionally, the President shall be responsible for establishing and reporting to the Board procedures for:
1. The receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the College regarding accounting, internal controls and auditing matters.
2. The confidential, anonymous submission by employees regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters.
ADOPTED: November 9, 1998
REVISED: July 27, 2004
REVISED: March 9, 2005
REVISED: November 5, 2008
REVIEWED: September 14, 2014
Motion passed unanimously.
3. Freedom of Inquiry and Expression, BP 620
Pryor moved, seconded by Stiles, to approve the second reading of BP 620, Freedom of Inquiry and Expression.
Category: INSTITUTIONAL INTEGRITY
Policy Title: FREEDOM OF INQUIRY AND EXPRESSION
Free inquiry and expression are indispensable to enable students to pursue and achieve their educational and vocational goals. As a public institution, the College does not promote any particular political or religious point of view, but rather encourages exploration of many points of view.
Members of the campus community shall have the right to freely and peaceably assemble in accordance with the exercise of their constitutional rights.
Discussion and expression of all views within the College shall be limited only as allowed pursuant to lawfully authorized time, place and manner restrictions.
Motion passed unanimously.
ADOPTED: September 14, 2014
B. First Reading
1. College Governance System, BP 325
No changes were recommended to this policy. A second reading will be held in October.
Policy Number: BP 325
Category: GOVERNANCE AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTIONS
Policy Title: COLLEGE GOVERNANCE SYSTEM
Lane Community College shall be governed by a system that is a learning-centered system and fulfills the vision, mission, and core values of the college.
The president shall be the steward of the governance system, be accountable and responsible for the decisions made in the governance system, and evaluated accordingly.
The college governance system shall recognize that the best decisions are made through the inclusion of many and diverse voices. The system of governance shall ensure that the authority, responsibility, accountability, and relationship among and between the board, managers, faculty, staff, and students are clearly described and communicated. The system of governance shall be evaluated as to its:
1. Clarity;
2. Wide and explicit communication;
3. Effectiveness;
4. Efficiency and timeliness;
5. Processes that encourage employee and student participation in problem solving and decision making;
6. Processes that assure that decisions are made at the appropriate level, by the appropriate group with the needed expertise;
7. Recognition of the support needed for employees and students to participate and contribute meaningfully.
ADOPTED: March 10, 2004
REVIEWED: September 10, 2008
The board requested charters and a governance manual for the next meeting.
The next three polices each have an impact on the others and should be considered both individually and all together.
2. Ending Fund Balance, BP 245
Policy Number: BP 245
Category: FINANCE AND BUDGET
Policy Title: ENDING FUND BALANCE
Lane Community College shall maintain an unrestricted General Fund Ending Fund Balance equal to or greater than 5% of total budgeted expenditures.
The Ending Fund Balance target shall include the Unappropriated Ending Fund Balance (UEFB) as set by board policy BP 295. When the Ending Fund Balance falls to 4% or less, the college shall adopt a plan to replenish the Ending Fund Balance to 5% within two years. When the Ending Fund Balance exceeds 6%, balances in excess may be set aside for reserves or investment in one time expenditures.
If the total Ending Fund Balance (including restricted) falls to levels that require short-term borrowing, the levels set by this policy shall be automatically reviewed and adjusted as necessary.
ADOPTED: January 14, 2004
REVIEWED: February 14, 2007
REVISED: October 19, 2009
The board requested information on other colleges' ending fund balances for the next meeting.
3. General Fund Contingency, BP 270
No changes were recommended to this policy. A second reading will be held in October.
Policy Number: BP 270
Category: FINANCE AND BUDGET
Policy Title: GENERAL FUND CONTINGENCY
Board Contingency:
The annual budget shall set aside approximately one-half percent (0.5%) of the budgeted revenues each year for Board Contingency. Use of Board Contingency shall be at the discretion of the Board of Education and shall be allocated by formal approval of the board according to its policies.
Administrative Contingency:
Administrative Contingency shall be approximately one percent (1%) of the budgeted revenues each year. Administrative Contingency shall be allocated by approval of the president.
ADOPTED: January 14, 2004
REVIEWED: April 23, 2007
REVIEWED: November 4, 2009
4. Stabilization Reserve Fund, BP 290
No changes were recommended to this policy. A second reading will be held in October.
Policy Number: BP 290
Category: FINANCE AND BUDGET
Policy Title: STABILIZATION RESERVE FUND
The board may require the president to establish a separate reserve fund (as described in ORS 341.321 and ORS 294.525) for the purpose of providing short-term stabilization in anticipation of possible shortfalls in revenue.
A stabilization reserve fund may be established under one or more of the following circumstances:
• State budget appropriations for community colleges are not approved by the time the college budget is approved and adopted.
• A situation exists where significant changes in enrollment are possible but not reasonably predictable.
• When any major revenue source has a reasonable possibility of decreasing after the college budget is approved and adopted.
• When any operating expenditure that is beyond the control of the college could reasonably be expected to increase after the college budget is approved and adopted.
• Any other situation in which the board determines that there is a reasonable expectation that major shifts in revenue or expenditures could occur during the budget year.
Stabilization reserve levels:
• Minimum reserve levels shall be at the discretion of the board under advice from the president.
• Maximum reserve levels shall be no more than the maximum reasonably estimated shortfall at the time of the adoption of the budget.
Stabilization reserves will be reviewed annually as part of the budget development process. The stabilization reserve fund shall be closed out when the board determines that the precipitating threat to revenues and/or expenditures no longer exists. As long as the conditions exist that caused the fund to be established, the funds shall be kept in reserve for the purpose intended. If and when the fund is closed out, any remaining balance shall be released for use as a resource in the General Fund.
ADOPTED: January 14, 2004
REVIEWED: January 10, 2007
REVISED: October 19, 2009
5. Tuition, BP 725
The following change was recommended to this policy. A second reading will be held in October.
Policy Number: BP 725
Category: STUDENTS
Policy Title: TUITION
In order to maintain a constant tuition rate relative to inflation, each December, the board willmay adjust the per credit tuition rate to reflect changes in an appropriate index for two-year public colleges since the last tuition adjustment. The rate will be rounded to the nearest half-dollar and become effective the following academic year (Summer Term).
For other adjustments:
Periodically and as needed, the board will review Lane's tuition rates to ensure: a) that tuition revenues are appropriate for the needs of the district and, b) that Lane's tuition is comparable with other Oregon community colleges that are similar to Lane in terms of student FTE and instructional programs. Prior to approval of the tuition increase, the board will review the index options, affordability and access for students, and the revenue requirements of the college.
ADOPTED: November 13, 2002
REVISED: July 27, 2004
REVISED: July 13, 2005
REVISED: June 11, 2008
REVIEWED: June 10, 2009
The board discussed the pros and cons to having a policy to routinely increase tuition. This policy was put into place to keep up with inflation and avoid having to make large increases at any given time.
5. Accountability/Reports
A. Benchmarks
The following Benchmarks were presented to the board:
• OUS Grades of Transfer Students (2012-13)
B. Facilities Update
An update on the status of bond and facility projects was presented.
C. Community Outreach Monitoring Report
Rowlett presented the community outreach monitoring report to the board. The board would like to see changes to the community outreach plan to add key messages that include the need for more funding. Rowlett informed the board that revisions to the plan were in process that will enlist the help of the student recruitment outreach coordinator.
Ackerman left the meeting at 9:00 p.m.
6. Reports
ASLCC President Michael Weed reported that he attended the Celebration of Life for John Paxin. Paxin was a passionate student who advocated for child care reform. ASLCC had a successful retreat at Siltcoos Station. He thanked Florence for having that available. 600 voters have been registered through the summer campaign. They are gearing up for the fall drive. Weed registered voters at the Oregon Country Fair alongside Keating and McCown, also at the Whiteaker block party, UO home games, and the Lane County Fair. Ty the Titan had a great time this summer, showing up at the Eugene Celebration Parade, the Al Fresco event, and at the Springfield Tailgate Auction. Five student representatives attended the Tailgate Auction dinner at the President's table. He thanked Mobility International USA for bringing representatives from the UK to tour our campus. Weed spoke to the group about improving accessibility on campus and heard concerns from their countries. ASLCC has two student representatives on the Oregon Students of Color Coalition. They are planning their next conference at Lane on November 14, 15, and 16. The students are excited about the 50th anniversary and willing to do anything they can do to promote it. Regarding tuition, students rear back anytime tuition is discussed, but they also realize what can be lost if it is not increased incrementally. Student Life will be part of student retention this year; welcoming students will not be just a one-day event but will be a week-long event with several activities. Weed was glad to see the new Titan Store progressing. There has been great involvement in the Rainy Day Food Pantry. The Clothing Stash and OSPIRG are enjoying their new homes.
LCCEF Officer Denise Brinkman asked to board to be careful what they ask for with regard to proposed policy changes to union participation on the college governance system. There may be unintended consequences. There has been a second attempt at improving classified labor relations with administration. One meeting was held and then HR Manager Darcy Dillon took another job. That process is on hold while we await her replacement. The university's GTFs have organized a strike vote. Brinkman and LCCEF President Baldwin attended the AFT national convention in July, where they heard from the NEA and California Governor Jerry Brown. Brinkman married her long-time partner on their 32nd anniversary.
LCCEA President Jim Salt was optimistic that students will continue to enroll as we get closer to the beginning of fall term. Regarding the request for a student follow up survey, the issues of student attainment is one of the most complex in the social sciences. The idea that our IRAP office could provide insight would be excessive expectation. He suggested the board review the data on that question from the field research and then do our own research to see how we vary. He commented on the statements made by his colleagues at the beginning of the meeting. If the college focuses too much on reducing expenses, it will negatively impact enrollment even further. It was difficult to develop the faculty agreement and communicate the implications with so many faculty gone over the summer. The union will continue to work with administration as the work related to class size is launched and there will be some challenges. Regarding a comment made by Ackerman regarding income and expenses, Salt proposed that a task force be established with representatives from the board, administration, and the union to collaboratively identify all of the data about the issues related to how we are balancing the budget over the years. The OEA Community College Council is exploring the state's interest in expanding dual credit for high school students to receive college credit while still in high school. The barrier is in the process for determining which teachers can teach to have students earn college credit. It has been said that Lane's standards are too high. But the faculty don't see that problem. There maybe differences in how one college evaluates instructors compared to another. The same is true in hiring faculty. There is not a statewide system. Accreditation requires that faculty play a role in establishing requirements. Salt hoped that the board can support that faculty have the responsibility of establishing requirements. He appreciated President Spilde's battle against performance based funding. If presidents and boards stand against it, that will have bigger impact than unions standing up. He agreed with the importance of working together regarding the community college support fund. He noted the upcoming arbitrations, which is up from last year. For the last twelve years, the college and union have solved grievances internally; however, administration positions and strategies have changed, which increases staff time and legal fees. That is not the association's choice.
Interim Vice President Dawn DeWolf acknowledged Hamington's work on accreditation. It has been a lot of work by all of us, and we have learned a lot about ourselves. She distributed ASA highlights. Anne McGrail from Language, Literature, and Communications was awarded an $88,778 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to host a one-week summer institute in 2015 for 25 community college faculty. Lane and ESD will host a digital conference to expose high school students to what's needed in the workforce around computer literacy. The AVON Foundation is providing $5,000 to fund Titan Up! Intervention techniques will be taught to students to feel safe on campus. The Department of Community Colleges and Workforce Development made a grant of $80,000 to Lane's Expanding Early-College Education in Lane County. Financial Aid Director Helen Faith presented at a national conference.
Vice President Brian Kelly thanked the board for allowing him to join them at GISS. Their commitment to student success is admirable. He welcomed DeWolf to the table for the first time as Interim Vice President. He pointed out the budget and accreditation documents the board had received and acknowledged the staff work that went into creating those documents. Building 30 is on the cover of the Oregon School Facilities Management newsletter. Kelly was excited about the strategic community conversations. There will be a C-Cert training next month in which staff will be engaged in emergency preparedness training. KLCC received the Arbitron information showing that 12% of all residents in the county listen to KLCC. Our market share ranks as the 16th highest market share in the country for public radio stations.
Board Reports
Stiles reported that there is a new superintendent at Siuslaw and a new high school principal working with Florence Dean MJ Kuhar to offer writing classes to high school students. The Florence Advisory Board has some new members. They are focused and doing a great job. Five of the community learning classes have waitlists. Enrollment is down but not as much as at the main campus. There have been three bear sightings on campus. She congratulated Dawn DeWolf on her new position. She and Pryor will be welcoming new students coming to campus on the first day of school.
McCown noted that the recession and community college boom delayed some needed conversations. He looked forward to some of the planning work the board will be doing and engaging with the community at large. Tomorrow is the anniversary of the constitution. He will participate in the reading of the constitution in Building 1.
Pryor attended Al Fresco. It was the first time she had visited Lane's impressive Learning Garden. She distributed a handout regarding student success and completion showing that Walla Walla Community College boosted their enrolment numbers. She congratulated DeWolf. She looked forward to welcoming students on September 29.
Keating attended Al Fresco, and it was one of the best events he has attended at Lane. He gave props to the Culinary program and all that were involved. Representatives Jeff Merkley and Elizabeth Warren will be speaking on October 6 here in Eugene at a location to be determined.
Albright was excited to represent Lane in the Eugene Celebration parade. He attended Al Fresco. Lane is the community's college. The University of Oregon receives 77% of tuition money from international students. It is hard for them to claim they are the community's university. Albright expressed concerned that Lane is losing some of that flavor with all of the changes at the state level.
7. Date, Place, and Proposed Agenda Items for the Next Regular Meeting
Tuesday, October 14, 2014, Lane Community College Florence Center
8. The board meeting unanimously adjourned at 9:37 p.m.
______________________________ _____________________________
Mary Spilde, President/District Clerk Pat Albright, Board Chair
Prepared by:
Donna Zmolek, Assistant to the Board