Board Report – December 2011
As you probably know, we closed main campus this morning due to a heating system breakdown. Heat was restored about 1:30 p.m. with a temporary repair. A broken flange caused the problem. A replacement part will arrive tomorrow. One of the bond projects is a central plant upgrade.
Several of you met our visiting Chinese college presidents who were here the last two weeks of November. They toured many programs and attended events, including a reception we gave in their honor on November 30. They were participants in the Vocational Education Leadership Training Program for vocational and technical college leaders. Their visit was sponsored by the Chinese government, the China Education Association for International Exchange, the American Association of Community Colleges, and Lane. I want to thank Jennifer Falzerano, Christine Marshall, the entire staff of the International Programs office, Donna Zmolek, and Brett Rowlett for all their hard work in organizing the program and the visitor's schedules. I believe Brett has a brief slide-show video of their visit that we'd like to show.
I am sad to note the passing of Dixie Maurer Clemons Wilcox, who died last month of cancer at age 66. Dixie taught science at Lane for 30 years and was a cooperative education coordinator. I and others from Lane attended her memorial service on November 30.
Oregon's state revenues have dropped by another $106.8 million, according to the most recent state revenue forecast, released November 17. Revenues are down an estimated $306 million since lawmakers approved the 2011-2013 state budget earlier this year. That's about the amount lawmakers reserved unspent from agency budgets, although there also is a regular ending fund balance of $150 million as an additional cushion. The rebalance of the state budget will be the priority task of the February session.
We hosted a legislative town hall on campus on November 21. State Senator Lee Beyer and State Representatives Phil Barnhart, Terry Beyer, Val Hoyle, and Nancy Nathanson participated. The state budget and education funding were the two top topics. Thanks to Brett Rowlett for organizing the event, and to the students, faculty and staff who attended.
The Oregon Education Investment Board (OEIB) approved the governor's recommendations last week for three legislative initiatives to go to the legislature in 2012 and 2013. The first, intended for the February 2012 session, would create authority and responsibilities for the board's Chief Education Officer. The CEO would be charged with redesigning and reorganizing the state's P-20 education system and would have control over the:
- Commissioner of Community Colleges and Workforce Development
- Chancellor of the Oregon University System
- Executive Director of the Oregon Student Assistance Commission
- Executive Director of the Higher Education Coordinating Commission
- Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction
The second initiative would have the board examine current governance and management structures of Oregon's preschool-to-20 system for possible legislation during the 2013 session, consolidate boards and commissions. The third initiative would deal solely with the Oregon University System and the question of whether one or more of the universities should have local boards. The proposal directs the investment board to examine the issue and bring legislation to the 2013 legislative session.
And of course, on your agenda tonight for discussion is OEIB's achievement compacts proposal.
As you know, I interviewed with The Register-Guard for a story they ran Sunday about Kitzhaber's proposals and the work of the OEIB.
In Washington, the House and Senate are currently conferencing the nine remaining FY 2012 appropriations bills into a larger omnibus. With many hurdles remaining for the Labor-HHS-Education bill, a year-long continuing resolution for that bill remains probable. With a $1.3 billion shortfall in the Pell Grant program, indications are that negotiators will seek to make Pell eligibility changes within a continuing resolution to address the shortfall. Negotiators appear less likely to accept an across-the-board-cut scenario to protect Pell in a year-long continuing resolution.
We have better financial news from our Foundation. Numbers are now in for the Harvest Dinner, with $221,137 raised, up $32,473 from last year. We had 42 sponsors and four new gold sponsors including Slocum Orthopedics, Women's Care, Burley Design, and Murphy Company, and a new title sponsor, Lease Crutcher Lewis.
Our employee campaign is officially completed but pledges are still coming in. As of last Friday, we had raised $104,000 for scholarships and for United Way.
Last week a Lane team attended a crisis response training for Oregon community colleges held at Chemeketa. The importance of such training was underscored by the shooting that same day at Virginia Tech. We also held active shooter trainings here on campus with a trainer from the Federal Protective Services. I want to commend Greg Morgan, Jace Smith and our emergency team for continually working to improve the college's readiness and response.
We are officially closed to the public for winter break from December 19 through 27. During that time, Facilities has a major work list to achieve, including a campus-wide power shutdown to inspect and test equipment including a few 40-year-old transformers that are scheduled for replacement this summer.
We'll be closed again for New Year's Day holiday on January 2, and winter classes begin January 9. I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday and a restful break.