LANE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
BOARD OF EDUCATION MINUTES
February 9, 2011
1. Attendance
Board members present: Bob Ackerman, Pat Albright, Susie Johnston, Roger Hall, Gary LeClair, Tony McCown, and Sharon Stiles. Also present were: President Mary Spilde; Vice President Sonya Christian; Chief Financial Officer Greg Morgan; Legal Counsel Meg Kieran; Lane Community College Education Association President Jim Salt; and Lane Community College Employees Federation President Bob Baldwin; and Associated Students of Lane Community College Vice President Wesley Smith.
A. Chair McCown called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m.
B. President's Report
Before I talk about college business, I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to the families of the two South Eugene High School students who drowned this weekend at the coast. One of the students was the son of Greg Ausland. Greg is one of our 2009 Distinguished Alumni Award recipients.
As you know, the legislature is back in session, and the governor released his recommended budget February 1. He proposed $410 million for the Community College Support Fund, about $7 million less than the current allocation. We'll discuss the budget and session more during the governmental relations update later in the meeting. Board members had the opportunity to see projections during the work session.
Mary Jeanne Kuhar has been named director of our Florence Center. She is a physician and has held leadership positions at Central Oregon Community College for the past several years. She has a doctorate in medicine from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and a bachelor's in biology from West Virginia Wesleyan College. She'll be a great asset to Lane and the Florence community.
Andrea Newton, Executive Dean of Academic Affairs for Career Technical, will receive the 2010-11 Dean Herman Schneider Award from the Cooperative Education and Internship Association at its spring conference. This is the highest honor bestowed by this international organization. Andrea was selected for her significant and comprehensive record of contributions to cooperative education and internships over a sustained period of time. Lane's Co-op program is one of the top five in the nation and is the largest west of the Mississippi, serving more than 2,000 students and 800 employers annually.
Rosaria Haugland, graduate of our Small Business Management program, will receive a 2011 Outstanding Alumni Award from the American Association of Community Colleges at its annual convention in April. She's one of our own Distinguished Alumni for 2010. Rosaria has been on the Foundation board since 2004 and is on the Opening Doors campaign leadership team. She founded Molecular Probes with her husband. It became a world leader in fluorescence-based technology and a multimillion-dollar business. It was later sold to Invitrogen.
Congratulations to this year's Martin Luther King Jr. award winners, Don Day and Richard Archambault, who were recognized for their work on the Longhouse, and to Quentin Reynolds, who was recognized for his commitment to community service and social justice. ASLCC and the Black Student Union are instrumental in organizing this annual community recognition.
Our women's basketball team took its national home game winning streak to 83 games before the run finally ended on January 29 after eight straight years. However, the Titans are determined to start a new streak beginning with the next home game this Saturday. Lane is proud of the amazing performance of the women's basketball team and Coach Greg Sheley.
Thanks to Stan Taylor and the Lane Peace Center for hosting a presentation by foreign correspondent and author Reese Erlich last month.
Kudos to David Van Der Haeghen for another successful Lane Preview Night last week. More than 1,000 parents and students from across Oregon attended.
Huge thanks to the student leaders, athletes, faculty and staff who supported our entry in the Celebrating Champions parade last month. It was a great opportunity. About 30,000 people turned out. I especially want to thank Steve Webb of Advanced Technologies and his wife Tammy for arranging and driving the truck, and Helen Garrett and Brett Rowlett for planning our participation on short notice. Thanks to the board members and staff who walked in the parade. It was really fun.
About 50 members of the Lane County League of Women Voters visited campus on Saturday. Brett Rowlett and I gave presentations and led a tour of the Health and Wellness Center and Longhouse. They said this was one of their best monthly events to date. Thanks to Brett, Andrea Newton, Todd Smith and James Florendo for helping make the visit a success.
Last month, Tony McCown and I attended the League for Innovation CEO and Trustee retreat in San Antonio. I also attended with a team of faculty and staff the American Association of Colleges & Universities' annual meeting in San Francisco.
I have written a vision piece for the AACC Sustainability Project and will be at the National Legislative Summit in Washington DC next week. Tony McCown, Pat Albright, and Brett Rowlett also will attend the summit.
I recently interviewed with National Public Radio about the way we address troubling behavior on campus. I also interviewed with Jefferson Public Radio about our Downtown Campus plans. JPR is based in Ashland but broadcasts locally on KRVM. I talked with The Register-Guard about the governor's budget and with KNND radio in Cottage Grove about the upcoming board election.
This is Black History Month, and our students are planning special events for February 26 and 27.
I will close with a reminder that our Downtown Campus groundbreaking is Friday, March 4 beginning at 10:30 a.m. in the Eugene Public Library. After comments, the event will move across the street to the construction site for the official groundbreaking, and then to the Atrium Building for a light reception. I hope you will be able to join us for what will be an exciting and historic day for Lane Community College.
2) January Highlights
January highlights at Lane Community College as offered in the board mailing were presented.
3) Personnel
The college's current personnel appointments were presented.
C. Board Agenda Review/Changes
Item 4-C, Long Range Planning Update, was moved to item 4-A.
D. Statements from Audience
Ben Marean, second year physical therapist assistant student, thanked the board for supporting and offering the Physical Therapy Assistant program. This was the first class through the program and there were some challenges along the way, but the faculty and staff were there to solve problems. The program models the vision of Lane Community College.
Dennis Gilbert, physics instructor, stated that the lab experience for physics students is deficient and asked the board to support a plan to correct the situation.
2A. Consent Agenda
LeClair moved, and seconded by Albright, to approve the Consent Agenda consisting of:
- The approval of the January 12, 2011 meeting minutes
Motion passed unanimously.
3. Policy Review
A. Second Reading
1. Agenda Planning, B.130
Stiles moved, seconded by Johnston, to approve the second reading of board policy B.130, Agenda Planning with changes as noted below.
Motion passed unanimously.
POLICY NUMBER: B.130
POLICY TYPE: GOVERNANCE PROCESS
POLICY TITLE: AGENDA PLANNING
The board will follow an annual agenda that: (1) reviews all board policies every three years and (2) continually improves board performance through board education and enriched input and deliberation. Accordingly, the cycle will start each year on the first of July. (See Policy C.060 – Monitoring President Performance.)
The chairperson and vice chair in consultation with the president sets the agenda (see B.150, #1.0). At each board meeting, any board member may place items on a future agenda. The item will be added to a future agenda, unless the president states that the item will require an unacceptable amount of staff time or funds, in which case the board must act to place the item on a future agenda. (see C.010, #4). Agenda setting will conform to the requirements of the Oregon public meeting law.
ADOPTED: November 9, 1998
REVISED: March 10, 1999
REVISED: April 14, 1999
REVISED: September 8, 1999
REVISED: February 11, 2004
REVISED: February 13, 2008
REVISED: February 9, 2011
B. First Reading
1. Chairperson’s Role, B.150
It was recommended that the word "chairperson" be changed to "chair." A second reading will be held in March.
POLICY NUMBER: B.150
POLICY TYPE: GOVERNANCE PROCESS
POLICY TITLE: CHAIRPERSON’S ROLE
The chairperson assures the integrity of the board's process and the only person authorized to speak for the board.
Accordingly,
1. The chair
personshall ensure that the board acts consistently with its own rules and those legitimately imposed upon it from outside the organization.
A. Meeting discussion content will include only those issues which, according to board policy, clearly belong to the board.
B. Deliberation will be timely, fair, orderly, and thorough, but also efficient, limited in duration, and kept to the point.
C. The board’s policies concerning individual and group conduct will be enforced appropriately.
D. The chairpersonis responsible for setting the board meeting agenda and facilitating the board meeting to ensure that the board remains proactive, forward looking, and value-added in its deliberations.
E. Orientation for new board members will be conducted as stated in B.080.
F. The board chair will explain at the outset of Statements from the Audience that the board may not respond directly to any issues raised but will refer those issues to the president for appropriate action (see B.130 – Agenda Planning).
2. The authority of the chairperson consists of making decisions on behalf of the board consistent with any reasonable interpretation of board policies on Governance Process and on the Board-President Relationship, except where the board specifically delegates portions of this authority to others.
A. The chair
personis empowered to chair board meetings with all the commonly accepted power of that position (e.g., ruling, recognizing).
B. The chairpersonhas no authority to make decisions about policies created by the board within Ends and Executive Limitations policy areas. Therefore, the chairperson has no individual authority to supervise or direct the president.
C. The chairpersonmay represent the board to outside parties in announcing board-stated positions and in stating chairperson decisions and interpretations within the area delegated.
D. The chairpersonor any four members of the board may call special meetings as required.
3. The vice chairperson will assume responsibilities of the chairperson in the event of the chairperson's absence or inability to serve.
4. The chairperson and vice chairperson of the board will be elected at the annual meeting in July.
ADOPTED: November 9, 1998
REVISED: May 12, 1999
REVISED: February 11, 2004
REVIEWED: March 12, 2008
2. Tuition Waiver for Family of Oregon Fallen Service Members, D.140
Rowlett informed the board that policy D.140, Tuition Waiver for Family of Oregon Fallen Services Members, needs to be revised to mirror the requirements enacted by other Oregon community colleges and those specified in state law for Oregon universities. The following changes are recommended to the policy. A second reading will be held in March.
POLICY NUMBER: D.140
POLICY TYPE: MISCELLANEOUS
POLICY TITLE: Tuition Waiver for Family of Oregon Fallen Service Members
Lane Community College will provide a tuition waiver to the spouse and children (including adoptive and step-children) of members of all branches of the United States Armed Forces or United States Coast Guard who die, or have become 100% permanently disabled, in connection to their service, and who listed Oregon as their permanent residence at the time of death or determination of 100% disability application for a waiver. For purposes of this policy, determination of a permanent, 100% service-connected disability shall be documented by the Social Security Administration, the Department of Defense or the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The tuition waiver is limited to 135 college credits or the completion of an Associate degree, whichever comes first. The waiver does not include required fees and may not be applied to community education programs or distance learning programs for recipients residing out of state. This waiver shall be granted in coordination with other Student Financial Assistance (including VA Benefits) for which the recipient may be eligible, utilizing other grant resources before applying this tuition waiver in order to provide a total benefit not to exceed the total estimated cost of attendance. Continuation of this tuition waiver benefit is contingent upon the student meeting the applicable satisfactory academic progress requirements.
The spouse or domestic partner of the fallen service member must initiate the request for a waiver within ten years of the determination of death or 100% disability. The spouse will lose eligibility upon remarriage. Dependent children must initiate this benefit prior to age 23.
ADOPTED: May 13, 2009
4. Discussion/Action Items
A. Long Range Planning Update
Bob Baldwin, chair of the long range planning committee, and Barry Gordon, University of Oregon School of Architecture, updated the board on the status of long range campus planning. A series of charettes was recently held, and they were not as well attended by staff as they should have been. Efforts are being made to attend department meetings and other events to get the attention of staff. Gordon explained that meetings have been held with ODOT, the cities of Eugene and Springfield, EWEB, Lane Transit District, and several other meetings are being planned with city, county, and state entities. Possible developments include housing on campus, a long term care facility, and a hotel, all of which would require a significant footprint on campus and raise the potential for revenue. Other potential developments include a parking infrastructure and updating the sewer system.
B. Governmental Relations
Brett Rowlett, Governmental and Community Relations Director, and Andrea Henderson, Executive Director of the Oregon Community College Association, updated the board on the current legislative session. The governor’s budget has been released, and while the allocation for community colleges is less than it was last time, it is a good starting place.
Over 2,000 bills have been introduced in the legislature so far. About 300 bills that will have some sort of impact on community colleges are being tracked.
Henderson updated the board on Senate Bill 242, a bill which would appoint a higher education board to oversee all of higher education, including community colleges. The bill is trying to solve a problem that has nothing to do with community colleges. Another draft of the bill has been released which addressed some of OCCA’s concerns, but there is still a way to go. The bill is still in committee.
One of the concerns board members had on the new bill was the amount of time that could be spent on a new set of key performance measures for a new governing body. While key performance measures are valuable, we are already reporting on monthly benchmarks. Albright commented that in K-12, more time was spent on performance measures which resulted in reduced time in the classroom.
C. Downtown Campus Update
Spilde explained that the first in a series of bid packages to keep the Downtown Campus project on schedule will be awarded on February 22. The bid amount is $625,000 for the preconstruction fee, soil grouting, and mobilization costs and general conditions associated with startup. In order to begin the work, the bid will need to be awarded prior to the March board meeting.
Albright moved, Stiles seconded, to authorize President Spilde to approve the contract on the first bid package for work on the Downtown Campus.
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:
- Early Connections
- High Expectations and Aspirations
- Clear Academic Plan and Pathways
- Effective Track to College Readiness
- Engaged Learning
- Academic and Social Support Network
B. Facilities Update
An update on the status of bond and facility projects was presented.
C. Financial Condition and Activities, A.050, Quarterly Report
Greg Morgan, Chief Financial Officer, answered questions and responded to comments regarding the Financial Planning and Budgeting quarterly report.
6. Reports
ASLCC Vice President Wesley Smith reported that ASLCC is currently working with the Titan Bookstore and the Library to make book exchanges more cost effective and accessible for students here on campus by transitioning the Book Consignment into what will be an online textbook Marketplace. Next weekend, with ASLCC sponsorship, 30 student leaders will travel to Portland for the Northwest Student Leadership Conference. ASLCC is also budgeting to send up to 12 students to Washington D.C. in March for the United States Student Association Legislative Conference and National Student Lobby Day. Students will also be lobbying local representatives in a lobby galleria on March 18 in Salem. At last month's Oregon Student Association board meeting, students took an official stance against SB599, UO's New Partnership proposal for its lack of accountability to the statewide movement to improve higher education. ASLCC is continuing to look through every proposal on the table and will shortly take a stance on Senate Bill 242.
LCCEF President Bob Baldwin reported that the union was somewhat surprised that the college has obtained a second law firm regarding the request for student information, wondering why the college is going to such lengths over whether FERPA applies or not. The college has chosen to address the minimum wage increase, which impacts how much classified staff earn. Though the method of implementation was a possible violation of the contract and law, the union has agreed not to proceed with an unfair labor practice complaint. The union and college officers are in conversations to try to de-escalate some of the tensions and hostilities in labor relations. Baldwin would like to see the two groups work to be as productive in long range problem solving as we are seeing with progression and completion and long range planning. He would like to see a more constant approach.
LCCEA President Jim Salt reported that $410 million for the community college support fund is better than some people feared it would be. It's not the end of the game. He noted that the maintenance of effort language is in the federal bill, and the National Education Association played a central role in making that happen. The union is working on a number of things locally; one is revisions to the complaint policy and procedures in order to balance the rights of the accuser and the accused. Union bargaining will begin soon. Today is day 83 of the 165 days of the academic year. It feels good to have the year half over.
Vice President Sonya Christian reported that Clif Adelman was the key speaker at the Progression and Completion workshop on January 21. 150 people participated and over 400 watched on live webcast. The first visiting scholar on Islam will visit Lane on March 8 from 5:30 to 7 pm.
Chief Financial Officer Greg Morgan invited the board to the KLCC Microbrew Festival this weekend.
Board Reports
McCown attended the CEO/Trustee Retreat in San Antonio for the League for Innovation in Community Colleges. It was inspiring to be with representatives from nineteen colleges that are viewed as top institutions in the nation. Even though Lane does not have the budget that some of the other colleges do, we are excelling in every area that was discussed.
Albright reported that he participated in the Eugene Champions parade and was glad to see 30,000 people have access to Lane Community College. He commended the women's basketball team on their 83 home game winning streak. Having done some research, Albright found that Lane's record falls just behind the fourth in the nation for all time. He attended Lane's performance of One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest; it was a truly outstanding performance. Albright attended one of the charettes and the LCOG, Springfield Chamber, and Eugene Chamber annual dinners.
Johnston noted that it was nice to have ASLCC Vice Chair Wesley Smith at tonight's meeting. She told Smith that she enjoyed his speech at the Longhouse grand opening. She congratulated Andrea Newton on her award and thanked Andrea Henderson for attending the meeting.
LeClair commented on the benchmarks and the gathering and reporting of statistics. It all depends on how you present the information.
Hall stated that he is not against performance measures, but he is not supportive of having measures defined by those who are removed from the educational process, which could be the case if SB 242 passes.
Stiles seconded Hall's statement regarding performance measures and congratulated Andrea Newton on her award. The hiring process for Mary Jeanne Kuhar, the new Florence Center director, was seamless; Stiles will meet with her on Friday.
7. Date, Place, and Proposed Agenda Items for the Next Regular Meeting
Wednesday, March 9, 6:30 pm, Boardroom, Building 3, Lane Community College
8. The board meeting unanimously adjourned at 8:46 p.m.
_____________________________ | _____________________________ |
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Mary Spilde, President/District Clerk | Tony McCown, Board Chair |