LANE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Minutes - February 15, 2006
1) Attendance
Board members present: Jay Bozievich, Roger Hall, Paul Holman, Susie Johnston, Pat Riggs-Henson, Larry Romine, and Michael Rose. Also present were: President Mary Spilde; Vice Presidents Marie Matsen and Sonya Christian; Executive Assistant to the President Tracy Simms; College Counsel Meg Kieran; Lane Community College Employees Association President Jim Salt; and Lane Community College Employees Federation President Bob Baldwin.
A. Chair Hall called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm.
B. President’s Report
I want to acknowledge how great it was to have the English as a Second Language (ESL) presentation and the students from that program speak to the board. Their presentation reaffirms what Lane is all about.
Thank you all for the time you spent at the work session last week. I think it was very valuable and will provide direction for us as we move forward. As discussed last week, the current projection is showing a deficit for FY ’07 of $5.9 million. This includes two items that we heard about recently: a decrease in state funding of $700,000 and a requirement to set aside an additional $700,000 for early retirement for faculty and managers. The program for managers was terminated for those joining the college after 1991, but it is an ongoing obligation for faculty. Further, we reviewed some graphs which show that long-term sustainability cannot be achieved if we continue to do things the way we are currently doing them. With revenues increasing at an average of 3.3 percent and expenses increasing at 5.3 percent, mostly due to labor costs, we can look forward to more and more reductions. It is essential, therefore, that we must fundamentally change. This will be difficult, but the long-term viability of the college requires it.
In the meantime, we are doing everything we can to limit expenses this year. Discussions have already started in departments and divisions about proposals for FY ’07. I have asked governance councils to talk about their ideas for systemic ways to reduce the budget. All of this will come together in a set of proposals in mid-April for consideration by the board.
I am sending out weekly communications to all staff to keep them apprised of the work that is going on, and I am making myself available once a week for anyone who wants to discuss the budget. Finally, Pam Farmer, manager of Professional and Organizational Development is arranging some seminars to address the inevitable human issues that come up as we go through a process of layoffs.
I want to hand out a couple of articles. One is a letter written by George Boggs, President of the American Association of Community Colleges, and the other is an article about the Public Employees Retirement System and the discussions going on about reserves.
Our Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) chapter achieved the Pinnacle Gold level in the PTK scholarship award program.
Lane faculty and staff contributed $33,850 to the 2005 United Way campaign, and we are grateful for their generosity.
It should be noted that President Bush is calling for elimination of Carl Perkins funding in his FY ’07 budget. This funding is very important to Lane. We receive about $800,000 each year to enhance our professional technical programs. We will be doing everything we can to assure that Perkins funding is available.
Lane’s Women’s Basketball team is 17-1 and rated first in the states of Washington and Oregon. The Men’s Basketball team is currently tied for first place in league play.
The Community Fundraising Committee had a very successful banquet event at the end of January, and we sincerely appreciate the work they are doing for the college.
Spilde’s report ended with a showing of the 30-second Public Service Announcement (PSA) to be run on television station KEZI. Three of the local stations will be running Lane’s PSAs free of charge.
1) January Highlights
January 2006 Highlights at Lane Community College as offered in the board mailing were presented.
2) Personnel
The college’s current personnel appointments were presented.
C. Board Agenda Review/Changes
One item was added to the agenda as item 3: Holman and Johnston’s report on the American Community College Trustees (ACCT) Legislative Summit in Washington, D.C.
D. Statements from Audience
Rob Spooner, Florence publisher, expressed concern about the budget situation and offered ideas to guide decision-making.
Dennis Gilbert, Physics instructor, addressed Spilde’s comment that the college needs to change fundamentally. He is concerned that this is tied to the administration’s position on redefining the part-time faculty workload, saying this would enhance institutional racism and sexism. He distributed a copy of a similar presentation he gave to the Diversity Council.
2. Consent Agenda
A. Approval of the January 18, 2006, minutes
Riggs Henson moved, and Rose seconded, to approve the Consent Agenda consisting of:
• The approval of the January 18, 2006 Minutes
Motion passed unanimously.
3. ACCT Summit Report
Holman and Johnston reported on their trip to Washington D.C. for the 109th ACCT Legislative Summit. Attendees included over 1,000 board members from community colleges. The primary purpose of the summit was to talk with various legislators regarding issues affecting community colleges. The common thread was that community colleges are being shortchanged by the federal and most of the state governments. The Oregon legislators are aware of the positive impact of community colleges on our society and are disappointed by the lack of financial support. They promised to work towards improving the funding situation.
4. Policy Review
A. Second Reading
Romine moved, seconded by Rose, 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 or 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 Oregon or federal law.
ADOPTED: November 9, 1998
REVISED: November 16, 2004
REVISED: February 15, 2006
B. First Reading
1) Use of Intoxicants and Controlled Substances, D.050
Spilde informed the board that legal counsel is currently working on this policy with the Center for Meeting and Learning (CML). The CML staff are hoping to apply for a permanent license to sell beer and wine. Kieran said that this type of license will allow them to serve in that building; they will obtain a second license for anywhere on campus and a third for non-culinary arts catering service.
The question was raised whether Lane would be covered to both sell and provide alcohol, which Kieran agreed to confirm.
POLICY NUMBER: D.050
POLICY TYPE: MISCELLANEOUS
POLICY TITLE: USE OF INTOXICANTS AND CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES
No person may bring onto college property or into any college-owned facility or to any college-sponsored class or activity any intoxicating beverage, controlled substances, volatile inhalants, for the purpose of mind or mood alteration, except in the situations specified in this policy. No person may appear on college property or in any college-owned facility or in any college-sponsored class or activity under the influence of any of the above mentioned substances.
Exceptions to this policy are as follows:
- Alcoholic Beverages may be used/served:
- for cooking and/or instructional purposes in food preparation labs or classes related to the science and/or service of alcoholic beverages or
- at college-sponsored activities using procedures specified in administrative rules or
- at college activities catered by legally licensed and insured businesses or agencies, using procedures specified in administrative rules (ex.: http://2011sitearchive.lanecc.edu/cops/foodalc.htm) or Under no circumstances shall alcohol be served at college-sponsored activities to underage minors as defined by state law.
- With appropriate documentation, medical marijuana, prescription opiates, or other psychoactive medications, may be used as legally prescribed by a licensed practitioner. However, according to statute, marijuana cannot be ingested on campus even with a medical marijuana card.
- Glue and thinners may be used in class-related lab environments and in facilities construction and maintenance.
ADOPTED: November 9, 1998
REVISED: June 9, 2004
5. Discussion/Action Items
A. Budget Committee Appointments for Zone 2 and Zone 4
Romine moved, seconded by Riggs Henson, to approve the appointment of Chris Turek, Zone 2, and Dennis Shine, Zone 4, to the Lane Community College Budget Committee to complete three-year terms effective immediately and ending June 30, 2008.
Motion passed unanimously.
B. Budget—Local Option
The board discussed the possibility of putting a local tax option on either the May or November ballot. $1.3 million is the maximum amount of revenue the levy would generate. Board members were concerned about the probability of getting it approved by the voters, as well as the impact on K-12 school districts. The administration was asked to poll districts before making a decision, and the item will be brought back as an action item on next month’s agenda.
C. OCCA Goals
The board reviewed the Oregon Community College Association (OCCA) strategic planning goals to direct community colleges over the next 10-15 years. OCCA asked boards to review the goals and submit feedback before their March 20 board meeting.
6. Accountability/Reports
A. Benchmarks
Craig Taylor, Institutional Research and Planning director, responded to questions and comments on the following Benchmarks:
- Student Retention and Success Rates in Credit, College-level Courses
- Student Retention and Success Rates in Credit, Developmental/Remedial Courses
- Student Retention and Success Rates: From Credit, Developmental/Remedial Courses to First College-Level Courses
Marie Matsen responded to questions and comments from the board on the following reports:
B. Financial Conditions and Activities – Quarterly Report
C. Financial Conditions and Activities, A.050, Monitoring Report
Matsen noted a correction on 5-C-1, which should read: expenditures have not exceeded revenues.
D. Financial Planning and Budgeting, A.040, Monitoring Report
Mary Spilde responded to questions and comments from the board on the following monitoring reports:
E. Emergency President Succession, A.060
F. Communication and Support to the Board, A.090
7. Reports
ASLCC President Jeremy Riel was not able to attend the meeting but left a written report to the board. A copy of the report is attached to these minutes as an appendage.
LCCEF President Bob Baldwin reported that the college has already started to reduce timesheet staff, many of whom have worked 15-20 hours a week for years. Classified staff are working on ideas to increase productivity and do the job with fewer people. As a result of the cuts, many offices will be unable to remain open 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday. So far, labor relations are proceeding in a relatively positive fashion.
LCCEA Jim Salt reported that the Oregon Education Association recently met with OCCA lobbyists to discuss the OCCA strategic goals. The two groups are increasingly finding ways to collaborate where it did not happen before, finding they can work together while respecting individual interests. Regarding bargaining, the primary issue is the college proposal on the definition of part-time faculty, and there are varying opinions on that issue. The association bargaining team has taken a very clear position on this from the beginning that this is a core issue, but they will arrive at the bargaining table tomorrow with a commitment to understand the college’s position. Many faculty are concerned about the status of the budget. The $3 million error in projections has eroded the level of confidence in the college, and faculty don’t know what to believe about the extent of the problem. They are trying to regain confidence in the figures, which is needed in order to step up to the call for redesign. Salt praised the college, Human Resources, and Dennis Carr on the way a recent personnel issue was handled.
Vice President Sonya Christian recently attended an accreditation self-study workshop in Seattle. She commends Lane’s self-study team, as Lane’s accreditation was praised once again. The final fall term enrollment numbers have been submitted, and Lane is up 4.6 percent. Continuing Education had a significant increase of 122 FTE, a 54 percent growth over last year. College Now FTE also significantly increased. Larger divisions, such as Mathematics, are up as well, so others will not be far behind. The Sustainability group is working to make sustainability one of the core values due to a staff vote at fall in-service. Patrick Torelle, Music, Dance, & Theatre Arts instructor, invites the board to see “The Good Doctor,” which runs through February 18. Dental Hygiene participated in “Give Kids a Smile Day” on February 3.
Vice President Marie Matsen responded to Salt’s comments on the budget numbers and welcomes anyone to come and work with her and her staff. Four years ago, on recommendation from a task force including faculty, classified, and students, we significantly changed the method for doing projections. The change was from a very conservative method to one in which we strive to come closer to actual numbers for the current year. With that change comes the risk that we will overestimate expenditures, which wasn’t possible under the old model. We all knew the risks of changing our method, and the president and I have consistently stated that projections are just that—projections. This was the first year that our projections were off on the negative side rather than the positive side, but this is inevitable at some point. We all need to be working together to help each other get through this. Since the inception of the Wellness Program, 797 employees and 63 dependents have participated in at least one wellness activity. 358 participants in the Walk Oregon program have traveled over 81,000 miles together. The Health Clinic continues to see an increase in employees using the services. The KLCC Microbrew Festival was very successful, raising even more money than last year.
Board Reports
Bozievich encouraged Salt to meet with Spilde and Matsen for further explanation on the budget projections. It’s important that we all understand in order to help find solutions to the problems. Bozievich was appointed vice-chair of the Lane Economic Committee of the Lane Council of Governments, giving the college a vote on the committee where it did not have one before. He thanked the board for appointing Chris Turek to the budget committee.
Holman reiterated the value gained from the ACCT legislative summit.
Rose appreciated Holman and Johnston stepping forward to go to ACCT meeting.
Romine gave an account of a Lane and University of Oregon dual-enrolled student who prefers Lane’s courses, instructors, and class size.
Johnston echoed Holman on the Washington, D.C. trip--it was insightful and educational. She acknowledged that the decision on whether to pursue a local tax option is a difficult one.
Riggs-Henson has been officially appointed to CentroLatino Americano. The organization is still deciding on meeting dates and is in the process of hiring a new director. She noted that the bargaining process is stressful on everyone and encouraged that the parties come to a meeting of the minds so that we can move forward.
8. Date, Place, and Proposed Agenda Items for the Next Regular Meeting
Wednesday, March 8, 2006, Boardroom, Building 3, Lane Community College
The local tax option will be an action item.
9. The board meeting unanimously adjourned at 8:59 pm.
| _____________________________ | _____________________________ |
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| Mary Spilde, President/District Clerk | Roger Hall, Chair |
