LANE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
BOARD OF EDUCATION MINUTES
July 13, 2011
1. Attendance
Board members present: Bob Ackerman, Pat Albright, Susie Johnston, Gary LeClair, and 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, Lane Community College Employees Federation President Bob Baldwin, and Associated Students of Lane Community College President Mario Parker-Milligan.
A. Chair McCown called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m.
B. Oath of Office Administered to New Board Members
President Spilde administered the Oath of Office to Bob Ackerman, Zone 2, Pat Albright, Zone 5, Rosie Pryor, Position 6, and Tony McCown, Position 7.
C. Election of Chair and Vice Chair
Chair McCown opened nominations for chair of the board of education.
LeClair nominated Susie Johnston for chair of the board. Stiles seconded.
Motion passed unanimously.
Chair Johnston opened nominations for vice chair of the board of education.
Albright nominated Bob Ackerman for vice chair. McCown seconded.
Motion passed unanimously.
1) Statements from Newly-elected Chair and Vice Chair
Johnston stated that she appreciated working with McCown last year and is looking forward to working with Ackerman in the coming year. There are many issues and projects to consider in the coming year, including state changes in higher education and the new Downtown Campus. Ackerman noted that he has been impressed with the quality and quantity of decisions made over the past few years and looks forward to working with everyone on issues during his next term on the board.
D. President's Report
Welcome to the first board meeting of the new school year.
Congratulations to all of our newly elected board members. It is a blessing for the college that we have such engaged, committed board members who bring stability to the board. I'd also like to welcome Rosie into our college family. I’m very excited to have you on the board, and I'm looking forward to working with you. Your experience, expertise and civic spirit will benefit the entire college.
Congratulations to Susie Johnston and to Bob Ackerman for your election as chair and vice chair. I look forward to working with you over the next year.
I would like to thank Tony McCown for being the chair last year. His knowledge of the college and students' needs and his connections to the external community have benefitted the college.
I'd like to welcome our new Chief Information Officer, Bill Schuetz.
I was sad to note the passing of Cliff Matson, charter Board of Education member, who died recently at age 92. He served on Lane's first board in the Zone 2 position from October 1964 through June 1971. He also was a strong advocate for establishing the dental assisting and dental hygiene programs here. A family remembrance was published in the July 3 Register-Guard. We also have information on our college Archives web pages. We will remember him at a future meeting when his family can be here.
The legislature finally adjourned. The Community College Support Fund (CCSF) received $395.5 million plus $14.5 million held back for release in the February 2012 session, provided the economy does not go into another recession. If the remaining funding is released, it will bring the second year of the biennium back up to the $410 million mark for the CCSF. If we go into recession again and state revenue falls, the held-back funds will become an automatic allotment reduction. The CCSF also received an additional $15 million for the 2009-11 biennium as part of the "maintenance of effort" requirement for federal dollars received from the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
On the policy side, both SB 242 and SB 909 passed in the final weeks of the session. SB 242 creates the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, moves the Oregon Student Assistance Commission under the new commission, and restructures the Oregon University System. SB 909 places the Education Investment Board in statute and tasks them with developing recommendations for the 2012 legislature to consider. I attended the ceremonial signing of SB 909 in the Governor's office. I continue to work with the Governor as part of the Core Steering Team to develop strategy for implementation of SB 909. Sonya will be participating in strategy sessions during the month of August. They are bringing together some of the best thinkers in education from around the state in August, and of course, Sonya is one of them. Congratulations.
In Washington, most of the attention during the past month has been focused on negotiations over increasing the debt ceiling and reducing the federal budget. Many popular government programs, such as the Pell Grant, are being closely examined by Congress for ways to reduce spending. AACC and ACCT have launched an advocacy campaign to protect the current maximum Pell Grant award; Tony will have more on this later in tonight's meeting.
AACC has established the 21st-Century Commission on the Future of Community Colleges to realign the community college mission with national needs and economic realities. This is only the third such effort in the 110-year history of community colleges, following the Truman Commission in 1947 and the AACC Futures Commission in 1988. I am one of the 36 appointees on the commission and the only one from Oregon. The members represent education, business, and policy. We will meet over the next 10 months.
A national study released this month by the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education illustrates how state legislators are making it harder for people to earn degrees at the most affordable colleges while demand increases. How true that is for Oregon. Community colleges provide the least expensive path to either a two-year or four-year degree, but cuts in state funding have pushed tuition up sharply even as average family income has remained stagnant or fallen. I commented on the study for The Register-Guard.
I interviewed with Community College Times last week for another story on the importance of students who are learning a trade to also have some education in the humanities.
As you see from your board packet we are pleased that the college reached a tentative agreement with LCCEF, and that was ratified on June 29. We also reached agreement with the management group. These are before you tonight for approval. We have reached a tentative agreement with LCCEA around economics and hope to have that finalized before Jim leaves for sabbatical with faculty ratification in the fall. I'm certain we have another brisk year ahead of us advocating for public funding so it is good news for everyone to have our bargaining work completed. I'd like to extend my gratitude to LCCEA and LCCEF bargaining teams and our own college teams who represent you, the board, at the table. These are not easy times and it involves very challenging conversations. However, I believe that we should celebrate the fact that in spite of all the economic challenges that the college has faced that we were able to bring a modest amount of money to the table when we see all around us that is not the case. I want to give credit to the board for your fiscal prudence that helped give us the ability to complete these negotiations.
Bus ridership was very heavy in the mornings out to main campus at the start of the term, and we are glad that LTD added an extra bus between 7:30 and 9 a.m. It was very frustrating for students, faculty and staff to watch full buses pass them by. Anything people can do to take an earlier bus, carpool, or use alternative transportation also really helps.
Bears were sighted at our Florence campus last week, a not all that uncommon occurrence. We issued a Lane Alert advisory to help people be aware.
The Foundation has awarded scholarships to more than 400 students for the upcoming 2011-2012 school year. Congratulations to all of our scholarship recipients and thank you to the 60 volunteers who reviewed and scored the more than 700 scholarship applications. Special thanks to our donors who make it possible for our students to truly transform their lives through learning.
The Foundation and others also have collaborated on a large mural to be completed by students on the east side of Building 5, facing Bristow Square. Facilities has begun pressure-washing and other work to prepare the site. The mural will have a multicultural theme. This is an Art on Campus committee project. Funding is being provided by the Committee, the Foundation, student fees, donations, and my office. Thanks to Tom Madison, Satoko Motouji, Rick Williams, Tamara Pinkas, Dave Willis, and Janet Anderson and others for working together on this exciting student art project.
Kudos to our finance staff for once more earning a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association. This is the seventh consecutive time we have won this certificate. It is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting. Congratulations to Stan Barker and his team.
I just got back from the AACC President's Academy. This is a professional development opportunity for presidents. I last attended at the end of my first year, so I thought after ten years on the job it would be important to go back. It was very instructive with several interesting presentations. Hearing from other presidents always reminds me of how fortunate I am to be at Lane. Things can pretty crazy around here, but it’s nothing compared to some of the stories from other colleges.
On Monday, I look forward to going up to Salem with Rosie for her OCCA new board member training.
I plan to visit Scotland and take vacation beginning next month. The board is not scheduled to meet in August, so I hope that gives each of you some time for rest and relaxation. I also want to wish Jim a wonderful and safe time over the next six months as he sets out on his sabbatical.
1) June Highlights
June highlights at Lane Community College as offered in the board mailing were presented.
2) 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
Siv Serene Barnum, Degree and Transcript Evaluator, thanked the administration for hiring a third evaluator, which will allow her department to increase services to students.
Justin Blakely, former student, expressed dissatisfaction with services he received as a student from Disability Resources.
2A. Consent Agenda
Item 2B, Marketing and Public Relations Services, was moved from the Consent Agenda to Discussion Item 4G.
McCown moved, and seconded by LeClair, to approve the revised Consent Agenda consisting of:
• Approval of the June 14, 2011, Minutes
• Appointment of District School Clerk and Deputy Clerks
• Resolution No. 566, President’s Annual Authorizations for FY 2011-12
• Resolution No. 567, Supplement Special Revenue Fund IX Appropriation for FY 2011-12
• Resolution No. 568, Authorizing Budget Transfers for FY 2010-11
• Resolution No. 570, Debt Service Fund Appropriation for FY 2010-11
Motion passed unanimously.
3. Policy Review
A. Second Reading
1. Parliamentary Procedure, B.200
This policy was deferred to a later meeting so that the board can discuss this policy in their retreat. The guidelines for Robert’s Rules of Order state that the governing body should make specific rules for the purposes of deliberation.
POLICY NUMBER: B.200
POLICY TYPE: GOVERNANCE PROCESS
POLICY TITLE: PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE
Unless otherwise provided in board policy, or as provided in Oregon Revised Statutes, the board shall conduct all of its meetings in accord with Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised.
ADOPTED: November 8, 2000
REVIEWED: March 10, 2004
REVIEWED: May 14, 2008
REVIEWED: July 13, 2011
B. First Reading
1. Global Board President Relationship, C.010
No changes were recommended to this policy. A second reading will be held in September.
POLICY NUMBER: C.010
POLICY TYPE: BOARD-PRESIDENT LINKAGE
POLICY TITLE: GLOBAL BOARD-PRESIDENT RELATIONSHIP
The president is accountable to the full board. The board will instruct the president through written policies that prescribe the college Ends to be achieved and describe college situations and actions to be avoided, allowing the president to use any reasonable interpretation of these policies.
1. The board's sole official connection to the college, its achievements, and conduct will be through the president.
2. Ends policies direct the president to achieve certain results; Executive Directions policies constrain the president to act within acceptable boundaries of prudence and ethics. With respect to Ends and executive means, the president is authorized to establish all further policies (utilizing the College Governance System), make all decisions, take all actions and develop all activities as long as they are consistent with the board's policies.
3. The board may change its policies, thereby shifting the boundary between board and presidential domains. By so doing, the board changes the latitude of choice given to the president. But so long as any particular delegation is in place, the board and its members will respect and support the president’s choices. This does not prevent the board from obtaining information in the delegated areas.
4. No individual board member, officer, or committee has authority over the president. Information or assistance may be requested by individual board members, but if such a request—in the president's judgment – requires a material amount of staff time or funds, it may be refused, unless authorized by the board.
5. Board members who have a concern or issue will first inform the president or designee, providing the administration an opportunity for response. A board member can request that an issue be discussed at a work session or placed on a future board agenda (see B.030 Agenda Planning).
ADOPTED: November 9, 1998
REVISED: May 12, 1999
REVISED: March 10, 2004
REVISED: October 12, 2005
REVIEWED: October 8, 2008
2. Delegation to the President, C.020
The first sentence of this policy was removed. A second reading will be held in September.
POLICY NUMBER: C.020
POLICY TYPE: BOARD-PRESIDENT LINKAGE
POLICY TITLE: DELEGATION TO THE PRESIDENT
The president's performance will be considered to be synonymous with the total performance of the college.
The president's job contributions can be stated as performance in the following areas:
1. College accomplishment of the provisions of board policies on Ends.
2. College operation within the boundaries established in board policies on Executive Directions and state mandated policies.
3. Achievement of annual goals approved by the board.
ADOPTED: November 9, 1998
REVISED: April 14, 2004
REVISED: November 9, 2005
REVIEWED: October 8, 2008
4. Discussion/Action Items
A. Diversity Presentation
Greg Evans, African American Student Program Coordinator, presented information on Lane's Rites of Passage (ROP) Summer Academy programs. There are four programs – African American, Pan Asian, Native American, and Latino. After attending the ROP program, 59 percent of students become Lane students, and 64 percent go on to higher education. Evans introduced students, former students, and parents of students who have completed the program. Students commented on knowledge and information gained through the course and parents praised the program for the cultural values it instills in their children. Evans invited board members to this year's graduation ceremony in the Longhouse.
B. Board Appointments to Community Organizations
LeClair was appointed to serve as the Lane Community College representative to the Foundation for 2011-12.
McCown will continue to serve as the Lane Community College representative to the Lane Council of Governments for 2011-12.
Albright will continue to serve as the Lane Community College representative to the Lane Economic Committee of the Lane Council of Governments.
Albright will continue to serve as the Lane Community College representative to the Oregon Community College Association.
McCown moved to approve the above appointments. Stiles seconded.
Motion passed unanimously.
C. LCCEF Ratification
McCown moved to approve the contract between LCCEF and the Lane Community College Board of Education. Albright seconded.
Motion passed unanimously.
D. Management Agreement
Pryor moved to approve the agreement between the management group and the Lane Community College Board of Education. LeClair seconded.
Motion passed unanimously.
E. Downtown Campus Update
Jill Sherman of Gerding Edlen presented information on the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) bid for the Downtown Campus project. The GMP covers the total scope of the project and allows Lane to lock in the price.
Stiles moved to approve the GMP from Lease Crutcher Lewis for the Downtown Campus project in the amount of $39,150,000. LeClair seconded.
Motion passed unanimously.
F. Resolution No. 569, AACC/ACCT Pell Grant
McCown moved to adopt Resolution No. 569 urging members of Congress to take action to ensure that the Pell Grant program receives the necessary funding to continue to help millions of Americans enroll in and complete college. Stiles seconded.
Motion passed unanimously.
G. Marketing and Public Relations Services
Spilde informed the board that a request for proposal (RFP) process was conducted for Marketing and Public Relations services and produced three respondents. The RFP committee interviewed the agencies, and the recommendation was to award the bid to Funk Levis and Associates.
The board discussed college marketing efforts and the printed class schedule. Some community colleges have moved away from a printed schedule and put all of their schedule information online. Simms noted that there will be a major shift in the content of Aspire, the class schedule, for fall term, focusing more on non credit.
Pryor moved that Funk/Levis & Associates of Eugene, Oregon, be awarded the contract to provide Marketing and Public Relations services to Lane Community College for an amount not to exceed $250,000 during the period of July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012. Contract renewals of up to four additional fiscal years would be allowed, subject to board approval if the extension value exceeds the board's approved contracting value for board approval. 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:
• Reasons for Attending Lane (New Credit Students)
• Students by Age Group – Fall Terms
• Credit Students: Gender and Enrollment Status – Fall Terms
• Race/Ethnicity of Students – Credit Students
B. Facilities Update
An update on the status of bond and facility projects was presented.
6. Reports
LCCEF President Bob Baldwin welcomed Pryor to the Lane Community College board. Baldwin stated that labor relations between the federation and management are not serving the college community well. A two year agreement has been reached, but there is a reopening option for insurance. A process of mediated discussions had begun in the spring, and Baldwin would like to see the senior leadership for the union and the college make the commitment to continue those discussions to fundamentally change labor relations.
LCCEA President Jim Salt welcomed Pryor to the board and congratulated Johnston and Ackerman on their new positions of leadership. The process of turning the conceptual faculty agreement into a final agreement that can be ratified is taking longer than anticipated, and Salt hoped to complete that work soon.
Vice President Sonya Christian welcomed Pryor. She recognized the work of Don McNair, Executive Dean of Academic Affairs, who is now the chair of the state group the Council of Instructional Administrators. She also acknowledged the work of Craig Taylor, Institutional Research, Assessment and Planning Director, who has been a leader in the Achieving the Dream work and is exploring ways of reporting that data.
Chief Financial Officer Greg Morgan welcomed Pryor to the board.
Board Reports
Pryor reported that she was honored to serve on the board. She thanked everyone involved in her orientation.
Johnston welcomed Pryor to the board. She expressed excitement for the mural project on the east wall of Building 5. A few years ago, Lane hosted an art show for the community. With this new project, she would like to see another show in the next year or two. Johnston was in Salem on Monday for her last Oregon Community College Association meeting as president and chair. She noted that labor negotiations can be challenging, and it is not productive to place blame. Civility is important so that productive work can happen even when discussions become difficult.
Ackerman welcomed Pryor, who may be the most qualified board candidate ever drawn.
LeClair reported that he had seen Lane students in his practice every day for the last couple of weeks. It is a reminder of how much impact Lane has in the community.
McCown welcomed Pryor and congratulated Johnston and Ackerman on their new offices. He thanked the board members for their cooperation in working with him as chair over the last year.
Albright welcomed Pryor to the board. Regarding labor relations, Albright hoped that everyone can keep in mind that relations are affected by uncontrollable outside circumstances and sometimes we can't do the kinds of things that we would like to do. Albright reminded the board that the Relay for Life, a fundraiser for cancer, will be held at Willamette High School at the end of July.
Stiles welcomed Pryor and congratulated the board’s new leaders. The Florence Center is offering courses this summer from mathematics to career planning to yoga. The new director, Mary Jeanne Kuhar, is doing great things for the Center.
7. Date, Place, and Proposed Agenda Items for the Next Regular Meeting
Wednesday, September 21, 2011, Boardroom, Building 3, Lane Community College
8. The board meeting unanimously adjourned at 9:19 p.m.
| _____________________________ | _____________________________ |
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| Mary Spilde, President/District Clerk | Susie Johnston, Board Chair |
