Board Report - April 2009

Since we last met, we have been informed by the Governor's Office that they are expecting an even greater decline in the state budget. From a $1.2 billion deficit in December to $3 billion in February to now close to $5 billion. We submitted reductions up to 30 percent in 5 percent increments, and they were shared with the legislature last week. Our budget hearings started last week, and I testified this morning. While there is little good news, we were able to get the new Essential Budget Level (EBL) number on the record. We will be fighting to assure that any reductions are based on the new EBL. We were successful in obtaining a release from the cap on capital construction from Co-chairs Buckley and Carter, but the committee ran out of time yesterday and we were not able to discuss our project.

We are continuing to focus on avoiding layoffs for several reasons:

1) Jettisoning anyone into this economy will be tough for individuals;
2) If we can preserve our programs and services and continue to grow enrollment we can see a way to fiscal sustainability;
3) We can do a better job for students and the community - we will be here when they need us.

However, on the expense control side, we have few options to come up with the amount we need without impacting employees in some way-either through compensation adjustments or layoffs. The Budget Development Sub-Committee has developed a framework to do so:

--Revenue options - Tuition, fees, growth, ending fund balance
--Expenses options - Program and service reductions, layoffs
--Compensation - furloughs (still a pay cut) progressive

We are trying to develop a progressive approach, and as I told you last month I will be first in line to do my part.

This framework definitely results in shared pain and sacrifice. Nothing on the menu is appetizing; it is a set of very hard choices. We have a special work session next week at which time we will begin to hang numbers of this framework.

The Ways and Means committee is starting their "road show" and will be in Eugene on May 1. Following the May forecast, the co-chairs will publish a budget. So, as usual, we will be finalizing a budget without accurate information. It is even more difficult this year as there is the expectation that things will get worse as the year goes on. We are trying hard to plan for the worst so that we are not caught short next year and to come up with proposals that can be easily reversed if things improve.

In spite of the dire budget news, I am happy to report that once again the college was awarded the Government Finance Officers Association Award of Financial Reporting Achievement. This means that our reporting achieves excellence with all program standards met. I would like to commend Finance Manager Stan Barker and his staff as well as Greg Morgan for a job well done.

In the meantime, our Facilities, Management and Planning department are working very hard to assure that our projects start this month. Several people have been hired, we are doing more hiring, and we will be getting bids from local companies in the next couple of weeks. We will be having an event on May 2 to mark the start of our projects.

On March 21, Lane hosted Senator Merkley for his first Town Hall meeting in Lane County. I appreciate the work that Brett did to make the event run smoothly. Senator Merkley's staff were very impressed with the amount of support they received. I appreciate Bob Ackerman and Susie Johnston's attendance, as well as Jim Salt, Rodger Gamblin, and others.

I was very pleased to learn of the nomination of Dr. Martha Kanter, Chancellor of Foothill De Anza Community College as Under Secretary of Education. This is the number two position in the department and is very good news for community colleges. I have served on the League board with Martha. I am happy to say that her cell phone number was listed in my favorites on my phone before she became famous! I talked to her a couple of days ago, and she wants to fix financial aid and elevate sustainability in the department, so I am sure we will benefit from her dynamic, active and persistent work.

Next week, I will be in DC for a couple of days to do a briefing for congress on "Green Jobs." Lane continues to receive a great deal of recognition, and I want to position us for some of the funds that are being directed toward energy. While there, I will be meeting with Senator Merkley about our Downtown center project. I will also be meeting with the editor of the Chronicle of Higher Education regarding enrollment growth and sustainability.

I received a letter from United Way thanking us for the generosity of our faculty and staff in giving to United Way this year.

Former Lane student and athlete Cyrus Hostetler threw the javelin 272 feet 10 inches on Saturday at the Pepsi Team Invitational at the University of Oregon, setting a meet, school and Pac-10 Conference record. It was the fourth-best college throw ever, said the Oregonian. In an earlier story, the Oregonian said, "Hostetler credits the Lane coaches for improving his explosiveness and athleticism." While at Lane, Hostetler won the 2008 NWAACC javelin title with a conference and school record throw of 241-0, which also qualified him for last summer's Olympic Trials.

The Innovation of the Year for 2008-09, sponsored by the League for Innovation, was awarded to the Agricultural Business Management Program Other innovations recognized were:

- Sustainability Infusion Project, $750, Schafer Great Idea Award
- Automotive Technology Program Redesign, $500, Schafer Great Idea Award
- Siltcoos Station Refurbish, $500, Schafer Great Idea Award
- ESL WIKI, $250, Schafer Pat on the Back Award
- Lane Peace Center, $250, Schafer Pat on the Back Award
- Music Thanatology Training, $250, Schafer Pat on the Back Award

Now to our incredible Phi Theta Kappa chapter under Velda Arnaud's leadership: Phi Theta Kappa's International Officer team has chosen Dee Lauzon to represent them as Phi Theta Kappa's President Pro Tempore. At the upcoming 2009 Convention, Lauzon will accept the Convention gavel from Board of Directors Chair Kip Johnson on behalf of all the International Officers, emphasizing their teamwork, unity and fellowship. Lauzon, who is International Vice President for Division IV, was elected to the presidency by the officer team following the resignation of John Windham.

Dee has also been accepted at Mt. Holyoke in Massachusetts with a fantastic financial package. She will be moving to the East Coast this summer. Megan Worman is in the last term of her Bachelor's Degree in Cultural Anthropology at the University of Oregon. Megan has been accepted at both Berkeley Law and Stanford Law, with a fantastic financial package at Stanford. Megan has not made her final decision on which offer to accept, but either one is incredible. We are extremely proud of these former officers.

I spent the last few days at the annual American Association of Community Colleges convention. We were fortunate that Terri Sullivan was recognized as a New Century Scholar. This is a very big deal! Only one student from each state is recognized at the opening session of the convention. Terri had planned to be there for this recognition but an unfortunate family situation precluded that. So we want to recognize Terri this evening. First, let's take a quick look at some video footage of the event. Now I would like to have Terri come forward to receive her award.