Board Report - March 2010

The Oregon Legislature’s special session concluded on February 25. The Oregon Community College Association has prepared an end-of-session report, which is available on their website. During the one month session, the legislature approved additional funding for the Oregon Opportunity Grant to eliminate the need for spring term reductions and also replaced old language in the program’s statue, which would have made thousands of part-time students ineligible for the grant this spring had action not been taken. The Legislature also approved a constitutional amendment for the May ballot, which would state how bond funding may be used in the acquisition and construction of properties for institutions of higher education.

Board members Sharon Stiles and Pat Albright joined me and other staff members at the Florence Center Science Lab Dedication Ceremony on March 5. Nearly 75 community residents attended this event. The celebration included touring the new science lab, a smart classroom demonstration by Training Coordinator, Michael Levick, and presentation on the Florence Center and its unique partnership with PeaceHealth Siuslaw Region. Bob Purscelley did a great job of organizing the event and recognizing the faculty and staff that were instrumental in making the project a reality.

The ACCT National Legislative Summit was held in Washington, D.C. last week. The event, which was rescheduled due to February’s snowstorms, brought community college leaders from across the nation to lobby during the final push for the American Graduation Initiative (AGI), student loan reform, and other community college priorities. I was joined by Pat Albright, Tony McCown, and Brett Rowlett. Last Thursday, it looked like the AGI was dead. We managed to breathe some life into it, but by the time we were headed to the airport on Friday it appeared to be dead. At this point, it is on life support, but it ain’t dead yet! We should know more in the next couple of days.

We held a conversation with faculty a couple of weeks ago to launch Lane’s response to the national completion agenda. A number of faculty attended, and I think we are well positioned to continue the conversation.

Congressman David Wu, chair of the Congressional Community College Caucus, visited campus on March 6. Roger Ebbage and staff spoke to the Congressman about Lane’s Energy Program and discussed the college’s potential involvement with a new federal competitive grant program pertaining to energy conservation.

Men’s basketball player Dominique Watson was selected first team All Southern Region and led the NWACC in scoring this season with an average of 29 points per game. The women’s basketball team finished with a 24-6 record and a sixth place finish at the NWAAC Tournament. They made it to their seventh straight final four appearance and continue to hold the longest national home game record of 79 consecutive wins. Sarah Brolsma Whitfield and Theresa Brown were voted first team All Southern Region and Tiffany Rich was voted second team All Southern Region.

Seven students and four staff attended the American College of Sports Medicine Northwest Conference held in Portland March 6 and 7. Students competed in the Annual Quiz Bowl competition representing Lane against other colleges and universities in the Pacific Northwest. This included all levels – undergraduate students, masters program students, and PhD program students. They competed well and finished in the middle of the pack, well above many four-year institutions.

Kresge issued Lane a challenge grant in April 2009. If we could raise $16,500,000 for the Health and Wellness Building and other purposes by March 31, 2010, they would grant us $800,000. We are $135,000 away from that goal.

As you know, long time board member Jim Pitney passed away last month. I was asked to speak at his memorial service, which was an uplifting celebration of his life. It was wonderful to spend time with his family and hear how much Lane meant to him. Pitney served on Lane’s Board of Education for 24 years.