LINN-BENTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE

BOARD OF EDUCATION

Minutes of the Meeting of September 19, 2007

 

 

CALL TO ORDER

 

The meeting was called to order by Chair Brayton at 7:05 p.m.

Present: Brayton, Brodie, Horner, Mason, Sass, and Wogaman.

Excused Absence: Running

 

HEARING OF DELEGATIONS/CITIZENS

A.    Citizens’ Comments

B.    Introduction of Lebanon Center Staff                                                           

East Linn Centers Director, Ms. Dawn McNannay asked the Lebanon Center Staff members to introduce themselves:

Vern Jackson, Center security officer; Karen Schaffer, TRIO program; Janeen Phillips, Career and Employment specialist, part time in Lebanon, part time on the Albany campus; Steve Gribble, computer support for Lebanon and Sweet Home Centers; Marilyn Hale, payroll for East Linn Centers; Bev Dunigan, Events Coordinator. East Linn Centers Coordinator Mary Sue Reynolds and staff member Dana Robinson could not attend this meeting.

D.    Cam Preus-Braley, Commissioner, Oregon Dept. of Community Colleges and Workforce Development

CCWD Commissioner Cam Preus-Braley reported on the work of the Oregon Dept. of Community Colleges and Workforce Development.

 

Ms. Preus-Braley reported that one of the Governor’s and CCWD’s goals is to help more Oregonians get a post-secondary education; ultimate goal is to have 40% of Oregonians have a Bachelor’s, 40% have an Associates and 20% have a high school diploma, with no exceptions. She also noted that LBCC received capital construction funding from the state legislature, after a slight problem at the beginning.

Chair Brayton asked if other community colleges are seeing an “up-tick” in enrollment? The answer was that Yes, Columbia Gorge and Central report that enrollment is up for them too. Ms. Preus-Braley noted that tuition at Oregon community colleges has gone up 100% in the last decade and 60% in the last 5 years. Chair Brayton noted that university tuition was also going up as well. Average tuition at 4 year colleges is $5,200 in tuition (with about same figure in fees); community college tuition is about $3,200. Ms. Preus-Braley also noted that the number of cost recovery programs are increasing around the state, however legislators are not showing concern over that growing number. Mr. Mason noted that he hoped the governor would continue to fund education and not necessarily through the Oregon Opportunity grant scholarship program that usually does not fund part-time students. Ms. Preus-Braley noted that the commission is working to get more part-time students to pick up the financial aid offered to them. Mr. Brayton asked if other community colleges are streamlining their approval process for new courses/programs. Ms. Preus-Braley answered that they are seeing more new programs, but she is not sure if that is from a faster approval process.

 

E.    Presentation on New Student Orientation and Advising                                 

Ms. Ann Marie Yacobucci and Ms. Angie Klampe presented the Board with information regarding this program. LBCC has, for quite some time, required our students to go through a thorough orientation procedure. During the 2006-07 academic year, 2,643 students were scheduled to attend New Student Orientation (NSO) , 86% completed the NSO process: 70% attending in person and 16% completing the on-line orientation. Student Ambassadors, current students of the college who lead the orientation sessions, provide a presentation and tour, as well as a peer-to-peer relationship with new students and a closer student community. The NSO is created through an “across the campus” effort: the Arts and Communication Division helps to train Student Ambassadors, Career and Counseling makes sure orientation information is correct, Developmental Studies Department is now present during orientation to help with students who have tested at a developmental level. New students who have declared a major see advisors within their major and students undeclared or with no major see counselors who work with them; the counseling departments sees about 800 students per year in that group. The thinking behind that division of labor is that program advisors are best informed about their own programs and are the best ones to advise students in that program. NSO is the day that students register and also the day the relationship with the campus is formed. We are trying to keep students on track and connected to the college. We also have a counselor who goes to the OSU new student orientation to be able to advise Degree Partnership Program students. It was reported that the college also has an advising delivery system committee on campus to help refine the advising system. It was noted that at this fall’s President’s Retreat several ideas for improving the advising system were suggested: hiring an advising coordinator, looking at advising through the eyes of students, improving advising through keeping it in the forefront of the Strategic Plan. It was remarked that LBCC wants “high tech AND high touch” to keep students connected with the college even when they use online advising. Student Ambassadors are launching a New Student Mentoring program this Fall term. New students can sign up for a mentor to help them negotiate all the ins and outs of college. The NSO schedule includes check in, receipt of placement test scores, the presentation by Student Ambassadors, tour of campus, also by the Ambassadors and finally a drop off to a faculty advisor. All parts of NSO focus on relationship building. It was also noted that students cannot register for more than 11 credit hours if they have not gone thru an NSO.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF 8/15/07  

 

Mr. Sass moved to approve the minutes as distributed, and Dr. Brodie seconded the motion. The vote on the motion to approve is recorded as follows: Yes - Brodie, Horner, Mason, Sass, and Wogaman. The motion passed by unanimous vote of those present and voting.

 

CHAIR’S COMMENTS

Chair Brayton noted that the academic year starts soon, and he joins the staff in looking forward to an exciting year. He was able to attend a short portion of Inservice. Thank you to Board members who made it to Inservice, the President’s Retreat and other college events this fall.

 

 

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

            A.         Second Reading of Board Policies (Action)                                               

                        1.         Board Policy 7130 – Refunds

                        2.         Board Policy 6040 – Compensation and Benefits

                        3.         Board Policy 6120 – Insurance

                        4.         Board Policy 6180 – Personnel Records

                        5.         Board Policy 2040 – Policy Development and Revision

                        6.         Board Policy 2041 – Board Meetings

Dr. Cavin reported that Board Policy 6200 on Resignations was pulled for more work as was Board Policy 5066 on weapons. Regarding Board Policy 6180, Mr. Mason asked if the law stated that the Department of Homeland Security could get personnel records without a subpoena; Ms. Fugate, Director of Human Resources, responded with “yes”.

 

Ms. Horner moved to approve Board Policies 7130, 6040, 6120, 6180, 2040 and 2041 as presented. Mr. Mason seconded the motion. The vote on the motion to approve is recorded as follows: Yes - Brodie, Horner, Mason, Sass, and Wogaman. The motion passed by unanimous vote of those present and voting.

           

C.    Resolution 28-07: President’s Contract                                                       

 

Mr. Mason moved to approve Resolution 28-07 to renew President Cavin’s contract and Ms. Horner seconded the motion. The vote on the motion to approve is recorded as follows: Yes - Brodie, Horner, Mason, Sass, and Wogaman. The motion passed by unanimous vote of those present and voting.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

A.             First Readings of Board Policies

1.              Board Policy 6130 – Leaves of Absence

2.              Board Policy 6210 – Early Retirement

Ms. Horner reported that she asked for clarification regarding Board Policy 6210 earlier in the day and received the answer that early retirees would receive health, dental and vision benefits until either age 65 or for 5 years following early retirement, whichever comes first. This provision is stated in the policy as written.

 

B.             Approval of New Programs                                                                    

Ms. Lundy noted to the Board that their approval tonight of the three new programs presented is only the beginning of the process for approval of professional/technical programs. The approval process is continued by the State of Oregon, with the goal that students are well-taught and the program relates to employment in the community once the student has finished the program.

 

1.              Retail Management

Business and Computer Systems (BCS) faculty member Ian Priestman presented information about the proposed program, including which courses LBCC might offer to comply with the Western Association of Food Chains, a consortium on retail management which helps community colleges to prepare this program. A number of Oregon community colleges offer this program; Chemeketa even offers it on-line. The director of employee training for Oregon Fred Meyer was at the last consortium meeting and is excited about this program at LBCC. Staff projects a Fall term 2008 start for the program. Mr. Mason asked if this is for all retailers or for food retail management only. BCS Dean Jerry Wille noted that the course content is not food oriented and could apply to all retailers, but food retailers are the ones pushing for the creation of the program at LBCC. He also noted that the retail sector in our area has a 13.4% projected growth rate. It was reported that this is a less-than-one-year certificate.

 

2.              Mechatronics –

Engineering and Industrial Technology (EIT) Dean Fred Haynes reported that Mechatronics is a new program to the state and other colleges may want to join us. One name for those in this program is “Industrial maintenance technicians”. Dean Haynes showed the Board on one hand-out the competencies for these technicians, who are highly trained and in demand across the country to maintain automated systems for a number of different industries. This program is now two years in the making, with an NSF grant received last year to study the feasibility. In that study, we found a crucial need for these cross-trained technicians. Bill O’Bryan, President of National Frozen Foods is very supportive, as is Rich Carone of Korvis, both of whom have written letters of support for creation of the program at LBCC. Creation of the Mechatronics program will help move EIT from only traditional programs to fill new and expanding needs in our area. Mechatronics would be a two year Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree program and would also include some shorter term certificates once industry has determined entry level needs. A student with a Bachelors degree would need to finish another 80 credits (5 terms) to be certified. Mr. Sass noted that at the President’s Community Leaders Breakfast all the tables agreed that the Mechatronics program is sorely needed in our area. This would be a General Fund program by and large for the degree, with cost recovery training used to fund the short term certification portions of the program. Dean Haynes reported that the division is seeking a $.5 million National Science Foundation (NSF) grant. Dean Haynes reported that the Linn Business Development Consortium is also supporting creation of the program and we are going to industry for funding as well. We will start with part-time faculty but Dean Haynes already has a faculty member on staff who can move over to this program to serve as full-time faculty. Dean Haynes and Director of Development John McArdle will be approaching local industries for funding. Most companies see that funding this program is much more cost effective than replacing equipment because it has not been cared for by a well-trained technician. Dean Haynes reported that our goal is to be up and running by fall term of 2008. We foresee a cohort of 18 students, with more if we can push local industries to help us fund more students in each cohort.

 

3.              Polysomnography

Health Occupation and Workforce Education (HOWE) Dean Ann Malosh and Faculty member Dagmar Johnson presented information on Polysomnograpy or Sleep Tech. They reported to the Board that this is a new career area, which is growing due to the aging of baby boomers and no training is offered in any other Oregon community college. If launched, this program would offer a one year certificate based on 44 credits and could be a pathway with ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­the respiratory therapy program at Lane Community College. We are creating this program in partnership with Highline College in Washington, which has created this program as distance education; they would offer 100% online course work for us, we would do labs and help develop program. Ms. Johnson reported that Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center (GSRMC) asked us to look into this because of their need for technologists. In an unofficial poll of local health care providers, 100% of those providers said “start a program”. The program advisory group comes from Portland, Eugene and Corvallis and brings lots of support and enthusiasm for the program. This is a three term program and the plan is to offer as cohort program. We are investigating the use of GSRMC’s sleep lab on days they are not using it. Vendors from other labs are offering to help; potential students are already contacting Ms. Johnson about opening the program. In answer to Mr. Mason’s question, Dean Malosh noted that we are paying Highline for the use of their online program; we will pay Highline College $27, 536 as a flat rate for the whole year for the program. It was noted that the $141 cost per credit includes tuition, fees, books, all supplies, and all Highline classes. Dr. Wogaman expressed concern at the high per credit cost. Mr. Mason asked if institutions have cost reimbursement programs and Ms. Malosh reported that many do, including Samaritan Health Services, both for current employees and for future employees. Mr. Brayton noted that his C-Pap machine costs over $3,000. The cost of the machine is very high, and he had to wait 3 months to get into a sleep lab. Dr. Cavin noted that this program met all the criteria for a cost recovery program, including the fact that it might not be offered every year. Mr. Mason suggested that Dean Malosh and Ms. Johnson strongly urge employers to adopt an employee reimbursement program so that the industry will help with the per credit cost. The program is projected to start spring term 2008, with a graduating cohort winter term of 2009. The program would be taught by part-time faculty, coordinated by Ms. Johnson, who reported that several advisory group members have volunteered to teach for the program.

 

Chair Brayton asked for a separate motion and vote to send each proposed program on through the approval process:

• Dr. Wogaman moved to send on the proposed Retail Management program and Ms. Horner seconded the motion. The vote on the motion to send on the program for further approval is recorded as follows: Yes - Brodie, Horner, Mason, Sass, and Wogaman. The motion passed by unanimous vote of those present and voting.
• Dr. Wogaman moved to send on the proposed Mechatronics program and Mr. Sass seconded the motion. The vote on the motion to send on the program for further approval is recorded as follows: Yes - Brodie, Horner, Mason, Sass, and Wogaman. The motion passed by unanimous vote of those present and voting.
• Mr. Mason moved to send on the Polysomnography program for further approval and Dr. Brodie seconded. The vote on the motion to send on the program for further approval is recorded as follows: Yes - Brodie, Horner, Mason, and Sass. Dr. Wogaman abstained from voting, asking that the minutes show that his abstention is not a “NO” vote on the motion.

 

            C.         Memorandum of Understanding on Disaster Planning         

Dr. Holland presented this information item to the Board, reporting that the College has tried to prepare for emergencies, having gone through training exercises, and through the real thing in some cases. He noted that the Katrina disaster and what happened to colleges in that area of the country raised many issues that were sobering for our college: How would we communicate with the students and the public, how would we pay payroll, reconstruct student records, etc. One lesson from Katrina was that colleges should think about forming partnerships for recovery from disaster. Administrators and people in “job alikes” (those who share similar jobs at different colleges) have met and worked on this Memorandum of Understanding and all hope that none of the colleges will never have to use it. Dr. Cavin noted that there have already been some side benefits, including exchange of best practices by “job alikes”. There is a relationship there that was not there before. Mr. Sass complimented those who went forward with this and sustained their enthusiasm, noting that safety is not exciting but it is important.

 

CONSENT CALENDAR            

 

A.             Fiscal Management

 

            B.         Human Resources

 

1.              New Hires/Separations/Transfers

2.              Resolution 29-07 – Retirement: Debby Childers

3.              Supplemental

                                                                                                                       

C.         External Funding

            1.         Resolution 30-07: Contract: Dental Hygiene Partnership

                                    2.         Resolution 31-07: National Science Foundation Tech Scholars Program II Grant (S-STEM)

 

D.             Bids and Services

 

E.             Proposed Grants/Programs

 

F.              Purchasing Quotes (Information Only)

 

1.              Video Camera – Quotations

2.              Distance Education Modality – Quotations

3.              Computer Purchases on State Price Agreement

4.              Quotations– Business Office Remodel

5.              Printing LBCC Schedule of Classes Renewal

6.              Computer Purchases on State Price Agreement

7.              Printer Purchases on State Price Agreement

8.              Quotes–Printing Services Paper Purchases

9.              Integrated Library System – Maintenance Agreement

10.            Activity Center Transformer –Emergency Exception to Bid

 

Dr. Brodie moved to approve Consent Calendar Items A through F-10 and Ms. Horner seconded the motion. The vote on the motion to approve is recorded as follows: Yes - Brodie, Horner, Mason, Sass, and Wogaman. The motion passed by unanimous vote of those present and voting.

 

REPORTS AND COMMUNICATION     

 

A.         President’s Report                                                                                 

Dr. Cavin expressed her thanks to the Board for their attendance at college events this month. Their presence was noted and commented on by staff. Dr. Cavin noted that the college is blessed to have this Board. She also expressed thanks to Ms. McNannay for hosting us at the Lebanon Center and for their wonderful Inservice yesterday.

Dr. Cavin also said that she was pleased to announce that the college has seen a 5% increase in reimbursable FTE in recent months.

 

B.             Fiscal Affairs Report                                                                              

Mr. Huckestein gave the following report:

 

Credit tuition                                               2006-2007                     2006-2007
                                                                    Budget                       Actual End of Term
                 Last  Summer Term                   $668,143                       $610,209.84
                 Last   Fall Term                       $3,417,791.00               $3,308,425.49

Tuition revenue as of 9/15/2007  
                                                                   2007-2008                      2007-2008
                                                                     Budget                          Actual YTD
           Current  Summer Term                    $668,143                       $586,128.36
            Current  Fall Term                       $3,417,791.00               $3,424,577.49


So, while summer was down, when combined with fall term, we are getting close to budgeted end of term levels for tuition, and we are not at the first day of classes yet. And, since fall is a better predictor for winter and spring, we are hopeful that we will be able to increase our tuition projections as we get farther into the year. Otherwise, revenues and expenditure are on track with normal patterns and no other changes in projections are needed.

Mr. Mason asked a question of Vice President Schaafsma: If we have more money, have we used additional money to open additional sections? Ms. Schaafsma noted that funding is not the only factor in adding class section; it is also difficult to find instructors and very hard to find rooms this year during construction.) Mr. Mason urged administrators to open more class sections as soon as possible. Ms. Schaafsma noted that the college has added 16 students in welding, another section in Auto Tech., and more sections in other departments.

 

C.         Association Reports

                                                                                   

1.         Classified                                                                                 

Ms. Drury gave the following report:

Professional Development Activities 

* Valerie Zeigler and Ann-Marie Yacobucci attended a two-week Spanish Immersion Study Abroad Program to San Miguel, Mexico.  We improved our Spanish language skills and brought back useful tips for our students who may attend the study abroad program in the future.  

* Mary Sue Reynolds, the Sweet Home & Lebanon Centers Coordinator, is in Cascade Gateway Leadership, a group of people from Brownsville, Lebanon and Sweet Home.  In the first session participants learned about the history of the three communities.  It was a very interesting, interactive day filled with wonderful information about the people that began to carve out towns here in the wilderness.   There are eight sessions total and they include topics such as Manufacturing, Economic Development, Education, Social Services, Government and more.  This leadership group is hosted by the Lebanon Chamber of Commerce.   

Professional Growth Activities 

* Lynn Groshong, Retention Specialist, TRIO Student Support Services Program at LBCC Albany campus, has started back to school working on my Master's degree in counseling at George Fox University.  My goal is to be better able to help our TRiO students or to work as an academic advisor in the career center. 

* Karen Schaefer, Retention Specialist for the TRIO Student Support Services Program at the Lebanon Center, is in OSU's  Master's of Adult Ed program, starting year two of a three year program .... with straight A's. 

 

2.         Faculty – No report the night of the meeting.                     

Ms. Sperling was ill the night of the meeting, but submitted the following report by email the next day:

 

Business Tech

Linda Carroll, along with other Business Tech. faculty, spent the summer updating skills and going through the new Office 2007 suite including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access so that they are prepared to teach our students the latest in MS Office software applications. 

English

Peter Jensen of English wrote five new chapters this summer for the next edition of his new book on Shakespeare. He received his first royalty check for on-line sales this month. 

Art

This summer Gary Westford organized and curated two major exhibitions of music posters. "When 6 WAS 9: Rock Posters from San Francisco 1966-71" was shown at the Hallie Ford Museum of Art (Willamette University) from May 26-Sept 16, 2007. I gave a lecture at the museum on June 8 that examined the visual and social history of this Bay Area  counter-culture poster movement. 

The second exhibition "American Music Posters 1935-2007" took place at the Bush Barn Art Center Gallery from June 29-Aug. 5, 2007. This show featured 60 posters from across the spectrum of musical and period genres within American music. 

In July he utilized an LBCC self-directed study grant to go to New York City. During my stay there I did research at the Whitney Museum of American Art related to "Art of the Sixties" and at the Metropolitan Museum of Art I examined   ancient Greco-Roman Art displayed in the newly renovated museum galleries. 

For the 2007-08 academic year, the LBCC Art Department is also currently organizing a series of art exhibitions for both the North and South Santiam Hall Galleries at Linn-Benton, including a Faculty Show, a major Dia de los Muertos arts display, and an exhibition of political art. 

Rich Bergeman has had multiple exhibitions around the state this summer, the most recent being shown at the Visual Arts Center in Newport.

We have a new gallery director, Jeremy Covert, who is also a part-time faculty member who teaches here and at the Benton Center.  

Analee Fuentes has a two woman exhibit at the Downtown Initiative for the Visual Arts in Eugene. The show runs through Oct. 27th.  Fuentes is also collaborating with the Multicultural Center and Student Life and Leadership to offer anarts related workshop during LB's hosting of the Oregon Diversity Institute.  

The annual LB art faculty exhibit opens next week. 
Conferences

As always during the summer, many, many faculty members participated in conferences and professional development opportunities all over the United States, from New York City museums to rafting the Deschutes as part of an Outcomes Assessment Conference, to learning more about critical care nursing, to the Great Teachers Northwest Conference.  Faculty have returned excited and ready to go to work!

 

3.         Students – No report

 

D.         Board Comments                                                                                   Board members

 

Mr. Sass remarked that he enjoyed being out at the Albany campus for the President’s Community Leaders’ Breakfast.

Dr. Brodie commended Ms. Lundy on preparation for the process of approval for the new programs.

Ms. Horner expressed her thanks to Ms. Lundy and remarked that it is exciting to see new programs in high paying jobs.

She also expressed her thanks to Marlene for the fete in Corvallis.

Mr. Mason expressed his thanks to those who are still in the chairs here. He noted that he knows when fall term starts its exciting and he is glad that Inservice went well.

Dr. Wogaman gave his thanks to staff for the presentations regarding new programs; he is impressed with the degree of

preparation.

Chair Brayton reminded Board members of Diane Watson’s Retirement party tomorrow at the college.

 

E.         Citizen’s Comments

 

ITEMS TOO LATE TO BE ENTERED ON THE AGENDA - None

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND ADJOURNMENT

 

Chair Brayton announced the following events that need to be attended by Board members:

 

October 4:              Oregon Community College Board meeting, Portland Community College Rock Creek Campus –

Mr. Mason and Dr. Holland will attend.

 

October 15:           Board to join staff for breakfast meeting with Accreditation team, Albany Campus. Chair Brayton, Mr. Mason and Mr. Running will attend.

 

October 16:            Board luncheon meeting with Chair of Accreditation Team, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Mr. Running will attend.

 

October 17:            Regular Board meeting, 7 p.m., FIRESIDE ROOM (upstairs in College Center)

 

October 25-27:       OCCA Convention in Sunriver Resort, Sunriver OR. Dr. Wogaman, Mr. Mason and Mr. Running will attend.

 

Chair Brayton adjourned the meeting at 9:25 p.m.