Merced Community College District Board of Trustees meeting held February 5, 2008

Transcription

1 Merced Community College District Board of Trustees meeting held February 5, Public Session Call to Order The Board President (Jinet Troost) called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. The meeting was held at the Business Resource Center, 630 W. 19 th Street, Room 121 in Merced. 2. Closed Session Items The Board President referenced the items to be presented during closed session then closed the meeting to the public. The closed session items are listed below. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE DISCIPLINE/DISMISSAL/RELEASE CONFERENCE WITH DISTRICT LABOR NEGOTIATOR, Benjamin T. Duran REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATIONS: A body may meet in closed session with its negotiator to consider price and terms of payment in connection with the purchase, sale, exchange or lease of real property CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL ANTICIPATED LITIGATION: Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section Superintendent Compensation 3. Resume Public Session The public session reconvened at 5:07 p.m. Trustee Braxton led the Pledge of Allegiance. Board President Troost reported out of closed session the following items: The Board voted unanimously to approve a 5.1% salary increase for the year and 1% longevity per year beginning July 1, 2008 for the Management Team. The Board voted unanimously to amend the Superintendent/President s contract effective July 1, Members Present:, Jinet Troost, Lew Braxton, Eva delong, Jim Glidden, Les McCabe, Eugene J. Vierra, Robert Haden, Arthur Emus Others Present: Benjamin T. Duran, John Spevak, Anne Newins, Larry Johnson, Mike Cuchna, Lee Anne Hobbs (Academic Senate), Caroline Dawson (MCFA), Karyn Wiens (Management Council), Glen Harvey (CSEA), Wilma Prine (Classified Senate), Bryce Gibbs (Matson and Isom), Robin Shepard, Jim Cunningham, Bob Carpenter, Michelle Pecchenino, Professor Carl Estrella, Jessica Daclan (Student of the Month), Stacey Kellner (Recording Secretary) 4. Hearing of the Public An opportunity was provided for members of the public to address the Board on matters of general district business.

2 Mike Cuchna recognized the IT department for their hard work on the technology in the new Business Resource Center. Dr. Johnson recognized the Facilities Team for their hard work on the construction and final product that is the Business Resource Center, as well as the other new and remodeled facilities on campus. Board President Troost thanked everyone who was acknowledged and thanked the Business Resource Center staff and students for the tour of the new facility. 5. Additions and/or Changes to the Agenda None 6. Presentations a. National Council of Negro Women Ida Hanson or a representative was not present, so this item was passed over. b. Jim and Lucille Edmonson Scholarship Program Dr. Duran introduced Robin Shepard from the Foundation. Robin reported about five years ago, the Foundation was given a gift of $125,000 from UC Merced with the caveat that the Foundation was to match those funds. The Foundation is only about $10,000 short of that match. Robin then introduced Bob Carpenter and Jim Cunningham. Bob Carpenter stated he and Jim Cunningham had proposed to the Foundation Board naming the scholarship fund in honor of Jim and Lucille Edmonson. Jim was on the original committee to bring the UC to Merced. Both Jim and Lucille have been very involved in the community and strong supporters of education. The Foundation board has approved the naming of the scholarship. Bob and Jim thanked the College Board of Trustees for their support of the Foundation. Dr. Duran invited the Board to a media event which will be held in the lobby of the Administration Building on February 19 at 10:00 a.m. to announce the naming of the scholarship. Lucille Edmonson will be in attendance and will speak. c. Student of the Month Michelle Pecchenino introduced the February Student of the Month, Jessica Daclan. Jessica is a single mother who has a full schedule of classes and maintains a 3.9 GPA. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa. Professor Estrella shared his experience having Jessica as a student. He appreciated her motivation and thanked her for a memorable semester. Jessica said she appreciates the award and recognition. Her experience at Merced College has been very positive and all of her Professors have been

3 supportive. She is grateful for the opportunity to attend college as a single mother. d Audit Report Dr. Johnson introduced Bryce Gibbs from Matson and Isom to present the audit report. Bryce stated the audit committee met in January to review the report. There are three areas that are reviewed in the audit: Financial Statements, Federal Compliance, and State Compliance. There was only one finding that was noted which has been corrected by the college. Trustees Glidden and Vierra both stated they are on the audit committee. They commended Bryce on the completeness of the audit and the work done by Matson and Isom. 7. Consideration of Consent Agenda Trustee McCabe withdrew item (e), Resolutions through 08-81, Intrabudget Transfers from the consent agenda. MSCU (Braxton/Glidden) to approve the remaining items on the consent agenda as summarized below. a. Minutes for Meetings held January 8, 2008 b. Contracts as Summarized on Schedule c. Workplace Learning Resource Contract Summary on Schedule d. Warrants, Payroll Registers and Trip Requests as Summarized on Schedule f. Resolutions through 08-87, Use of Unbudgeted Funds g. Personnel Schedule h. Curriculum Revisions as Summarized on Schedule i. Permission to Sell / Donate / Discard District Equipment as Listed on Schedule j. Purchase Orders as Summarized on Schedule Trustee McCabe asked questions on various transfers. He requested more detail be provided on future transfers in order to know what department/division the money was transferred. MSCU (McCabe/Vierra) to approve the Resolutions through 08-81, Intrabudget Transfers. 8. To the Board for Discussion and/or Action a. Recommended Approval for Substantive Change Proposals to be Submitted to AACJC

4 Dr. Newins explained the Department of Education requires a site to be accredited if 50% or more of a certificate or degree can be obtained from said site. There are no time limits on earning the certificate or degree. If a site is not accredited, no financial aid will be available to the students in the programs at the site until the proposals are approved. Our programs in Delhi, Mariposa, Dos Palos, and the Chowchilla Prisons are affected by this mandate. In response to this, proposals have been developed and will be presented at the March AACJC meeting for approval. MSCU (Haden/Glidden) to approve the Substantive Change Proposals to be submitted to AACJC. b. Rejection of Claim MSCU (Braxton/McCabe) to approve the Rejection of Claim. 9. To the Board for Information a. Quarterly Financial Status Report, Fiscal Year; Quarter Ended December 31, 2007 Dr. Johnson presented the status report. When the next status report is presented we will have more information regarding the state and district budgets. b. Report on Basic Skills Initiative Dr. Spevak provided a list of members on the Student Success Initiative teams. At the March meeting, Susan Flatt, SSI Coordinator, and team leads or members will be present to give a detailed report on the progress made. At the April meeting the plan and budget will be presented. c. Update on Office of Instruction Reorganization Dr. Duran updated the Board on the activities that have been completed since the January Board meeting. They are as follows: Met with the Faculty Task Force on January 18, 23, and 30 and have a meeting scheduled tomorrow, Wednesday, February 6. This group consists of the Presidents of the Academic Senate and Faculty Association, three division chairs, the Athletic Director, a program director, and a representative from Los Banos. It is anticipated that this group will complete its work either this week or next week. We met with the Division Secretaries twice since the last Board meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday, February 6. At this meeting we will share with the Division Secretaries the work that we have done

5 with the Faculty Task Force. This time we hope to be able to respond to many of the questions and concerns that the Division Secretaries have. We will begin negotiating with both associations regarding the impact of the proposed reorganization. As a result, I will be careful not to discuss in open session those items that will be dealt with in negotiations. Specifically, we well talk with CSEA about the impact on classified employees and with the Faculty Association about division chairs and faculty evaluations. We will continue to meet with the Faculty Task Force and with Division Secretaries. We hope to have a plan substantially completed before the next Board meeting in hopes that we can bring it to the Board for discussion and consideration. Dr. Duran shared the draft of the organizational chart that has been developed by the Faculty Task Force. FTEF and compatible programs were looked at while developing the organization chart. The group feels their work is substantially complete. The six Dean model would begin in fall 2009 with the three added Dean positions being filled for one year as interim Deans from internal candidates. Caroline Dawson, Lee Anne Hobbs, Glen Harvey, and Max Hallman all shared their general support of the new model and stated that if it takes additional money to implement the model, it should still move forward for the future of the college. They did express concern over what will occur with the Division Secretaries and how clerical support for each area will be resolved. d. Review Draft of Focused Midterm Accreditation Report Dr. Newins stated this report was provided to the Board for an initial read. It will come back to them in March for approval. This is a report on our last three years since our accreditation. She thanked Robin Shepard for being the editor of the document. There has been a wide variety of staff involved in the development of the report. Dr. Duran informed the Board that the national accrediting board has informed us they are looking for a two year turn around on ESOs and meeting benchmarks or institutions could be at risk of losing their accreditation. 10. Information & Questions a. From Board Members Student Trustee Art Emus informed everyone the first swim meet for the swim teams will be this weekend.

6 Trustee Glidden gave favorable comments on the new Business Resource Center. He stated he would like the community to know what the college gives to the community in terms of students taught and placed in businesses. Trustee Braxton shared he attended the CCLC Legislative Conference last month. In response to Trustee Glidden s comments, he feels the students are out in the community talking about the college, but more recognition would be beneficial. He also stated he is glad to see Proposition 92 on the ballot. Trustee Vierra agreed with Trustee Glidden and Braxton s comments regarding the community being more aware of the work the college is doing with students. Trustee Haden remarked that the Business Resource Center is a wonderful new facility and thanked everyone involved in its completion. He also thanked everyone who has participated in the discussions regarding the reorganization. Trustees de Long and McCabe had nothing to report. b. From Faculty Association Caroline Dawson thanked the Board for the MCFA raise. Faculty appreciates administration utilizing the Central 14 median as a point of reference when looking at compensation for MCFA. c. From Academic Senate Lee Anne Hobbs reported the Academic Senate met last Thursday and Sue Chappell was elected as the President-Elect. She will begin her term as President in fall The subcommittees have done some great work. The constitution is in the process of being amended. Lee Anne also shared that she is appreciative of the work of the Administrative Restructure Committee. The process has been thoughtful and the seeing the eclectic group of faculty working together is refreshing. d. From Classified Senate Wilma Prine expressed that Classified Senate feels strongly about keeping the division secretaries. The next meeting will be on Tuesday where the process of identifying the classified employee of the year will be started. e. From CSEA Glen Harvey informed the Board the CSEA supports Proposition 92. He attended a rally at MJC where another attendee complimented Merced College s website. f. From Management Team

7 Karyn Wiens thanked the Board for the raise and longevity percentage given to the Management Team. This Thursday is the next meeting where the Crisis Consultation and Assessment Team will make a presentation. g. Superintendent's Report Dr. Duran stated there will be more detailed information provided on the budget at the next meeting. The college will be closed Friday, February 8 and Monday, February 18 for the Presidents Holidays. Dr. Duran informed the Board he will be in San Antonio, TX from Thursday, February 28 through Sunday, March 2 for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Board Retreat. An from Linda Tessel with Datatel was shared. Bonnie Muscutt in our IT Department has been selected as a recipient of the Datatel Users Group SHINE award for She will be given the award at the national conference in Washington, D.C. The Merced College Gospel Jubilee Concert is scheduled for February 24 at 3:00 p.m. in the Merced College Theater. 11. Future Discussion Items from Board Members Student Trustee Art Emus introduced Art Montejano. Art Montejano is Vice President of Judicial Affairs for ASMC and is a Senator for Region 5 at the state level. Art shared at the fall general assembly the student senate passed a resolution stating Student Trustees have voting rights at Board meetings, even if it is an advisory vote. He will bring this resolution to a future Board meeting for information. Trustee McCabe requested a letter be sent on behalf of the Board to Kay Albiani thanking her for representing Community Colleges at the state level. The meeting was adjourned at 7:05 p.m. Approved Secretary to the Board of Trustees