Merced Community College District Board of Trustees Minutes for meeting held May 4, 2004 1. Public Session Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 5 p.m. in the Board Room at the Tri-College Center, Merced College main campus, Merced. 2. Closed Session Items The Board President referenced the items to be presented during closed session then closed the meeting to the public; closed session items are listed below. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE DISCIPLINE/DISMISSAL/RELEASE CONFERENCE WITH DISTRICT LABOR NEGOTIATOR, Benjamin T. Duran, to discuss negotiations with MCFA Chapter 770 CONFERENCE WITH DISTRICT LABOR NEGOTIATOR, Benjamin T. Duran, to discuss negotiations with CSEA Chapter 274 CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR, Benjamin T. Duran, regarding the Los Banos Campus 3. Resume Public Session The public session reconvened at 6:03 p.m. Trustee delong led the Pledge of Allegiance. Members Present: Jim Glidden (President), Les McCabe, Eugene Vierra, Robert Haden, Jinet Troost, Eva de Long, Lew Braxton, Mary Lewis Others Present: Benjamin T. Duran, John Spevak, Allan Grimsby, Larry Johnson, Dan Smith (Faculty Senate), Wilma Prine* (Classified Senate), Laura Ingram (CSEA), Mike Cuchna (Management Team), Caroline Kreide, Trish Schade, Mary Bergquist, Eric Caine *attended only a portion of the meeting 4. Hearing of the Public An opportunity was provided for members of the public to address the board; there were no comments or questions. 5. Additions and/or Changes to the Agenda There were no additions and/or changes to the agenda. 6. Presentations a.recognition of Recipient of the All-California Academic Scholarship Award, Third Team Dr. Duran and the Board recognized Bryan Cantrell who received the All- California Academic Scholarship Award, Third Team, at ceremonies held in Sacramento. He carries a 3.86 g.p.a. and is the Vice President of Leadership for Phi Theta Kappa. He plans to transfer to the University of the Pacific in the fall where he will major in engineering management. Trish Schade, PTK
Advisor, described Bryan as a student who goes above and beyond what is expected of him. On behalf of the Board, Jim Glidden presented Bryan with a small gift acknowledging his achievement. b.outstanding Student of the Month/Year Awards Caroline Kreide informed the Board that she will step down as Chair of the Outstanding Student of the Month Committee, a role she has filled for five years. A replacement has not been named. Caroline introduced Augustine Miranda, outstanding student for the month of April. She explained that Augustine was nominated by Trish Schade and that he had been in the pool all year as a first-time student. This semester, however, two other instructors nominated him and thus he was selected as the April student of the month. Mary Bergquist introduced Mary Serbanich, outstanding student of the year for 2003-04. She was described by Mary Bergquist as someone who embodies all the qualities of a good student. Mary was first before the Board as outstanding student of the month for December 2003. She is a fifth semester student with a g.p.a. of 3.912 and the mother of seven children. Mary thanked those responsible for her nomination and especially thanked her family for their support which made it possible for her to be successful in her studies. c. Sabbatical Report Instructor Eric Caine reported on activities undertaken during fall 2003 sabbatical leave which included study and research in the area of argumentative writing and critical thinking. He thanked the Board for the opportunity to continue his work in this area for the opportunity to continue to refine his classroom techniques and presentation. 7. Consideration of Consent Agenda Trustee Vierra pulled item (g - Personnel Schedule) and Trustee Braxton pulled item (a - Minutes) for discussion. MSCU (Vierra/Braxton) to approve the remaining items on the consent agenda as summarized below; the student advisory vote was aye. b. Curriculum Revisions as Listed on Schedule 04-39 c. Contracts as Summarized on Schedule 04-40 d. Warrants, Payroll Registers and Trip Requests as Summarized on Schedule 04-41 e. Resolutions 04-111 through 04-114, Intrabudget Transfers f. Resolutions 04-115 through 04-121, Use of Unbudgeted Funds h. Donations * VCR and Computer from Catherine McVey * Books from Omar Amavizca, Amerjit Johl, Dee Near, Merced River Chapter of the D.A.R., Les McCabe, Anne Newins, John Spevak i. Purchase Orders as Summarized on Schedule 04-43
Trustee Vierra pulled the Personnel Schedule in order to include the hires that were listed on the addendum distributed during closed session. Trustee Braxton asked for a correction to the April 6 minutes to state that he had been asked by a member of the Board to provide a list of people he would cast a vote for in the CCCT election and that the Board had accepted his input rather than his recommendation. With the addition of the addendum to the Personnel Schedule and the correction to the minutes of April 6, it was MSCU (Haden/Braxton) to approve items (a) and (g); the student advisory vote was aye. 8. To the Board for Discussion and/or Action a. Adoption of Resolution In Support of Teacher Appreciation Week MSCU (Braxton/Troost) to adopt a resolution in support of Teacher Appreciation Week; the student advisory vote was aye. The resolution recognized the faculty at Merced College for the outstanding job they continue to do to provide a quality learning environment for students. b. Adoption of Resolution Declaring the Week of May 16-22, 2004 as Classified School Employee Week in the Merced Community College District MSCU (Braxton/McCabe) to adopt a resolution declaring the week of May 16-22 as Classified School Employee Week in the District; the student advisory vote was aye. The resolution recognized the classified staff for the important role they play in the District. c. Adoption of Resolution Honoring Faculty Member With 30 Years Service in the District MSCU (Braxton/Troost) to adopt a Resolution of Appreciation acknowledging Karen for 30 years of service with the District; the student advisory vote was aye. Karen will retire at the end of this school year. d. Approval of Right-of-Way Exchange Between Merced Community College District and Merced Irrigation District Dr. Johnson explained that after several meetings between representatives of MID and the District, several right-of-way exchanges (at Cottonwood Creek, along M Street, and along G Street) were agreed to pending Board approval. Specifics of the exchanges were enumerated in the materials provided in the board packet. In the final accounting, MID will relinquish 6.78 acres of fee strip property in trade for 6.18 acres of fee property (2.27 acres) and easement strips (3.91 acres). MSCU (McCabe/Braxton) to approve the Merced Community College District/Merced Irrigation District right-of-way exchange per the conditions outlined in the backup materials; the student advisory vote was aye.
e. Permission to Sell District Equipment MSCU (Vierra/Troost) to declare certain equipment no longer suitable for educational purposes and to delegate the Director of Purchasing the authority to dispose of same by sale and/or disposal; the student advisory vote was aye. f. Approval of Telecommunications and Technology Infrastructure Program MSCU (Haden/Braxton) to approve the Telecommunications and Technology Infrastructure Program expenditure plan to provide for Library Automation and Total Cost of Ownership acquisitions; the student advisory vote was aye. 9. To the Board for Information a. First Reading - Proposed Board Policies and Administrative Procedures The following policies and administrative procedures were presented for first reading. Trustee Braxton asked that additional research be conducted pertaining to AP 7500 (Volunteers) to clarify the immunity statement. He also asked for additional clarification of BP 7600 to define what is meant by... jurisdiction to enforce the law on or near the campus. Trustee McCabe pointed out the need to make a minor correction on page 11 of AP 3720. Action on the BP/APs listed will be recommended at the June board meeting. * BP/AP 3143 Key Control * BP/AP 3144 Cellular Telephones * BP/AP 3720 Acceptable Use Policy * BP/AP 3721 Computer Technology Maintenance * BP/AP 7335 Health Examinations * BP 7360 Discipline and Dismissals - Academic Employees * BP 7365 Discipline and Dismissals - Classified Employees * BP/AP 7370 Political Activity * BP 7380 Retiree Health Benefits * AP 7381 Health and Welfare Benefits * BP 7385 Salary Deductions * BP/AP 7400 Travel * AP 7500 Volunteers * BP 7600 Police Department (Peace Officers) b. Quarterly Financial Status Report There was nothing significant to report during this quarter. Dr. Johnson did indicate that the District had been able to live within this year s budget. In looking at 2004-05, it appears expenses will exceed projected revenue. The May Revise will be out May 14; Dr. Johnson and Mr. Smith will attend an ACCCA workshop to hear first hand what it will mean for the District. 10. Information & Questions a. From Board Members
Trustee de Long was pleased to have been able to attend the Classified Staff Development Day lunch, as well as the teacher appreciation reception. She apologized for missing the board workshop; however, she was ill. Trustee Braxton reported all but two of the incumbents seeking a seat on the CCCT Board were re-elected. New to the CCCT Board will be Charles Meng from Napa Valley CCD and Donald Singer from San Bernardino CCD. Trustee Braxton apologized for being unable to attend the staff development luncheon due to his wife s illness. Trustee Haden had nothing specific to report. Trustee Vierra reported he and Dr. Spevak rode on the Los Banos Campus float in the Los Banos May Day Fair. Prominent on the float was a banner thanking the community for supporting the bond election which will help fund the new campus. Trustee McCabe reported on various meetings he had attended both in the community as well as in Sacramento. He suggested the Board give consideration to holding a one-day workshop (afternoon and evening) next year rather than splitting the session in two (Friday evening and Saturday morning). Trustee Troost was very pleased to see the students that were acknowledged earlier the meeting. She also thanked Mary Lewis for her efforts as student trustee. Dr. Johnson was asked to report on the status of the baseball backstop which Trustee Troost had brought to his attention at the last board meeting following a complaint by parents of one of the players. Dr. Johnson indicated it is unclear what their concern was and he suggested the parents be asked to contact him directly. Trustee Lewis indicated this would be her last meeting and that student elections are presently underway. At this time the Board President presented Mary with a small token of the Board s appreciation for her time on the Board. b. From Faculty Senate Dan Smith reported the Senate met for the last time this semester. At that meeting a resolution was adopted in support of the college s distance education plan. Presented for first reading was a resolution regarding the establishment of a Learning Communities Committee, which ties into student learning outcomes. This resolution will be presented for second reading and action next fall. c. From Faculty Association No one present to report. d. From Classified Senate No one present to report.
e. From CSEA Laura Ingram appreciated being included in the Board s spring workshop. She gave each trustee an invitation to attend the picnic to be held May 21 for members of the classified staff as part of Classified School Employees Week. f. From Management Team Mike Cuchna had nothing to report. g. Superintendent's Report Information received from CCLC regarding SB 1817 (Scott) was distributed. SB 1817 has been amended to delete community college governance changes proposed by Senator Alpert and the Master Plan for Education Commission. As amended, SB 1817 expresses legislative intent to grant authority to the Board of Governors to appoint up to six deputy and vice chancellors for the community colleges system office, subject to an amendment to the California Constitution. Presently such appointments are made subject to approval of the Governor. In its amended form, the CCCT and CEOCCC boards of the League are in support of the legislation. Dr. Duran reminded trustees of the upcoming dinner with the new community colleges chancellor on May 19 th at De Angelo s. Accompanying the chancellor will be David Viar, Executive Director of CCLC. This year s commencement speaker is Congressman Dennis Cardoza. Trustees were reminded of the reception for the speaker which precedes the graduation ceremony. The Los Banos graduation reception is scheduled for May 22. h. Correspondence The Board President acknowledged receipt of a letter from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence informing the College of recertification of the automobile technician training program. The letter states the program meets the criteria for recertification in all areas. Dr. Duran mentioned that some concerns had been raised by the Chamber of Commerce and ROP regarding students coming out of the automotive program. Because of the concerns raised, Trustee McCabe suggested sending a copy of the letter to those who voiced the concerns. 11. From the Board for Discussion and/or Action a. Establishment of the Board s Summer Meeting Schedule MSCU (McCabe/Vierra) to approve the summer schedule; the student advisory vote was aye. b. Representation on the Merced County School Boards Assoc. Executive Board
The Board President asked Trustee Braxton to serve another term as the Board s representative on the County School Boards Association Executive Board; Trustee Braxton agreed to do so. c. Second Reading and Recommended Adoption of Board Policies and Administrative Procedures MSCU (McCabe/Vierra) to adopt the board policies and administrative procedures as presented; the student advisory vote was aye. * BP/AP 2610 Presentation of Initial Collective Bargaining Proposals * BP 2715 Code of Ethics/Standards of Practice * BP 2720 Communications Among Board Members * BP 2730 Health Benefits * BP 2735 Board Member Travel * BP 2740 Board Education Trustee Vierra asked Dr. Johnson to research what coverage, if any, is in place that covers trustees while traveling to and from meetings. d. Provisions for Election of Student Trustee Board members discussed at length the ramifications of having two separate positions for student representation 1) the ASMC President and 2) an individual elected to serve solely as student trustee. Dr. Grimsby indicated the ASMC Constitution does not specify that the student body president serve as the student trustee; board policy dictates how this position is filled. Given the history behind student representation on the Board, Trustee Braxton felt student input was needed before any action by the Board should be taken. When asked, Mary Lewis felt the students would be better served if two students were elected one ASMC President and one student trustee or that the seat be filled on an alternating basis by someone on the ASMC Executive Board. Trustees felt continuity was important and that alternating students would not serve the students or the Board well. Because student elections were currently underway, it was agreed this issue would be discussed further at the August meeting when the new ASMC President was on board. There were no other additions to the next agenda other than those mentioned during the meeting. A second closed session was not needed and the meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m. Approved Secretary to the Board of Trustees