President's Council Meeting Summary

January 29, 2003

 

 

Present:  Dene Thomas, Rob Lohrmeyer, Kathy Martin, Deacon Meier, Rita Morris, Whitney Pugh, Carmen Rahm, Renee Hofeldt, Richard Moore, Patty Leonard, Chet Herbst, Janis VanHook

 

Absent:  Dean Froehlich,

 

Calendar Review

Calendars for February and March were distributed noting President’s travel and major campus events.

 

February 2                    NAIA World Series Ring Banquet

February 4                    Council of Presidents – Boise

February 5                    House Education Committee presentation – Boise

February 12                  Federal appropriations presentation – Washington DC

February 22                  International Students Dinner

 

The next President’s Council meeting is February 12.

 

President’s Report

 

State Board of Education Meeting, January 20 and 21:  Governor Dirk Kempthorne appointed Boise businessman Milford Terrell to the State Board of Education, replacing Gen. Darrell Manning who has been named Acting Administrator of the Division of Financial Management. 

 

Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee presentation on January 22:  President Thomas’ presentation reflected the information presented to campus on January 9.  LC’s presentation supported the Governor’s budget.  Members of JFAC asked good informational questions, appreciated the role LC has with the nontraditional students and in health care education.   JFAC was very interested in LC’s role with ABE/GED and community outreach.  JFAC has scheduled public meetings around the state.  The Lewiston meeting is scheduled on February 7. 

 

Senate Education presentation on January 23:  President Thomas’s presentation had been scheduled for twenty minutes, but the committee questions extended an hour.  The committee asked good informational questions, and Chairman Gary Schroeder was very helpful in assisting the committee freshmen to learn about LCSC’s role in the Idaho higher education system.   President Thomas will meet with the House Education Committee on February 5.

 

NAIA Frontier Conference Council of Presidents meeting was on January 14 in Dillon, MT.  The Montana system is feeling the budget pinch that Idaho felt last year.  The presidents voted to reduced the maximum number of basketball games from 32 to 28 to conserve on budget.  There was also some talk about reducing volleyball, but no action was taken. 

 

 

Provost and Vice Presidents’ Reports

 

Process for setting course fees:  The deadline for submitting requests for increases in course fees is January 31, and review will commence shortly thereafter.   Simultaneously, a policy is being drafted to  formalize the fee review/request process.

 

Student Fees:  Technology fee proposals will not be considered this year because the funds are being held as reserve in case of budget cuts.  A call will be made for proposals to be considered for next year.  The Budget Officer and Vice President for Student Affairs met with the student leadership on Tuesday.  Student government has a retreat this weekend to strategize their request for activity fees modifications. 

 

Spring Enrollment:  Tenth day enrollment report 5.1 percent increase in head count and 4.2 percent increase in FTE.  Enrollment at the Coeur d’Alene Center has increased over 8 percent.  The senior headcount is 824.   More detail information will be presented on February 12.

 

Martin Luther King Week:  The Monday celebration attendance was good.  Lewis-Clark Service Corp sponsored activities throughout the week. 

 

Student Health Insurance:  Meetings with Health Insurance representatives are scheduled for early in February.  LC representatives are trying to find a policy that works best for the students with rates that are affordable.  More definitive information will be available on February 12.  

 

Health Services Personnel:  Deacon Meier expressed concerned about Student Health Services personnel.  Judith Baldwin has resigned as Student Health Services Coordinator.  It has been difficult to fill that staff void in order to not interrupt services to students.  Salary is a big issue for filling this position, and the position may need to be extended to a 12 month position.

 

Direct Reporting Units

 

NAIA World Series Ring Banquet is scheduled for Sunday, February 2, at 6:00 p.m., in the Williams Conference Center. 

 

The National Youth Sports Program Annual Meeting was held in Orlando, Florida, from January 19 through 23.  Lewis-Clark State College was among the institutions recognized for 100 percent compliance of all 92 federal guidelines for the 2002 NYSP project.  LC’s program enrolled 476 youth which exceeded the projected enrollment of 330.  NYSP hopes to retain the $17 million funding level and is proposing to begin year-round programming.

 

LCSC Day at Legislature:  While the number of visitors to the Alumni sponsored breakfast was fewer, the interaction with legislators was more extensive and more meaningful.    Legislators were interested in community programs and workforce training.  The Alumni Association paid the expenses for the reception.

 

Alumni Annual Fund:    The second phase of calling for the Alumni Annual Fund has begun.  Year to date pledges are $15,052.  Approximately 6 % of the people asked are giving, and the average gift is $37.  The Annual Fund goal is $30,000.  A postcard will be mailed soon to the 6,000 alumni who were found during the social security search this past summer.  This mailing will provide information on address correction.

 

Other Reports

 

A Professional Staff Organization meeting is scheduled on January 30, 2:30 p.m. SUB 143.  Agenda topics include nominations for officers and the Classified Staff Employee of the Year Award. 

 

A Classified Staff Organization meeting scheduled on February 18.  Agenda topics include nominations for officers and the Classified Staff Employee of the Year Award.   A reminder:  Professional Development Day is scheduled for April 25.   

 

Faculty chairs from the universities and LCSC met with Governor Kempthorne to discuss support for his funding request.  A suggestion was made that Joe Stegner, Skip Brandt and Chares Cuddy are legislators to contact for support of the tax increase and bonding issues.

 

A proposal is being presented to establish a faculty welfare fund to assist faculty in difficult situations.

 

Around The Table

 

Professional Technical Preview Day numbers are down by approximately 300.  Budget limitations is the reason given by schools districts.  Cottonwood is sending additional students who are interested in the Nursing Program.

 

Meeting Adjourned

The next President's Council will be on Wednesday, February 12, at 9:00 a.m., in the Alumni Board Room.