President's Council Meeting Summary

November 6, 2002

 

 

Present:  Dene Thomas, Kathy Martin, Dean Froehlich, Rob Lohrmeyer, Rita Morris, Jody Oftelie, Whitney Pugh, Carmen Rahm, Richard Moore, Chet Herbst, Janis VanHook

 

Absent:  Renee Hofeldt, Patty Leonard, Deacon Meier

 

Guest:  Dawn Byers for Patty Leonard, Ernie Williams for Deacon Meier, Lori Gaskill

 

Calendar Review

Calendars for October and November were distributed noting President’s travel and major campus events.

 

November 11-12         North Idaho Legislative Tour

November 20              ITA Championship Reception

December 11               State Board of Education meeting - Pocatello

December 13               Winter Revels

December 14               NASC meeting – Bellevue

 

President’s Update

 

Election Results:  Legislative district seven election results are:  Joe Stegner, Senator, Mike Mitchell, Representative Seat A, and Mike Naccaratto, Representative Seat B.   President Thomas will continue to maintain communication and connections with those who have been elected.

 

Presidents’ Council:  The Presidents’ Council met with Governor Kempthorne who spoke about general issues:  health care, K-12, no further cuts to higher education and logical budget reductions.  The Gover did speak with affirmation of the activity center.

 

The Presidents’ Council also met with three members of the Blue Ribbon Task Force.  The task force members commented on the following points:  

 

·       Importance in sense of predictability

·       Funding roller coaster ride is not healthy

·       Promotion of healthy budget reserves

·       Institution efficiencies

·       Lack of duplication by institutions

·       Exploring consolidation (primarily K-12)

·       Role and mission clarification

·       Institution differences

·       Identify rules and policies that are hindrance to providing services

·       Concern of increasing privatization

 

President Thomas also provided Gary Stivers with enrollment trend data that he will submit to the task force education subcommittee.

 

Provost and Vice Presidents’ Reports

 

Provost’s Report

 

Provost Morris gave comments regarding topics discussed at the recent Council of Academic Affairs and Programs meeting.  Topics included the following:

 

·       State Board of Education appointed subcommittee to review role and mission - Rod Lewis, chair

·       Requirement of post-secondary certification for technical faculty

·       Request for access to high school students

·       Maximize financial aid strategies for Idaho students

·       Placement scores in Math and English – combined scores may need to be broken out

·       Health Care Initiative

·       Math/Science Initiative  

·       Idaho’s most recommendations for teacher certification – new standards for approval by Board

·       Talking points to persuade that postsecondary education is doing a good job

·       Education program leadership meeting regarding the Open Book Initiative (literacy program)

 

 

Administrative Services Report:  Hiring Policies

 

Human Resource Director Lori Gaskill provided information regarding hiring policies and provided information on the following points.  

 

·        Laws governing hiring practices

       EEO and affirmative action laws and other laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination

 

·        Policies governing hiring practices

The State Board of Education delegates authority to the President for personnel practices within institutional policies.  The Idaho Department of Human Resources has rules and regulations for classified employees and irregular help.

 

·        Practices - what we actually do for searches    LCSC policy 3.106  

The general rule is to do a position search, but some exceptional situations may direct appointments, and grant principal positions are directed by the grant.

 

·        Idaho Department of Human Resources classified staff register process

 

·        Temporary/Interim appointments

Search for permanent hires, following temporary and interim appointments, are usually conducted within one year.

 

·        Reclassifications

The Idaho Department of Human Resources has a formal process for reclassification and makes the final determination for classified staff.  Reclassifications are based on work currently being performed.  Reclassifications are considered to be promotions and no search is required.  Review and reclassification of professional positions generally take place during the salary review process. 

 

·       Reorganizations

Presidents have the authority to reorganize for the betterment of the institution. Positions may change but not substantially enough to delete that position and create a new position.  Unless there is a substantial change in duties, a search is not required.  Substantial change in duties generally would affect creation of a new position.

 

Meeting Adjourned

The next President's Council will be on Wednesday, November 13, at 9:00 a.m., in the Alumni Board Room.