President's Council Meeting
Summary
Present: Dene
Thomas,
Absent:
Guest: Diane
Johnson observing for a graduate class at the
Calendar
Review
Calendars for October and November were distributed
noting President’s travel and major campus events.
October 28 LCSC Day at
November 5 Election
Day – Presidents’ Council in
November 11-12
President’s
Update
Athletic Director:
President Thomas understands there is a need for clarification that she,
Thomas, is the Athletic Director.
Provost Morris is involved with Title IX;
Budget: President
Thomas is standing firm on the need to set planning guidelines for FY2004 to
meet a no growth budget and preparedness for a 4.5 percent budget holdback.
Provost
and Vice Presidents’ Reports
Provost Report
Health Care Advisory Group: Using the Governor Initiative funds, we put
in place the Rad-Tech program, as well as a program
for LPN to meet regional needs which was put on hold for budget concerns. A small task force will review spectrum of
health care program funding and an external advisory board will be formed. The external advisory board should strengthen
partnerships and support from health care institutions. LC’s message to
State Board is that our ability to respond to community needs will depend on the
strength of our partnerships with health care institutions.
Advising Initiative:
The NASC accreditation report cited the need for improved advising. An audit has been performed to assess our
advisory experience. The audit focused
on the following areas:
Community Programs:
North Idaho Chambers of Commerce Legislative Tour is scheduled for
November 10-12 (tour scheduled distributed).
Sandpoint will be the hub of the tour with focus on Idaho Region I. President Thomas will join the tour on Sunday
and participate through the Governor’s banquet on Monday. This will be an opportunity for President
Thomas to meet newly elected and returning legislators.
Administrative Services
Information Technology: Report on Knowledge Bureau is attached
Direct Reporting Units
Institutional Planning, Research and Assessment: Copies
of the Presidential Program Guidance and timelines for Strategic Planning cycle
(Unit Action Plans) were distributed.
The timeline and guidance will assist units in planning for the no
growth budget and possible 4.5% budget holdback. Some initiatives have already been identified
and additional guidance is described to assist units in their plans. The process is similar to last year, but
targets the specific initiatives that have been identified. The Council was asked to submit comments to
Chet Herbst before next Wednesday.
Other Reports
Faculty Senate:
Professional Staff:
No report.
Classified Staff:
Around the Table Reports:
The steam heat system is
anticipated to be tested on Friday and on-line by Monday.
Information Technology is requesting
suggestions from faculty for technology improvements in the classrooms.
College Advancement has a
charitable gift and a house gift pending.
The Alumni Telefund is continuing with new
donors replacing those who do not wish to renew.
A group will be on campus collecting
signatures for support of an anti-war with
The next President's Council
will be on Wednesday, October 23 at
LCSC
Knowledge Bureau
Background
Creating a “Knowledge Bureau” is one way Lewis-Clark
State College can utilize the education, experience and many talents its
faculty and staff have to offer &
provide the local community with access to important information. These LCSC
personnel would be available to comment on topics or respond to questions
related to their various areas of expertise. By offering this valuable
expertise of staff, divisions and the college as a whole can cultivate
credibility and name recognition and, potentially, student enrollment.
LCSC has staff who can provide an interesting
perspective to numerous subjects of value to the local public. Perhaps even
more so than its research-oriented neighbors, LCSC has a real connection with the region’s populace in
subject areas they are truly interested in. And local media representatives are
frequently interested in getting a “local take” on topics that may have
regional or national significance. As a result, LCSC has a unique opportunity
to spotlight its excellent staff and respond to this local interest.
Some LCSC staff may be familiar with similar listings
of faculty and staff, often referred to as a speakers bureau, maintained by larger institutions. Speakers bureau contacts are generally
included in a list that may be available to the media and general public
electronically, or provided upon qualified request. The persons listed may be
available to speak at special functions, or simply serve as contacts for
information. Our purposes here extend only to developing a list of contacts
willing to discuss topics in their areas of expertise, to media groups such as
the Lewiston Morning Tribune, KLEW Television, KOZE Radio, or the LCSC Office
of College Communications. There is no expectation of the individual(s) acting
as guest speaker(s) for area organizations—although there is certainly no
stipulation against doing so.
What
it is
Providing access to LCSC employees with expertise on
particular subjects is a logical step in meeting both a community need and
promoting the college’s visibility in the area. The LCSC knowledge bureau would
include names and contact information (not directly advertised to the public) for
individuals willing to respond to requests for commentary from sources internal
and external to the college. (i.e. the College Communications Office, other
faculty, or local media representatives.) Most often, requests will be efforts
to get a local perspective on a larger, possibly regional or national topic.
The contact could discuss the topic from the standpoint of his/her own
knowledge, experience or expertise. The potential topics are nearly
endless.
Once again, being included on the list does not commit
the individual to being available as a speaker at various organization
meetings; nor does it require them to comment on LCSC policy or actions. It is
instead, an opportunity to share information about subjects they have
experience or expertise in. Typically, they would be responding to requests
from local media representatives or the College Communications Coordinator. Requests
from outside the college would be relayed by the College Communications
Coordinator, who would attempt to get as much background information on the
request as possible before relaying it.
Who
can play?
LCSC faculty or staff may be included in the Knowledge
Bureau if they indicate a desire to offer commentary on topics within their
areas of expertise. The College Communications Office hopes to include areas of
expertise that are as far ranging as the general public’s interests.
Participants need only be knowledgeable and enthusiastic about a given topic,
and committed to presenting LCSC expertise in a favorable light. Interested
individuals should contact their division chairs/program directors.
Extra,
extra!
Often, fear of dealing with the media prevents people
from sharing their valuable knowledge or experience. Just as often,
understanding a reporter’s goals and objectives will help interviewees give
their best responses. To help knowledge bureau participants feel better
prepared to talk with media representatives, the LCSC College Communications Office
will provide optional small group workshops or printed information on “what to
do when you’re the news.” Division chairs will determine what, if any help is
needed in this regard.
For example, Margo Aragon of KLEW-TV commented that
the media are often looking for “sound bites”.
Sound bites are interesting comments from knowledgeable individuals that
can make a topic more understandable to the viewing/listening/reading audience. Margo’s 3 tips when giving a sound-bite are:
·
Make them short
·
Make them
memorable
·
Make them to the
point