President's Council Meeting Summary

December 17, 2003

Present: Dene Thomas, Kathy Martin, Rob Lohrmeyer, Tony Fernandez, Whitney Pugh, Jerry Hindberg, Bert Sahlberg, Deacon Meier, Dawn Byers, Dave Taylor, Kathie Wilcox, Chet Herbst

Absent: Richard Moore, Janis VanHook

Guests: Tony Sausville (Dir. of Security); Justin Coleman (ASLCSC)

Calendar Review

December 2003 and January 2004 calendars were distributed as an attachment to the meeting agenda. One item for correction was noted: the Faculty delegation to Boise departs 13 January in order to be in place for meetings with legislators and luncheon on 14 January (same day as Governor’s Budget Address)

President’s Report

President Thomas reviewed issues addressed at the State Board of Education meeting in Boise (4‑5 Dec), including the release of the investigation of the UI Boise project. A subcommittee of the SBOE is reviewing the investigation and considering policy changes that might be made to preclude some of the problems associated with this controversy. 

The President reported on the Economic Summit (8 Dec, Boise) which she attended in her capacity as a member of the Idaho Workforce Development Council. On the margins of the meeting, she was able to address coordination of international programs (Korea) with members of the Idaho Dept. of Commerce.

President Thomas—accompanied by Kathy Martin—attended a meeting sponsored by AVISTA in Spokane on 10Dec. LCSC will follow up and explore the potential for participation in the broad-band communications network being developed by AVISTA for the region. Once on board, the new LCSC CTO, Allen Schmook, will participate in LCSC’s potential role in this system.

The NAIA Frontier Conference’s Council of Presidents (chaired by President Thomas) met at LCSC on 11 Dec. Topics included possible consolidation of NAIA conferences.

The President then reported on the strategic planning process. All but one of the chairs of the strategic planning committees has reported to the President and Vice Presidents. The feedback sessions have been very useful. The Provost will be discussing follow-up measures with Division Chiefs later today (17Dec).

President Thomas thanked everyone for their hard work in organizing the hugely successful
Winter Revels gala event. Spirits were high, the food and activities were wonderful, and the entertainment was truly special.

The President discussed recent options being considered to upgrade the Silverthorne (lighting and acoustics) and dispelled rumors that the minor fixes envisioned would be funded through the students’ Silverthorne account.

Provost and Vice Presidents’ Reports

Provost/Academic Affairs: Tony Fernandez discussed the upcoming CAAP meeting (18Dec, Boise) which he would be attending with Jerry Hindberg. Principal topic will be the options for a statewide technology/telecommunications link (IDANET/EDNET). He also discussed signage issues for the LCSC Harbor Center facility (a modest sign noting LCSC’s presence at the center will be put up to ameliorate the adumbrative effects of the stupendous monument that is being erected by UI). The Provost also discussed the implementation of a new policy to facilitate advance registration for students enrolled in prerequisite courses (tied to mid-term grade results). Kathie Wilcox expressed the appreciation of the faculty for this prompt and logical action. Finally, the Provost outlined issues related to course fees—notably, the proposed, phased increases for developmental courses—and asked for council members’ inputs on course fee issues.

Administrative Services: Whitney Pugh (Budget Director), assisted by Justin Coleman (President, ASLCSC) presented an update on the ongoing initiative (PG-04-12) to explore smart ID card systems for campus. The students are supportive of robust, phased implementation of an ID card system that could be used for concessions, athletic events, building access, and debit functions.

Student Affairs: Deacon Meier gave an update on Spring 2004 enrollment figures (running ahead of last year’s levels in both headcount and full-time equivalent (FTE). He also presented an overview of the two-day planning conference (architectural “Charette”) on a new high school for Lewiston.

Direct Reporting Units

Institutional Planning, Research, and Assessment (IPRA): Chet Herbst gave an update on follow-up measures taken after the electrical/smoke emergency/evacuation during the first week of classes (26Aug). The college’s Building Evacuation Coordinator (BEC) list has been revamped and new evacuation assembly areas have been established. Physical Plant has replaced damaged electric motors across campus and has beefed-up the warning systems installed in several campus buildings. New command and control radios are being purchased to augment the radio network operated by Security. Joint planning with the Red Cross has begun: the goal is to designate the Williams Conference Center and Multipurpose Activities Center as Red Cross emergency shelters. The IT Disaster Recovery plan is being reviewed to ensure that contingency planning is complete, that all key functional areas have a chance to review and enhance procedures, and that a systematic test schedule is established for IT emergency procedures. Tony Sausville (Dir. of Security) proposed—and President Thomas approved—an expansion of the current quarterly building safety inspections to include monthly safety checks by BECs and their assistants.

College Communications Coordinator: Bert Sahlberg discussed problems related to visitor parking passes for media representatives. After a discussion by the Council, the President directed Security to prepare media passes for use by CCC. Council members were asked to spread the word to subordinate units that visitor passes could be obtained in advance, and that visitors should be allowed to park in any open spots (other than handicapped parking or by hydrants) and that pre- or post-notification of vehicle numbers for official visitors would nullify any citations received while visitors were in the process of picking up parking passes. Bert also mentioned publicity on LCSC’s children’s book project for families of incarcerated parents.

Other Inputs/Reports

Classified Staff Organization (CSO): Dawn Byers outlined the issues discussed at the 5Dec CSO meeting (Supervisor Performance Evaluation System trial; Professional Development Day, CSO fund-raising activities (used Book/CD/DVD/Video sale), and Presidential Program Guidance (PG) initiatives on faculty/staff salaries and administrative assistant workload study.

Faculty Association: Kathie Wilcox updated the Council on the upcoming trip of a faculty delegation trip to Boise, including a luncheon with legislators, coinciding with the 14Jan budget address by the Governor. Kathie also provided an update on the successful kick-off of the faculty benevolence fund.

Around the Table

President Thomas drew the Council’s attention to the latest issue of the Journey by the LCSC Alumni Foundation.

Meeting Adjourned

The next President's Council meeting will be on Wednesday, January 14, 2004, at 9:00 a.m., in the Alumni Board Room.