President's Council Meeting Summary

February 4, 2004

 

 

Present:  Dene Thomas, Deb Snyder for Kathy Martin, Rob Lohrmeyer, Richard Moore, Tony Fernández, Whitney Pugh, Allen Schmook, Polly Blasko, Bert Sahlberg, Deacon Meier, Dave Taylor, Dawn Byers, Kathie Wilcox, Chet Herbst, Janis VanHook

 

Absent:  Kathy Martin

 

Calendar Review

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

 

President’s Report

 

President Thomas presented to the House and Senate Education Committees on Tuesday, January 27.  The president was well received in both committees. She first presented to the Senate Education Committee, chaired by Gary Schroeder of Moscow.  The House Education Committee, under new leadership, appears to be friendlier and interested in working with, not against, the Senate Education Committee.

 

President Thomas presented to the Joint Appropriation and Finance Committee on Wednesday, January 28.   The committee responded with interest about LCSC’s growth and the challenges that growth brings to the institution.  Co-chair Dean Cameron questioned the Governor’s budget analyst about the executive budget lacking funding for new building occupancy.  President Thomas also argued for raises for college personnel as a matter of fairness because of the lack of raises for state workers during the past two years.

 

At the January 26 and 27, the State Board of Education approved an 8.5 percent student fee increase, which is less than the near ten percent LCSC was requesting.  Student leaders at LCSC asked for only a 7.5 percent fee increase.
Citing the work of the students, the board voted 4-3 not to give President Thomas the full amount and instead chose 8.5 percent. The short fall is estimated at approximately $100,000.

 

LCSC's Day with the Legislature was Tuesday and presentation boards about the college were placed on the fourth floor of the Capitol Building. The five boards featured pictures and bits of information about the different divisions and areas of the college. Two televisions were set up and one showed the President's Inside LCSC edition about the Library Commons while the other TV showed a video of the groundbreaking ceremony of the new Activities Center. Approximately 25 legislators, including Representatives Mike Mitchell and Mike Naccarato and Senator Joe Stegner of Lewiston, dropped by during the morning to show their support.

 

The College and Universities Presidents’ Council joined Governor Kempthorne for the Idaho Correctional Institution’s graduation and tour of the facility. 

 

Dr. Kevin Learned will serve as a special assistant to the President in Boise.  He will assist will legislative, student, alumni and advancement relations in that geographic area.  He will visit campus on February 5 and 6.

 

President Thomas will travel to Washington D.C. next week to meet with the Idaho delegation and staff to discuss potential federal appropriations projects.  Projects include:

·        Safety Training Facility (Skid Pad Phase II): Land, site preparation and facility construction.

·        Idaho Virtual Incubator Phase IV: creation of three Fulfillment Centers as a proven model for global e-commerce

·        Firefighting Distance Education: Develop curriculum for on-line delivery

·        American Indian Students in the Leadership of Education: Provide distance delivery and summer certification program to paraprofessionals and others interested in working with American Indian students education and obtaining teaching certification.

 

President’s Medallion nominations should be submitted by e-mail to President Thomas.

 

 

Provost and Vice Presidents’ Reports

 

Provost:

 

Provost Fernandez and President Thomas attended the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities annual meeting on January 24 in preparation for the interim accreditation visit.  A date has not been selected for the visit.   Substantive change prospectus need to be written for changes within the last five years, especially for programs that are being dropped.  The interim visit will be two days and conducted by a two member team.  One member will focus on academic programs and standards and the second member will focus on the nine non-academic standards. 

 

The Dean for Academic Programs search has identified three candidates who will interview on campus: Christine Pharr on February 19-20; Deborah McCarthy on February 23-24; and David Hays on March 4-5.

 

The auxiliary space in the provost’s office will be utilized for temporary office space.  The Faculty Senate will work out of that office and it also will serve as temporary work space for others.  

 

On February 10th, the School of Technology will host approximately 500 regional high school students to preview our professional-technical programs and tour the LCSC campus.

 

Administrative Services:  The Compensation Review Committee will meet on February 12.

 

Student Affairs:  Spring 10th day enrollment headcount is 3,246 (increase of 8.4 %) and FTE is 2,465 (increase of 9%).  Tenth day statistics are posted to the LC Facts and Figures web page.

 

 

Direct Reporting Units

 

College Advancement: LC has followed a decentralized form of fundraising in the past.  Creating a centralized plan for fundraising will assist us to know who is doing what where and provide us with stewardship practices for the institution, i.e., donor recognition standards and reporting standards.   In order for donors to be able to utilize the education gift tax write-off benefit, the gift must be received through the foundation.  Polly Blasko will continue development of the stewardship standards.   

 

Institutional Research and Planning: 

 

Roger Madsen, director of the newly combined state Departments of Commerce and Labor, met with representatives of Lewiston local government and community agencies.  He provided background on the rationale for consolidating Labor and Commerce, and he summarized work underway to aid in economic and community development in the Idaho Panhandle.  The meeting was cordial throughout with everyone in attendance already being a member of the “choir” in terms of stressing the need for job training, attracting new businesses, seeking out grant opportunities, helping small communities, marketing Idaho’s image, etc.  Among key points raised by attendees were:

  • Obstacles to the college communities in Moscow and Lewiston to generate trickle-down economic growth when neither community qualifies for assistance under the current definition of  “rural”
  • The need to improve the transportation infrastructure (small air carriers and the interstate)
  • The need to more closely mesh with Federal development agencies (the State agencies work with different regional designations than the Feds)
  • Community development needs a little more emphasis vis-ŕ-vis economic development

 

 

On-line, Compass placement testing should be available in March.

 

The Supervisor Evaluation project is in the trial run stage.  Some departments have volunteered to test the evaluation process.

 

 

Other Reports

 

The Professional Staff Organization met last week.  Topics discussed included CUPA salary rankings and salary compensation.  The PSO also agreed to send two individuals to the legislative luncheon next year.

 

The Classified Staff Organization held a book/video/cd sale on January 27, collecting $450.  The CSO will conduct their Silent Auction on March 4 and continue to sell the remaining books.  The next meeting of the CSO is this Friday. Agenda items include salary compensation discussion.  April 23 has been identified for the second annual Professional Development Day. 

 

Faculty: 

 

ICHEF is encouraging faculty to continue writing letters to legislators on the CEC and JFAC committees.

  

The Faculty Senate recommends that appropriate memorials to colleagues need to be well thought out, and a process established to maintain appropriateness.  Suggestions should be submitted to the administration or Faculty Senate Chair.

 

Salary discussions are scheduled.

 

The Faculty Development grant process is now on-line.

 

Around The Table

 

Silverthorne Performing Arts presents classic pianist Marie-Andree Ostiquy on Friday, February 27.

Plans are underway for the 20th anniversary of the Dogwood Festival. 

Community Programs has reached 60 percent of goal for non-credit classes.

 

Meeting Adjourned

The next President's Council will be on Wednesday, February 18, at 9:00 a.m., in the Alumni Board Room.