President's Council Meeting Summary

July 16, 2003

Present: Dene Thomas, Kathy Martin, Rob Lohrmeyer, Richard Moore, Tony Fernandez, Dean Froehlich, Whitney Pugh, Carmen Rahm, Renee Hofeldt, Deacon Meier, Dawn Byers, Kathie Wilcox, Chet Herbst

Absent: Dave Taylor, Janis VanHook

Guest: Jim McCracken (PSO) for Dave Taylor

Calendar Review

Calendars for July and August were reviewed, noting the President’s and Provost’s travel (17 Jul CAAP meeting and 30Jul-1Aug “road show” to outreach centers and CdA) and major upcoming campus events (25 Aug groundbreaking for Activities Center). Discussion ensued on whether to combine the Information Commons grand-opening/dedication with the Activity Center ground-breaking. Most likely approach will be a separate event, during October SBOE meeting (hosted at LCSC—would dovetail with LCSC’s annual “progress report”), with invitation to Sen. Richardson (ICTL advocate).

President’s Report

The College received official confirmation from the Commission on Colleges and Universities (NASCU) that LCSC’s accreditation has been reaffirmed—many glowing comments—a continuing emphasis on improving academic program assessment.

President Thomas reported that the annual update to LCSC’s five-year strategic plan had been submitted to SBOE and DFM on 15 July. She briefly described the Governor’s prognosis on funding levels for FY05. Acceleration of the student fee process (submission to SBOE moved from April to January) will have ripple effects throughout the planning cycle.

Provost and Vice Presidents’ Reports

Provost: Tony Fernandez greeted the Council and described his upcoming orientation activities.

· Community Programs: Kathy Martin presented an upbeat report on the move to Harbor Center and the new leadership team in place at Coeur d’Alene. She also outlined events and people changes associated with the move of Continuing Education to the Center for Arts and History.

Administrative Services: Dean Froehlich gave an update on the progress of the bonding initiative for the Activities Center. The process has moved quickly, and the bonds should be put on the market on or about 24 July. He also provided a handout on LCSC’s Permanent Building Fund (PBF) proposal to the state. Discussion of several of the listed projects followed. The impact of the construction (elevator) for the Old Science (Fine Arts) Building was discussed at length. A search is underway for alternate classroom locations to help alleviate interruptions to class activities during the 9-month construction period.

Student Affairs: Deacon Meier gave updates on the following three areas:

· Fall headcount continues to exceed the levels for last year. Although it is too early to predict what the final count may be, LCSC may experience enrollment close to the all-time record high (3347 in 1994).

· Student Health Insurance Program (SHIP): provided a handout on student fees (student alone, w/spouse, w/spouse and children) and emphasized that students would first utilize the Health Center (or NIC health center for our CdA students) to keep our rates low. There was discussion on the possible ramifications of making SHIP mandatory for part-time students (a move being contemplated by at least one SBOE member).

· Housing—an update on efforts to find additional bed spaces for residential students for the fall semester. He described (posh) arrangements being explored with the Red Lion to accommodate (a carefully selected group of) LCSC students—[Richard Moore is contemplating moving in as an RA/Dorm Mother].

Direct Reporting Units

Athletics: President Thomas informed the Council about the upcoming visit of a Taiwanese baseball team and exhibition games with the Warriors. Visit will take place 22-24 Aug. She also encouraged everyone to participate in the on-line auction (Cindi Durgan is the point of contact).

Institutional Planning, Research, and Assessment (IPRA): Chet Herbst gave an update on Student Responses to Instruction (SRIs) at the close of the second summer school session—an overall 70% response rate, with only a few pockets of apathy. The updated Strategic Plan is located on the web (IPRA Internet and Intranet sites)—he thanked Council members for their inputs to the latest revision and mentioned that the upcoming annual planning cycle would include a review of some of the “doctrinal” elements of the plan that have been untouched since the 2000-2001 Strategic Planning Team report.

Other Inputs/Reports

Professional Staff Organization (PSO): Jim McCracken (vice chair) talked about the PSO ad hoc working group that has been brainstorming on various non-monetary compensation mechanisms that could be provided for LCSC people to reward their efforts and sustain morale.

Classified Staff Organization (CSO): Dawn Byers described the CSO annual contribution program—rather than the traditional donation to the Moss Family Fund, contributions this year were made to the memorial funds for Peggy Craig and Bill Payne’s son.

Faculty Association: Kathie Wilcox announced that the Faculty Senate website is up and running, and she described the numerous helpful features that have been included in the system. She announced the date of the first Faculty Association meeting (21 Aug, 9:30, as lead-in event to the campus meeting). She stressed that all members of the campus community were welcomed to attend Faculty Association, Senate, and Committee meetings [not all at once].

Around the Table

Whitney Pugh reminded the Council that the Budget Books are now available in hard copy and CD, for a modest price. The Budget Book would also be available on the Internet by the end of the day.

Carmen Rahm described stop-gap measures being put in place to cover the media relations (Campus Communications Coordinator) function after Renee Hofeldt’s departure. Harriett Husemann will be increasing her hours of availability later this summer, but it is incumbent upon all units to do the up-front legwork (apply the Five Ws) a draft media releases on their programs that the CCC can review for final touches. Carmen also mentioned that the Student Housing web site would be demonstrated this week.

Meeting Adjourned

The next President's Council meeting will be on Wednesday, August 6, 9:00 a.m., in the Alumni Board Room.