Oct. 19, 2009 Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes

 
Call to Order and Roll Call
The regular session of the Pratt Community College Board of Trustees was called to order at 6:30 p.m.
Chair Ed Barrett, Vice Chair Ken Van Blaricum, Wendell Howell, Jeff Shumway, Michele Hamm, Mike Koler and Jenny Larrison attended. Also in attendance were President Dr. William Wojciechowski, Vice President of Instruction Jim Stratford, Vice President of Finance and Operations Kent Adams, Vice President of Students and Enrollment Management Lisa Perez Miller, Athletic Director Kurt McAfee, Dean of Academic Instruction Pam Dietz, Dean of Nursing & Allied Health Gail Withers, PCC Foundation Director Dale Hartley, Faculty representative Mark Newland and Staff representative Hannah Ritz. The clerk is Jody Jorns.
Pledge of Allegiance
Mr. Koler led the group in the pledge of allegiance.
Introduction of Guests
Guests included Director of Residence Life Joy Schwartz and Gale Rose, reporter for The Pratt Tribune. Ms. Miller introduced Shelby Kite and Kalie Mader, PCC volleyball athletes. Mr. Adams introduced Paul Cavanaugh of Places, Architects, and Matt Voss of Gorilla Builders.
Special Action for Board Approval: Residence Hall
Mr. Adams reviewed the administration’s recommendation to construct a new residence hall and the coinciding financial data in Exhibit A. The proposed floor plan is a suite configuration. Each suite will have four beds and a common living space including a kitchenette.
Mr. Cavanaugh explained there will be commons areas on both levels, energy-efficient insulation, thermal windows and the highest rated mechanical system available for heating and cooling. Two suites will accommodate handicapped students, and an area on the first level can be built with reinforced concrete walls to serve as a storm shelter for up to 200 students. The design is similar to a residence hall constructed recently at Allen Community College, holds 72 beds and will cost approximately $2.7 million. Appliances and parking are included; furniture and landscaping are not included.
Mr. McAfee noted that PCC Foundation-owned property adjacent to the campus would be ideal for soccer/track facility in the future, which would be necessary if a soccer program is added. Although he has not received any feedback from the community about adding soccer, Mr. McAfee said a few possible coaching candidates have noted their interest if a program is approved. And soccer will increase diversity in PCC’s student population
Mr. Howell motioned to approve the construction of a 72-bed residence hall and implement a soccer program. Mr. Van Blaricum seconded the motion.
Mr. Adams noted that PCC will seek bids on the project immediately if approved, and will ensure any contract includes a Fall 2010 deadline for occupancy.
Mr. Barrett requested a vote by roll call, and the motion carried without opposition.
Special Topic for Discussion: Foundation’s Plans for Fundraising, Building Alumni Base
Mr. Hartley reviewed the PCC Foundation’s strategies for raising funds and increasing its alumni database. A new electronic database of 8,600 alumni was created from existing paper files, and to expand that database, the Foundation will use communication, cultivation and stewardship. Contact with donors and alumni will include newsletters, direct mail appeals and phonathons. Special events such as the annual scholarship auction and alumni activities will continue. The Foundation’s future will include multiple and varied streams of income, an active alumni association, regular communication with alumni and friends and the ability to identify potential major donors. The first phonathon is Nov. 10-12.
Communications to Board
The trustee Calendar of Events was reviewed as presented in Exhibit B. Additional communications included two letters from PCC employees thanking the Board for approving pay raises and longevity bonuses despite the current economy.
Consent Agenda
Minutes of the Sept. 21, 2009 Regular Meeting as presented in Exhibit C.
Personnel Actions were presented in Exhibit D. It was noted that three new hires for Title III grant positions were made after the agenda was printed.
Board Policy 3-07 Bid Items (less than $35,000, not sole source) were presented in Exhibit E.
Financial Reports were presented in Exhibit F.
Enrollment Management Reports were presented in Exhibit G. Dr. Wojciechowski noted that enrollment at the eLearning Center in Wichita has increased to 816 credit hours.
Development/Foundation Report was presented in Exhibit H.
Management Information Systems (MIS) Reports were presented in Exhibits I, J, K, L and M. Mr. Stratford explained that the Work Keys and CAAP assessments measure the success and continued progress of technical education students and arts/sciences students, respectively.
Other Written Reports were presented in Exhibits N, O, P, Q and R. Mr. Van Blaricum applauded the Business Office Review noting few challenges were reported.
Mr. Shumway motioned to approve the consent agenda, and Ms. Larrison seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Actions for Board Approval
Rotate Membership on Finance Committee: Mr. Van Blaricum will continue to serve on the committee through January 2010, and Mike Koler will begin a six-month term Nov. 1. Mr. Howell motioned to approve, and Mr. Shumway seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Board Policy Review: First Reading: Mr. Koler motioned to approve Policy 4-10 unchanged, and approved the recommended revisions of policies 3-05 and 5-05. Mr. Howell seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Oral Reports
ACCT/KACCT: Mr. Barrett asked Mr. Van Blaricum, Mr. Koler and Ms. Hamm to give brief reports of their experiences at ACCT in San Francisco at the November Board meeting. Mr. Van Blaricum noted that KACCT continues to work on its strategic plan.
Faculty: Mr.  Newland reported in November, PCC and USD 382 will participate in Foundation of Education, a program in which students spend four weeks observing teachers in pre-school through high school. Club International’s Annual Dinner Theater will be at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 21 with the theme “Three Cups of Tea.” An exhibit by Great Bend photographer Jim Glynn is at the Delmar Riney Art Gallery, featuring wildlife and nature photographs. Also, Laurie Holmes, a first-year nursing student at Winfield was elected as legislative chair of the Kansas Association of Nursing Students. The new Information Network Technology program has 13 students enrolled.
Staff: Ms. Ritz reported that the Staff Senate elected officers. Stephanie Shanline is president and Misty Beck is vice president. Members will rotate attendance at board meetings. A Halloween costume day has been scheduled for Oct. 30.
Board Education Topic: Rules Governing College Funding
Mr. Adams defined the various accounting funds used by PCC, including the General Fund, the Vocational Education Fund, the Capital Outlay Fund and the Auxiliary/Agency Fund and how money in each account may be used. Many rules also dictate how funds can be transferred between accounts to cover expenses, and those were explained.
Wrap-up
Comments/concerns from the general public
Mr. Rose applauded the Board’s action to build a new residence hall and add a soccer program. He also said he has received a lot of positive feedback from the community about PCC students’ involvement in decorating downtown for fall.
Closing comments from the President
Dr. Wojciechowski invited all to a ribbon cutting for the Chandler Hall expansion at 10 a.m. Thursday.
Other:
Ms. Withers reported on the strategies PCC is incorporating to help combat the potential impact of the H1N1 virus on students and staff. Numerous hand sanitizing stations have been installed campus wide, College Health office hours have been expanded through the flu season, and students and staff are being encouraged to get the H1N1 vaccine.
 
Date/Time of next meetings
·         November 16, 2009: Regular Board Meeting in the Riney Student Conference Center at 6:30 p.m. Dinner at 6:00 p.m.
·         December 14, 2009: Regular Board Meeting in the Riney Student Conference Center at 6:30 p.m. Dinner at 6:00 p.m.                                                                                        
Motion to Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 8:52 p.m.