Jan. 25, 2010 Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes

 

Riney Student Conference Center

 

 

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, Jeff Shumway, Michele Hamm and Mike Koler 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, and Athletic Director Kurt McAfee. The faculty was represented by Carol Ricke, and the staff was represented by Ed Rawson. The clerk is Jody Jorns. Unable to attend were Board members Wendell Howell and Jenny Larrison.

Mr. Van Blaricum led the group in the pledge of allegiance.

Mr. Shumway motioned to enter an executive session to discuss personnel matters at 6:32 p.m., noting the Board will resume its meeting in regular session at 7 p.m. Mr. Koler seconded the motion, and the motion carried. Mr. Van Blaricum motioned to return to regular session, and Ms. Hamm seconded the motion. Motion carried, and the regular meeting was resumed at 7 p.m.                                                   

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS

Rita Pinkall, Director of Personnel; Pam Dietz, Dean of Academic Instruction; Gale Rose of the Pratt Tribune; and students Corinna Hoyt (Hoxie, KS) and Phylicia Freeman (Newark, DE) of the women’s basketball team.

When asked by the Board, Ms. Freeman commented on why she chose to attend PCC, She talked about the great learning environment, and helpfulness of faculty. Both students complimented women’s coach Stephanie Shanline for her positive involvement with the players, and they invited the Board to attend Wednesday night’s games against Hutchinson Community college. Mr. McAfee noted that PCC is “lucky” to have Hoyt and Freeman on the women’s team.

Ms. Pinkall provided the Board with a handout including information on negotiations, prohibited practices and continuing contracts. She reviewed several key points in employment contract negotiations, including the key dates for notifying parties about negotiations (Feb. 1) and the date to declare an impasse (June 1). The negotiation process occurs every three years between PCC and the PHEA (Pratt Higher Education Association). Board Policy 5-10 is the agreement between PHEA and PCC. The Board’s negotiations team includes Mr. Adams, Mr. Stratford and Ms. Pinkall. Negotiations for the current contract are being scheduled. There were no questions.

Ms. Thompson reviewed the information provided in the agenda (Exhibit C), explaining that the Systems Portfolio is a public document that describes the institution’s strengths and weaknesses. This document is divided into nine categories, with questions about processes, results and improvements in each category. The Systems Portfolio provides the Higher Learning Commission (PCC’s accreditation organization) with evidence of PCC’s qualifications to maintain accreditation. It is updated annually and submitted to HLC every four years.

A steering committee of PCC employees has been recruited to form teams for each portfolio category and answer questions provided by HLC. Ms. Thompson is serving as coordinator and chief writer. A draft will be completed late this spring, and the final document is due to HLC by June 1, 2011.

The trustee Calendar of Events was reviewed as presented in Exhibit D. Mr. Barrett noted the importance of Board presence at the upcoming PTK Honors luncheon, Feb. 18 in Topeka.

Minutes of the December 14, 2009 Regular Meeting were presented in Exhibit E.

Personnel Actions were presented in Exhibit F.

Financial Reports were presented in Exhibit G.

Enrollment Management Report was presented in Exhibit H. Dr. Wojciechowski noted that about 300 people used the Wichita eLearning Center in December and more than 350 have so far in January. Mr. Stratford said additional space in the center could become necessary in the future, especially if labs are offered there.

Development/Foundation Report was presented in Exhibit I.

Other Written Reports were presented in Exhibits J, K, L and M. Dr. Wojciechowski noted that the Staff Senate is working on a follow-up program for customer service training.

Mr. Shumway motioned to approve the consent agenda, and Ms. Hamm seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Change Date of April Board Meeting: Due to a scheduling conflict, the administration requested a new meeting date of April 12. Mr. Van Blaricum motioned to approve April 12, 2010, and Mr. Koler seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Date for Board/Administrative Planning Session: Mr. Koler motioned to schedule the Board/Administration Planning Session for the 2011-2011 academic year for May 1, 2010. Ms. Hamm seconded the motion, and the motion carried.

President’s Contract: Mr. Koler motioned to continue the President’s contract through June 30, 2012. Mr. Van Blaricum seconded the motion. Mr. Barrett requested a roll call vote. There was no opposition, and it was noted that Mr. Howell and Ms. Larrison were absent. Motion carried.

Bid for Dorm Furniture: Mr. Adams distributed a list of bids received for dorm room and commons area furniture for the new residence hall. John Savoy & Sons of Montoursville, PA, was the lowest bidder at $94,924.92. Mr. Shumway motioned to approve the Savoy & Sons bid. Mr. Van Blaricum seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Extension of Audit Contract with Allen, Gibbs & Houlik, LLC: Ms. Hamm motioned to extend PCC’s auditing contract for one year, and Mr. Koler seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Waiver of Board Policy 3-07: Mr. Van Blaricum motioned to approve the sole-source purchases listed in Exhibit R. Ms. Hamm seconded the motion, and the motion carried.

ACCT/KACCT: Mr. Van Blaricum noted the annual PTK honors luncheon will be held Feb. 18 in Topeka, saying it’s “always a great occasion” and encouraged board members to attend.

TEA: Dr. Wojciechowski noted the January meeting was cancelled due to inclement weather. Also, the TEA will be briefed at tomorrow’s meeting on the litigation against the Kansas Board of Regents regarding the inequity of technical education funding.

Faculty: Ms. Ricke briefed the Board about several events, including an upcoming art exhibit by a PCC graduate, new promotional materials for the 2+2 program in Education with Fort Hays State University and the new Information Networking Technology program. She announced that Kappa Beta Delta will induct honors business students Feb. 4 at the PTK induction ceremony.

Staff: Mr. Rawson noted that the Staff Senate has begun work to develop a follow-up customer service training program for PCC employees. Mr. McAfee noted that the recent ConnectionsNow training made him more mindful of maintaining good customer service when dealing with students, the public and fellow employees. Mr. Barrett noted the increasing importance of good customer service.

Comments/concerns from the general public: Mr. Rose noted he was asked why the Pep Band doesn’t play between women’s and men’s basketball games. Mr. McAfee said a meeting has been scheduled to discuss the matter and about the type of music being played. Mr. Rose also said he was asked why local lumberyards did not supply building materials for the new residence hall. Mr. Adams noted that some local contractors are being used on the project, but supplies are purchased according to price.

Closing comments from the President: Dr. Wojciechowski noted that PCC is holding its own financially, despite state budget cuts. Employees have been notified that no reduction in force is expected, but other concessions may be possible if further budget cuts become necessary. Also, he is very optimistic about recruiting reports for next year, which will include men’s and women’s soccer. He also thanked the board for his performance evaluation and continued support. He noted his strong administrative team and faculty leadership makes working at PCC “a pleasure.”

Closing comments from the Board Chair: Mr. Barrett noted that the Board appreciated all PCC employees.

Mr. Van Blaricum motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m. Mr. Koler seconded the motion, and the motion carried.