Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes, Jan. 24, 2011

Call to Order
The Pratt Community College Board of Trustees meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m.
Chair Ed Barrett, Vice Chair Ken Van Blaricum, Michele Hamm, Wendell Howell, Mike Koler, Jenny Larrison and Jeff Shumway 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 & Enrollment Management Lisa Perez Miller and Athletic Director Kurt McAfee. The faculty was represented by David Cramer, and the staff was represented by Emma Foltz. The clerk is Jody Jorns.
Pledge of Allegiance
Mr. Howell led the group in the pledge of allegiance.
Executive Session for Personnel Matters
Ms. Hamm motioned to enter an executive session to discuss personnel matters to protect the privacy of an individual and noted the regular session will resume no later than 7:00 p.m. Mr. Howell seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
The Board and Dr. Wojciechowski remained for the executive session, and all others left the Board meeting.
The Board re-opened the meeting room at 7:00 p.m. and resumed the regular session at 7:02 p.m.
INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS
Guests included Gale Rose of the Pratt Tribune and Assistant to the President for Planning & Assessment Eric Webb. Student guests included A.D. Blue of San Antonio, Texas, and Alicia Fishgrab of Pratt.
Alicia and A.D. are president and vice president of the PTK honor society at PCC. They noted that their involvement in PTK is important because they learn about leadership and community service through projects. A basketball scholarship brought A.D. to Pratt. He visited four Kansas campuses and chose PCC for the “family” atmosphere. He’s an economics major and plans to become a corporate lawyer. Alicia is a married nursing student who lives in Pratt but previously came from St. Louis. She chose PCC because she was told it has the best nursing program in Kansas and the best pass rates for the board exams. She’s interested in becoming an anesthesiologist and would like to study abroad to broaden her perspective of health care outside the U.S.

Special Topic for Discussion: An Environmental Scan for FY 2012
Dr. Wojciechowski reviewed the information in Exhibit B. He reported that for planning purposes, PCC is looking at 3% enrollment growth this year. He reviewed the internal and external variables that will be considered in planning next year’s budget. He then reviewed the Planning Cycle in Exhibit C. Mr. Barrett noted that while much of the information is speculative, it’s important to keep it in mind during the upcoming Board/Administration planning session.
Financially, Mr. Adams reported, expenditures at PCC are under budget overall. The Financial Working Group meets weekly to review every expenditure over $500. Also, Dr. Wojciechowski said one position was eliminated at the eLearning Center in Wichita, which will save PCC about $25,000 in this budget year. Also, the nursing program will be reviewed to consider ways to increase efficiency while saving costs, if possible. Dr. Wojciechowski noted that vacant positions will remain open unless they are deemed critical to PCC operations to save additional funds, but grant-funded positions will be exempt. About 78% of PCC’s budget is spent on employee salaries and benefits.
Communications to Board
New and revised items were reviewed in Exhibit D. Mr. Barrett made special note of the Spring PTK induction ceremony on Feb. 3 and the PTK annual awards luncheon in Topeka on Feb. 17.
Consent Agenda
Minutes of the December 13, 2010 Regular Meeting and Jan. 6, 2011 Special meeting were presented in Exhibit E.
Personnel Actions were presented in Exhibit F. Dr. Wojciechowski noted the reduction in force at the eLearning Center of one position, that Emily Meireis will join the Title III grant staff, and Leah Bower will become the financial aid director.
Financial Reports were presented in Exhibit G. Mr. Adams noted that revenues are unfavorable, primarily due to budget time phasing. However, the overall budget is favorable.
Enrollment Management Report was presented in Exhibit H. Ms. Miller said as of today, enrollment is up 3% for the year, but down 1% for the semester. The eLearning Center in Wichita already has exceeded its academic year goal of 3,200 credit hours by 327 credit hours.
Development/Foundation Report was presented in Exhibit I. Ms. Jorns reported several significant yearend gifts to the Foundation, and made special mention that PCC employees donated $4,601 during the past year for scholarships. Also, the Foundation board will meet Feb. 12 to develop a strategic plan with the assistance of the president of the Wichita State University Foundation.
Other Written Reports were presented in Exhibits J, K and L. Dr. Wojciechowski said some employees had voiced concerns about the need for a turning lane in the northbound lane of State Road 61. After requesting a study, the state Department of Transportation recommends the speed limit near campus be lowered to 50 mph, and a right turning lane may be added when the road is resurfaced in the future.
Mr. Howell motioned to approve the consent agenda, and Ms. Larrison seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Actions for Board Approval
Change Date of April Board Meeting: Mr. Shumway motioned to approve changing the April meeting date to April 25. Ms. Hamm seconded the motion and the motion carried.
Date for Board/Administrative Planning Session: Ms. Hamm motioned that the planning session be held Saturday, April 30. Mr. Howell seconded the motion, and the motion carried.
President’s Contract: Mr. Barrett noted that the president’s performance evaluation was discussed during the Board’s executive session. Mr. Howell motioned to continue the president’s current contract. Mr. Van Blaricum seconded the motion, and the motion carried unanimously. Mr. Barrett noted that the president enjoys the highest level of confidence from the Board of Trustees.
Finance Committee Rotation: The Finance Committee membership was reviewed in Exhibit O. Ms. Hamm motioned to approve the changes, and Mr. Koler seconded the motion. The motion carried.
Board Policy Review: First Reading
            1-03: Code of Ethics for Trustees: Mr. Shumway motioned to approve the policy as written and waive a second reading. Mr. Howell seconded the motion, and the motion carried.
            DRAFT 1-08: Position Description for Board of Trustees: Mr. Barrett asked the Board to consider this proposed policy as an action item on the February agenda.
Oral Reports
KBOR:
1)     KBOR meeting January 19
a)    KBOR sponsored economic impact study results due April/May. Key question: “for every dollar invested in higher education what is the return to the state?”
b)    KBOR committee studying transfer and articulation issues. Report due in May.
c)     Higher education budgets will be “flat” for FY 2012-13. Funding is now at FY 2006 level. Per FTE reimbursement level predicted to decline to FY 2002 level because of increased enrollment.
i)       $500,000 competitive matching grant money for innovative programs with private companies.
ii)     Continue $2.7 M funding for tech equipment.
d)    Tiered funding model approved and will be sent to the Legislature for adoption.
e)    Fall 2010 community college enrollment up 3.9%. University enrollment is flat
(-.1%)
f)      Questions posed:
i)       What happens to the staff when an agency is discontinued? RESP: Most staff is let go. Program transferred to another agency. New agency staff absorbs responsibility with no increased staffing.
ii)     When was the last time KBOR staff received a salary increase? RESP: This is the third consecutive year without a salary increase.
2)     Kansas Workforce Summit, January 20
a)    State unemployment rate = 6.7%
b)    PCC service area: Pratt =4.5%, Kingman = 5.3%, Harper = 5%, Barber = 4.1%, Kiowa = 4%, Comanche = 4.4%, Stafford =4.8%
c)     Most vacant positions (highest-lowest): RNs, Nurse Aides, Tractor Trailer Drivers, Retail Sales
d)    Federal grant emphasis areas of energy and healthcare
i)       Will require more accountability for results
ii)     Want more collaboration with regional employers built into grant proposals
iii)   Portability of programs that grants develop.
iv)   Stacking credentials leading to industry wide certification of competency.
3)     Noted at Council of Presidents meeting. There will be another effort by Representative Forrest Knox for a bill to allow college students among others to carry concealed weapons on campus. PCC has signed on to the national campaign to keep guns off campus.
ACCT/KACCT: No report. The next meeting is Feb. 17.
Mid-Range Plan Update: Mr. Webb distributed the schedule for planned updates and explained the timing of each.
Faculty: Mr. Cramer reported members of PHEA voted to change three items in the PHEA Constitution: a) they eliminated the Professional Relations Committee, b) changed president elect to vice president, and c) made the immediate past president a member of the executive board. Carol Bonham attended the Kansas Association of Teachers of Science meeting on January 14. Rhonda Westerhaus will have an intern from Germany from January 30 to March 8. Misty Beck said auditions for the musical Footloose were a huge success and she is casting around 80 people.
Staff: Ms. Foltz reported that the Staff Senate will consider possibilities for a speaker to address ongoing customer service training.
Wrap-up
Comments/concerns from the general public: Mr. Rose noted that he attended both audition sessions for “Footloose,” and more than 80 people turned out.
Closing comments from the President: Dr. Wojciechowski noted a copy of the annual report and emergency plan was distributed for the Board to review.
Date/Time of Next Meetings
·         February 21, 2011: Regular Board Meeting in the Riney Student Conference Center at 6:30 p.m. Dinner at 6:00 p.m.
·         March 21, 2011: Regular Board Meeting in the Riney Student Conference Center at 6:30 p.m. Dinner at 6:00 p.m.
Motion to Adjourn