KIRTLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE
BOARD OF TRUSTEES MINUTES
April 19, 2007
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Sally Galer called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Sally Galer, Richard Silverman, Roy Spangler, Denis Weiss, Roberta Werle
Members Absent: Robert Bovee, Patricia Webb,
Others Present: Mark Allen, Susie Allen, Nick Baker, Jerry Boerema, Karen Brown, Jo Ann Comerford, Ken Forst, Kate Jakobson, Kathy Koch, Ed Koliba, Doty Latuszek, Dennis Mansfield, Kathy Marsh, Kyle Morrison, Charles Rorie, Dale Shantz, Cindy Sober, Ilene Scherer, Tim Scherer, Dick Taylor, Kathy Taylor, Gene Wolfbauer
WELCOME
Members and guests were welcomed by Chair Sally Galer.
OPEN DISCUSSION
AQIP Action Projects Progress Reports for the Board
Trustee Richard Silverman commented that he is glad the AQIP surveys have been moved from the MyKirtland internal web site to the public access web site for the college. He requested regular reports to the board on AQIP and assessment. Kathy Marsh, Dean of Instruction, responded that an update on one aspect of AQIP is ready for tonight, but the total project is too large to cover all at once, so regular updates will be forthcoming. She said that student outcomes will come to the board as they are prepared.
Safety and Security
Trustee Roy Spangler brought up the issue of safety and security of the campus and he asked everyone to report any lights that may be out on campus to keep on top of this issue. He reported that there is a light post on College Drive that has been out for awhile, which is both a safety issue and an aesthetics issue.
Improper due process; false testimony; malicious prosecution; harassment and discrimination
Chair Sally Galer asked for an administrator to give some background on an improper due process agenda item requested by a former student wishing to address the board. Karen Brown gave a summary of the student conduct complaint heard and explained how it was acted on according to established policy and procedure of the college.
The former nursing program student addressed the board with the statement that due process was not properly handled because he was denied a meeting with the dean of students. He said the statements against him were false, slanderous, and unproven. He claimed that male nursing students are not treated the same as female students, and a date they claimed he was on campus is false because he was elsewhere.
Individual board members asked questions regarding due process which the Dean of Student Services Stacey Barnes responded to. The board chair indicated that the board does not participate in the practice of hearing cases, but welcomes open communication.
Responsibility of Authority
Trustee Roberta Werle stated that with a new president
imminent, the board should consider rescinding authority to the president to
hire and fire for a period of two years the first two years of the
president’s tenure. President Charles Rorie commented that if he had been
told that, he would never have accepted the position of president, as he knows
of no college president who would accept such an edict. Werle responded that
the current president of Delta College does not have that authority. Rorie responded
that it is his responsibility to continue to use best judgment, and if such
consideration is made it should be discussed with the new president prior to
offering a contract. Sally Galer agreed that such a serious issue should be
discussed with a new president. Trustee Richard Silverman said that such a
discussion or any other issue, such as coming to agreement of what is
micro-managing and what is not, should be discussed as part of a broader
question that should be held before a new president comes to Kirtland. Roy
Spangler commented that the historical record of the college was predicated by
amendments to the Community College Act and he recommended a review of what was
actually passed, what was in the Act, etc. He said it should be done not from a
micro-managing perspective, but to see where we are with that earlier decision.
Roberta Werle said that such a decision should be made before a new president is chosen not after. Denis Weiss commented that we cannot hire someone on a certain premise and then rescind it. Rorie pointed out that a diligent candidate will make full use of the college web site which contains access to current policies and procedures, so they will be aware of the current status. All agreed it is a major issue that reasonable people can disagree on.
Galer agreed that the broader issue is what authority is appropriate for the executive and for the board. A board workshop was recommended with the new president sometime in July, before the MCCA summer workshop.
Richard Silverman moved to hold a special meeting for the purpose of discussing duties and responsibilities of the president and the board as soon as possible after the new president and new board members take office. The motion was supported by Denis Weiss. Discussion: The date for the special workshop was set for Wednesday, August 1, 2007, at 1 p.m. at Kirtland House. Vote: Ayes, five; nays, zero. The motion was declared approved.
Roy Spangler requested a search for board minutes for the changes to board bylaws in 1999 and the change in hiring practice passed sometime in 2002 or 2003.
MINUTES
Minutes from the March 15, 2007, regular board meeting were approved with a motion from Roy Spangler, supported by Denis Weiss. The April 9, 2007, special board meeting minutes were reviewed and approved after a motion from Richard Silverman supported by Roy Spangler.
COMMUNICATION
President Charles Rorie presented the calendar of events for the board beginning with the Kirtland Regional Police Academy on Friday, April 27, 2007, at 11 a.m. in the G. I. Stewart Auditorium; the annual COOR-ISD Joint Boards Dinner on Monday, April 30, 2007, at 6 p.m. in the Student Center; Commencement Friday May 4 at 7:30 p.m. preceded by a dinner reception at Kirtland House at 6 p.m.; school elections on Tuesday, May 8, 2007, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; the Kirtland’s Warbler Festival on Saturday, May 19, 2007; reception to honor Robert Bovee on Thursday, June 14, 2007, from 4 to 7 p.m. followed by the regular June board meeting at 7 p.m.; retirement reception for Charles Rorie on Tuesday, June 19, 2007, from 4:30 to 8 p.m. at Kirtland House; special organizational board meeting on Monday, July 2, 2007, at 7 p.m.; and MCCA Summer Workshop in Traverse City August 2-4, 2007.
Charles Rorie announced the following leadership positions: Karen Brown was elected president of the Registered Nurses Association of Michigan and Stacey Barnes was elected president of the Michigan Community College Student Services Association.
PRESENTATION
Kate Jakobson, Director of Tutoring and Student Success, provided a brief history of the tutoring department at Kirtland, the mission of the tutoring center, a listing of how the center is staffed, the services offered, courses offered, and new additions. She gave some statistics for 2005-06, the goal for 2007-08 and finished with some testimonials from students.
Board members asked questions and commented on the program and services.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Edmund Koliba, Chief Business and Finance Officer, presented a financial report for the period ending March 31, 2007, with comparative figures at March 31, 2006.
BUSINESS FOR BOARD ACTION
1. Resolution to Bestow Emeritus Status
The following preamble and resolution were offered by Trustee Roy Spangler and supported by Trustee Richard Silverman:
WHEREAS:
1. Kathryn Taylor has dedicated 31 years of service as an Instructor at Kirtland Community College;
2. She has worked effectively to develop and upgrade the Kirtland Office Information Systems (OIS) Program, and secure the support of area employers for our graduates;
3. She developed curriculum materials and performance objectives for a wide range of OIS classes, including Legal Transcription, Medical Transcription, Business Math with Calculators, Desktop Publishing, MS Word, Business Correspondence, and ably guided the transition from typewriters to keyboards and computers;
4. She played a central role in the formation and implementation of the Flexible Learning Experience (FLEX) Program, and has been instrumental in its growth and expansion;
5. She and her team were awarded the prestigious Michigan Occupational Deans Administrative Council (MODAC) Award as “Outstanding Occupational Educators” for the development of FLEX, and she was further awarded the National Institute for Staff Organizational Development (NISOD) National Award for Teaching and Leadership Excellence;
6. She ably served her colleagues for 12 years as Secretary of the Kirtland Federation of Teachers, and typed and organized the 1980 North Central Self-Study;
7. She ably served this college through various committees and positions, including Calender, Personnel, Classification, AQIP - Student Retention, Curriculum and Instruction Committee, Student Athletic Advisory Board, and assisting in Exploration Days;
8. She has continually demonstrated her concern and dedication for the students she has served;
9. Her concern, dedication, and knowledge of her subject will be greatly missed by her students, colleagues, and this board;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT
The board of trustees, in public recognition and appreciation of these years of service, does hereby bestow Emeritus Status on Kathryn Taylor, with all the honors and privileges such status entails.
Vote: Ayes, five Nays, zero Abstain, zero Absent, two Resolution declared adopted.
2. Resolution to Move POL 6.125 RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF STUDENTS Revision to Second
Reading
Resolution withdrawn at request of board members for further revision.
3. Resolution to Approve Appointment of Board Members to the M-TEC Governance Advisory Board
The following preamble and resolution were offered by Trustee Roy Spangler and supported by Trustee Richard Silverman:
WHEREAS
1. The board has authorized the establishment of an M-TEC Governance Advisory Board to provide input and oversight to the M-TEC programs and services, and
2. Ongoing input from business, industry, governmental and educational partners is essential to ensure that the M-TEC programs meet the needs of the citizens within this community and its surrounding areas, and
3. In accordance with the Governance Advisory Board Bylaws; Article II, section 2. The board of trustees of Kirtland Community College shall approve all appointments to the Governance Advisory Board,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT
The Board of Trustees approves the following:
Todd Seidell, Architect, reappointed to Governance Advisory Board as an at large voting member and whose term will end June 30, 2009.
Mark Kersten, Northwestern Bank, reappointed to Governance Advisory Board as an at large voting member and whose term will end June 30, 2009.
Bob Kasprzak, Executive Director, Gaylord/Otsego County Chamber of Commerce, reappointed to Governance Advisory Board as an at large voting member and whose term will end June 30, 2009.
Will Kearney, Johannesburg Lewiston High School Principal, appointed to Governance Advisory Board as an at large voting member whose term will end June 30, 2009 to replace Sheryl Florian who resigned January 2007.
Jeff Liedel, Vanderbilt Schools Superintendent and High School Principal, appointed to Governance Advisory Board as an at large voting member whose term will end June 30, 2008, to replace Linda Wisely who resigned November 2006.
Vote: Ayes, five Nays, zero Abstain, zero Absent, two Resolution declared adopted.
REPORTS FOR BOARD INFORMATION
Presidential Search Advisory Committee update
Dale Shantz, Director of Human Resources, reported that two candidates, Dr. Thomas Quinn and Mr. Robert Jones, were interviewed on Wednesday, April 18, and on Tuesday, April 24, candidate Dr. Larry Ort will be interviewed. On Wednesday, April 25, Dr. Kevin Pollock and Dr. Larry (Mike) Bower will be interviewed. The board will meet on April 25, at the close of the interview schedule to discuss the candidates. Roberta Werle requested that the public meetings be published on the web site and communicated to the campus community.
AQIP Actions Projects update
Kathy Marsh brought the action project, Retooling Trust through Effective Communication, with information for the Higher Learning Commission update and the response of their reviewer. She provided a communication from the action project chair, Mark Allen, with the charter for a new Kirtland Community College Communications Council called KC4. Richard Silverman said that, in his opinion, the survey results still indicated that we should be vigilant about trust and communication.
Mark Allen responded to a question about surveys from Trustee Spangler. He explained that each AQIP action project is a three year commitment and needs to be closed, but the purpose of the KC4 council is to ensure ongoing activity with this issue through surveys for continuing feedback.
Gibson Survey
Ed Koliba shared a survey that has been conducted by a business officer at Jackson Community College to compare tuition rates among comparable institutions. Kirtland is slightly above average among the other community colleges in Michigan. Trustee Silverman asked about historical data for a trend analysis.
Personnel director information for public access on college web site
Tim Scherer, Director of Institutional Services, demonstrated a new feature on the main college web site for college directories. He pointed out that Nick Baker, Kathy Barber and Marj Esch are responsible for getting this online quickly.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to come before the board, the meeting was declared adjourned at 9:26 p.m. by Chair Sally Galer.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Koch
Recording Secretary