KIRTLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE

BOARD OF TRUSTEES MINUTES

April 21, 2005

CALL TO ORDER

Chair Sally Galer called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.

ROLL CALL

Members Present: Robert Bovee, Jan Keith Farmer, Sally Galer, Richard Silverman, Patricia Webb, Roberta Werle

Members Absent: Roy Spangler

Others Present: Stacey Barnes, Jerry Boerema, Irene Borak, Fay Bovee, Max Garnet, Jeremy Jones, Lois Jones, Kathy Koch, Ed Koliba, Doty Latuszek, Kathy Marsh, Joe Meadows, Kyle Morrison, Jerry Nunn, Jason Prout, Charles Rorie, Ilene St. Onge, Marcell Romancky, Ron Sharp, Tim Scherer, Glen Schicker, Jill Schult, Dale Shantz, John Thiel, Jerry Werle

WELCOME

Members and guests were welcomed by Chair Sally Galer.

OPEN DISCUSSION

None

MINUTES

Minutes from the March 17, 2005 regular board meeting were reviewed; no corrections or additions were offered. After a motion from Trustee Richard Silverman supported by Trustee Robert Bovee, the minutes from March 17, 2005 were declared approved.

The minutes from the April 7, 2005 special board meeting to evaluate the President in closed session by request of the employee, Charles D. Rorie, were reviewed and approved after a motion from Trustee Jan Farmer supported by Trustee Robert Bovee.

COMMUNICATION

President Charles Rorie reminded those attending the COOR Area Joint Boards Dinner/Meeting that it is scheduled for Monday, April 25, 2005 at 6 p.m. at the Surline Elementary School in West Branch.

He shared a letter from Franklin University reporting tuition compensation through the alliance reporting revenue-sharing of $1,000 for students working on a bachelor degree online and on Kirtland’s campus.

Charles Rorie reviewed the revised proposed board of trustees calendar. August 25 was added for an additional study session on future financial needs of the college and funding options.

He spoke to the board of a concern raised by the Steelworkers union about some aspects of how the contract is being managed, to inform the board that we do intend to give those concerns serious consideration and work with the Steelworker’s union. Currently we are in the data collection process to research the issue in order to talk with the union about that and as he receives feedback, he will continue to keep the board informed.

FACULTY PRESENTER

Marcell Romancky, Instructor, Mathematics, spoke about a project they have been working on for just over a year involving a grant for Preparing Tomorrow’s Science & Math Teachers through Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society and the National Science Foundation. The grant requires a connection between the community college and the university, so we teamed up with Central Michigan University (CMU). The team working on this project is Karen Brown, Denise Kemp, Jim McDonald from CMU, and Marcell Romancky. The goal is for CMU to offer their elementary teaching degree at Kirtland. Along with this project, we developed a pre-teachers club at Kirtland called Teachers of Tomorrow’s Students (TOTS) with the intention to have our students meet with CMU’s teachers club once a semester.

The classes we needed to develop for a smooth transition to CMU’s degree program Mathematics for Elementary Teachers I and II, Astronomy I with Lab, and Technologies in Education. The plan is to get articulation agreements in place so CMU can come to Kirtland in 2007 to offer their education classes for a bachelor degree in elementary education.

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL REPORT

Edmund Koliba, Chief Business and Financial Officer, provided a financial report for the period ending March 31, 2005 with comparative figures at March 31, 2004. He also distributed a copy to each board member of the engagement letter from the auditing firm, Yeo and Yeo.

BUSINESS FOR BOARD ACTION

2. RESOLUTION TO BESTOW HONORAIRE STATUS

The following preamble and resolution were offered by Trustee Jan Farmer and supported by Trustee Robert Bovee:

WHEREAS

1. Raye Bransdorfer-Polasek has dedicated 15 years of service as staff at Kirtland Community College

2. She has ably discharged her responsibilities as reference librarian, and as assistant to the director of the library

3. She has provided particular assistance in the development of the Ted and Margaret Lawrence Children’s Collection at the Kirtland Library

4. She has ably assisted her colleagues and community through her service on the college safety committee and on hiring committees, and as a volunteer for the Red Cross Blood Drive

5. She has continually demonstrated her concern and dedication for the students we serve

6. Her concern, dedication, and skills will be greatly missed by the students we serve, her 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 Honoraire Status on Raye Bransdorfer-Polasek, with all the honors and privileges such status entails.

Vote: Ayes, six Nays, zero Abstain, zero Absent, one Resolution declared adopted.

3. RESOLUTION TO MOVE POL 5.140 SICK LEAVE POLICY REVISION TO SECOND READING

The following preamble and resolution were offered by Trustee Robert Bovee and supported by Trustee Roberta Werle:

WHEREAS

The Kirtland Community College Board of Trustees has been presented the proposed POL 5.140 Sick Leave Policy revision as a first reading at this meeting,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT

This proposed POL 5.140 Sick Leave Policy revision with amendment be moved to a second reading at the next scheduled meeting.

Vote: Ayes, six Nays, zero Abstain, zero Absent, one Resolution declared adopted.

4. RESOLUTION TO MOVE POL 5.170 TUITION FREE COLLEGE COURSES FOR EMPLOYEES REVISION TO SECOND READING

The following preamble and resolution were offered by Trustee Richard Silverman and supported by Trustee Patricia Webb:

WHEREAS

The Kirtland Community College Board of Trustees has been presented the proposed POL 5.170 Tuition Free College Courses for Employees revision as a first reading at this meeting,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT

This proposed POL 5.170 Tuition Free College Courses for Employees revision be moved to a second reading at the next scheduled meeting.

Vote: Ayes, six Nays, zero Abstain, zero Absent, one Resolution declared adopted.

5. Withdrawn for clarification: RESOLUTION TO MOVE POL 5.345 DEFINITION OF EMPLOYEE CATEGORIES REVISION TO SECOND READING

6. RESOLUTION TO MOVE POL 5.415 RECALL OF CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES REVISION TO SECOND READING

The following preamble and resolution were offered by Trustee Richard Silverman and supported by Trustee Roberta Werle:

WHEREAS

The Kirtland Community College Board of Trustees has been presented the proposed POL 5.415 Recall of Classified Employees revision as a first reading at this meeting,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT

This proposed POL 5.415 Recall of Classified Employees revision be moved to a second reading at the next scheduled meeting.

Vote: Ayes, six Nays, zero Abstain, zero Absent, one Resolution declared adopted.

7. RESOLUTION TO MOVE POL 5.420 PART-TIME PARAPROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEE BENEFITS REVISION TO SECOND READING

The following preamble and resolution were offered by Trustee Roberta Werle and supported by Trustee Jan Farmer:

WHEREAS

The Kirtland Community College Board of Trustees has been presented the proposed POL 5.420 Part-time Paraprofessional Employee Benefits revision as a first reading at this meeting,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT

This proposed POL 5.420 Part-time Paraprofessional Employee Benefits revision with amendment be moved to a second reading at the next scheduled meeting.

Vote: Ayes, six Nays, zero Abstain, zero Absent, one Resolution declared adopted.

8. RESOLUTION TO APPROVE POL 6.056 RESIDENCY REVISION

The following preamble and resolution were offered by Trustee Roberta Werle and supported by Trustee Patricia Webb:

WHEREAS

The Kirtland Community College Board of Trustees has been presented the proposed revisions to POL 6.056 Residency as a second reading at this meeting,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT

This proposed revision to POL 6.056 Residency be approved.

Vote: Ayes, zero Nays, zero Abstain, zero Absent, one Resolution declared adopted.

9. RESOLUTION TO APPROVE TUITION AND FEES FOR THE 2005-06 ACADEMIC YEAR

The following preamble and resolution were offered by Trustee Robert Bovee and supported by Trustee Patricia Webb:

WHEREAS

1. The college administrative team requests that the board of trustees establish the rate of tuition and the excess contact hour fee for the 2005-06 academic year.

2. The college deliberately held the tuition increase in 2004-05 to a level below actual, anticipated needs, based on a legislative promise of a corresponding funding reward, and the college has now been notified that this promise has been withdrawn.

3. Using the best information available, the college administrative team now assumes the level of state appropriations for 2005-06 will decrease 1.76% from the 2004-05 base.

4. The college administrative team anticipates proposing a balanced budget for 2005-06.

5. The college administrative team has done a thorough review of budget assumptions and requests, and feels that a 6.5% level of increase is appropriate and necessary at this time.

6. The requested increase is in line with other anticipated Michigan community college tuition increases.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT

1. The rate of tuition for in-district students shall be $66.85 per credit hour.

2. The rate of tuition for out-of-district students shall be $122.65 per credit hour.

3. The rate of tuition for out-of-state students shall be $151.50 per credit hour.

4. The rate of tuition for international students shall be $173.45 per credit hour.

5. The course fees are approved as submitted.

6. The excess contact hour fee shall be $5.10.

Vote: Ayes, six Nays, zero Abstain, zero Absent, one Resolution declared adopted.

10. STATEMENT OF OUTCOME OF PRESIDENT’S EVALUATION

On April 7, 2005, the Kirtland board of trustees, at the request of President Rorie, met in executive session, without Dr. Rorie, to arrive at a consensus concerning the board’s evaluation of the President. The following statements highlight that consensus, which was then shared with Dr. Rorie in the second part of the executive session:

1. The board agrees that Dr. Rorie has done an excellent job of selecting people and adding activities that have improved the marketing of the college. This, in turn, has resulted in a significant increase in enrollment over the past four (4) years.

2. The board agrees that Dr .Rorie has established a strong financial base for the college by improving the efficient use of resources.

3. The board agrees that Dr. Rorie is committed to student life, student success, and student retention.

4. The board commends Dr. Rorie for his commitment to maintaining and improving the physical infrastructure of the college.

5. The board agrees that Dr. Rorie needs to do a better job of fostering a more harmonious work environment based on improved communication and trust. Toward that end, the board expects Dr. Rorie to continue to implement the AQIP action project of Retooling Trust Through Effective Communication, and to demonstrate significant progress toward that goal by May 2006.

6. Though a new vision statement has recently been adopted, the board expects the President to provide leadership in the development of a more detailed three to four-year plan that addresses, but is not necessarily limited to, issues such as declining state aid, finding sources for increased revenues, determining whether to build expanded and improved student housing, and finding ways to increase enrollments at M-TEC. The board expects Dr. Rorie to report the progress made toward developing/implementing this plan in a year-end report on the state of the college, which will be distributed to the internal and external college community in June 2006.

Richard Silverman suggested a statement of outcomes of the board’s self-evaluation. The chair asked him to draft such a statement, and he agreed to do so.

Silverman expressed the assumption that if the board does not take any action, all administrative contracts roll over on May 15. He stated that the board needs to go on record as to why this is done. At the special board session scheduled in early May, he would like to see the board go on record as to why we do a roll-over contract system. He emphasized that he is not proposing to change it, but that it is healthy to have a discussion about it. It can be added to the agenda as an educational discussion item. Rorie said since we already have a heavy agenda that date, perhaps an earlier start time would allow for such a discussion.

Roberta Werle asked if and when the board would vote on the President’s contract. Referring back to the evaluation, she asked them to define “consensus” because she did not have a “meeting of the minds” with the other people at the table. She wanted to be clear that the Statement of Outcome of the President’s Evaluation was not a unanimous agreement because she does not agree with the content.

Richard Silverman moved to accept the statement of outcomes of the Presidential evaluation, noting Roberta Werle’s objection. Robert Bovee supported.

Vote: Ayes, six Nays, zero Abstain, zero Absent, one The motion was carried.

A motion to roll-over the President’s contract was offered by Jan Farmer, supported by Robert Bovee.

Vote: Ayes, four, Nays, two Abstain, zero Absent, one. The motion was carried.

REPORTS FOR BOARD INFORMATION

1. Firing Range Proposal

Jerry Boerema, Associate Dean of Instruction, explained that the subject of a firing range on campus began in 1984. He introduced the committee of Max Garnett, Dale Shantz, Jason Prout, Tim Scherer, and JoAnn Comerford (not present). Referring to a business plan, letter of recommendation from the Grayling Sportsmen’s Club, and Environmental Impact Statement, Jerry Boerema explained that the proposed firing range would be located east of F-97across from main campus behind the baseball field and tennis courts.

Questions and answers followed with a concerned raised about the noise level. It was suggested that a sound sample with decibel rate could be brought to the board at the next meeting. Roberta Werle suggested that it be placed as an action item for board approval at the next regular board meeting.

2. M-TEC Update

Doty Latuszek, Provost, noted that the funeral of former faculty member, Don Fenton, caused her to switch cars that day, so she did not have the handouts for board review. She reported that the Governing Advisory Board is beginning to discuss programming at M-TEC and since the occupational programs get reviewed every three years, all of her programs are up for review this year. A more detailed report will be given at the board when this is completed.

OTHER DISCUSSION

Jerry Werle referred to the minutes from April 21 that Charles Rorie would get back to him with a response to his concerns raised at that meeting. Charles Rorie clarified that he said he would get back to the board on it and that he has done so. Chair Sally Galer said it would be appropriate to send Jerry Werle a copy of the response and Rorie said he would send it immediately.

ADJOURNMENT

With no further business to come before the board, the meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathy Koch

Recording Secretary