KIRTLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE

BOARD OF TRUSTEES WORKSHOP:  Student Housing

Kirtland House, College Drive

December 1, 2005

CALL TO ORDER      Vice Chair Roy Spangler called the workshop to order at 7:05 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Members Present:      Robert Bovee, Roy Spangler, Richard Silverman, Patricia Webb, Denis Weiss, Roberta Werle

Members Absent:        Sally Galer

Others Present:          Stacey Barnes, Jerry Boerema, Irene Borak, Fay Bovee, Jo Ann Comerford, Dick Davis, Jim Enger, Kathy Koch, Ed Koliba, Jackie Liddle, Kathy Marsh, Kyle Morrison, Charles Rorie, Ilene Scherer, Tim Scherer 

INTRODUCTION

Charles Rorie, President,  provided a brief introductory review of current student housing at Kirtland Community College. The goal of this workshop is to achieve board direction about where to go with student housing.

PRESENTATION

Ed Koliba, Chief Business and Finance Officer, referred to the mission, vision and guiding principles and how student housing fits it.  He gave a brief history of how we got to where we are today with on-campus student housing.

Tim Scherer, Director of Institutional Services, presented the original goals for student housing.  Many of them were reached, but some were not, such as hosting summer programs.  He gave an overview of the current facilities on College Drive. 

Stacey Barnes, Dean of Student Services, presented four-year averages for student profile of occupancy.  The average occupancy is 40 with a capacity of 45 students.  Most students are from out-of-district who pay a substantially higher tuition rate. Around 35 percent of occupants are athletes; all are full-time, degree-seeking students except for Police Academy students.  Management of student housing is handled by Student Services and two resident assistants.  Jerry Boerema reported that there have been 48 complaints handled by the Public Safety department since September.  Stacey Barnes has dealt with about 15 student disciplinary issues so far this fall.  Trustee Richard Silverman asked how does it compare with other campuses?

Ed Koliba gave a financial report of student housing revenue and expenditures.  Currently rent is $2,700 a year per student.  The college does not offer a food plan, but each house has a kitchen and the cafeteria services are available during the week.

Tim Scherer provided some possible options for planning for the future. Then Ed Koliba introduced Dick Davis from Student Suites, a firm specializing in student housing.  Mr. Davis gave a presentation proposing new student housing and how to achieve it.

Q & A

Trustee Roy Spangler asked about the water well proposal with capital outlay financing from the state.  Rorie answered that it has been applied for but it is uncertain what the outcome will be.  

Roberta Werle asked whether the Kirtland Community College Foundation been approached as a possible source of funding.  Charles Rorie responded that they have not been approached at this time, but he noted that so far it has not been a part of their vision to help with capital funding projects.

Roy Spangler asked Ed Koliba if he had investigated possibilities of tax exempt bonds installment sales contract which allows for savings of issuance fees.

Kathy Marsh, Dean of Instruction asked about the drawings for new student housing because it appears there are no windows in the bedrooms.  Mr. Davis assured her that every bedroom does have a window.  He noted that closets were not shown either because students prefer open spaces for storage, but this is a preliminary proposal only.  Details will be worked out upon approval of the proposal. 

Richard Silverman asked the board, “What kind of college are we wanting to be in three years?  Are we going to grow?”  Have we considered the trends in the local schools in our district? 

BREAK

Vice Chair Roy Spangler called for a 10 minute break

DISCUSSION

Roy Spangler resumed the workshop with concluding remarks from Charles Rorie.  The options are to reduce or eliminate student housing; maintain current student housing or renovate current housing; replace student housing by building new housing; or expand student housing by keep existing housing and build additional facilities. He said that we are not asking for board action or resolution tonight, but looking for some direction of where to go from here. 

Richard Silverman said that he is hoping for a good discussion about where the college wants to be in the future.  Risks are involved either way.  There is risk in assuming students are going to keep on coming with lower projections from high schools.  The discussion needs to be tied it in with some kind of planning meeting.   

Patricia Webb suggested keeping the existing housing for single parent/married housing. 

Roberta Werle asked whether this subject is being driven by the need for an upgrade to the current well situation.  Tim Scherer responded that the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the  health department is driving the well issue because of regulatory categories for wells.  Because we have above 25 students living in housing, it puts us in another category.  But the present wells are fine otherwise.  Ed Koliba said that to continue student housing, we need to upgrade the well system or reduce student capacity. 

Trustee Denis Weiss commented that the number of out-of-district students provides a good source of revenue.  Growth is something we should want this college to do.  Growth is important in any institution.  He acknowledge that proper supervision of the current housing situation is uncontrollable.  Logic says if we want growth, we need to address the water well situation and improve housing. Additional quotes are needed also before any decisions can be made.

Weiss asked what is our capacity until new resources are needed to meet demand regarding the growth of the college in general.  We need to look at how much money we are spending for the number of students served.  Ed Koliba said that the most important question is, “Should we be in the business of student housing?”

Roy Spangler reiterated that the college needs to do an annual report to the community of what they are getting for their money.

Vice Chair Spangler noted that Chair Sally Galer asked that everyone send her their comments. 

Silverman asked if anyone is against the idea of new student housing.  If not, then let’s continue the discussion about whether we want to be in the housing business and planning issues for future direction.  A board planning meeting is being arranged for early February.  After deciding whether to go forward with student housing, the next decision is do we want to manage it or contract that out.

General consensus was to keep the issue of student housing on the table to continue discussion toward planning direction before making a decision.  What is the optimal size for this institution?  Are we there yet?  Do we need to seek financing to expand? 

ADJOURNMENT

The workshop was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathy Koch

Recording Secretary