Members Present: Robert Bovee, Jan Keith Farmer, Sally Galer, Carole Kuehn, Roy Spangler, Patricia Webb, Arlene Wilder
Members Absent: None
Others Present: Charles Rorie
1. College financial picture
Dr. Rorie explained to the board that our 2002-03 budget was approved by our board with an overall (all funds) deficit of $595,874, due to additional M-TEC start-up investment, and state-assistance reductions. However, because of cost savings accomplished by a temporary freeze on new equipment purchases, and enrollment growth somewhat above projections which was absorbed into existing classes, & GASB accounting changes related to summer semester reporting, we actually finished the year with a deficit of only $371,016, a savings of $224,858.
The President also indicated that our 2003-04 preliminary budget was approved by our board with an overall (all funds) deficit of $190,235, after state assistance cuts. However, because our enrollment increase greatly exceeded our projection (25% instead of 5%!) & was mostly absorbed into existing classes, and since our health care benefits costs also came in significantly below estimates, we now project that even with anticipated additional state assistance cuts we should still be able to reduce further the budget deficit approved in the preliminary budget.
Rorie further explained to the board that with the financial picture described he does not believe it to be appropriate to consider going to district voters with a Headlee Rollback Restoration Election at this time.
Dr. Rorie also discussed the progress of the M-TEC “Shore-to-Shore” campaign which he described as inactive at this time, indicating that unless this Gaylord campaign for donations becomes active this year he anticipates a future likely recommendation that next year’s budget may no longer reference this income source.
2. College leadership planning
Dr. Rorie informed the board of his plans to create a new college position called Vice President for Research and Program Evaluation and to reassign Richard Silverman to this new position. He also notified the board of his plans to promote Kathy Marsh to the position of Dean of Instruction and indicated that this plan would also reduce the number of associate dean positions to three in a revised configuration for instructional administration.
3. Report from Meeting of Association of Community College Trustees
Jan Farmer reported on the recent ACCT conference. He specifically discussed issues regarding student housing reported from other community colleges. Construction and maintenance specifics were detailed. Jan quoted that if “there were any two issues Presidents would like to do without it would be sports and housing.”
4. Report on Macomb Community College Dialog Day.
Jan Farmer reported that at the Macomb meeting a proposal was floated to develop a new association for Teacher Preparation Programs at Community Colleges. Jan volunteered KCC to participate.
5. College/Foundation Development Officer; institutional scholarships
Dr. Rorie informed the board that he is having on-going discussions with the Kirtland Community College Foundation board about the possibility of creating a full-time development officer position to be shared between the college and the foundation.
6. Review of Major On-Going Projects.
The president described the continuing development of our instructional program review process, indicating that our Manufacturing Processes Technology program is serving as the first pilot for this draft procedure. Discussions have taken place between Leonard Miller, Richard Silverman, and Doty Latuszek on this subject. Also, it was noted that the non-instructional program review process is also in the development process, and the Kirtland Center for the Performing Arts & the Athletics Program will serve as the first pilots for this draft procedure.
Dr. Rorie also discussed the Academic Quality Improvement Project (AQIP) option, indicating that all college employees will be asked to participate in the Constellation Questionnaire (November 10-16, via Internet), and Conversation Day (January 8 at Grayling Holiday Inn). He noted that, if a decision is made to use the AQIP reaccreditation process, we will also participate in a Strategy Forum on June 9-12 at NCA headquarters.
Budget development for 2004-05 was briefly referenced by Rorie; it is anticipated that further cuts in state assistance will be forthcoming for that budget year. The possibility of bond funding for facilities maintenance and other improvement projects was also mentioned again.
The President reminded the board members that a planning group is continuing to explore the feasibility and advisability of a new student housing project to replace the existing student housing.
7. Board Officers - Selection Process
Dr. Rorie reviewed with the board the processes used in the past for the selection of board officers.
8. MCCA Political Action Committee Contributions
President Rorie informed the board that the Michigan Community College Association is asking all member presidents to personally contribute $500 each from their own pockets for funding for a political action committee. Rorie indicated to the board that he will consider this request when he receives further details of the planned uses of this money.