CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at
6:18 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Brannan, Laverty,
Murray, Pelleran, Proctor, Rasmusson
Absent: Canady
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Trustee Brannan led the pledge of
allegiance.
ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO THE
AGENDA
There were no additions or
deletions to the agenda.
LIMITED PUBLIC COMMENT
REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS
Lynn Savage - Hello, my name is
Lynn Savage and I'm chair of the LCC Labor Coalition. I am here to
again address you on behalf of the coalition on the subject of budget
for the coming year. As you review the proposed budget we clearly
identify the priority given to buildings and facilities, technology
and quality programs and services. Three of the four major budget
priorities we cited in our last statement. The proposed solution
package addresses these three issues plus proposes to restore the fund
balance. But, it doesn?t adequately address employee compensation.
On page four of the Board packet on salaries and wages. It states ?a
minimal increase on salaries and wages? is projected. This concerns
us greatly because it implies lesser priority to a critical need for
qualified employees for the College than the other priority areas. We
again encourage you to consider a substantial tuition increase beyond
the proposed increase of $7 for in district tuition in order to
adequately address all of the priorities for the College. Human
resources cannot be left behind as you make your budgetary decisions.
As we have said before we do not make this recommendation lightly and
we would be very willing to meet with you to discuss these issues.
Thank you for your attention.
Les Cox - My name is Les Cox and I
am professor at Jackson Community College and I came here to talk to
you tonight about proposed budget. I?d like to talk about my
experience at LCC. My daughter had free tuition at Jackson Community
College for her entire time while going to school but chose to attend
LCC for one reason - the volleyball program. My daughter came here
and looked over the program and it made a wave of difference in her
life. I don't know what your considerations are or what your
decisions might be but I wanted to add this public comment. Most of
the kids that attend the volleyball program are local. They get a
wonderful opportunity and experience out of it. As a faculty member
at Jackson Community College I can tell you that we do not have
intercollegiate athletics. That has been a problem because as I
recruit and talk to students on a daily basis, they come to me and ask
me why should they attend JCC. I say that we have great programs, we
have great instructors, we have great faculty. They say but you don't
have athletics, why should I not go to Kalamazoo Valley or Lansing
Community College. I don't have an answer for them. I don't know
what the considerations are or what your budgetary restraints might be
and what you are considering to add or change at this point. However,
I will tell you from being on the athletic committee, as I have been
twice over the last ten years, we have tried to bring athletics back
to Jackson Community College and we've been unsuccessful. The reason
is the cost to bring back a program after it is eliminated or reduced
is prohibited. Our studies show it would cost us over a $1 million to
bring back athletic programs to JCC. We have since tried over that
time to bring back and have added, as you might know, a hockey
program, which is a club sport. It is the best we can do at the time
to bring it back gradually. What we found after having eliminated the
program, and there wasn't a budgetary consideration when we did this,
it was for other reasons. The Board decided in 1984 that it would be
easier to eliminate athletics because we basically are an academic
institution. Within three years our enrollment dropped almost fifty
percent and still to this day we have not recovered. Sometimes when
we look at things it looks like programs cost a lot of money, and they
do. But sometimes it's those extra things that students get that
makes the difference to them on whether to go to college and where to
go. Thank you.
Monica Holland (spelling) - Good
evening, my name is Monica Holland. I'm a 2001 graduate of Lansing
Eastern High School. After graduating from Lansing Eastern High
School I was trying to contemplate where I wanted to go to college. I
graduated as valedictorian from Eastern with a 4.0 g.p.a. and received
over $76,000 in scholarships. When making my decision to attend a
certain college I looked at many factors. The one thing that drove me
to LCC was its volleyball program and the athletics that are offered
here. It gave me an opportunity not only to continue my academic
career but also to continue my athletic career. I just wanted to
share with you a few things that the Lansing Community College
athletic program did for me. First, as I mentioned, it allowed me to
continue to achieve great things academically. I was a distinguished
All American academic athlete at Lansing Community College. I also
have had the opportunity to be involved in many different community
aspects through Lansing Community volleyball. Some of these include:
Making Strides breast cancer walk, Grand River clean up, Athletes for
Kids program, Lansing Area Volleyball Association camps and clinics
and volleyball programs at a local YMCA. Without this athletic
program here at LCC I would not have grown as the person I am today.
This definitely made me more social person. I am able to communicate
better with people. I've had lots of contacts with students. I've
been able to be an ambassador for Lansing Community College, not only
its academic programs but also its athletic program. It just did a
world for me. I just wanted to express to you how much this program
means to me and how much it means to other people in this area, local
people. It is a great program. Thank you very much.
Leslie Coxan - Ladies and
gentlemen of the Board thank you for allowing me to speak. My name is
Leslie Coxan and I was a part of the LCC volleyball program during the
2001-2002 academic years. I am currently at Wayne State University
where I just finished my senior year playing volleyball. I wanted to
tell you today about the difference that LCC has made in my life.
When I graduated from high school I didn?t intend to play volleyball
because the cost of going to a large school was too high. A lot of
times in high school the players are overlooked because of how the
recruiting process goes. It's been a big issue about the seasons,
Michigan is not the same recruiting season as all the other states in
America. When I went to LCC I was just going to go for a couple of
years and then just transfer to a regular school like Michigan State.
But, the LCC program gave me a chance to flourish as a player. During
the 2001-2002 season I was first in the nation for assists, I was
voted All-League, All-State, and All-Region. I was picked up by ??
State Mavericks where I played for one season but then transferred
back to Detroit for a better program and like I said finished my
senior year this year at Wayne State. I am not unique at all. I see
these girls sitting in the front row, they too were passed over
directly out of high school and given a second chance to play at LCC.
I'm also not the last player or the first player to go to a bigger
institution on a paid scholarship because of the LCC volleyball
program. I attended my first LCC camp when I was in sixth grade and
that's the year before organized sports started for volleyball
players. Ever since then I have been involved in programs that have
been offered by LCC. I would say that it was LCC volleyball and not
Michigan State volleyball that have been successful because the reason
Lansing puts out such good volleyball players, Michigan State is more
detached than LCC in the community and it is LCC that you connect with
in volleyball. Perhaps you go to one Michigan State camp per year but
LCC, when I was going there, we?d run camps in the Fall and Spring at
a reasonable price that lots of people in the area could afford. Some
of the communities that are affected by this are Grand Ledge, Okemos,
Haslett, Leslie, Mason, Waverly, Owosso, Portland, Dansville, DeWitt,
Charlotte, Eaton Rapids, Holt, St. Johns, and Lakewood, and I'm sure
there are communities that (inaudible). So if the LCC program was to
be cut from the budget, I would say the definite factor that you might
consider is the loss of the volleyball community and the loss of the
LAVA program. The longer you set apart any quality volleyball program
it is because of the partnership with LCC that makes that program so
successful. If the LAVA program and the LCC program were cut, it
would be a very sad day for me and other players in the area that
would not be given the same chance that I had to make something of
myself in volleyball. I think we should look to find a solution to
keep LCC volleyball. Thank you.
Chris Cannan - Hello, I am Chris
Cannan and I was trying to decide how much is too much, but I think if
we get one shot at this and so I am going to put my two cents in. I
also am a professor at Jackson Community College who has a daughter
who is attending Lansing Community College. I live in Lansing. Coach
Richardson has produced some of the most wonderful and talented young
women over the last three or four years. Prior to that I am sure we
had the same types of players. We have five ambassadors out of this
program that are now coaching in the Lansing area. Young women need
good role models and this volleyball program has produced these type
of role models. We have given these young women an opportunity and
the confidence to step up and now begin to coach children and young
adults, high school and all different levels. For you guys to?I would
just like you to be sure before next month. I know you were just
given this budget but as you begin to think about this please think
about the volleyball program and other athletic programs affect the
local players. When my daughter came here she talked to other players
and she now coaches at Everett. She talks to her Everett players.
Sometimes its not even about playing volleyball, its about the
academics that she received at LCC that now she can transfer from LCC
to Michigan State to Eastern to Western. that's my two cents. Thank
you.
Todd Heywood Letter to Board of
Trustees read into the record by Board Secretary - To the Honorable
Trustees of Lansing Community College
It has come to my attention that
today you will consider paying Trustee Timothy Brannan a sum of nearly
$3,000 for legal expenses as a result of allegations of wrongdoing on
his part while he was an employee of the college. I oppose this
reimbursement on both ethical and legal grounds.
First, while Dr. Brannan may
indeed have waited 18 months and no criminal charges have been brought
against him, the fact is both the Michigan State Police and the
Federal Bureau of Investigation appear to have open criminal probes
into the allegations against Mr. Brannan and Mr. Stearns. This in
itself is enough to end the conversation about reimbursement.
However, when this fact is taken
with the additional following facts, it makes reimbursement out of the
question.
- This Board voted to end, in
violation of its responsibility to the taxpayers, to end a probe
into Dr. Brannan?s alleged wrong-doing and in so doing, made it such
that the community does not have closure on Dr. Brannan?s
participation in this alleged wrong-doing.
- The President's independent
investigation, done by Fred Todd, clearly showed wrong doing on the
part of Mr. Stearns, and by implication by Dr. Brannan. However,
because Dr. Brannan was then a Trustee, Fred Todd was not allowed to
investigate and probe his involvement in this alleged wrongdoing.
- Legal counsel for the college
has written clearly and concisely that the Board ought NOT pay this
expense, as it would be in violation of the Michigan Community
College Act which bars payment to Trustees.
Now, I understand that Dr. Brannan
believes this was a politically motivated occasion. I want to put on
the record and very clearly for all to read and hear the following
information:
- I presented as part of my
criminal complaint filed with LCC Department of Public Safety only
documents I personally could vouch for as authentic. Those documents
I got through my own Freedom of Information Act request.
- The packet delivered to the
Board offices were not mine, and I found a similar package only a
few days before in my front door. I do not now, nor did I then, know
from whom those documents, many of which were in violation of FOIA,
came. I would encourage the Board to direct the President to conduct
an investigation into the documents and how they were released.
- I attempted to provide my
complaint to Chairperson Laverty, explaining that this was a serious
breach of trust and he had an obligation to look into the
allegations. I was told, and I quote, ?Whatever, Todd.? It was at
this point I filed the criminal complaint with LCC Department of
Public Safety to assure a thorough investigation would be done.
- Had I known of the allegations
before July when I was informed the first time, this Board can rest
assured I would have addressed them at that time. This was not
politically motivated, it is motivated by my commitment and care for
the College.
In the past, The LCC Board has
voted to provide reimbursement for legal expenses incurred by a
Trustee and several employees. Your current Board, against my and
other?s consent, agreed to pay former Trustee Dave Patterson legal
fees as well. However, the cases prior were different. Let me
explain:
- Dr. Olga Holden: Legal counsel
SUPPORTED the reimbursement. I personally did not support this, and
had I been on the board at the time it was voted on I would have
voted no. Dr. Holden was sued in her residency capacity not in her
capacity as a trustee.
- Becky Beard and Glen Cerny:
These two employees were clearly shown to have been wrongly accused
of wrong doing by one trustee. The expenses they incurred were a
result of FALSE allegations, and thus it was a moral and ethical
responsibility to reimburse those costs.
Dr. Brannan does not meet either
of these conditions. The wrongdoing he is alleged to have been
involved in occurred while he was an employee thus had nothing to do
with his position as Trustee. They merely arose after he had taken his
seat on the Board. Secondly, Dr. Brannan has not been cleared of any
wrongdoing and in fact, the independent investigation appears to
support the claim he may have been involved in the alleged wrongdoing.
Lansing Community College's Board
of Trustees has an obligation to protect the scarce resources of the
College. Paying frivolous claims such as Trustee Brannan?s smacks more
of political pay back than legitimate College related expenses. The
money, nearly $3000 could go a long way towards a student learning how
to be a nurse, supporting the performing arts department, solidifying
student services or any other myriad of responsible, mission oriented
realities for the college. Paying your political chum, as a reward for
allegedly attempting to defraud the college, is NOT in the best
interest of the college or this Board.
Sincerely, Todd A. Heywood, Former
LCC Trustee, Lansing resident, cc: Local media outlets
CHAIRPERSON AND BOARD MEMBER
REPORTS
Chairperson Laverty
Trustee Indemnification
Chairperson Laverty stated it was
ironic that someone would speak of $2,700 that a trustee member is
asking to be reimbursed for as a result of legal fees that he incurred
as a result of false and malicious allegations made about him eighteen
months ago. This individual has made allegations upon allegations to
other Board members prior to becoming a member of the Board and made
several allegations and caused several lawsuits and has cost this
College thousands of dollars while he was on the Board with frivolous
actions he has taken over the past three to five years. He?s still
trying to cause the College problems.
Chairperson Laverty stated he
would not be asking for action on the Trustee Indemnification item
this evening.
Trustee Pelleran added there is a
reason why the individual who had the letter read into the minutes
identified himself as a former trustee, and that is because the
electorate of this district wanted a Board that was going to get some
work done and it is the electorate who made the decision not to rehire
the former Board member. The letter was written with conviction and
intensity and is full of false facts and things that would stir the
pot and breed ill feelings.
Information and Announcements
Chairperson Laverty congratulated
President Cunningham, who has been elected to the American Association
of Community Colleges. This Association represents 1,300 community
colleges across the United States. It's staffed in Washington DC and
is overseen by a Board of Directors who governs the Association. Its
mission is to build a nation of learners by advancing America?s
community colleges. President Cunningham was elected by her community
college peers throughout the country to fill one of eight seats for a
three year term.
Chairperson Laverty recognized a
thank you letter to the Board from Norma Mendez, Board Secretary, who
is on maternity leave. A picture was displayed of Sofia Emma Mendez,
who was born March 19.
LCC Foundation Report -
Chairperson Laverty gave a report on the last Foundation Board of
Directors meeting. There was a spotlight presentation on the Dental
Hygiene Program, which included a tour of the new Human, Health and
Public Services facility, there was an update on the $3.5 million
Capital Campaign which is still on-going, and the Eric Zimmerman
Visual Arts Awards reception, which highlighted artwork throughout the
campus. Chairperson Laverty encouraged Board members to attend a few
Foundation upcoming events, the annual Scholarship Breakfast on May 11
and also the annual Lip Sync which will be October 16.
On March 29, there was an
orientation session for the Board of Trustee candidates. Topics
included the policy governance process, strategic plan, and budget.
Chairperson Laverty gave a report
on the last Workforce Development Committee that was held at the West
Campus. The Michigan Manufacturers Association and Lansing Community
College are planning a reception on May 9 at the West Campus. Former
Governor John Engler is the Chair of the National Manufacturers
Association. Information was distributed on the state?s jobless
rate. Cuts in the Workforce Investment Act are being considered at
the federal level.
Michigan Works Agency, LCC and
others were to co-sponsor a job fair for youth. Because there was low
employer interest this year, this job fair had to be cancelled.
Chairperson Laverty discussed the
high school drop-out initiative and referenced an article entitled 1/3
of the Nation--Lansing Drop-out Rates and Declining Opportunities.
President Cunningham, himself and approximately 50 other people from
the community are working on an initiative to figure out how to reduce
the dropout rate of high school students in our community.
The Red Team held their annual
Regional Excellence Awards on April 7. President Cunningham had the
honor of giving out awards to several different organizations
throughout our community.
Chairperson Laverty attended
several events recently including the annual Student Recognition
Ceremony and reception, the Cesar E. Chavez 10th annual
Commemorative Event, and LCC's dedication of a Learning Center in
honor of Cesar Chavez.
Chairperson Laverty indicated that
he, Rich Howard, and Tim Zeller will be meeting to review policy
governance and bylaws.
Chairperson Laverty highlighted
several upcoming events and encouraged Board members to attend.
On April 1 of every year, Lansing
Community College provides a scholarship to the first baby born in
recognition of National Community College month. This year the award
went to Benjamin Richard Lambert. He is the 12th child
born to his family, the children ranging in age from newborn to 15. A
picture was displayed of the family.
President's REPORT
Informational Items
College Spotlight - Wellness
President Cunningham stated that
this spotlight is a result of the $500,000 the administration
requested that the Board set aside for wellness last year. Those
funds were to be used for the employees of Lansing Community College.
Jan Stewart, Heather Kesselring
and Denny Morse gave the presentation of the LCC Wellness Program. (A
copy of the presentation is on file with the official Board
materials.)
Trustee Laverty stated that he
supports this initiative and shared a personal experience relating to
his health and how LCC was beneficial to him.
Human Resources - New Hires,
Leaves and Sabbaticals
Administrative Appointments:
Marian Frane, Director, Accounting
and Payroll, Administrative Services Division
2004-2005 Revised Budget
Vice President Barbara Larson gave
a presentation on the revised budget for 2004-2005. (A copy of the
presentation is on file with the official Board materials.)
2005-2006 Proposed Budget
Vice President Barbara Larson gave
a presentation on the proposed 2005-2006 budget. (A copy of the
presentation is on file with the official Board materials.)
University Center
President Cunningham mentioned
that part of the Facilities Master Plan was to look at a University
Center and increasing access for students to be able to go to 4-year
colleges and universities and not have to leave the Lansing area. LCC
was successful in getting a $5 million match from the State for a
University Center. Rich Howard indicated the College has received
several calls from many interested potential partners, and the College
has received nonbinding letters of commitment from Central Michigan
University, Ferris State University, Sienna Heights and Western
Michigan University. Barbara Larson gave an update on how the College
plans to come up with the matching $5 million which included options
such as using fund balance, selling buildings on campus, and
traditional borrowing avenues.
Associates in Applied
Technology Degree
Vice President Dr. Gary VanKempen
gave a presentation on the Associates in Applied Technology Degree.
Action Items
Approval of Minutes
President Cunningham presented the
March 21, 2005 Strategic Plan Renewal Update meeting and regular
meeting minutes for approval.
There were no changes from the
Board.
Annual Results Inventory Report
- Access
Vice President Glen Cerny gave an
overview on the LCC Results Inventory Report on Access. He recognized
Bev Morse and Gina Karasek on their efforts with this.
Dr. Gina Karasek gave a
presentation on the Results Inventory for 2004-2005 Access. (A copy
of the presentation is on file with the official Board materials.)
IT WAS MOVED by Trustee Pelleran
and supported by Trustee Murray to accept the President's Report as
presented.
Ayes: Brannan, Laverty, Murray,
Pelleran, Proctor, Rasmusson
Nays:
Absent: Canady
Motion carried.
CLOSED SESSION
There was no closed session.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no comments from the
public.
Trustee Murray stated she
appreciated the way Trustee Brannan conducted himself with regard to
the indemnification issue.
ADJOURNMENT
IT WAS MOVED by Trustee Pelleran
and supported by Trustee Murray that the meeting be adjourned.
Ayes: Brannan, Laverty, Murray,
Pelleran, Proctor, Rasmusson
Nays:
Absent: Canady
Motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
