Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 6:08 p.m.
Roll Call
Present: Brannan, Canady, Laverty, Pelleran, Proctor, Smith
Absent: Rasmusson
Trustee Canady departed at 8:03 p.m.
pledge of allegiance
Trustee Brannan led the pledge of allegiance.
ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA
Trustee Pelleran had a resolution to add to the agenda under the
audit committee.
Chairperson Laverty moved the National Community College Month
scholarship recipient award to the beginning of the agenda, before
public comments.
There were no objections.
Limited Public Comment Regarding Agenda Items
Steven Vossler - Chairman Laverty, honored members of the Board
members and President Cardenas. My name is Steven Vossler and I am a
full time faculty member in the electrical technology and the heating
and air conditioning programs at West Campus and an employee of LCC for
25 years. I come tonight to talk about a part of the 2007 proposed
budget. That part is the parking/facilities fee of $5.00 per billing
hour for credit classes at West Campus, LCC East, Livingston County
Center and the Clinton County Center. I am going to speak from the West
Campus perspective. I remember a full page in the Lansing State Journal
whose head line read "Promise Kept." I call this "Proposal Broken." We
as faculty were urged to push the idea of free parking at West Campus
even when we moved into the unfinished West Campus building. We were
told that free parking would help to make up for: 1.) No counselors at
West Campus. 2.) No financial aid advisors at West Campus. 3.) Inability
to get ID cards at West Campus. 4.) Library books by delivery only. 5.)
West Campus computer lab that is not open Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.
6.) Student cannot purchase text books or other supplies at West Campus.
Other points to ponder. 1.) There is no charge to downtown students who
do not park, but this proposal would charge everyone at West Campus
whether they rode the bus, their bike or car-pooled. 2.) What about EISD
students who use the lot from 8 - 10 a.m. & 12 - 2p.m- 3.) What about
BCI training customers who come to West Campus? 4.) What about people
who come to meetings at West Campus? 5.) My wife is taking a plants
class through our landscape technology program at West Campus. Her class
meets one night at West Campus. All the rest of her class meetings are
on the grounds at MSU. The way I read this proposal, she would be
charged this fee. 6.) Will this fee be added on for facility and staff
taking classes at one of these locations? 7.) Since there is no charge
for parking at the downtown campus after 6p.m., will classes at West
Campus after 6p.m.on Saturday or Sunday be free of the charge? I think
LCC should keep their promise to students and keep the parking free at
West Campus and other sites. Thank you for your time.
CHAIRPERSON AND BOARD MEMBER REPORTS
Chairperson Laverty
National Community College Month Scholarship Recipient
Introduction was done by President Cardenas
April is National Community College month. Since 1995 Lansing
Community College has offered a scholarship to the first baby born on
April 1, 2006. The scholarship covers tuition for 24 credits equal to
two full time semesters at LCC.
Maya Miller was born on April 1, 2006, 1:18 a.m. at Sparrow hospital.
The scholarship, certificate and gift was accepted by Maya's parents,
David and Candice Miller.
Search Process Update
The RFP for a search firm to assist us in the selection of both
President and a Chief Financial Officer was a mailed out to 65 different
firms across the country. We received back 16 different proposals.
Trustee, Laverty, Smith and Pelleran reviewed the proposals and met
today with Evelyn Lynn and Caroline Duda from the purchasing department
to narrow the list further.
The committee is inviting four different present to the Committee and
Purchasing staff next Tuesday and Wednesday.
Trustee Smith - I would just like to comment on the search process
and your update. This is one of the most important tasks that the Board
of Trustees performs in terms of choosing its leadership and the first
step in the process is a search firm and I was very impressed with the
pool of candidates that did respond and the diligence that the committee
showed in being thorough about this process.
Information and Announcements
None.
Board Members
Trustee Rasmusson - Audit Committee
- Policy Review and Analysis
Report/Recommendations - The Mercer Group
Chairman Laverty introduced Beverly Baligad.
Baligad - The Mercer Group, one of the groups commissioned through
the Audit Committee, is here to present its final report to the Board,
regarding existing policy and procedures. After presentation of the
report, the Audit Committee expects to have discussion on the adoption
or implementation with the rest of the Board and then with the
administration. Presenting tonight is Ms. Jan Lazar.
Lazar stated that the discussion with the Chair of the Audit
Committee was that the Board Chair was going to schedule a work session
to review the details, recommendations and rational of the
recommendations, and promptly adopted some of them in May for
implementation in the new fiscal year. They would also be in place prior
to the President and CFO search so that candidates would see Board
policy and guidance.
Policies include Board Governance, policies related to
Sarbanes-Oxley.
Lazar explained that any changes in color are new.
Lazar stated that she had given the Board policies on budget
development/budget oversight and on financial reporting and monitoring.
Lazar stated that she met with V.P. Larson and Denice Beckwith to go
over these. Resulting revision are in the proposed policies.
Lazar referred to the hiring and contract approval authority, stating
that it would require a bylaws change to define which position would be
hired by and supervised by the Board and recommending that all other
hiring be under the president including approval.
Lazar pointed out specific recommendations regarding establishment of
compensation policy parameters, and position change review before new a
classification is made.
Lazar recommends an analysis of the College's accounting positions in
terms of job classifications and compensation citing excessive turnover.
Lazar recommends changes to the Just Cause and Staffing policies with
legal advice.
Lazar recommends a capital project budgeting policy, separate from
the College's overall budget policy.
Lazar discussed internal and external audit compliance review
recommending and internal audit function.
Lazar made recommendations on reporting formats to the Board,
including a monthly "executive summary" report at the board. This
summary would outline major issues and topics or changes from prior
reporting so that the Board can get the highlights and ask questions.
Lazar recommended that policies and procedures be reviewed every
three years and be more accessible on the College's website.
Lazar made reference to examples for some community colleges in the
region.
Chairperson Laverty asked if the recommendation include everything
that Lazar had discussed in the past.
Lazar stated that it includes all except the severance policy. She
expressed that the recommendation will get the College on its intended
track without undue burden to the administration.
Chairperson Laverty asked the Board if they had any questions and
then reminded the Board that a copy of the report is on file with the
official Board materials.
Trustee Pelleran expressed her appreciation for the work conducted on
the Board's behalf. Trustee Pelleran stated, "I've work around the world
to promote transparency in government and this is a fine governmental
institution, public institution and we are elected as a governing body
for this institution. Governing is not easy but it is necessary and we
are in the finest democracy in the world and as much transparency as we
can get and muster for this institution will make us better and help us
to work hand in hand for the common good and for the community's best
interest. So I thank you for your diligence in this effort."
Trustee Smith thanked Lazar for placing other college policies in the
report.
Chairperson Laverty stated that there is a lot of work ahead,
including workshops, prioritization and approval of the policies.
Laverty asked Lazar to provide facilitation of work sessions.
IT WAS MOVED by Trustee Pelleran and supported by Trustee Canady to
adopt the following resolution:
Whereas, the Board of Trustees has retained the Mercer Group,
Inc., to review numerous issues and policies and to prepare
findings and recommendations for Board consideration, and
Whereas, the Mercer Group, Inc., has completed its initial
mandate and submitted a very comprehensive report and
recommendations, and
Whereas, the Board wishes to insure that the findings and
recommendations are thoroughly discussed and implementation
strategies put into place,
Now, therefore be it resolved that the Board authorizes an
amendment to the current purchase order to have Mercer Group,
Inc., work with the Board and with administration on
implementation of recommended changes and approves 50 hours for
this purpose.
Roll call vote:
Ayes: Brannan, Canady, Laverty, Pelleran, Proctor, Smith
Nays: None
Absent: Rasmusson
Motion carried.
Trustee Smith - ACCT Legislative Summit
Trustee Smith did not have a report.
President's REPORT
Informational Items
College Spotlight - Aviation
President Cardenas asked Dean Danford to introduce the presenter.
Dean Danford introduced Mr. Howard Dillman.
Dillman provided a PowerPoint presentation regarding the Aviation
Program (the presentation is on file with the official Board materials.)
There was a question and answer period after the presentation.
Oracle Update
President Cardenas provided a two part update.
The first part is the Oracle update as it pertains to registration.
President Cardenas reported that the College is starting registration on
Wednesday, April 19 at 12:01am, having completing testing to the system
to try and prevent as must slow processing as possible. Cardenas will be
keeping board informed of the progress of registration. Cardenas
reported a tremendous amount of headway as it relates to Financial Aid
and some of the issues related to providing information to students in a
timely manner as well as cutting checks in a timely manner.
The second part of the update is the Request for Information with
ISCD. Cardenas reported that the College has had a few conference calls
with the Vice President from Oracle as well as the Gartner Group, which
is a research firm. The College is trying to gather as much information
as possible so that we can make a recommendation to the Board in regards
to a long term commitment to Oracle or to another technology package.
Trustee Smith asked what type of time delay may occur during peak
time? Where is AOL with peak usage time?
Dr. Shanblatt stated that she anticipates we will be in good shape.
There is plenty of staff on hand, they are preparing for the worst,
planning for the best.
Fiscal Year 2006 Amended Budget
President Cardenas asked Interim Director of Finance, Beckie Beard to
present an amended budget. Beard thanked Cardenas, Larson, ELT and
budget officers Wood, Provines, Koos, and Beckwith for their work on the
budget.
Beckwith presented the fiscal year 2006 amended budget,
which was provided in the
Board packet.
There was a question and answer period after the presentation.
Fiscal Year 2007 Proposed Budget
Beckwith presented the fiscal year 2007 proposed budget, which was
provided in the Board packet.
There were questions and answers provided throughout the
presentation.
How much revenue is the registration fee generating?
How much revenue is the virtual College fee generating?
How do these fees compare to other community colleges?
What are the other community College's doing in terms of
parking fees?
Trustee Pelleran asked that the record reflect that "the parking fund
proposal does not break the promise - there was never a promise."
Siemens Update
Cardenas asked Mr. Chris Strugar-Fristch to provide a Siemens Update.
Mr. Strugar-Fritsch provided a PowerPoint presentation on the Siemens
Update (the report is on file with the official Board materials.)
There was a question and answer period after the presentation.
President Cardenas thanked Ms. Norma Mendez for her service to the
College. This was her last meeting. She introduced Ms. Benita Duncan who
will be helping out as the Board Secretary.
Action Items
Approval of Minutes - March 13, 2006 Special Meeting; March 20, 2006
Budget Workshop; March 20, 2006 Regular Meeting
President Cardenas presented the March 13, 2006 special meeting;
March 20, 2006 Budget Workshop; and the March 20, 2006 regular meeting
minutes for the Board's review.
There were no changes.
Human Resources - Administrative Appointments, Terminations, and
Leaves
Administrative Appointments-
Cheryl Goodman, MPH, ACSW, Interim Director, Student
Success, Student Academic Support Division
Leaves-
Isaac Addai, Social Science, Spring
Semester 2007
Gary Heisler, Media, Art and Information
Technology, Spring Semester 2007
Arlena Dudley Hines, Environmental,
Design and Building Technologies, Fall Semester 2006
Connie Meeker, Nursing Careers, Fall
Semester 2006
Jack Rotman, Mathematical Skills, Fall
Semester 2006
Joseph Warren, Humanities and Performing
Arts, Spring Semester 2007
Robert Welch, Environmental, Design and
Building Technologies, Spring Semester 2007
Virginia Werner, Media, Art and
Information Technology, Fall Semester 2006
Michael Wright, Humanities and Performing
Arts, Fall Semester 2006
Bank Resolutions
Dr. Cardenas announced that the bank resolutions were re-designation
of authorization from Barbara Larson who left last Friday to Beckie
Beard.
Chairperson Laverty pointed out that the first resolution states that
"any and all resolutions that would conflict with this resolution are
hereby rescinded," and that the second resolution does not have this
language.
IT WAS MOVED by Trustee Pelleran and supported by Trustee Smith to
make a friendly amended to the second resolution adding that "any and
all resolutions that would conflict with this resolution are hereby
rescinded."
Finance - Approval of Bids, Approval of Consulting Services
Ms. Beckie Beard presented the following bid for the Board's
approval:
Methodology for ADA Accreditation Requirements in the amount of
$4,350. The recommendation was to award the bid to DH-Meth-Ed
Consultants from Tallahassee, Florida.
There was brief discussion about the bid.
IT WAS MOVED Trustee Pelleran and supported by Trustee Smith to
approve the action items of the President's Report.
Roll call vote:
Ayes: Brannan, Laverty, Pelleran, Proctor, Smith
Nays: None
Absent: Rasmusson, Canady
Motion carried.
Laverty offered the audience opportunity for public comment before
closed session.
CLOSED SESSION
IT WAS MOVED by Trustee Pelleran and supported by Trustee Smith that
the Board go into closed session for the purpose of discussing the
strategy and negotiations connected with the bargaining agreement.
Roll call vote:
Ayes: Brannan, Laverty, Pelleran, Proctor, Smith
Nays: None
Absent: Rasmusson, Canady
The Board entered into closed session 8:33 p.m.
The Board returned to open session at 8:55 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
Board evaluated the meeting
ADJOURNMENT
IT WAS MOVED by Trustee Brannan and supported by Trustee Smith for
the meeting to adjourn.
Roll call vote:
Ayes: Brannan, Laverty, Pelleran, Proctor, Smith
Nays: None
Absent: Rasmusson, Canady
Motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 9:01 p.m.
