Board of Trustees Meeting
Location
Virtual Zoom meeting: 8:00 a.m.
Minutes
Attendees
Board of Trustees: Chair Sharmila Swenson, Vice Chair Joe Bowman, and Trustee Exstrom, and Trustee Savusa present
Executive Cabinet: Josh Gerstman, Summer Korst, Emily Lardner, Jamilyn Penn, John Mosby, Michael Pham,Danielle Slota, Tim Wrye present.
Bruce Marvin (AAG) present.
Study Session call to order: 8:04 AM
Discussion Topics
- International and Global Programs; presenters: Jesse Aspree, Jenn Ritchey, Sam Kaplan
Q: Trustee Exstrom voiced a particular concern over the enrollment decline in 2020-21 recognizing the pandemic is a factor but that the change was much more significant than other years.
A: Jesse Aspree noted that they are expecting a 2-3 year recovery timeframe. Currently stabilizing and working to reverse the numbers. Noted being directly impacted by the Great Resignation with five vacancies in the last year including their marketing manager.
Q: Trustee Savusa noted that during the presentation she was listening for direct language around global racism, particularly around oppression and the United States’ role in exploiting our global community. She would like to hear more about how social justice and equity apply to this work with a clear analysis and strong language and messaging.
A: Jenn Ritchey acknowledged the need for more student voice, conversation around the refugee experience, and policy changes. Noted that there is a lot to learn and a lot of room for growth with a need for more student voice in the conversation. Thanks Trustee Savusa for her comments and noted that there is a long way to go. Sam Kaplan commented that the previous US presidential administration intentionally blocked student visa approvals from non-white countries and the challenges and impacts this had both on the program and the experience of the students in the program. Called attention to the room for growth in understanding the student experience, specifically our black students and our African students. Shared an example of students asking how they would be regarded when visiting other countries and not having the knowledge to answer that question. Trustee Savusa commented that the BIPOC community is often referred to as individuals who come from the margins and it is important for our team to understand what that means to us.
Q: Trustee Bowman asked if there is a metric in place in regards to the number of students that institutions will enroll in our campus. Jesse Aspree commented that these metrics are set in the initial MOU process with each institution that then grows from there.
- 2nd Quarter Financial Report
Q: Trustee Swenson – at what point are we looking at needed to make drastic decisions?
A: VP Pham – this report is the basis for us to begin strategizing for options to scale back. If we hadn’t had the covid relief funds we would be looking at a deficit this academic year of $3.1M, $5M-$6M if the current trend of enrollment and expenditure continues. Carry forward for state allocation is estimated to be about $1M.
Q: Trustee Bowman asked to hear more about potential cuts needed in the 2022-23 budget. VP Pham noted that Executive Cabinet will be beginning budget planning early this year due to the number of challenges in front of us. Spoke to the impacts on adjunct faculty over the last year. All campus stakeholders will be engaged in the process moving forward. More communication to come around enrollment challenges.
Review of Action Items to be voted on in General Session
None
Unscheduled business
Meeting adjourned at 9:57AM
Board of Trustees Meeting
Location
Virtual Zoom meeting: 10:01 am
General Session Minutes
Roll Call
Board of Trustees: Chair Sharmila Swenson, Vice Chair Joe Bowman, and Trustee Exstrom, and Trustee Savusa present
Executive Cabinet: Josh Gerstman, Summer Korst, Emily Lardner, Jamilyn Penn, John Mosby, Michael Pham,Danielle Slota, Tim Wrye present.
Bruce Marvin (AAG) present
General Session called to order at 10:01 a.m.
Approval of minutes
Approve minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of January 13, 2022
- Trustee Exstrom moved to approve the minutes from January 13, 2022. Trustee Savusa seconded the motion. Potion passed unanimously.
Opportunity for public comment
None
Standing reports
- Associated Students of Highline College: Mya Leonard
Now have 15 recognized clubs. 80 students attended the scheduled Thunderweek events. Winter warm-up was highly attended. MLK Week brought many attendees but the recordings will be available on the youtube channel for viewing as well.
S&A committee training is now complete with budget proposals under review.
- Washington Public Employees Association: Tessa Bowen
WPEA had several participants attend the lobby days to here keynote speakers from WA state labor council and then meet with legislators about different labor bills.
Excited that in March the Path to Power programming is returning – opportunity for classified staff to learn how to become an elected official.
Classified staff are excited about the upcoming COLAs and lump sum payments.
- Highline College Education Association: James Peyton
Faculty have received instructional modality flexibility through the end of January. Faculty are currently ramping up student advising as spring offerings are adjusted based on winter enrollments.
Academic Affairs and HCEA began a series of meetings with programs that have seen significant enrollment declines. Faculty Coordinators are doing a lot to create efficient course schedules. Student recruitment, enrollment, and financial aid are key to the success of these programs.
Challenging times for faculty and the college. Value the collaborative working relationship with administration and all college employees.
- Faculty Senate: Stephanie Ojeda-Ponce
Dr. Lardner attended a special session focused on HC’s involvement in SB5194 and how it is being implemented across different institutions across the system.
Dr. Lardner has changed her office hours to open forums. Collaboration with the PDC is allowing opportunity to call out language that creates barriers for students.
Senate is working to support all areas of campus and to ensure that students have access to as many needed services and resources as possible
- Highline College Foundation: Sheri Keller
Start most meetings with a mission moment where they invite a community member to speak about their work at HC. in January, faculty Shon Meckfessel presented about his work directing the Writing Center, and how the foundation’s teaching and learning enhancement grant, often develop tools and resources for working with multilingual students.
The Board is actively looking for board members with key skills that represent the community.
Next community conversation will be offered in the spring with the topic of workforce needs.
Action items
- No action items
Area reports
- Administrative Services: VP Michael Pham
Wish the community a Happy Chinese New Year
On the scoring panel for the next round of capital project reviews. HC submitted a request for roughly $30M to support an Academic Pathways and Technology Center. Work continues on the development of the new Welcome Center for Student Success.
- Academic Affairs: VP Emily Lardner
Expressed appreciation to HCEA in helping us navigate how to support students and faculty through Omicron while maintaining instruction with a student centered lense.
Thanked faculty that are attending forums with her to share information on critical topics. These forums replaced her standard office hours. Forums have been collaborative, productive, and student centered.
A rise in faculty retirements caused the need for an increase in recruitment for necessary faculty positions despite the decrease in enrollment. Thanked Leslea Berg for her increased focus on providing anti bias training to these hiring committee members.
Faculty portfolios have been submitted for tenure review to the Board of Trustees
- Student Services: Interim VP Jamilyn Penn
Working with leadership team to drive key conversations around enrollment, Guided Pathways, entry level advising through completion. Developed small subgroups on the impact of GP and how that work can be lifted.
AVISO implementation discussions are occurring
Outreach and recruitment – meeting with Deans and a small committee with a focused conversation on strategy building around recruitment. Working closely with SEM to increase capacity for outreach and retention.
Goals for the year fall under enrollment, service excellence, and DEI.
- Institutional Advancement: VP Josh Gerstman
Spoke to the importance of reaching across division on the topic of recruitment and retention. The importance of understanding the needs of our students.
Echoed Sheri Keller’s messaging – looking forward to the 60th anniversary celebration
President’s remarks
Wished the community a happy black history month noting that black excellence is to be celebrated ALL year long. Wished everyone a Happy Chinese New Year.
Expressed appreciation of the WPEA for their presence in Olympia. Thanked Tessa Bowem for sharing information about the Path to Power and asked her to connect with the Office of the President so that we can ensure access for all of our classified staff to attend.
Expressed gratitude of Dr. Lardner for the vulnerability required to host forums on challenging topics as it is not easy to receive feedback in open spaces. Congratulated her on her willingness to listen to her division.
Thank you to the Board for their participation in the recent board retreat and their high level of participation and willingness to challenge Cabinet in their work.
Thank you to Francesca Fender and the Contact Tracing Team for their support during his recent COVID experience.Reiterated Highline’s commitment to public health and safety.
Unscheduled business
None
General Session was adjourned at 10:48 a.m.
Mission Statement: As a public institution of higher education serving a diverse community in a multicultural world and global economy, Highline College promotes student engagement, learning, and achievement, integrates diversity and globalism throughout the college, sustains relationships within its communities, and practices sustainability in human resources, operations, and teaching and learning.