Board of Trustees Meeting

Location

Hybrid meeting format building 12 conference room and zoom meeting

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, Tim Wrye present. Carrie Davidson for Danielle Slota.

Bruce Marvin (AAG) present.

General Session called to order at 10:00 a.m.

Opportunity for public comment

None

Standing reports

• Associated Students of Highline College: Mya Leonard

Currently focused on preparing the 2022-23 budget for presentation to the Executive Cabinet and the Board of Trustees. Working to promote elections by tabling in building 8. Candidate packets will be out April 26, 2022 with voting in May. 

• Washington Public Employees Association: None

Dr. Mosby shared that Tessa Bowen, previous WPEA speaker, had resigned from HC accepting a position within the Renton School District. Dr. Mosby and ED Summer Korst are working with the WPEA to identify a representative to present at the meetings moving forward.

• Highline College Education Association: James Peyton

Spring quarter week two has begun, Focus on students, Guided Pathways, Equityfirst, Highschool outreach, etc. Coordinators submitted the fall schedule. HCEA work group focused on better support for faculty working in a high flex mode. HCEA negotiations team begin fall negotiations next week. Priority remains to serve students. Budget weighs heavily.

• Faculty Senate: Stephanie Ojeda-Ponce

Course Repeat Policy approved. Faith and conscience policy has federal language approved only right now. Still discussing the procedure aspect around the policy on how to support students, faculty, and staff. Discussions around program improvement process with collaborative editing. Piloting over more departments, 1 faculty dept. currently not adequately included. Looking for more transparency and consensus based decision making as the campus moves into HCEA negotiations and budget shortfalls.

• Highline College Foundation: Sherri Keller

Upcoming 60th anniversary events include a Ping Pong tournament and a closing celebration with retiree reception 

Nominations for distinguished alumni due ⅚

Community conversation scheduled for 5/20 focused on workforce and labor

Seeking new foundation membership

Action items

• Action item a. Resolution 170-2022 Pertaining to Approval of Single Purchase Exceeding $249,999.99

Trustee Exstrom moved to approve, Trustee Bowman seconded. Motion passed

Area reports

• Administrative Services: VP Michael Pham

Budget – slight increase in GP funding at leg session. State providing funding for 85% of COLA increase with 15% funded locally.

$3.5M budget shortfall for 2022-23

Budget priorities:

Enrollment management

Address/manage budget shortfalls

Implementation of Guided Pathways

Implementation of Equity-first Strategic Plan

Recruitment & retention of employees

Technology improvements & integrations

• Academic Affairs: VP Emily Lardner

Morning event – 300 high school juniors – attending classes, workshops, and activities

Faculty Senate mentioned discussion around program review process which is more complex and equity focused, acknowledged that it is more work and thanked everyone involved.

Webinar on Friday showcasing anti-racist work

• Student Services: Interim VP Jamilyn Penn

Focused conversation on offering the best service excellence in wrap around services, changes that can be made now and for fall

Big focus on hiring, particularly in financial aid

AVISO team is excited, met with CampusWorks and encouraging other staff to speak with the consultants

Veterans Services submitted a proposal to EC to move to a larger space

Discussion around the effectiveness of text message reminders to students with enrollments actions required

• Institutional Advancement: VP Josh Gerstman

May 13 ribbon cutting ceremony for the HUB

HPS core partners in KC Promise

United Way continues to be a strong partner

Invited BoT to tour the light rail station

President’s remarks

Excited about Campus Works and the Student Experience workshops, thanked Dean Bachmeier and the regular report outs to campus on the work being done within Campus Works as a true example of what consulting work on campus should look like.

Looking forward to working with HCEA and WPEA bargaining groups. Understand, evaluate, and put into action better working conditions that will create opportunities for our student communities to be successful.

Recognized Human Resources for working tirelessly to fill vacancies, recognizing the variance that exists within each recruitments. Thanked the search committee chairs and the search committees themselves for the institutional effort in recruitment and retention.

Unscheduled business

• None

General Session was adjourned at 11:48 a.m.

Minutes Signed and Approved

The meeting minutes from April 14, 2022, were approved and signed into record by Acting Chair Joseph Bowman and President John R. Mosby, Ph.D. on June 9, 2022.

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.