Area Report for Board of Trustees
The FY2022-23 Budget Revision Proposal is being submitted for the Board’s approval. The College plans to use this revised budget as the basis for our FY24 budget development. As such, the College is also requesting a budget continuing resolution to expend funds based on the revised budget proposal.
The Executive Cabinet hosted a Campus Budget Forum on June 1st to discuss our budget strategies for FY24. We are working to draft a preliminary budget for the Board to review in the July meeting.
Our Administrative Services Leadership Team held a short retreat on May 24th to reflect on the Institutional Effectiveness reporting process. It is still a learning process (as well as continuous improvement process) for our team. We spent much of our time discussing goal setting and goal achievement indicators.
The Budget Advisory Council ended its budget planning (advisory) role for the year with a reflection on the challenges of the budget planning process at Highline, including some frustration at the complexity and timing of coordinating schedule and state/local budget information.
The Policy Development Council also wrapped up the 2022-23 term with two recommendations:
- To delay the adoption of the Affinity Groups Policy until Fall 2023 pending additional input from the college community, and
- To extend the provisional Policy Development Council organizational structure policy for another year, to allow time to seek input from the Executive Cabinet and the Board.
Core Theme 1: ACCESS, Reduce Barriers and close equity gaps to access for all community members
Facilities:
- The renovation projects of Building 21 (converting former Physical Fitness Training lab to two large classrooms) and of Building 23 (3rd floor to faculty offices) are in full swing. Anticipated completion is expected around November 2023.
- The campus tree removal and replanting project is about 95% completed. The project scope includes removing several dead and dying trees, as well as trees with root problems (causing damage to building foundations, pipes, etc.). As part of the permitting requirements, the College is replanting up to 100 new trees around the campus.
Core Theme 2: STUDENT LEARNING, Increase educational success, collaborate to improve
Global Programs: As part of the learning outcomes for Study Abroad program (Summer 2023), I along with Dr. Jennifer Jones (Geography faculty) facilitated a workshop on the history and culture of Vietnam to the student participants on May 11th.
Core Theme 3: COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, Create a more inclusive working environment and a more valued, visible relationship with communities we serve
Auxiliary Services: The Bookstore hosted a Grad Fair on May 23rd where graduating students could purchase caps, gowns, and other regalia. Several students also participated in cap decorating event. As of today, 272 students have picked up associate degree regalia and 37 students have picked up bachelor’s degree regalia.
Budgets & Grants: The Department is gearing up for the year-end process, by reconciling and preparing for the final close out of various grants and contracts.
Finance: The Finance Department has completed the FY2021-22 financial statements for submission to the State Auditor’s Office in preparation for the audit in July.
Public Safety: Public Safety is working closely with Jordan Hamill (the new Campus View Director of Student Housing) to ensure a smooth transition, including to complete the revamping of the access system for the building.
Division Honors and Achievements
Facilities: It is my great pleasure to announce the appointment of David Lewis as our new Facilities Operations and Maintenance Specialist.
Report submitted by Vice President of Administrative Services, Dr. Michael Pham