Board of Trustees Meeting

Location and Time

Highline College
District 9
2400 South 240th Street
Des Moines, WA 98198

Study Session (Building 25, Room 411): 8 a.m.
General Session (Building 25, Boardroom): 10 a.m.

Attendees

Board of Trustees: Chair Bob Roegner, Vice Chair Fred Mendoza and Debrena Jackson Gandy present.

Chair Roegner noted that Trustees Savusa and Altmayer were excused. With a quorum present he proceeded with the meeting.

Bruce Marvin (AAG) present.

Minutes

Study Session call to order: 8:07 a.m.

An Executive Session convened at 8:08 a.m. for discussion on labor relations. Study Session resumed at 8:40 a.m. Other topics discussed within the Study Session included the financial report and facilities update.

General Session call to order: 10:08 a.m.

Approval of minutes

A motion was made by Trustee Jackson Gandy and seconded by Trustee Mendoza to approve the regularly scheduled meeting minutes of July 12, 2018. The minutes were approved. There was no regularly scheduled meeting in August 2018.

Opportunity for public comment

There were two individuals who offered public comment.

Kurt Ikemeier, Regional Director at Central Washington University – Des Moines, thanked the board for the opportunity to speak. He introduced himself to the board and welcomed Dr. Mosby. He stated he was ready to rejuvenate the relationship between Central and Highline.

Mishel Kuch, Associate Director Westside Student Life at CWU, also welcomed Dr. Mosby and expressed that she was excited to collaborate and build a bridge between Central Washington University – Des Moines and Highline College.

Chair Roegner thanked them for coming and welcomed them to the campus. Trustee Mendoza commented that in the seven years he has been a trustee, this is the first time anyone from CWU has come to a board meeting. He expressed his appreciation for their presence.

Correspondence

President Mosby indicated that he had no correspondence at this time.

Standing reports

Associated Students of Highline College: Max Brown

• Mr. Brown introduced himself and team — VP Chalisa Thompson and Speaker of the Caucus Melissa Martinez. He thanked the board for the opportunity to give his report. Mr. Brown updated the board on Student Government activities. He noted that they’ve been involved in student leadership workshops during the summer; those participating included AANAPISI, Umoja, Puente, Peer Navigators, Welcome Team, Women’s Programs, as well as their core teams. Mr. Brown highlighted a workshop that he and VP Chalisa Thompson put on regarding diversity training and micro-aggression.
• Mr. Brown indicated that on October 2, they would have their first Student Council meeting. He went on to talk about their vision for student government. They are currently formulating plans, starting with being involved in the community and connecting to students. They are teaming up with Governor Inslee’s Student Voter Registration Challenge in an attempt to get as many people as possible to register to vote.
• Mr. Brown extended his thanks to President Mosby and VP Castro for their support of Student Leadership and ASHC.
• Upcoming events: Thunder Week, LGBTQIA Week, Queer I Am Conference.

Washington Public Employees Association: No representation
No report.

Highline College Education Association: Dr. Ben Thomas reported for Dr. Peyton

• Dr. Thomas noted that Opening Week was upon us, and soon, too, would be Professional Development Day, where most faculty are signed up for workshops and breakout sessions. Topics include advising, working in Canvas, pathways for students, and Umoja pedagogy. These will be yearlong for the faculty. He also noted that accessible technology and student learning outcomes are big areas that faculty are working on this year.
• He offered thanks for the new contract, noting that folks are excited to come back. He said that the salary increases have made a huge difference, and it looks like retention will be greatly improved. The professional development improvements are also appreciated.
• Dr. Thomas said thank you to President Mosby. He described how faculty members talk about the three “J”s: the spirit of Jack (Bermingham), the leadership of Jeff (Wagnitz) as interim president, and now John (Mosby), who has been amazing.

Faculty Senate: No representation
No report.

Highline Foundation: Trustee Fred Mendoza

• New housing at Campus View was delayed and probably will available to the students by winter quarter. There were construction delays and strikes. The Foundation has adjusted the funding.
• The Foundation has two new board members: Kevin Morin, who is a regional director at Starbucks, and Kevin Baker, who is a veterans outreach and equity program manager at Therapeutic Health Services.
• Sponsored by the Foundation and our Men’s and Women’s Soccer Teams are the repurposing of the old tennis courts for a “foot sole” as part of the project “Safe Places to Play.”
• We have a new Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Josh Gerstman.
• Trustees are hosting an event, “Celebrating a New Chapter at Highline College,” on October 10, 2018, to formally welcome President Mosby. The Foundation is sponsoring this event.

Action items

• Action item a: Approval of budget for 2018–2019 fiscal year
  Trustee Jackson Gandy moved that budget for fiscal year 2018–2019 be approved. Trustee Mendoza seconded. The budget was approved.
• Action item b: Chair Roegner stated that ratification of the contract between WPEA and Highline College will be held until finalizations on the contract have taken place and has been voted on.
• Action item c: Adoption of Resolution 154-2018
  Trustee Mendoza moved to approve the resolution. Trustee Jackson Gandy seconded. The Resolution was approved.

Highline College, District 9
Resolution 154-2018
Superseding Resolution 153-2018
(Pertaining to the College Way Connection Project)

WHEREAS, Highline College and the City of Des Moines recognize the public benefits that will accrue to the College, City, and community from the construction of the Federal Way Link Extension light rail station and the importance of connecting the light rail station to the College as part of the comprehensive College Way Connection Project development; and

WHEREAS, the College Way Connection Project will develop the College Way (formerly South 236th Lane) street end and pedestrian access on Highline College to create a new major vehicular and pedestrian entrance to Highline College; and

WHEREAS, the City of Des Moines has agreed to authorize interim parking uses per DMMC 18.210.070 for a parking area, with compacted gravel surface per city standards, for up to 5 years from the date the parking area is constructed, to minimize parking and traffic disruptions to the College during the development of the College Way Connection Project; and

WHEREAS, the City of Des Moines has agreed to contribute up to $500,000 to the development of the College Way Connection Project and to maintain the round-about as part of the City’s street system, subject to the dedication of the right of way to the City by the State Board of Community and Technical Colleges; and

WHEREAS, the City and the College have drafted an Interlocal Agreement,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees of Highline College:

1. Approves the commitment of $900,000 of College funds to the Project, and
2. Supports the dedication of the right of way to the City of Des Moines for the creation of a round-about as the entrance to Highline College from College Way street, subject to the approval of the State Board of Community and Technical Colleges, and
3. Approves the Interlocal Agreement attached and incorporated herein.

PASSED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES this 20th day of September 2018

Board report

No report.

Area reports

Administrative Services: Cathy Cartwright for VP Michael Pham

• VP Pham will be serving as the Treasurer/Secretary of BAC (Business Affairs Commission).
• Finance and Budget: This morning, Highline sent out the first file to Bank Mobile as part of a new partnership to electronically distribute financial aid funds to students. Ms. Cartwright congratulated the Financial Aid department for this accomplishment.
• Audit begins October 29 on site and should take two months.
• Highline has an agreement with Lancers to continue food services for three years.
• Public Safety: Francesca Fender has been appointed Associate Director of Public Safety. She will transition out of her current role in Administrative Services to Public Safety.
• Facilities: There is a staff shortage in Facilities. It is challenging to fill these positions due to the low wages. Over the summer, repairs were made to the roof on Building 2 and campus sidewalks. Building 6 Covered Plaza Canopy Project is being bid. Work should start fall quarter and finished mid-winter quarter.

Academic Affairs: VP Jeff Wagnitz

• Congratulations to Trustee Mendoza and VP Pham for their work on Resolution 154-2018. This resolution puts Highline in a much better position than the previous one. Both Fred and Michael’s work is much appreciated.
• A large group of phenomenal faculty are in tenure track positions.
• VP Wagnitz acknowledged the importance of leadership in Academic Affairs. He introduced Gabriele Bachmeier, Dean of Extended Learning, who has done an amazing job.
• At the Instruction Cabinet retreat, time was spent with staff and program managers doing amazing things. Bob Scribner, formerly a corporate training, is a delight to have at Highline. Tanya Lopez in the Testing Center is doing good work on faculty advising. Jenn Ritchey has begun our model U.N. and has agreed to take on a broader role in researching, analyzing, and strategic planning around our partnerships.

Chair Roegner thanked VP Wagnitz and Trustee Mendoza for their hard work on Resolution 154-2018, and also thanked President Mosby for his continued work on the Federal Way Project.

Student Services: VP Toni Castro

• TRiO: In partnership with AANAPISI, MESA, Math Resource Center, and Advising & High School Programs, TRiO will host the 4th Annual New Student Experience Seminar on Wednesday, September 19. This seminar will bring together approximately 100 newly enrolled students to build a community of support for first-generation college students. TRiO is also proud to announce that Highline College has been named a Passport to College campus as designated by the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC). The designation affirms our campus commitment to support students who have been in the foster care system.
• Enrollment Services: Veterans Services, Washington State Community and Technical Colleges, and four-year public and private universities have established a new professional organization to support veteran students. The mission of the Washington Association of Veteran Education Professionals (WAVEP) is to provide support services, education, outreach and community development. Highline College is happy to announce that Kendall Evans, Highline Veterans Services Coordinator has been elected as the first Treasurer of WAVEP. Information about WAVEP will soon be available at wavep.org.
• Advising & High School Programs: Advising and High School Programs offered New Student Orientation sessions throughout the summer, and facilitated Thrive Academic Success workshops for students on academic probation. Advisors also conducted evening Information Sessions for prospective Running Start students and their parents. Associate Dean for Advising and Student Success Jennifer Scanlon attended the ctcLDA (Leadership Development Association) Summer Conference, which was themed “An Equity Based Approach to Organizational Health,” in Spokane, and the WA SBCTC Guided Pathways Technology Summit in Vancouver with a team of Highline faculty and staff.
• Center for Leadership/Multicultural Affairs: In preparation for the 2018–2019 academic year, CLS/MCA is currently training student leadership teams to provide student services to our campus community. The CLS/MCA unit would like to invite board members to join us for Thunderweek 2018, September 24–28, and LGBTQIA week, October 8–12.
• Women’s Programs/WorkFirst Services: Director Deana Rader attended the 2018 Community Partners for Transition Solutions (CPTS) Summer Institute in Spokane, which focuses on providing support and success strategies for students who were previously incarcerated. Ms. Rader continues to spearhead the Re-Entry Education Transition Pathway taskforce.
• International Student Programs is now under Student Services.

Institutional Advancement: Tony Johnson

• Mr. Johnson expressed the division’s excitement for their new VP in Institutional Advancement, Josh Gerstman.
• He spoke about a new project called “view books” where they’ve followed students new to Highline College and photographed their first look at the college. Mr. Johnson stated that these are beneficial because they will allow use of photos of actual students versus stock photos as the student faces of Highline.

President’s remarks

President John Mosby wished everyone a good morning. He mentioned he’s been working at Highline College for two months and two days. He expressed that this time has been an amazing, wonderful and packed two months. He noted his participation along with Trustee Jackson Gandy in meeting with the City of Des Moines where they met with City Manager Michael Matthias. He mentioned that Des Moines is a gold mine of thriving success and opportunity and looks forward to further meetings.

President Mosby noted he will be a guest speaker come fall quarter in the Honors Lecture Series. He thanked Jenn Heckler for the opportunity, and feels honored and privileged and looks forward to the opportunity.

He mentioned that he has met with folks from Achieve, the Welcome Back Center, and Global Initiatives Strategic Planning committee. In an effort to be “hip” he announced he has a new Twitter account and gave accolades to the communications team. His twitter handle is @PresMosby.

President Mosby stated that he recently went to his first Sounders game. He went with Trustee Mendoza and was able to meet with many folks from community and to celebrate the many successes with them.

He also mentioned his participation in a number of opportunities on campus: new faculty orientation, Achieve orientation, and Umoja orientation. He noted he found the Welcome Day program to be exceptional. He also participated in the Faculty and Staff of Color and Allies event. It has a rich 15-year history and thanked VP Castro for all she has contributed to bring that into existence at Highline College.

He encouraged all to participate in Opening Week activities. He went on to congratulate student leadership and commended them by saying it was one of the very best presentations he’s ever had the pleasure of attending.

President Mosby said he has met the superintendents of the local area, noting that he feels there is great relationship between their districts and Highline. He shared that they “love” the college.

President Mosby mentioned that the Greater Federal Way Chamber will be awarding Highline College the Regional Impact Award on November 3. He expressed his honor and gratitude for being able to accept the award on behalf of the College.

He said that Highline is an exceptional place. He reminded the board that Highline College is poised to be the best in the country.

New business

No new business was discussed.

Chair Roegner shared some thoughts on the theme of change. He stated there is a spirit and movement of change. He spoke about the responsibility to retain the culture of Highline and he stated the board looks forward to all of the new student leadership and new staff.

President Mosby thanked the College for all of their participation in the process for hiring the new Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Josh Gerstman.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 11:03 a.m.

Minutes Signed and Approved

The meeting minutes from September 20, 2018, were approved and signed into record by Chair Bob Roegner and President John R. Mosby on November 15, 2018, at 11:30 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.