Board of Trustees Meeting
Location
Hybrid Meeting Format: offering both in-person and virtual meeting access
Minutes
Attendees
Board of Trustees: Chair Johnson, Trustee Bowman, Trustee Exstrom, Trustee Swenson
Executive Cabinet: Acting President Penn, , Ay Saechao, Danielle Slota, Emily Lardner, Josh Gerstman, Maribel Jimenez, Melanie Lawson, Michael Pham, Tim Wrye
Assistant Attorney General: Bruce Marvin
Study Session call to order: 9:07 a.m.
Discussion Topics
- First Quarter Financial Report – Michael Pham
Presented the first quarter financial report, discussed the challenges that lie within the OFM distribution error and the college’s plan to be conservative so that we can return the funds that will be asked of us. Also discussed increase in ISP student enrollment and Running Start enrollment.
Discussed increased costs related to software maintenance. Trustee Exstrom advocated for planning for an ITS security audit. CIO Wrye expressed that he doesn’t expect the audit will result in technical gaps but more on the policy and procedure side. Trustee Exstrom expressed that our vulnerability is in the people. Can’t give short-shift to policy and procedure as our technical infrastructure won’t carry weight if the people aren’t trained and truly understanding of the information they are taking in.
- Executive Session to discuss Collective Bargaining called to order at 9:40 a.m. for 15 min. Session extended to 10:15 a.m.
*The Board, as and when deemed necessary, may call an Executive Session for appropriate purposes under the Open Meetings Act. Collective bargaining is exempt from the Open Meetings Act under RCW 42.30.140.
Meeting adjourned at 10:15 a.m.
Board of Trustees Meeting
Location
Hybrid Meeting Format: offering both in-person and virtual meeting access
General Session called to order at 10:21 a.m.
General Session Minutes
Roll Call
Board of Trustees: Chair Johnson, Trustee Bowman, Trustee Exstrom, Trustee Swenson
Executive Cabinet: Acting President Penn, , Ay Saechao, Danielle Slota, Emily Lardner, Josh Gerstman, Maribel Jimenez, Melanie Lawson, Michael Pham, Tim Wrye
Assistant Attorney General: Bruce Marvin
Approve minutes
Approve minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of October 10, 2024 and the October 29, 2024 Special Meeting
Trustee Bowman motioned to approve, Trustee Swenson seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Opportunity for public comment
Standing reports
- Highline College Education Association: Dr. James Peyton
Week eight of the quarter. Winter enrollment is underway with a major student advising effort occurring. Faculty are encouraged about enrollment inclines. Faculty are challenged with how to support their students post-election as fear shows up in some student lives.
- Washington Public Employees Association: Lauri Miles
Spoke to their current campaign with OFM to return to the main table in alignment with upcoming deadlines. Also asking that HC will return to the bargaining table soon as well. Spoke to concerns that COLAs are not keeping up with inflation. Many classified staff salaries are being paid well below the average salaries in the private sector. Shared study findings from OFM. Expressed that the current step increase outlined in the classified staff pay scale creates a glass ceiling that requires employees to take their knowledge outside of the system to make a living wage. Spoke to increase in turnover, extra workload due to vacancies, and increased stress causing impacts on the faculty and staff these positions support.
- Faculty Senate: Sangeeta Sangha
Spoke to currently policy review occurring in partnership with the Policy Development Council. Working through 21 current constituent concerns that were submitted when they put a call out to their faculty members.
- Associated Students of Highline College: Hussein Al-Badri
Increase in number of students attending events and programs organized by the center. Events hosted by the center this last month included Drag Bingo, Witches Night Out, What’s on your ballot, Post-Election Community Support, Women’s Volleyball Sophomore Night. Currently have 28 active student clubs. Legislative Breakfast upcoming on December 4th.
Winter quarter – ASHC will be hosting another event in collaboration with Athletics, Legislative activity at the Capitol, ASHC President & VP election committee, commencement prep, and more
- Highline College Foundation: Sharon Vail
Thanked everyone for supporting the Thunderbirds Soar event earlier this month. HC Foundation met last week for their annual retreat with great interaction for a growing future. Welcomed new team member Annie Thant who will be focused on donor database work. Spoke to an upcoming event honoring Senator Kaiser on Dec. 14th.
Area reports
- Academic Affairs: Dean Word for VP Dr. Emily Larder
Spoke to the redesign of ELCAP orientation to help students begin studying independently prior to their class placement. This is due to the long wait times from high demands for enrollment.
Federal Way Hub has seen a 10% growth in their class enrollment.
Academic Success Center is piloting a peer navigator program specifically geared toward online students. Thank you to faculty who were willing to participate.
- Administrative Services: VP Dr. Michael Pham
Spoke to upcoming International Education Week events.
- Equity, Diversity and Transformation: VP Dra. Maribel Jimenez
Spoke to concerns across campus both among students and employees post election. Spoke to keynote speaker on Professional Development Day, Dr. Melissa Salazar.
- Institutional Advancement: VP Josh Gerstman
- Student Services: Acting VP Ay Saechao
Spoke to concerns being voiced among the TRiO community post election and the potential future impacts on these students, alumni, and community members.
Discussion
Acting President’s remarks
Dr. Penn spoke to the recent Title III grant year 4 visit led by Jennifer Johnson and Juli Hammond. Updates coming on commencement 2024-25.
Unscheduled business
Adjournment
General Session was adjourned: 11:57 a.m.
Minutes Signed and Approved
The meeting minutes from Nov. 14, 2024, were approved and signed into record by Vice Chair Swenson and Acting President Penn on Dec. 12, 2024
Mission Statement: As a South King County college striving for social justice, Highline College partners with global students as they envision, plan and achieve their educational and professional goals.