Sep. 12, 2019: Administrative Services

Area Report for Board of Trustees

In an effort to continue supporting Core Theme 2 of “integrating and institutionalizing diversity and globalism throughout the college,” I participated in the Global Supply Chain Management Study Abroad program to Vietnam in early September. Sam Kaplan, Jenn Ritchey, Kevin Stanley, and I led a group of 16 students from Highline College, North Seattle College, Tacoma College, and Wenatchee Valley College in visiting Seattle-based factories and businesses in Ho Chi Minh City, including two port facilities. In addition, our group also made an exchange visit with the Vietnamese students at the National University of Ho Chi Minh City.
As part of our on-going efforts to recruit international students, our Highline College team also held a student recruitment and reception event in Vietnam. The event attracted over 30 prospective students and parents.
The Administrative Services Leadership Team held our annual retreat on August 15, 2019. The retreat theme was “Facing the Future Together.” The focus of the retreat was on re-affirming our departmental missions as well as setting the future vision for the Administrative Services Division.

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Flint Thornton as Interim Bookstore Manager. Flint had formerly worked as Bookstore Manager at Olympic College. Flint has a Master’s Degree from Cranbrook Academy of Art and a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Connecticut.
The Bookstore has been preparing for fall quarter with upgrades in point of sales system as well as restocking books and school supplies.

We have been engaging the services of Schreiber Starling Whitehead Architects on the planned office relocations.
The parking lot entrance signage project has been awarded to Rixir Contractor. Site work has begun with the prepping for footings.
Building 26-renovation project is entering the completion phase. Furniture orders and deliveries are being finalized. In addition, we are in the process of initiating a contract for a mover to get ready for moving offices and equipment during the winter break.

The Year-End Financial Report for 2018-19 is being provided to the Board for review.
The College is submitting the 2019-2020 Fiscal Year Budget to Board for approval.

The Emergency Response Team (ERT) conducted a network & power outage drill on August 29, 2019 in Building 9 and Building 26. The drill tested the Team’s ability to communicate with the campus community utilizing the communications plan.
In an effort to minimize communication problems, due to differences in radio systems, between Des Moines Police Department (DMPD) and Highline College Public Safety during an actual emergency, we are working with DMPD on a plan to transition to their radio frequency.
Director David Menke attended the University of Washington Security Director’s Meeting on August 6, 2019 to network with other university and college security leadership. Topics included Clery compliance and Substitute Senate Bill 5380, requiring residence halls to have immediate access to trained individuals who can administer Narcan, Crisis intervention training and response and effective strategies for trespass and camping prevention.

Report submitted by Vice President Michael Pham on Aug. 29, 2019.