President’s Update - May 14, 2008
Good morning!
There’s much to share and I hope that people can join me at an upcoming “chat” session in the next several weeks. With budget decisions to be made, the new initiatives in Global Education, the fund-raising feasibility study, and the continuing transitions with personnel there are a few items to talk about and to share more information if people have the time and interest.
Today the Board of Trustees will hold their regular monthly meeting. The agenda is quite busy beginning with representatives from the College Council discussing this year’s work and, in particular, the statement on “Civility and Individual Freedom” that has been a major initiative for members. The statement is a careful and thoughtful effort advocating for the ways that promote civil and respectful discussion of our concerns, questions, agreements and disagreements. How can we work better with one another and with students in creating a working and learning environment that promotes engaging discourse and dialogue about important topics without fear of retaliation and/or embarrassment?
There is more being written today about the campus environment and not all is focused on security and safety, although civility is most assuredly related. We are bringing this topic to the Board for their input as well.
Other Board agenda items include students bringing their annual Student Fees Budget for Board approval, an update on current year and the proposed 2008-2009 annual college budgets, and a status report on our progress with increasing EVCC presence in Monroe. There will also be a presentation and discussion of this year’s program viability reports. The meeting should be interesting.
Speaking of next year’s budget, the VPs have been meeting regularly to consider the numerous issues and requests. These meetings have involved considerable discussion with several items receiving some prioritization. We’ve spent considerable time examining the revenue forecasts for next year that include tuition projections but also new state allocations, should we reach the enrollment target for this current year. This is a critical aspect of our budget for next year if we hope to fund some new requests. Unfunded vacancies, worker retraining funding and related positions, Hi-Q, International Education, new marketing efforts, custodial personnel and grounds maintenance have all received increased attention as we consider new allocations of resources.
There have been and will continue to be campus-wide budget presentations. Thus far, these campus meetings have been very informative, thorough and extensive as we attempt to better understand the complexities of financial planning and to increase the transparency of our budget decision process.
This afternoon, prior to their meeting tonight, the Board will receive a briefing of progress to date with these financial planning efforts.
We have made some progress compared to last year, and all college employees have contributed in a proactive way. We appreciate your efforts and know that new procedures and practices to gain greater control and knowledge of the use of institutional resources have been frustrating. Hopefully, in the next year the college’s financial condition will have improved and we can focus our work on ways to expedite financial transactions as well as enhance access and services to college programs.
There continues to be very interesting and productive activities going on across the campus. The Humanities Center has very important topics and presentations every week. Student Activities always has a full agenda of topics on a weekly basis. Several weeks ago our Global Education Day was well attended and included a variety of useful discussions and information. Thanks go to Christine Kerlin for her tireless effort with this important initiative. And last weekend the annual student’s awards banquet and ceremony was very well attended and included many deserving acknowledgments. Thanks for all the work people have done this year that has contributed significantly to many individuals. And thanks to the employees and students in student activities for making this event such a success annually.
SUSTAINABILITY! It has become a frequent topic of conversation on many community college campuses and at national forums. Here at EVCC, members of the Leadership Academy have focused their efforts and energy in creating more awareness about sustainable education. They’ve requested an institutional commitment to the national movement called, the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment that requires each participating institution to develop a comprehensive plan to reach climate neutrality as quickly as possible, meaning reduction and offsetting emissions of potentially harmful greenhouse gases. About 500 presidents and chancellors of community colleges and four-year universities recently signed this pledge. Most of the four-year institutions in Washington participated as did a handful of community colleges. There will be more information forthcoming from members of the Leadership Academy as we seek to affirm our commitment to this important effort. Thanks to them and to facilities staff for their progress with sustainability. More information can be found on this topic in the April/May 2008 Community College Journal on line at aacc.edu and the Trustee Quarterly at acct.org.
We are nearing the end of our school year and there is much to look forward to like warm, sunny days. And relaxation! But we will continue with budget planning, completing important personnel searches, and planning for the new school year.
Already my summer is being planned by my son’s activities. He wants to live on this side of the mountains near a friend and, hopefully, find suitable employment. So I am busy locating possible internships and other opportunities for him. Children are amazing to behold and to be around as its always interesting, either with education, work, relationships, and other personal challenges. And then I think of my 86 year old mother, with whom we celebrated Mother’s Day, all seven of her children (and many grandchildren). How did she and my father do this? Amazing! You’ve probably, at times, pondered similar questions. Parenthood does continually educate one about life and individual choices.
Have a very good week and enjoy the spring season.