Great Basin College
Advisory Board Meeting
March 15, 2012
7:00 a.m.
PRESENT:
Great Basin College Advisory Board Meeting
March 15, 2012 – Minutes
Page 1 of 18
Ami Rogers
Bob Dolezal
Dave Roden
Diane Wrightman
Don Miller
Eleanor Little
Gene Wambolt
Jeff Zander
John Rice
Katie Neddenriep
Kelly Novi
Lisa Campbell
Lynn Mahlberg
Mary Swetich
Matt McCarty
Rich Perry
Robin Bartlett
Sarah Negrete
Sonja Sibert
Susan Davis
Wes Bowlen
Will Moschetti
Great Basin College Advisory Board Meeting
March 15, 2012 – Minutes
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ABSENT:
Great Basin College Advisory Board Meeting
March 15, 2012 – Minutes
Page 1 of 18
Bernard Zunino
Brent Chamberlain
Chuck Knight
Kent McAdoo
Mike Cosgrove
Mike McFarlane
Pamela Smith
Rob Roberts
Great Basin College Advisory Board Meeting
March 15, 2012 – Minutes
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- Call to Order – The meeting was called to order at 7:05 a.m.
- Roll Call
- Introduction of Guests (if any)
- Approval of Minutes - The minutes of the GBC Advisory Board meeting on January 26, 2012, were approved.
- Advisory Board Members’ Report
Hugh Collett had nothing to report.
Eleanor Little reported Lynn Mahlberg, Mike McFarlane and Bob Hannu came to Owyhee a couple of weeks ago. Their visit was well appreciated. They found out what part of the building belonged to GBC. They also met with the school principal. Bob Hannu, IAV Coordinator, said we work with the site coordinators to schedule classes according to needs. In Owyhee we have about 12 classes scheduled. We try to balance what we think people will take and what has been requested. He said that in Wendover a majority are education classes; in Wells it is education and science. Those classes will appear in the publications since we are ahead of schedule. Now that they are in schedule we should get more enrollments. Lynn said that a potential computer instructor in Owyhee has been identified. Eleanor reported there are about 57 students who live in Idaho who get bused into Nevada for school. We have an agreement and invoice Grandview for the students. Grandview is requesting more authority to negotiate the tuition rate. Jeff Zander talked to the School Board about it. He has contacted the Legislature in Idaho to see if he can testify. The per pupil cost is a concern for them, but it is not an inflated figure. Grandview did not discuss it with the Elko County School District before going public on their request.
Matt McCarty reported a strong close to the calendar year. We haven’t seen the impacts yet on the closure of UNR Fire Science Academy. A new 60 to 85 room hotel is going to be built on the west end of town (near Gold Dust West) with construction starting this year. Matt announced that ECEDA will have a new name: Northeastern Nevada Regional Development Authority (NNRDA). The NNRDA will consist of White Pine County, Eureka County, Lander County and Elko County. The Elko Area Chamber of Commerce is working on a goal of obtaining 700 members by the end of the year. The Chamber Business Expo is scheduled for May 12 and 13. The Government Affairs Committee will be conducting local forums with candidates. Locally, there are 18 seats that candidates will be vying for. The local forums will be held in May. The statewide primaries have already been set.
Rich Perry reported the state demographer has counted almost 1000 more residents in Elko from 2010 to 2011. Those numbers have a lot to do with the consolidated tax revenue. The city has efforts to mitigate the housing shortage. The approval of plans for a number of apartments is a little backed up at the city. Greg Evangelatos is the new city planner. Finally, Rich spent time this week judging the Elko County Science Fair. GBC could do some serious recruiting from this event.
Wes Bowen reported it has been quiet over in Wells. According to Jolene Supp, Wells could handle another 1000 people without having to worry about infrastructure. Wells anticipates growth; it is just a matter of time.
Katie Neddenreip has no report. She does have tickets for sale for the Chamber raffle.
Jeff Zander reported the awards ceremony for the Science Fair is this evening at 5:30 p.m. at the Elko Convention Center. The ECSD approved (two meetings ago) a tentative plan for Wells and RubyValley to implement a four-day school week. A plan of action will come forward. The four- day school week is more of a convenience for parents. Salaries would be reduced for the hourly employees. The ECSD is starting to work on budget. The good news from the Governor is that there will be no decreases to K-12. There are increases to the student population. They will use the fund balance to maintain services and positions. They have been working with intervention and Response to Intervention (RTI) programs and working out how to implement that. They are expanding the enrichment programs for those students who are meeting standards. This is how to combat apathy. Hugh Collet said he doesn’t understand how you can learn as much in four days as in five days. And how doyou compete with Asia who go almost seven days per week. It makes no sense to him. Jeff did not support the four-day school week. He is not a proponent of it. Too many kids are left alone on Fridays. Parental involvement would be the key. Maybe the college could schedule something for high school kids for Fridays. Lynn said in Wendover Friday nights where they open up the gym for events. It is a huge success. Every Friday and Saturday the gym is open for kids to come from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. for kids to play basketball. They will be monitoring the effect of the four-day school week on education.
Will Moschetti said that he was at the Board meeting when they took the vote of the four-day school week. It seems that the board was swayed because of parent pressure.
Bob Dolezal reported White Pine has been doing the four-day school week for four years. As far as juvenile crime rates, they saw a 40% reduction. The trouble makers don’t get up early on Fridays. Everyone had the same concerns that Elko is having. The last time they surveyed the community they had 80% of the community approve of it. The biggest concern is child care. Structured activities on Fridays are not a priority. Bob would hesitate to have it in a town the size of Elko. It works better in the smaller communities and where there is heavy parental involvement. Student absenteeism was reduced. Staff absenteeism was reduced as well. District people still work five days per week. Robin Bartlett said at that time there was concern about students running loose, but this did not happen.
Robin Bartlett reported Robinson Mine was bought by KGHM out of Poland. A lot of what they are doing and the core values are very similar to what this company is doing so it is a good match. The mine is helping to raise money for local sports teams. There is abasketball tourney this week to raise money for the summer basketball program and the 5k race in May to benefit the high school track team. Any money raised for each event will be matched by Robinson. They are still dealing with the housing issues in Ely. KGHM is involved is social responsibility and sustainability. Looking at where they can help other businesses thrive. The Chamber is involved with the Pat Nixon celebration. She was born in Ely 100 years ago on Friday. Her platform was volunteerism. So, the focus will be to recognized local volunteers.
Lisa Campbell reported for Dave Roden. Classes are underway as well as planning for fall semester. State demographer has high projected growth for Humboldt County. Of course they have issues with availability of housing.
Gene Wamboldt said that it has been his pleasure to work with the college and serve on the board for the past 18 years. This will be his last meeting. He has faith the college will continue to grow and do great things.
Ami Rogers reported there was an economic forum last night in Battle Mountain. The key points were that Lander County is 800 housing units short. They identified business opportunities that people would like to see come in. Ami is busy working on summer and fall schedules. For the first time they will be doing a kids college in June. On the four-day school week, Ami as a parent was reluctant at first, but it has turned out to be pretty positive. Fridays we need to develop some continuing education or community classes. So it would be an opportunity for the college.
- President’s Report
Lynn has been meeting weekly with the Chancellor and presidents to discuss formula funding and per pupil cost. She recently visited Battle Mountain and met with Ami Rogers and James Squibb. There are good initiatives and partnerships happening there. Diane Wrightman inPahrumpis very excited over the swap of the High Tech Center for the Mt. Charleston Elementary School. By fall they should be able to move in. They are still looking at the 280 acres of BLM land to acquire. SH Architecture has been awarded the contract for the site location development plan.
Lynn included a written report in the packet. It is a short summary of what happened at the last BOR meeting. For GBC Eleanor Little will receive an Honorary Baccalaureate degree at this year’s commencement on May 19 at 10:00 a.m. Vivian Farnsworth was selected the BOR scholar award. She lives in Lund. Regent Melcher will be presenting the award to Vivian at the President’s Awards Ceremony on April 13.
Lynn announced that this year’s recipient of the GBC Community service award will go to Tim Hafen from Pahrump.
Lynn reported that we too were happy with the Governor’s announcement that there will be no further cuts to education. We have lost 40 plus employees since 2008.
Lynn would like to meet with the GBC Advisory Board members individually to talk about the formula funding. There is a legislative committee addressing the formula funding. They have chosen a consultant to review the old formula and the new one proposed by Chancellor Klaich. There will be significant changes.
- Questions on Written Reports
Matt McCarty asked about the Spring Valley Wind Project in White Pine. Equipment is planned to be brought in this month to start building the towers. The BLM should not oppose.
- Old Business
- New Business
- Board Terms Expirations – Mardell Wilkins
- Board Vacancy in Wendover - Lynn Mahlberg has recommended Chris Melville.
- Adjourn
Great Basin College Advisory Board Meeting
March 15, 2012 – Minutes
Page 1 of 18
Meeting was adjourned at 8:30 a.m.
Meeting Dates for the Remainder of the Year
May 17, 2012
Great Basin College
Advisory Board Written Reports
March 15, 2012
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Board of Regents March 1st and 2nd 2012 Meeting – Agenda items for Information or Action directly related to Great Basin College.
- Introductions & Campus Updates –
a)GBC Foundation will be receiving $500,000 from Pattern Energy for the Spring Valley Wind Project in White Pine County (about 40 miles east of Ely in Spring Valley, northwest of the Great Basin National Park). Funds are for programs in science, technology, and energy.
b) GBC just signed an MOU with Elko County School District for the Striving Reader’s Comprehensive Literacy Grant. GBC will be developing and organizing a Literacy Academy and providing training for staff, etc.
c)Business and Industry stakeholders from the country of Jordan are aware of the excellent training provided by our Career and Technical Education programs. We will have a couple visitors from Jordan tour our facilities and begin discussions to determine the feasibility of future training opportunities.
- Consent Agenda Approvals –
a) Approval of tenure – Mr. Norman Whittaker (Congratulations!)
b) Acceptance of November 21, 2011 GBC President Search Committee minutes,
c) Second hearing and approval of Code provisions governing sexual harassment, bringing the Code into compliance with the Office of Civil Rights’ April 4, 2011 “Dear Colleague” letter, recent Nevada legislation prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity or gender expression, and federal legislation prohibiting discrimination based on genetic information.
d)Allocations of Grants-in-Aid for 2012-2013 tuition waivers for in-state and out-of state, which are approved annually by the Board based on 3% of each institution’s fall headcount enrollment. The recommended allocations represent the total number that each institution could award – 106 awards.
- Regents’ Scholars Award – Ms. Vivian Farnsworth, GBC ; this will be awarded at the President’s Award Ceremony by Regent Kevin Melcher. (Congratulations!)
- Honorary Baccalaureate Degree – Ms. Eleanor Little, GBC; this will be awarded at Graduation. (Congratulations!)
- Chancellor Klaich’s Report on the Committee to Study the Funding of Higher Education. Alternative Funding presented to the Legislative Committee and Board of Regents.
- At the request of Regent Kevin Melcher, the Board began discussions of geographic regions of the state that each institution serves. Discussions will continue as to whether or not service areas should be “adjusted, quality of service, equity of service, and related issues.”
- Board of Regents meeting at GBC – September 5-6, 2013.
- Committee Meetings:
a)Investment & Facilities – Approval to Exchange Property at Great Basin College Pahrump – the Committee considered a direct exchange of the Pahrump Valley High Tech Center for the vacant Mt. Charleston Elementary School campus in Pahrump owned by the Nye County School District. Superintendent William “Rob” Roberts joined us for the presentation. This is subject to limited negotiated conditions (title, etc.) approved by the Chancellor.
b)Business & Finance – 2012 Summer School Budget was approved along with our
FY 2012 2nd Quarter Reports.
c)Cultural Diversity – Informational item on projects and costs associated with the Americans with Disabilities Act (spreadsheet available upon request); Informational report on the NSHE Equity Diversity Inclusion Committee – restructured to include institutional presidents; and discussion of Tier II Supplier Diversity spending.
d)Health Sciences – Former GBC Professor Amy Chafin (Nevada State College) gave a profile of a specialized training program to sensitize nursing students to the challenges faced by some mental health patients.
e)Workforce, Research, and Economic Development Committee –
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
The accreditation steering committee completed revisions to the Year 1 and a draft of the Year 5 accreditation report. GBC is expected to have a site visit during spring 2013. An illustration of GBC’s mission and its relationship to core themes and indicators for mission fulfillment is attached.
The Board of Regents approved the exchange of properties in Nye County. The properties involved are the GBC High Tech Center and the Mount Charleston Elementary School in Pahrump. Details must still be worked out.
GBC has engaged a firm to create a site development plan for the approximately two hundred and eighty acres of public land in Pahrump.
Dream It Do It (DIDI)
- A survey of local businesses was conducted recently and the results are being tabulated. Over 170 surveys were sent out to local area businesses asking 40 questions about their business and their current and future needs. This information will be used to guide the DIDI initiative in developing meaningful career paths relevant to current and future industries. Once the survey results are compiled a power-point presentation will be available on GBC’s website.
The Maintenance Training Cooperative (MTC) scholarship program is accepting applications for this coming school year. The application deadline is April 1st, and there are 21 applicants so far, which is about the same as last year at this time. Starting last year, there is an application process for students entering into the CTE programs. This entrance application has students provide (3) letters of reference, transcripts, a resume and a letter of intent. The appropriate CTE department reviews applications and ranks the applicants and passes this information onto the MTC scholarship group for their consideration. The MTC applications are stapled together allowing students to apply for both the CTE program and the MTC scholarship at the same time.
The number of MTC scholarships will increase, but we don’t know by how many, last year there were 68. Newmont and Barrick continue to be the major contributors to the MTC scholarship program. The scholarship amount remains the same at $5,000, and as in previous years, students will be required to work at least one day per week at the sponsor’s mine site.