Skip to main content Skip to main navigation Skip to footer content

MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

BOARD OF TRUSTEES
BIG BEND COMMUNITY COLLEGE
MOSES LAKE, WASHINGTON
January 23, 2025 – Hardin Community Room

A regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of Big Bend Community College was held on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. in the Hardin Community Room at Big Bend Community College, 7662 Chanute Street NE, Moses Lake, Washington. Amy Parris, Chair, presided.

  1. Call to Order. Chair Amy Parris called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m.
    1. Roll Call. Board of Trustees Present: Amy Parris, Chair, Bethany Martinez, Vice Chair, Anna Franz. Absent: Rosendo Alvarado, Gary Chandler. Members of the Big Bend Community College community and guests were present.
    2. Public Comment. There were no public comments.
  2. Mission Moments
    The Campus Safety & Security staff were introduced, and the Board of Trustees expressed appreciation for their dedication to maintaining a secure, safe, and supportive campus environment. New employees were introduced, and the Board of Trustees welcomed them.
  3. Consent Agenda
    1. Meeting Minutes December 12, 2024
    2. Accreditation
    3. Assessment and Student Success
    4. Finance and Administration
    5. Human Resources and Labor
    6. Foundation

      Motion 25-01 Trustee Anna Franz moved to approve the consent agenda. Vice Chair Bethany Martinez seconded, and the motion passed.
  4. Reports and Updates
    1. Faculty Update. Dr. Tyler Wallace, Faculty Association President, reported on Jennifer McCarthy’s approaches to teaching French by incorporating music, songs, and interactive games to enhance student engagement. Activities included "Simon Says" to teach body parts, as well as the use of French-language films later in the quarter to immerse students in the language. Patty Jones, a new English faculty member, introduced creative methods to make literature more interactive. She designed a Trifles on trial activity, "Who Killed Mr. Right?" where students analyzed text for clues to solve the mystery using the text as evidence to build their arguments. Students in Tyler Wallace’s Precalculus and Calculus courses are bringing math to life through social media. As part of their coursework, each student contributes two Instagram reels per week, showcasing problem-solving techniques related to that week's topics. Some reels feature straightforward explanations as students work through problems step-by-step, while others take a more creative approach to mathematical concepts. A class survey revealed that: 60% enjoyed the activity, 20% preferred not to participate, and 20% were neutral. When asked if this approach improved learning, 80% of students reported that they retained information more effectively and found value in scrolling through their peers’ content for review.
    2. ASB Update. ASB President Devry Lausch reported that the quarter began with goal setting and vision board making, where students set personal goals and created vision boards. The Viking Lounge extended its hours for a Game Night, offering a fun evening of games and pizza. Looking ahead, the “Drip and Sip” will offer students and others on campus a chance to enjoy hot chocolate and apple cider while participating in a canvas painting tutorial led by Art Instructor Dustin Regul. Students and families were invited to Ice Skating Night at the Rec Center and intramural tournaments in ping pong, foosball, basketball, and dodgeball are being planned throughout the quarter. The Viking Lounge sells BBCC merchandise, helping students show their school pride. Campus clubs are growing with the newly established Makers & Muses Club providing a welcoming space for students to explore and develop creative skills in various crafts. The Criminal Justice Club, also new this year, has been actively planning field trips to the Grant County Jail and Coyote Ridge Corrections Center for firsthand learning experiences.
    3. President’s Report.
      1. Enrollment Update. As of January 12, the Winter Quarter headcount was 154 students higher than this time last winter (an increase of nearly 7%). FTEs also saw an increase, with total FTEs up nearly 7% and state-funded FTEs up 2%. The number of Running Start students increased by 106 (23%) from Winter Quarter 2024.
      2. Tuition Collection Report. The tuition budgeted for 2024-25 is $3,900,000. As of December 31, 2024, we have collected $3,162,367 or 81.1% of the budgeted amount. In comparison to December 31, 2023, we had collected $2,578,064 or 73.7%.
      3. Legislative Overview / Priorities. Trustees Anna Franz and Gary Chandler will join President Tweedy on January 30, 2025, for the legislative visits at the Capitol. Eight visits have been scheduled representing Districts 7, 9, and 13. The legislative priorities are to ensure community and technical colleges remain whole following the OFM budget error; the Rural Nurses Education Program, ensure full funding for compensation increases (if any), and increased funding for operations. Trustees were asked to contact the President’s Office with any/all of the dates they would be able to join President Tweedy in Olympia for February 27, March 27, and April 24.

        Katherine Christian presented on the Rural Nursing Education Program (RNEP), addressing nursing shortages, limited clinical site availability, and faculty supervision challenges in rural areas. Lower Columbia College’s RONE program in 1997 was a similar model, yet unsustainable, and RNEP incorporates lessons learned. BBCC was selected as a pilot site due to its experience with rural nursing education and its flipped classroom model, which proved effective during COVID. The program partners with five healthcare facilities, Coulee Medical Center in Grand Coulee, East Adams Rural Healthcare in Ritzville, Ferry County Health in Republic, Lincoln Hospital & Clinics in Davenport, and Othello Community Hospital, each contributing two employees who will complete their education while continuing to work locally. Clinical training follows a preceptor model, supplemented by robotic technology and mobile simulation labs, allowing the program to expand from 22 to 34 students. The first cohort began in Fall 2024, with students enrolled at BBCC and Spokane, and legislative funding efforts are ongoing to support the program. The Washington Board of Nursing is engaged in the process, and RNEP targets to become a statewide model, ensuring sustainable nursing education in rural communities.

        President Tweedy provided an update on the Keep Washington Working Act and the college’s Immigrant Rights and Non-Discrimination Policy development. The key objective is to protect student rights and maintain institutional accessibility and the policy is to ensure educational access for all Washington residents and limit immigration enforcement on campus per state and federal law.

        Nominations are open for the 2025 ACT Awards for Trustee Leadership, Equity, Chief Executive Officer, Partner of the Year, Faculty Member, and Professional Staff Member. The application deadline is March 14, 2025, and the Special Awards Ceremony is scheduled for May 22, 2025, at the ACT Spring Convention in Spokane. All nominees are forwarded to ACCT for national recognition consideration.

        Motion 25-02 Trustee Anna Franz moved to authorize the Board Chair to act on behalf of the Board of Trustees to submit nominees for the ACT Awards. Vice Chair Bethany Martinez seconded, and the motion passed.
  5. Business
    1. Board Policy 6111 Revision. Board Policy 6111, Electronic and Information Technology Access (EITA) was presented for review and first reading by the Board of Trustees at the regularly scheduled meeting on December 12, 2024. The revision is in the last sentence of the second paragraph, replacing the phrase “Washington OCIO Policy 188” with “WATech Policy USER-01.” The proposed revision aligns with the guidance from the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges as provided by the college’s BBT Director, Patrick Steele.

      Motion 25-03 Vice Chair Bethany Martinez moved to approve the proposed revisions to Board Policy 6111, titled "Electronic and Information Technology Access.” Trustee Anna Franz seconded, and the motion passed.
    2. Board Polices for DEI Review. During the August 29, 2024, Board Retreat, the Board of Trustees discussed regularly reviewing Board Policies for diversity, equity, and inclusion intent. The Board will review the policies at one meeting and then take action on the policies at the next meeting. The Board Polices reviewed for the January 23, 2025, meeting were:
      BP 2320 Workforce Program Advisory Committees
      BP 2400 Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse (Employees)
      BP 3000 Categories of Authorized Leave
      BP 3001 Shared Leave
      BP 3011 Admin/Exempt Staff Employment & Benefits Schedule
      It was determined that there were no revisions referencing DEI that were needed and subsequently no action to be requested at the March 20, 2025, meeting pertaining to the aforementioned five policies. The policies will reflect a January 23, 2025, review date.
    3. Probationary Tenure Review. The Board reviewed the probationary and tenure process, emphasizing its role in making final decisions based on recommendations from the Probationary Review Committee, Vice President of Instruction, and the President, in accordance with the 2024-26 Negotiated Agreement, Article XX, and RCW 28B.50.850. Trustees will receive access to 15 probationary candidate evaluations on March 6, 2025, to review with final decisions due at the March 20, 2025, Board of Trustees meeting. The assessment criteria for years one, two, and three, along with the evidence used in the tenure review process, were discussed. Outcomes include contract renewal or non-renewal for years one and two, and for year three, tenure may be granted, denied, or extended for an additional probationary year.
    4. December Board Meeting in Othello. The Board of Trustees held its regularly scheduled meeting on December 12, 2024, at the Othello School District in Othello, Washington. This offsite meeting provided an opportunity to engage with the community, strengthen partnerships, honor students, and reaffirm the Board’s commitment to serving the diverse needs of the district. The meeting included the "Partnerships and Pathways to Higher Education" presentation as part of its regular business agenda. Vice Chair Bethany Martinez appreciated the opportunity to be in Othello, noting that the setting reinforced her understanding of the students served and allowed her to make meaningful connections. Chair Amy Parris shared that the student presentations were well-received, and the importance of maintaining visibility across BBCC’s large service area was emphasized. President Tweedy echoed the feedback and acknowledged the logistical challenges involved, including the coordination of presentations, travel, and increased associated costs of moving the college’s Board of Trustee meeting offsite. The discussion included considerations for future offsite meetings, with consensus around one per year. Mattawa was identified as the next location with December tentatively proposed for the next offsite meeting.
    5. Assessment of Board Activity. Trustees submitted their activities in writing.
  6. Miscellaneous. None.
  7. Executive Session
    Board Chair Amy Parris announced a 15-minute Executive Session at 2:38 p.m. to discuss items provided for in RCW 42.30.110 (1) (g) to evaluate the qualifications of an applicant for public employment or to review the performance of a public employee. The meeting reconvened at 2:53 p.m. No actions were taken during the executive session.
  8. Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting
    1. The next meeting was confirmed for Thursday, March 20, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. at Big BendCommunity College.
  9. Adjournment. Chair Amy Parris adjourned the meeting at 2:55 p.m.

amy parris signature

Amy Parris, Board Chair

ATTEST:

sara thompson signature

Sara Thompson Tweedy, Secretary