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THE OFFICIAL MINUTES (5-6-21)

The Big Bend Community College Board of Trustees held its regular Board meeting Thursday, May 6, 2021, at 1:30 p.m. via Zoom Webinar.

1. Call to Order
Present: Anna Franz, Jon Lane, Juanita Richards, Thomas Stredwick

2. Education Presentation
President Tweedy awarded students Anna Lutsyk and Shalon Gough with their All WA Academic certificates and $250 checks in recognition of their exceptional accomplishments. Two students are chosen from each WA state community college annually.

Faculty members Johanna Doty-Fleming, Lindsay Groce, Zach Olson, John Owens, and Michele Reeves presented about the good, the bad, and the ugly of online teaching and learning. Instructor Groce reported that chemistry students are using home lab kits and shopping lists for experiments and it is difficult for her not to go through the labs with the students. Instructor Groce will host a virtual science fair later this year. Instructor Doty-Fleming reported she focuses on collaborative work and it is more difficult to accomplish online. She promotes group work which is building community in an asynchronous class. Math discussion boards encourage students to learn from each other. Music Instructor John Owens adjusted his hands-on approach and uses a mini music demo, in which students record themselves performing music with instruments and random items. It is difficult for students to do this as a solitary assignment. Instructor Owens stated he is excited about trying hybrid with lectures recorded and inperson activities in the classroom. ECE Instructor Michele Reeves uses an app, Yellow Dig, to teach student teachers how to teach with a focus on communication. Yellow Dig is similar to social media for students to engage; similar to an academic Facebook page that is private and adheres to FERPA regulations. Students (90%) reported they love Yellow Dig the first quarter., which is great for student connections.

Trustee Stredwick thanked the instructors for providing above and beyond academics including community support, advising, and connections to the students.

Trustee Lane asked about good teaching resulting in good learning. Division Chair Lindsay Groce stated balance in rigor and students learning skills is important. She is concerned about the impact of online teaching and wants to see the data moving forward. Faculty Association President Zach Olson stated that students are experiencing disruptions in the all areas of their lives make learning tougher. He and other instructors are giving a lot of additional time and support to the students. They have changed practices around late assignments. Instructor Reeves reported her students’ ability to engage in practicums has been limited. Students are using video substitutions, which is replicating current world circumstances.

3. Consent Agenda
a) Approval of March 24, 2021, Board Meeting Minutes (A); b) Accreditation (I); c) Student Success (I); d) Assessment (I); e) Finance & Administration (I); f) Human Resources Report (I); g) ASB Report (I); h) Foundation Report (I).

Motion 21-29 Trustee Jon Lane moved to approve the consent agenda. Trustee Juanita Richards seconded, and the motion passed.

4. There were no public remarks.

5. Faculty Updates
Faculty Association President Zach Olson. FA meeting tomorrow to vote on Emeritus nominations. Horizons looking at options for hybrid and face to face education in the fall. 12 faculty will attend Escala for best practices with underrepresented students for HSIs. Faculty attending will share with other faculty members. Very inclusive about who is attending.

6. President’s Update
Dr. Tweedy reported there are no updates on filling the vacated trustee position at this time. The BAS in Applied Management Degree Ag Mechanics Certification and Degree programs launch this fall. She also reported that student focus groups surveys are information the strategic plan. ASB President Savana Stephenson and Public Relations Officer Kelsey Sorenson serve on the Strategic Planning Committee. Dr. Tweedy announced that the strategic planning process has been adjusted to accommodate staff and faculty workload related to ctcLink and return-to-campus planning The Strategic Plan will be presented to the board for review at the October 28 meeting and action on the December 9.

Lessons learned during the pandemic include opportunities to change how we educate student. Some students thrive online, some in-person, and some prefer the hybrid approach. President Tweedy discussed the different CAREs Act funding.

Dr. Tweedy reported the federal stimulus funding provided a safety net for Big Bend and our students. The first round of HEERF funds included $736,918 institutional dollars and an equivalent amount to be awarded to students. The second round of HEERF funds included the same amount in emergency grant aid for students as in round one and more for institutional funding. The funding is very specifically allocated. There is an additional award of $4,950,000 from the American Rescue Plan split between students and institutional funding anticipated. Money that has not been expended will be used in the next quarters.

President Tweedy stated Big Bend is receiving budget information now and it will be presented at the next meeting. Budget decisions will be made conservatively. Student services professionals make phone calls, send emails, and update the website to communicate financial opportunities to students

President Tweedy stated as plans tare developed to provide some in-person instruction, support and services, we view our plans through these four values people are first; supporting student success; fiscal awareness and responsibility; and communication requires active outreach and participation.

President Tweedy reported she encourages vaccinations and a pop-up vaccination clinic is being coordinated on campus. There is speculation that the governor may mandate vaccines for students and/or employees at WA State public institutions of higher education. The ones that already have for students, provide exemptions for medical, religious, or “personal/philosophical” reasons. The latter is “to be defined.” Currently, Big Bend’s position is to not require the vaccine.

The Foundation has awarded $82,500 in scholarships for the next year.

An Executive Session was announced and then cancelled due to technical difficulties.

7. President’s Onboarding
President Tweedy continues to meet community members and employees.

8. Board Meeting Venue
Board Chair Anna Franz stated availability of vaccinations makes it possible for inperson board meetings while we are in phase 3; masks and social distancing required. Remote access options also need to be available to attendees and the public. The June 10 board meeting will be held in person if we are still in phase 3.

9. ACT Spring Conference
The virtual ACT Spring Conference is scheduled on May 18 and the registrations links have been shared. Board Chair Anna Franz stated there is a session on equity which could inform work on the trustees’ 2020-21 board goals.

10. Exceptional Faculty Award
Tiffany Naylor is a BBCC alum and will graduate from EWU after three more classes. She was provided an Exceptional Faculty Award during the March 24, 2021 board meeting. Instructor Naylor teaches Early Childhood Education courses part time at BBCC and she also teaches for the Moses Lake School District. She used the EFA to fund tuition toward her Masters of Education degree at Eastern Washington University.

16. Assessment of Board Activity
Trustee Jon Lane reported that he attended a BBCC alumni meeting, and an ACT Trustee Tuesday session.

Trustee Thomas Stredwick reported he met with Trustee Juanita Richards about dashboards. He also talked with President Tweedy and plans to provide an update at the next board meeting.

Trustee Juanita Richards reported she met with Trustee Thomas Stredwick, Board Chair Anna Franz and she also met with President Tweedy. Trustee Richards also attended an ACT Trustee Tuesday session.

Board Chair Anna Franz reported she attended an ACT Trustee Tuesday, session met with President Tweedy to review the agenda and prepared for working on the board goals.

17. Next Regular Board Meeting
The next board meeting is set for June 10.

President Tweedy reported the drive thru graduation is scheduled June 18. Employees will cheer the graduates on from the sidewalk along the graduate route on campus. The graduation drive through will be broadcast on the radio. Dr. Tweedy is hosting a pregraduation picnic from 1:30-3:30 on June 18. line up the drive lane to cheer them on. Considering a socially distanced, pre-grad celebration beginning at 2:00 p.m. with Food trucks. Grad will be broadcast on the radio. Update at June 10 meeting.

18. Miscellaneous
Board Chair Anna Franz asked that Board Sub-Committees report progress at the next meeting.

Executive Director of the Foundation reported scholarships are being awarded and Cellarbration! for Education begins next Wednesday with the live auction on Saturday.

Trustee Jon Lane thanked the faculty members for their presentation. He also asked about how the state-adopted direction about diversity education and critical race theory would be administered at Big Bend. Faculty and staff are working through the process of developing diversity curriculum.

Adjourn 3:14 p.m.