THE OFFICIAL MINUTES (5-04-23)
The Big Bend Community College Board of Trustees held a Regular Board meeting Thursday, May 4, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. in person.
Present: Anna Franz, Amy Parris, Juanita Richards
2. Mission Moments
Athletic Director John Meeks introduced baseball coaches Chase Tunstall and Reign
Letkeman. The Viking baseball players introduced themselves.
New employee Rebecca Pettingill, Design Outreach Coordinator introduced herself.
Board Chair Anna Franz acknowledged the clean audit due to work by VP Linda Schoonmaker, Executive Director Charlene Rios and Business Office staff. Chair Franz also recognized the ongoing good work VP Human Resources and Labor Kim Garza and staff are doing.
3. Educational Presentation
Dean of Institutional Research Valerie Parton informed the board about Big Bend students’
demographics. We are required to compare ourselves to other similarly-sized colleges
by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and we are comparable to
Walla Walla Community College and Wenatchee Valley College. Fifty (50%) of our students
are Hispanic. The Running Start student group heavily weights our group of transfer
students. Our student population is 65% female and 35% male. We fill 24 nursing slots
per year and we have two years of nursing students (48). Many of our Basic Education
students are taking English Language Acquisition classes. Continuing Education included
250 students last year in Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF), flagging, and personal
enrichment. When we include our Running Start students 53% of our students are under
20, 30% are 20-24, and 17% are over 24. Dean Valerie Parton will provide additional
information regarding age break downs in the educational areas to the next board meeting.
Dean Parton also shared the dashboard resource where faculty members often review the success of their students (2.0 grade) by program.
4. Public comment
VP Bryce Humpherys provided public comment. He recognized the board for their professionalism
, guidance, and care of the college, students, and employees including working well
with the president.
5. Consent Agenda
Motion 23-24 Trustee Amy Parris moved to approve the consent agenda. Trustee Juanita Richards
seconded and the motion passed.
6. Faculty Updates
Faculty Association President Dawnne Ernette reported faculty activities.
The BBCC Student Writing Contest is in its 8th year and is accepting submissions till the end of May. If anyone would
like to donate to the cause, those can be made through the Foundation.
ECE Faculty Michele Reeves has added a lot of content to her classes that address trauma informed teaching and
the research around trauma and its impact on the brain. She also says that the new
diversity course is VERY exciting! “Diversity in Education” will prepare teacher candidates
to provide antibias, anti-racist environments where children learn the importance
of inclusion and social justice.
Criminal Justice/Psychology Faculty Kaja Englund says a lot of great things are happening this quarter for her students. She is taking
her CJ& 105 Intro to Corrections students to Coyote Ridge Corrections Center next
Wednesday 05/10/2023 for a field trip/tour of the prison. Students will have the opportunity
to learn about the primary functions of the prison, different job roles in the prison,
schooling as well as treatment/counseling services, and healthy and supportive programs
for inmates.
In addition, Mr. Juan Loera, our Director of Campus Security here at BBCC spoke with
the CJ& 105 students yesterday regarding ways in which they can reduce their likelihood
of being victimized. He discussed his background in law enforcement, new things he
is implementing at BBCC, school shootings (and what should be done if this were to
ever happen), as well as being aware of their surroundings. Students were able to
ask questions and share any concerns they have regarding campus security.
BEdA faculty Rosemary Parsons took her students to tour the AMT building. Instructor Keith Starcher graciously
shared information about the 2-year degree program that BBCC offers. He encouraged
students to consider this career path. "There is a high demand for this work"... as
the baby boomers retire, more and more positions are in of being filled. The tour
excited students about the options that can be found at BBCC. This tour has BEdA students
enthusiastically looking forward to the May 9th tour.
Art faculty Dustin Regal has photos of student art to share. One of their first projects in 3D Foundations: Intro to Sculpture, was to develop
visual communication through sculptures made from recycled cardboard collected from
around campus. Each student was given a word (i.e. Flight) to create a work of art
that visually commutated that word. The examples shown are Pulse, Stretch, Bright,
Boil, and Pain. Some took it literally, some more abstractly, and some ironically.
All exceeded expectations.
The new Faculty Association president will be introduced during the June 8 board meeting.
7. ASB Updates
ASB President Paige Tolley shared details from ASB activities including bowling night,
mental health fair, and Taco Tuesday. Night of the Voice was a big hit and included
audience participation. Student Recognition Night is tonight at 6:00 p.m. The Surf
n Slide water park event is scheduled June 5. New officers will be introduced at June
8 board meeting.
8. President’s Update
Dr. Tweedy named the new employees Tyler Deveraux, Program Specialist, Workforce Education;
Crystal Constantino, IT Customer support, Entry BBT; Rebecca Pettingill, Outreach
Design Coordinator, Title V HEART Grant; Michel Valdivia, Computer Science Instructor,
and Melissa Heaps, High School Completion Instructor, BEdA. Tony Lidbetter was promoted
to IT Customer Support Journey, BBT. Dr. Tweedy stated winter quarter enrollment numbers
increased; total FTEs by 8.8%, head count by 15.9%, and state FTEs by 12.8%. Spring
enrollment is also rising compared to the last two years. Outreach efforts are impacting
our enrollment positively. Financial Aid is available and there are also payment plans
which impact tuition collection.
Legislative news includes fully funded COLAs for the faculty at 14% over two years
and the administrative/exempt staff at 7% over two years. Advocacy by local legislators,
the Faculty Association President Dawnne Ernette, President Tweedy, Trustees, and
the SBCTC system made a big difference.
Dr. Tweedy informed the board that about legislative bills that passed. 100 new nursing
enrollment slots were funded to address healthcare worker shortage in the state. Another
bill supports students with $48,000 to each college to fund a benefits navigator position.
Four college will have opportunity to pilot a meal shortage program ($1 million total).
Additional funding was made available for colleges with an influx of refugees and
we are one of 15 currently receiving this funding. Some college fees have been reduced
for College in the High School however the reimbursement rate is lower for community
colleges and universities are receiving more. Running Start students will receive
funding for certain situations during summer quarter.
Capital projects were approved across the state at Lake Washington, Bates, Everett,
Tacoma, Wenatchee, and Shoreline.
Executive Director Foundation LeAnne Parton reported Cellarbration for Education is
on May 20 and multiple sponsorships have been received.
President Tweedy announced the commencement activities. Trustees will work to have
representation at all events.
At 2:22 p.m. Board Chair Anna Franz announced that the Board would adjourn to executive
session for approximately 10 minutes 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 executive session ended at 2:32 p.m.
No actions were taken during the Executive session. A 5-minute break was announced.
Meeting reconvened at 2:37 p.m.
9. Board Chair Matrix
Board Chair Anna Franz noted that Trustee Gary Chandler is scheduled to rotate into
the chair position with Amy Parris as vice chair in October. This item will be acted
on during the June 8 Board meeting.
10. Review Board Goals
1. Revise the Big Bend Community College’s Ends Statements and develop and implement
a set of indicators which measure the progress of the institution relative to the
revised Ends.
The Ends Statements have been revised and a set of indicators need to be implemented
using the Strategic Plan matrix.
2. Advance equity, diversity, and inclusion by establishing policies and institutional
goals supporting operational equity, diversity, and inclusion programs.
The trustees discussed reading Dr. Gina Garcia’s book, Becoming HispanicServing Institutions.
3. Ensure effective onboarding and support for trustees as measured by updates to
the board onboarding tool and development of a cyclical board calendar of study session
topics and campus engagement opportunities.
According to feedback from new trustees during board meetings goal 3 is being met.
11. Commencement Activities
The trustees discussed attending the commencement activities.
12. Assessment of Board Activity
Trustee Amy Parris reported her activities prior to the meeting. She attended numerous
meetings with Big Bend staff as an Othello School District employee egarding Direct
Transfer Agreements and AA degrees. Trustee Parris also discussed Big Bend items with
President Tweedy three times and met with VP Bryce Humpherys two times.
Trustee Juanita Richards attended a Foundation meeting (E-3), ACT Award Committee
meeting (E-4), the local Transforming Lives event ((E-1, E-2, E-4), and met with Dr.
Tweedy (E-1).
Board Chair Anna Franz attended the local Transforming Lives event (E-1, E-2, E-3)
and an agenda setting meeting with Dr. Tweedy (E-3).
13. Next Regularly Scheduled Board Meeting
The next board meeting was confirmed for Thursday, June 8, 2023.
14. Miscellaneous
Adjournment 2:47