February 08, 2010
Cabinet Members:
President Mike Richards
John Bearce, Interim Director of Institutional Research
K.C. Brekken, Communications Manager
Thomas Brown, Chief Campus Administrator, Cheyenne
Art Byrd, Vice President, Student Affairs
Patty Charlton, Senior Vice President for Finance & Facilities
Darren Divine, Interim Vice President, Academic Affairs
Richard Hinckley, General Counsel
Bill Kerney, Faculty Senate Chair-Elect
Penny McCollum, Campus Site Administrator, Henderson Campus
Joan McGee, Chief Campus Administrator, Charleston Campus
Larry Mason, Interim Vice President, Diversity & Cultural Affairs
Jacque Matthews, Executive Director, Foundation
Dave Morgan, Chair, Administrative Faculty Assembly
Mark Rauls, Faculty Senate Chair
Cat Maihen, President, Classified Council
Mugunth Vaithylingam, Chief Information Officer
Nathaniel Waugh, Student Government President
Anne Zemek de Dominguez, General Counsel
Guest: Dan Morris, Executive Director for Business Operations
The meeting was called to order by Dr. Richards at 9 a.m.
The notes of the January 11, 2010 cabinet meeting were approved.
Calendar items include February 15, President’s Day, March 4 & 5, Board of Regents meeting here on the Charleston Campus, and March 15-21, Spring Break.
Thomas Brown began with CSN’s Affirmative Action Program report. The comprehensive report was distributed to the cabinet members. Mr. Brown explained new reporting guidelines, supervisor responsibilities, and went over the results of the analysis. Overall CSN is in good shape, but there is room for improvement. He thanked Laura Yavitz for her assistance in compiling the data, and his assistant Nicholas Sheppard-Miller for his help assembling the report. As Mr. Brown went through the booklet with cabinet members, he highlighted some important areas including changes and additions in supervisory responsibilities, professional recruitment, grievance procedures and forms, Affirmative Action and Sexual Harassment training plans, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Affirmative Action definitions, ethnic categories and overall analyses. He will work with search committees also to inform members of any disparity in departments with open positions.
Mugunth Vaithylingam shared a presentation about some security issues and solutions in defending CSN’s electronic data. The solutions are still tentative, but OTS has investigated PGP software as one option. If implemented, the security measures would roll out in stages, and include widespread communication and detailed instructions for all users. The security improvements will help CSN to stay in compliance with NRS 205 and 597.
Darren Divine presented drafts of the academic calendars for 2011-2012 and 2012-2013. The reason for discussing the calendars is to secure a date for commencement at the Thomas & Mack as far in advance as possible. Doing so saves CSN a lot of money, because we can coordinate with UNLV’s graduation and save on time and fees for the auditorium set up. Also, Spring Break must be prior to the 10th week of instruction or coincide with CCSD or UNLV. Joan McGee pointed out some omissions and errors on the dates, then made a motion to approve the calendar with the corrections. The motion was seconded and passed. Annette Lord will communicate the corrections to Joe West.
Patty Charlton gave an update on CSN’s budget status according to the latest communications from legislators and the Board of Regents. K-12 and Higher Education in Nevada are expected to make required cuts of 10% from operating budgets, and a salary reduction is expected in addition to those cuts. The Governor will give the State of the State address tonight, and is expected to announce a Special Session. Dr. Richards will continue to address employee groups as more information is known. More town hall forums are a possibility as well.
Bill Kerney informed everyone of a Legislative Town Hall meeting at the Grant Sawyer Building on Saturday, February 13 at 9:00 am.
Richard Hinckley told the group that some amendments to the Higher Education Opportunity Act from fall of 2008 will require CSN to be in compliance by July 2010. A few of those requirements due on July 1 are:
- New information for classes and textbooks
- Emergency Event Communication
- Crime reports
- New area of emphasis on file sharing and non-violation of copyrights
- Loan compliance
- Background ID verification
- Cost of attending CSN
On the General Counsel page of CSN’s Web site, there is a checklist of general information with regard to the requirements: http://www.csn.edu/pages/324.asp
Richard also encouraged everyone to communicate consistently with legislators. The communications should contain a good, strong message. Richard responded to questions about the candidates who are friends of CSN’s cause, but CSN cannot favor or endorse one candidate over the other.
Larry Mason reported many events were planned for Black History Month. The events are posted on CSN’s website and on the ICS screens at all campuses. Four advisory board meetings have taken place already and Larry thanked Dr. Byrd for presenting the recruitment and retention policies for under-represented students at the meetings. Each advisory board has individual goals and Larry is working with CCSD to help accomplish them.
Jacque Matthews updated the cabinet members about Foundation events and projects. The Dine-About card is about ready to be offered on the web page. The card will cost $20. All expenses are covered by sponsors, so there is no overhead for CSN. This means that all the money will go to CSN and the funds are unrestricted. The card offers discounts at various restaurants and as soon as it is ready, will be available for purchase through the Foundation page online. Jacque encouraged everyone to keep their eyes open and when the cards are ready, tell everyone they know to purchase one. The Legacy of Achievement Gala will take place at the “M” Resort on Saturday, April 24. The theme for the Gala this year will focus on celebrating CSN’s friends. The “Night of the Stars” Gala will feature five honorees, discount tickets for employees, and red carpet treatment for the friends of CSN and guests.
Penny McCollum reported 150 new parking spaces became available with the temporary parking lot behind building C. The additional spaces have helped a great deal, and CSN still has permission from Foothills High School to use available parking there when necessary. Henderson will be hosting Sociology Forums in March and April, and will continue to conduct monthly social gatherings. The first spring semester social gathering will be planned by the Social Committee in the near future. The Henderson campus has three projects in the works with Hinman Elementary School for this semester: Reading Week, Science Fair Judging, and organizing a Baseball Outing for Hinman classroom contest winners. Penny is continuing work with “Leadership Henderson,” and is involved in many events, projects and fundraisers associated with the eight-month program. She is also continuing work on the Campus Signage Master plan to provide input on the permanent signage project for all three main campuses.
The Boulder City Center hosted the BC Chamber Mixer on January 13. There was a nice turnout and Penny thanked Student Government for their sponsorship, Senator Dustin Rains and Henderson Senator Kristy Gildner for support and help in the organization of the event. Dr. Richards, Dr. Byrd and Dr. Joan McGee attended the event as well. The Boulder City Center has approximately 146 students attending classes this semester with all available classrooms occupied for the evening classes. Penny is working with DWED and partnering with Henderson Job Connect to bring intensive 1-2 week Job Search Workshops and Basic Workplace Skills computer classes to the BC Center for those individuals who are unemployed and/or recently displaced. For those who qualify, DETR will cover the cost of the course.
Joan McGee shared that the Strategic Planning Committee is considering all the forum feedback and survey results to determine goals and objectives consistent with the three core themes identified by last year’s committee. She encouraged everyone to participate when input is requested. Joan also gave updates on each of the Learning Centers, and said that all the sites are working to increase FTE and headcount on behalf of the budgets at CSN. The blood drive at the Charleston Campus was very successful. Contributions to the blood bank are vital as someone needs a transfusion every two seconds. She thanked everyone who donated and the Circle K Student Club for their support and assistance in soliciting donations. Leadership Las Vegas held Education Day at UNLV in January, but was focused mostly on K-12. When Joan brought that fact to the attention of the facilitators, they agreed and asked her to be on the committee to create and facilitate Education Day for next year’s class.
Meeting adjourned at 10:35 a.m.
Next meeting scheduled March 8, 2010.