Meeting called to order.

Pledge of Allegiance.

Trustees Wozniak and Birt are not present.  Student Trustee Roark is not present. All other Trustees present.

Agenda approved.

Public Comments. Chair Hamilton goes over the rules of public comments.

Glenn Hansen, President CODFA

Good evening,I’m Glenn Hansen, President of the Faculty Association and Senate. I’ve said many things for many years. I’ve written many things. I was prepared to add to the record tonight, but why? Tonight, to the Board of Trustees of the College of DuPage, on behalf of the full-time faculty, I say — Thank you.

Richard Jarman, VP CODFA

Some sweet irony that the HLC report dropped into the COD mailbox Friday night, on the eve of this momentous board meeting. For let it not be mistaken that the multitude of reasons that prompted the HLC’s visit in July all originated with the subject of item 6 in tonight’s agenda: “RESOLUTION TO TERMINATE THE EMPLOYMENT OF THE COLLEGE PRESIDENT.” The end of an error, as someone wittily observed in a Facebook comment.

Let me further make clear, as I have done previously, and as we look forward to the urgent process of identifying a worthy occupant of the presidential office, that there was an error, a severe error in the hiring process, flawed and corrupted by the cabal of McKinnon, Carlin et. al. A process in which the opinions of an outside expert consultant were flagrantly ignored. I wonder if they ponder the weight of responsibility they share for inflicting upon this institution six years under the tyrant’s heel, and the consequences of mismanagement and corruption that we inherited. One of them is still present. I suggest that person has no moral authority to question or criticize any aspect of the selection process that this board chooses.

I think I can confidently speak for most faculty in anticipating this vote tonight with great anticipation and some relief. We have been impatient but you have had to prepare the ground. Wrongs will have been righted at least in part: the deflation of the Golden Parachute, the preservation of the HEC’s name for Robert Miller, the demolition of a legacy. I suspect some may vote no. Among other things, NO is an endorsement of the misuse of public funds for political activities; it is an endorsement of the failure to establish internal controls; it is an endorsement of the improper investment of college funds; it is an endorsement of the improper attempt to extract $20 MM from the State of Illinois.

The HLC report demands a response and visible actions to exact the necessary changes. No time to waste. Despite the criticisms leveled at the new majority, although none were associated with the problems, I believe that this board has the ability to implement the required change. I want to affirm our Association’s commitment to working with you. We have been doing so since April. I am confident that together we can get there.

Now to the vote.

Keith Yearman —

Laura Reigle — reads statements about enrollment that were made by Joe Collins. Says that these statements were not correct. Argues that Dr. Joe Collins was hand-picked by Breuder and cannot lead the College.

Mark Misiorowski  Tells the BoT members that they need to define who they are and what they stand for, to make or break their reputation in front of the COD community. Reminds the BoT that they need vision, reform, reconciliation. Recommends against being willfully blind or missing in action. Reminds them that they are labeling themselves this evening. They are defining their individual reputation, not Breuder’s. Reminds them that they are defining their own personal legacy.  This is no longer about Dr. Breuder.

Roger Kempa. Prepared a 23 page investment report that he shared with all BoT members. He invited comments. Only received on comment from a BOT member, with a simple thank you.  That came from Dianne McGuire.  Notes the trail of “immense things” he did that sank his own ship. Wants to know why the Illinois Public Funds Act was clearly violated with the mutual funds purchases. This law says that a community college may invest in short-term bonds but that investment is subject to BoT approval, which was not done. This means this was illegal and wants that noted. Notes items C, D and F — needs to know why Breuder was responsible for those because those were the responsibilities of the Treasurer to report to the Board.

Paul LeForte – Hopes this is the last night we have to talk about the past. Notes that Trustee Birt is missing for the fifth time out of 11 meetings. Trustee Wozniak is also not here. Notes that Trustee Hamilton has noted that the current situation does require some micromanagement until we get a new president. Notes two year expensive fight by Breuder with Village of Glen Ellyn. Notes that was free, and now we are paying Lisle for those services. Notes personal contact with Daily Herald about a BoT candidate’s private personell record at COD, probably illegal and shredding that candidate’s public reputation.

Adam Andrezseski. Freeze property taxes, tuition and use construction funds into the classroom instead. Notes these have been achieved. It has taken a collective effort of groups including COD faculty to get to this moment. Unquestionable integrity, appreciation for COD’s history as a top tier community college. Sterling academic credentials. History of academic management. Have previously shepherded a community college turn around. Demonstrate strong support for academic and career oriented education. And all COD senior executives must also demonstrate those traits. How can any administrator. appointed by Breuder show that? Names Collins, Kartje and Moore and all other senior management team have implemented Breuder practices.

Kirk Allen — laments that Trustees are not present. Discusses Erin Birt’s DUI mug shot. Calls for Erin Birt’s immediate resignation. Notes that Birt banned his PowerPoint presentation. Notes that Birt failed to protect taxpayers from Breuder’s abuses.  Calls for Dianne McGuire to resign. Notes her inability to recognize her own mistakes. Tells Wozniak that he is being used. This BoT legacy will be left by their vote tonight.

The BOT has called a special meeting for Tuesday, Oct 20, starting at 6pm. The agenda is brief and contains one key item, the termination of President Breuder. There will be a period for public comment, followed by closed session, followed by the vote to terminate.

Links to the agenda and board packet are available here:
http://cod.edu/about/board_of_trustees/index.aspx

You can access live stream of the meeting at this link:
http://cod.edu/multimedia_services/botmedia.aspx

Our readers also may be interested in the conclusions of COD’s recent investigation by the Higher Learning Commission, our accrediting body, which were published on Friday, Oct 16. Press release and links to supporting documents can be found here:
http://www.cod.edu/news-events/news/15_october/15_hlc.aspx

The next meeting of COD’s Board of Trustees is scheduled for Oct 22. We expect to provide blog coverage of this meeting.

The agenda and board packet are posted two days in advance. Links to these materials will be available here:
http://cod.edu/about/board_of_trustees/index.aspx

You can access video of previous meetings at this link:
http://cod.edu/multimedia_services/botmedia.aspx

Keith Yearman, Associate Professor of Geography. I’d like to address issues relating to program review. Let me preface this by stating faculty fully believe in improving the quality of our programs. However, this ICCB-mandated activity is being misused as an administrative whip.

You’ll have administrators tell you we must do program review for both the ICCB and Higher Learning Commission. Program review comes from the ICCB’s Administrative Rules, Section 1501.303d. To throw HLC in this conversation is a red herring.

Program review has led to countless frustrating meetings between Academic Affairs and faculty. To quote a colleague about program review meetings under then-Associate Vice President Galisaith, “My supervisor told me to be ready to get yelled at…she had gone through several program review meetings already and EVERYBODY had gotten yelled at.” My understanding is some of last year’s meetings were only slightly better.

The ICCB lays out the minimum program review criteria as need, cost and quality. What should be a one-or-two hour process for most disciplines has been turned into a lengthy, painful process at College of DuPage. ICCB mandates the college use a short form for each discipline. We do not get the ICCB-mandated form from Academic Affairs, instead getting a lengthy form of their own design. Lengthy reports are also written, now by the already overburdened associate deans..

I filed a Freedom of Information Act request with ICCB to see what the college actually sent downstate, and what ICCB actually did with our work. The lengthy reports and long forms don’t even go downstate. Academic Affairs writes a few bullet points on the ICCB-required form and sends that to ICCB.  Why not let us work off the required ICCB form from the get-go?

It really seems like the ICCB isn’t even reviewing this work. I asked ICCB for any review notes from COD’s submissions. “No single staff person has been responsible for reviewing a single college’s program review report….College specific information is not typically included in the statewide summary. Therefore, there are no ‘reviewer notes’ on individual college program review submissions.”

Reviews have been rejected by Academic Affairs in the past, claiming they were likely to be kicked back by the ICCB. I also asked ICCB for any program reviews, from any college, they had rejected. They replied, “Neither the Board nor staff “reject” submissions. Program Review submissions do not require approval or official action by the Board…the quality of a college’s program review submission is typically addressed during the Recognition Review by staff from ICCB and the college.”

I received a copy of the ICCB 2012 recognition review of College of DuPage. As far as I can tell, nothing from Academic Program Review was addressed.

How many hours have we spent working on reports the ICCB requires, but apparently does not read, and will not reject? How much time was spent reworking reports just based on an administrator’s power trip, not what the ICCB needs or wants? It’s time to refine this process.

Richard Jarman, COD Faculty Association Vice President. Around 10 AM Thursday, October 1^st, a heavily armed person barged into a classroom at Umpqua Community College, Roseburg Oregon and slaughtered an innocent group of students and instructors.

Friday October 2^nd, College of DuPage threw open the doors of the Homeland Security Training Center (Homeland II) and showed off its piece de resistance: the shooting range where people learn how to shoot other people. Dwell on that irony for one moment. By the way, that shooting range is just across Lake Reda from the Early Childhood Center.

I spoke in June about the clandestine, almost nonexistent, process that brought us to Homeland II; I spoke about the absence of any connection between this venture and the college’s academic programs. I realize that my words will be of little consequence for this project; and, at this point the ship has sailed; and I will offend those that hold it dear. Re the latter, I would be remiss if I had not offended at least a few people all these months at this podium.

Fortunately, in the case of that misguided adventure in fine dining known as Waterleaf, criticized for both its running costs and lack of educational connection, it can be seamlessly transitioned into a space for students to work because there is a culinary program, and the students can use those same kitchens, pots and pans, crockery, cutlery, and so forth.

By contrast, what can be done with a highly-specialized space that has zero educational program to support it?

We heard last week an administrator minimizing the significance of the theatre program based on its “small” number of FTEs. Note, those “few” – 722 – are 722 more than will ever enter the shooting range for credit. We heard about the budget proposed to bring back BTE. The outlay on weaponry and bullets to date would underwrite a chunk of that.

I will be told that the community will benefit from the Concealed Carry classes that will be taught there, weapons purchased for the purpose. I struggle with the ethics of attempting to monetize Homeland II in this way. I am not thrilled by the prospect of community members being trained in the art of hiding lethal weapons.

We all know it is not a matter of if, but when or where, the next Umpqua will strike. God forbid that the perpetrator was found to have attended that class? What then?

Good evening,

Thank you. I’m Glenn Hansen, president of the Faculty Association and Senate.

Today Senate discussed recent events. We are all affected by the most recent shootings at Umpqua Community College last week. During my first term as president our community mourned the death of the individuals killed at Northern Illinois University. Last Monday our community was shaken by the bomb threat on our campus. Too often we wonder and worry about where the next act of violence will happen, Monday we were reminded it could be here.

While these terrible acts continue to happen, the debate rages on as to how to solve the problem. We act as if there is one solution and one right answer. Just as violence has become part of our culture, so has the competitive mindset that our side needs to win and who has the better team. Cubs or the Sox; Republican or Democrat. We see the need to prevail everywhere and forget collaboration and that no one person has all the right answers; except the instructor in the class.

If we are going solve even the little problems, let alone the biggest ones, we need to remember that the solution will be the result of many ideas and small steps. Maybe it’s guns, mental health, video games, popular culture, or many other possibilities. What is certain is that if we don’t collaborate, give a little, and stop looking for THE ONE ANSWER, there will no solutions.

There will be a special meeting of the COD Board of Trustees tonight. We will not have a blogger at this meeting. You can find the agenda, board packet, and streaming links on the Trustees’ webpage: http://cod.edu/about/board_of_trustees/

We will be posting public comments by Glenn Hansen, CODFA President, and Richard Jarman, CODFA Vice President, later this evening.

http://cod.edu/multimedia_services/botmedia.aspx

Thanks to Multimedia Services for very timely work, and to Chairman Hamilton and the Trustees for ensuring access to meeting recordings.

8. Adoption of FY2016 Budget

Chair Hamilton reviews history of development of budget, has been posted for several months, public comment heard.

Bernstein makes an amendment to reduce a line item by $6m. Passes 4-1, Wozniak against.

Wozniak reads a comment from McGuire, who is not present. She is against it, too little revenue and enormous expenses. High legal fees. Wozniak agrees with her.

Bernstein: I respectfully disagree. Notes previous budgeting practices. Legal expenses: we are cleaning up a bad situation.

Wozniak: spoke with Waterleaf GM just before it closed. If it continued as it were, next year it would turn a profit. Takes time for a restaurant to establish itself.

Napolitano: Legal costs stem from federal investigations into matters that pre-date many members of the board. We don’t know what those investigations will or will not reveal.

Hamilton: always a lot of discussion about what we’re spending on lawyers and accountants, and it is because we have to comply with federal investigations. Hamilton reads a closing statement: We are telling the truth – the last few budgets were not management tools, but political operations. Fund balance grew and grew with taxpayer and tuition dollars we should not have collected – but the budget figures did not reflect what we really needed, and anyone who asked questions was silenced. Reads an annual amount adding up to $126million total we were played for cash cows. No one challenged spending. Budget was used to hide money. Start now with new foundation, fiscal certainty. No budget in COD’s history has had more public involvement. This budget puts students first, respects taxpayers, recognizes staff – appropriate raises, cuts the deficit from $16m to $11m. Marks the end of outrageous waste at the Waterleaf. Funds the clean-up costs for investigations left by prior boards and the prior boards’ utter failure to manage employees. Fund balance more than $200m in the bank. Some of that will be used as insurance against problems with state funding. Next year’s budget will be our product from beginning to end, voters deserve change at COD, restore credibility, telling the truth about important things. Major improvement, points the way.

Roll call vote: all vote yes except Wozniak.

17. Tuition and Fee Proposal – corollary to budget. This is the agenda item that was amended when the agenda was approved. Ends $3 student service fee against issues with state payments, collected for many years despite the fact that vast majority of state payments were made.

9. Closed Session

This ends tonight’s blog coverage. Please view the live stream which will pick up as soon as the trustees return from closed session. http://www.cod.edu/multimedia_services/botmedia.aspx

7. Presentation: Buffalo Theater Ensemble. Dr. Daniel Lloyd, Dean Liberal Arts; Diana Martinez, Director MAC; Connie Canady Howard, Professor Theater.

Lloyd introduced theater faculty members, Connie Canady Howard and Amelia Barrett. Howard briefly reviewed the history of the ensemble and some of the data about performance runs and revenues, including sudden demands and reversals of recent years. They began a pledge drive, but someone shut it down and stopped the acceptance of pledges. Howard listed benefits and impact of BTE. Would be possible to return in Fall 2016. Support and belief in the value are needed. Packets provided to the BOT.

Lloyd reviewed theater program profile. Listed courses, compared FTE enrollments among different fine arts programs: student FTEs in theater is the smallest. Commented on the decision to end support of BTE. Showed slide of declining ticket revenue and attendance. Subs had declined but bumped up in the last year 2013. Gave figures on pledge drives, compared with New Philharmonic. Mentioned very limited number of students directly involved as actors or tech on shows.

Chair Hamilton asked about the slide. Says that revenue seems to be driven by the number of shows. What is the story behind that? Lloyd says that year was anomalous because the Mac was closed. Ham says, you need to have more performances in order to make up. Would like to see analysis, not clear what decision was based on. Lloyd says that the decision was made to approach BTE and New Phil with a different accounting system. In-kind contributions were a considerable factor. Ham says that the accounting and in-kind contributions have to be understood. More performances needed to recoup fixed costs.

Bernstein commented in terms of revenue per performance. Revenue increased per show. Lloyd says the number of tickets is constant across seasons. Bernstein asks how to account for revenue performance being higher. It looks like having more performances would yield more revenue.

Mazzochi asks if the students’ tickets are included in numbers of tickets. [some comments are inaudible] Howard explains that they are, but their tickets are often discounted.

Bernstein comments on the faculty presentation being at odds with Lloyd’s presentation. What it tells me is that the faculty is justifying BTE and why it should have continued, and you are telling us why it should have been discontinued. Lloyd says, we were asked to look at it from a different perspective. Next part of the presentation is about moving forward, will shed more light.

Mazzochi asks if there are any numbers on the chart that the faculty disagree with. [response inaudible] Lloyd states that the presentation was developed collaboratively.

Martinez argues that no one can make back their investment in a 3-week run. If we bring this back, let’s do it right. There are new factors in the market, musical theater at the Paramount. Their subscribers are ours, also Drury Lane. We have to understand the market we’re competing in. Very difficult to be a non-profit and earn revenue like a commercial theater. Very hard to break even based on ticket sales. DIfficult to take an educational model and make money, especially in a small theater, the numbers aren’t there. Community theater typically has a community-based infrastructure that generates financial support – BTE does not have this. Adding new shows to the MAC will require staff. Technical staff can be done by show instead of by permanent staff with salary and benefits. Wrong to limit shows by size of cast. Advertise throughout run of show. With planning, move from 60/40 to 70/30% revenue/support. Fundraising potential is poor right now – corporations do not want to put their name on our brand right now. IL Arts Council grants are frozen. Project $146k loss in year 1, tapering off down to about $100k after 4 years. Need a year to catch up on applying for grants.

Bernstein asks whether it’s possible to do more than 4 performances/week. Martinez: adding two weeks to each run adds a lot of shows. Very aggressive. If the sales are there, add another show. Have to look at equity contracts. Can’t afford to jump a category.

Bernstein asks who would fill role of Executive Director. Martinez: part time job at $30k. Bernstein: would the 1000 signers of the petition convert to subscribers? Martinez: lots of them are students, have to be real. No deep pool of big donors. Need to focus on grants. Bernstein: type of productions, is there a healthy tension between edifying the community and selling tickets? Martinez: faculty is not worried about commercial sales. It would make my life easier if it was more commercially appealing. This is more of an education program that should be funded. Hard for me to assume responsibility for revenues without having any say in the programming.

Mazzochi asks what if BTE is just using the MAC as a space, and they developed all their own management infrastructure? What is the cost? Martinez: that would not cost much, but the reality is, they are us, we are them, evolved organically, not so simple to split apart the roles. Mazz: would BTE be displacing any other shows? Martinez: not a problem.

Bernstein: compliments Martinez and says must strike balance for financial responsibility.

Ham: everyone is very appreciative of the time and energy spent on this presentation.

Wozniak: this is something we should be putting money into. We wouldn’t be putting money into a high-priced firm that is costing us tons of money. I took theater classes here as a student too.

Ham: No vote scheduled for tonight. Asks Bernstein to confer with Pres Collins and develop next steps.