Bernstein states he is in favor of reinstating BTE. Wants to explore how community support can be turned into tangible support like season tickets, demonstrate its foundation in the community.

Birt supportive of BTE. Resolution should be prepared not just by board member but also by those who would oversee the company.

McGuire supports overall, wants to be clear about salary expenses. Concerned about small number of tickets per show. Wants to see higher attendance numbers.

Diana Martinez comes to podium, comments on trustee questions, explains pledges of support that have been made so far in short timeframe, under a lot of doubt about whether there is actually a program in place.

Napolitano also supports with a couple of caveats. Wants to ensure the program is very student-focused. Compares with new program at Waterleaf – should be tied to academics and student participation. Set bar higher on tickets per show and season tickets. Needs support at box office, not just on petition.

Olsen raises issue of how revenue would be balanced if predictions fall short. Comments on the extensive community support across district.

Wozniak definitely in support of BTE, good work and good performances. Has had classes with Amelia and Connie.

Mazzochi asks if the MAC would be using the Playhouse Theater for any other shows, or if it’s otherwise empty space. Martinez replies that mostly otherwise empty space although she has a few other programs in mind. Mazzochi asks if there are other resident ensembles that will be coming to the BOT for funding. Martinez responds that choral, jazz, and opera theater may also become involved. There is some discussion about comparisons of costs as well as community support, exchange between Bernstein and Martinez. Martinez, “people love the arts.” Mazzochi says we should have a set budget amount or that we have certain threshold amounts or standards, can’t play favorites. Napolitano says academic results and student involvement are central concerns.

Three consent agenda items are pulled – a, b, o.

Secretary Napolitano reads the remaining consent agenda, items c through n. These items are approved unanimously.

Item 9-a, bid for replacement of HEC Exterior Capsule Signage. Pulled by Wozniak. Asks for details of bid. Work is for signage that names the building, for Staff Sergeant Miller. Wozniak argues that the naming of the building is a problem. McGuire says that the naming is subject of a lawsuit. Split vote with McGuire, Birt, and Wozniak voting no. Motion passes with all others voting yes.

Item 9-b, Urban Sustainability Farm. Bernstein asks what the difference is between this and the Community Education Farm. Yes, this is for teaching in new program. Dean Stewart says that this proposal is solely for support of an academic program. Community Education Farm has very different mission and aims to produce significant amount of food. Bernstein asks for faculty input to understand the differences in the two farm concepts. Stewart introduces Brian Clement faculty in Horticulture. New farm supports degree program with experiential learning and practical applications in sustainable food production. This item passes unanimously.

Item 9-o, financial reports. McGuire asks some questions. Birt suggests dividing financial reports so that legal bills are separate and discussion of them will not hold up other items. McGuire asks which firms are billing the insurance company. Wants to see the bills to the insurance company. Birt asks for itemized bills for legal services. Mazzochi says that she can see them any time but can’t remove them from the college premises. Exchange between Birt and Mazzochi about password protection of the legal bill documents. Wozniak complains about not being able to access them easily on his phone because of the password protection. More back and forth, the discussion is contentious. Attorney Kinsella and Joe Moore answer questions along with Joe Collins. Vote is split with Wozniak, Birt, and McGuire voting no, motion passes.

 

Series of questions from Trustee McGuire responded by staff including new finance officers and Linda Sands-Vankerk.

Trustee Olsen asks what is the purpose of policy revisions. Sands-Vankerk explains that the changes are “clean-up” to meet legal and standard definitions for issues such as temporary employees.

McGuire asks about new records preservation policy. Mazzochi explains that policy is written to allow for most restrictive legal requirement to apply. Discussion with attorney. Olsen asks about student emails under law or policy. Mazz says that those should be addressed by administration policy, faculty email as well. Board policy is not comprehensive but focused on issues that touch the BOT. Currier is called up to answer questions; explains how accounts are placed under “litigation holds” to prevent deleting when someone’s email account is of interest for litigation.

Napolitano asks how far back data recovery could go. Currier says he thinks not very far, but he’s willing to look at it. Bernstein asks if records are saved offline, Currier says no. Currier asks to make retention requirements as consistent as possible across different types of records so that they are easier to implement.

 

Connie Canaday-Howard and Amelia Barrett, professors of theater. Back in front of board because asked to further define the value of BTE. Quote from Chicago actor Bryan Bosque. Connect to institutional mission. Comments on value of training in live theatre. Comments from viewers and other working actors who trained with BTE. Immediacy of learning to see the world through different perspectives by playing characters. Recognize experience of characters that connects to self even while different.

Every student enrolled in the theater department had contact with BTE. Litany of different forms of contacts including class visits, backstage visits, extensive classes and labs. Students directly working on productions in paid and/or credit-earning roles. Many details here….

Categories for future productions are discussed, showing how productions could be selected that would not only appeal to wide audiences but also meet educational goals.

Closing comments reinforce connection of BTE’s programming to college’s institutional mission.

Ed Garzano, advocate for Buffalo Theater Company. Describes professional model BTE provided. Life changed by taking an acting class.

Craig Bergen, Founder of Buffalo Theater Ensemble. Calls for return of BTE and praises its development by faculty such as Canaday-Howard.

Mark Misiorowski, resident. Calls for restoration of email and other electronic evidence that may have been deleted. Makes it more difficult for COD to defend itself. Hire data recovery specialists as quickly as possible. Gravity of harm is very great, extraordinary risk and exposure to the institution. Argues that HLC and IRS among other agencies will require this evidence.

Don Westlake. Speaking in support of BTE. Distinguished past, hopes for distinguished future.

John Kraft, Edgar Cty Watchdogs. Supports comments of Misiorowski. References earlier cases related to open meetings and hiring/contracts. Secret ballots in violation of law. COD meeting March 6, 2014, alleged that BOT held secret ballot w/ assistance of attorney, who said should not vote in closed session, just raise hands, authorize chair to extend contract. McGuire, Birt, and Wozniak opposed releasing the audio of the closed session. They were there.

Kirk Allen, Edgar Cty Watchdogs. Thanks those responsible for listening when problems exposed. References electronic records destruction and policy. Action sends message to HLC that concerns are being addressed. Good governance. Take this one step further and retain forensic data recovery specialist. Asks three BOT members to resign based on open meetings violation. Also calls for firing of Bruce Schmiedle based on Herricane Graphics contract irregularities.

Allen Kallas, Buffalo Theater Company advocate. Notes the tagline used in college promotion about learning from professionals. Reinstate those bragging rights for theater program.

Jen Roper, advocate for BTE. Speaks to value of theater background in broader employment situation because of ability to improvise, team player,

Richard Jarman, VP of COD Faculty Association. So it is come to this: an important question that has been on our minds for months will tonight be resolved one way or the other. To be or not to be? That is the question for Buffalo Theatre Ensemble. The answer lies in your hands. While I am not suggesting that anyone need make their quietus with a bare bodkin, the consummation that we, the faculty, universally devoutly wish, is for BTE to return. Can I persuade you further to support this?

In the packet before you is a reasoned argument that points to the importance of theatre in the educational experience, not only impacting students involved directly in the theatre program, but also impacting other students and community members in myriad and less quantifiable ways.

You heard from former students and community members tonight and over the past year and received a petition signed by over one thousand members. You will also hear a passionate and persuasive presentation from theatre faculty Connie Canaday Howard and Amelia Barrett.

I can personally attest to some of the former students’ testimonies, having once been one myself. I know what Bryan Bosque meant by receiving an apprenticeship. Like Todd Mantell, I didn’t become an actor but the experience of theatre has other benefits, such as in engaging students in a classroom. Robyn Coffin learned how to be a professional early on. On the green banners produced in the branding exercise, we are told that the best way to become a professional is to learn from one. I am looking at one right now. I learned from Connie.

With this decision there is opportunity for this board to make a statement about the weight it places on the importance of COD in the community and academics. The past year has been dominated by the fallout from the toppled regime. Too much we have heard of lawyers and accountants.

Here the question is, what is the ROI on $250 thousand over two years? Wouldst that you could simply inject a few numbers into an algorithm and crank out an answer. It is way more complicated and nuanced than this; the returns are more subtle and less quantifiable. I would argue that the return on good will alone from making a gesture that this board lends its support to BTE far exceeds the required investment.

Glenn Hansen, President, COD Faculty Association. Spoke of anticipation of new president and excitement in the halls – especially from faculty, staff, and even some administrators. Looking forward to tomorrow, finally moving forward. Constituencies inside and outside will be watching and speaking, and I have been encouraging them to speak to you. Who will lead this college forward? Thank you, and good luck.

President’s Report, Joe Collins. Several announcements related to speakers and other academic events. Reflection of how strong our academic programs are. Upcoming events to honor excellent work by students. Calls Diana Martinez to podium to explain talent show “Live at the Apollo at COD” event produced for Black History Month. Video excerpts of student performances. [Rare blogger editorial comment: WOWOWOWOWOW.]

Accreditation Task Force, Jim Bente. Review of committee membership across constituencies. Showed checklist of progress identified to date. No questions from trustees.

We are picking up following the closed session called for the first hour of the meeting.

All Trustees present except Student Trustee Roark.

PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH COMMITTEE — Lee Daniels reviewed the process and selection of search firm and consultant. Several comments: COD reputation held strong in process of receiving application. Former BOT Chair Hamilton did outstanding job establishing search committee. Committee composed of broad range of internal COD constituents – excellent model for the future because avoided potential pitfalls. Committee process included background checks and face-to-face interviews of finalists. Extremely hard work particularly by Paul LeFort and Mary Ann Millush in organizing logistics and meetings. Much work accomplished in short timeframe. The 3 names referred to the full board were chosen unanimously by the committee. Each fully capable of leading the college, serve with pride and distinction:

Dr. Barbara Cavalier, Naverro College, Corsicano TX

Admiral Ann Rondeau, Naval Academy Great Lakes (?)

Dr. David Samm, President, Elgin Community College

(apologies for mispellings/errors, this is based solely on oral presentation)

No ranking of the three candidates.

Thanks all members of the committee and also thanks BOT and community for opportunity to serve the college. Committee available for any further assistance required.

Trustee McGuire: what have we been telling candidates regarding length of contract, considering current litigation? Daniels: did not specifically discuss. Up to lawyers. All candidates had fully vetted the institution already.

Chair Mazzochi: recognizes all members of search committee by name and thanks for enormous volunteer services. Commends Daniels and committee for excellent work under hard deadline, owe debt of gratitude.

Night for each candidate to hold forum and speak to community:

6:30pm

Monday, April 18, Barbara Cavalier

Tues, April 19, Ann Rondeau

Wed, April 20, David Samm

Clarifies that action by state legislature has made it possible for the college to extend a full year contract.

 

We did not have a blogger at last night’s meeting. The meeting was recorded as usual and will be made available at
http://www.cod.edu/multimedia_services/botmedia.aspx

Public comment by Glenn Hansen, President, COD Faculty Association:

Good evening. If you are looking for a vantage point to view college spending from, past and future, try looking at it from the student perspective. Every misspent dollar is a greater hurt to a student than a taxpayer. Too many of our students leave COD with loans to pay off. Most of our students are not here on a free ride paid for by their parents. The majority of our students work (often at low wages), pay for school, and have bills to pay. Many of our students are the taxpayers, who already support the school through property taxes.

So, anytime there is an opportunity to do something to help reduce the burden of debt, I’m in. About a month ago Student Trustees Torres and Roark asked if Richard and I would meet with them to talk about the cost of textbooks. Textbooks are expensive, everyone who has taken a college course anywhere knows that. We met last Tuesday afternoon. It was a very good meeting. They shared with us the ICCB presentation on textbooks and we talked of ideas to help. This is not the first time faculty have engage this problem. Several years ago, not quite a decade, we formed a joint committee to propose solutions. Times have changed, textbooks have changed, instruction has changed, and certainly technology has changed. In recent years, faculty have changed how they use textbooks and what we use as textbooks, often in response to the skyrocketing costs. It is time to revisit the issue. Next Thursday, we will ask the Faculty Senate to charter a task force of faculty and members of student leadership to address the issue of textbook costs. We have no preconceived solutions, but we are confident that actions will be proposed that will help address problem.

Thank you again to both Ms. Torres and Ms. Roark for starting this conversation.

Public comment by Richard Jarman, VP of COD Faculty Association: 

You might think we would be unhappy to be back here a third Thursday on the trot facing the prospect of another long evening (early morning). We have heard the chimes at midnight and then some these past weeks. However, I am grateful for the opportunity to comment on last week while it is fresh in the memory.

I think you would agree that the CODFA presentation on the HLC response was measured; it was reasoned, it was specific, it was constructive, and it was courteous. It is said that courtesy is always in season. Throughout that day we had become aware from several quarters that there were those who did not want us to make that presentation. I am unsure of the reason; but perhaps there was concern that we would be antagonistic, or uncivil. If so, that is a shame. I infer that it reflects the level of esteem with which CODFA leadership is held more than anything. I think we are more subtle and nuanced than that.

That said, I must confess that it was a struggle to maintain my equanimity during our presentation, coming as it did after public comment that mainly concerned item 6.B, termination of Elizabeth Anderson. Those comments were gut-wrenching, heart-breaking, and, from our perspective, entirely avoidable. The story here is not over by any means.

There are those who say that we need to get on, forget the past, move forward, be collaborative and so on. I cannot agree more. We would love to do so. However, the Association’s responsibilities are first and foremost to serve and protect its members. When they are harmed we cannot simply carry on as if nothing has happened.

I am not here to argue the merits of her case one way or the other, but I will say that such things do place massive obstacles in the path to true collaboration.

 

Open session begins

12:31 am on Friday

Sec. Napolitano calls the meeting back to order.

Roll: Trustees present except McGuire and Birt.

Entertain a motion to approve the non-renewal of faculty on teh agenda

Olsen moves

Napolitano seconds

Discussion:

Roark:Abstain

Wozniak: Abstain

Olsen :yes

Napolitano: yes

Mazzochi:  yes

Bernstein: yes

Entertain Motion to adjourn

All in favor. Meeting adjourned.

CODAA (Adjunct Association) reports

WE are not specifically addressing the VNC since we were not involved in it. We would like to offer adjunct faculty perspectives.

Describes what P/T faculty are

Approximately 1300 Adjunct faculty — teach more than half the courses each term.

Of these approx 660 are part of the Bargaining Unit.

CODAA’s contract covers adjunct counselors

CRITERION 2, Core Component

concern about the quality of the ethics training faculty must now do. several constituency members have expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of the training — it is not robust

CODAA recommends input from Shared Governance in the selection of our Ethics training program.

Cirterion 5, Core component 5.b

Positive — for some years, CODAA had prepresentation on Shared Governance and Consituency Pre-Board LEadership meetings.

But now we are also on all major campus-wide college committees and task forces, thanks to Dr. Collins

We are now having monthly meetings with VPAA and student groups

Names positive actions taken through Shared Governance Council

-Recommendations to allow employment of Unaffected SURS annuitants

Input sought from constituencies on Active Violence Training for the College

Implementation of recommended PArking Task Force solutions

Input sought for current Web Page redesign effort

HLC  Task force formed with representation by all constituents

Quality committee for institutional AQIP efforts

 

Areas of concern:

We sahre with FT faculty and their VNC concerns about:

changing academic curriculum to Continuing Ed courses

Modifications to Degree Requirements

Changes to the coding of courses that can impact transferability and student counseling outcomes

A Student Affairs model that had emphasized enrollment growth over student success

 

REcommendations

Restoration of curriculum to FT faculty, but with the opportunity for non-binding input from PT faculty, standardized across departments

Reconsidering and implementing Counseling Faculty’s recommendations regarding RESET/SEIP (which included input form PT counselors)

Adopting administrative practices and policies that ensure that such errors, such as awarding of SLEA credits without faculty input, will not occur again and reporting this commitment to the HLC

Example of Administrative Policy that Adversely impacts students and PT workers

Prohibition on working in more than one Division or Sub-Division

Students are negatively impacted by

prohibiting adjuncts that teach courses from also providing tutoring in those courses

Counselors from currently prevented from teaching College Success, Career Development and Communications Skills courses

Explains the caps that impact on PT faculty who cannot work more hours than 27 hours per year. So the pay, at about 1000 per hour, annual pay is form 24,000 to 29,000 if they teach to the higher level of 27 credits per year. If PT faculty are dedicating their teaching to the College ,that is very little money. And most cannot even get to that 27 credit limit. So many PT faculty want some other opportunities within the college.

Recommendations

Revisit the policy of barring faculty from working in more than one sub-division

Carefully consider the benefits to students and employees against possible adverse cost impacts to the College

Consider how technology can help make this happen

BoT — recent developments that have been positive

Greater transparency in Bot actions

Greater accesibility to BoT members

Efforts by BoT to solicit input form constituency groups

Appointment of a seventh trustee

Opportunities to address HLC concerns

Completion of ethics training for Bot members

Prioritization of a BoT retreat

Greater communication and cooperation between all BoT members

Civil Decorum in public

Refraining from re-hashing decisions or policy changes that serve to keep past mistakes or disagreements in the public eye

PACE Survey 2014 — satisfaction in 2003 was high in the category of leadership system. It has declined since then. It seems to parallel the satisfaction of FT faculty.  However, while the Adminstration says it met with faculty to address PACE concerns, but in reality  PT faculty were not consulted. Adminstration DID NOT meet with PT faculty about PACE Surveys.

Moving Forward

wants more positive steps

wants representatives from Bot, Adminsitrators, FT and PT together to develop policies and practices for effective leadeship

Work out of the public arena

Include PT faculty in a portion of the proposed Administration/FT Faculty Retreat.

Most PT faculty feel we are not recognized for the contribution that we make to the students at COD. IT would be helpful for us to be part of the process.

Chair Mazzochi calls for other members of the COD community to present

Tom Tipton, Professor of English

Hello, I’m Tom Tipton. I’ve been a faculty member here for 22 years, and I have been appointed along with Dr. David Goldberg as a faculty representative to the newly created Accreditation Task Force that will hold its first meet tomorrow morning. I want to thank Glenn Hansen and Richard Jarman for communicating the consensus of the Faculty Senate here tonight. I also want to thank them for taking the lead on this crucial issue. While I’m at it, I want to thank the Board for putting this item on the agenda and listening to the faculty voice. I will do my best as part of the Accreditation Task Force over the next year to help the Board and the Administration get off of probation. I will use the Faculty Senate’s response document as a guide. The operative question I will ask regarding each article of probation will be, “How could this have happened?” As I have been thinking about the meaning of the Board and Administration’s probation since December 17th, I kept coming back to a sports metaphor…of all things a golf metaphor, even though I don’t play golf. The College’s response to the Higher Learning Commission needs to be a drive, not just a putt. The Task Force cannot fall into a “check box,” “cut and paste,” or bean counting  mentality. Rather, a true response has to be pointed toward a deep cultural change at our beloved institution. We can no longer afford an administration and board that isolates itself in its own circle of yes men and women. We can no longer afford an “us” versus “them” mentality, where the administration is the “A Team” and all other employees are the “B Team.” Nor can we afford to wait for a new president to come on board before acting in response to probation. As much as I look forward to a new president, he or she, however charismatic, won’t individually be the solution to what has become a problem in the culture of the college. We need to retrain our ears at the college to hear dissenting voices as positive voices — note that I am not saying disrespectful or uncivil voices, but dissenting voices. I have been fortunate to see in the past how all constituencies at the college were able to pull together and collaborate at crunch times, such as during the conversion from quarters to semesters. I wonder, though, whether collaboration as I knew it is now dead at this college. Never to be resurrected even in this post-Breuder era. I hope not, but I wonder whether what is called for now, instead of collaboration, is greater self sacrifice by those who were instrumental in putting the Board and Administration on probation in the first place. The foxes don’t get to guard the henhouse. As much as I’d like to, I can’t see my role on the Accreditation Task Force in terms of collaboration or even in terms of negotiation; sadly I have to see it in terms of making deep changes in the culture of the college, and holding the administrators responsible for putting the College on probation, accountable. I see the Taskforce as a positive step. I thank Chair Mazzochi for creating it. Thank you.

Roger Kempa- talks about financial implications of the HLC report.

Some Bot members were warned about Perkins and Will — no check on references

Chair Mazzochi asks Kempa to stick to HLC issues.

Kirk Allen-

Refers to Hansen’s talk — insinuations that the VNC was a means to force Breuder to early retirement. But long before the VNC the record shows that he was already speaking if early retirement. Accountability — that’s the thing I plead with you folks. You must hold somebody accountable. We will not move forward without that.

Joe Stahl- President of Student Leadership Council. Compilation of student opinions. Notes that an inquiry was passed out to students. We’ve gotten a wide range of responses. those who have been following for a long time and those who have just started. I will be fairly general tonight.

Response to the HLC was to numbers 2 and 3, audit committee and ethics training. Positive responses to those as preventive steps to avoid future problems. But one training about ethics training for student workers. One student was concerned about getting more details on thewhistleblower program.

Another item — SLEA issue. What will happen to the students who were in the middle of taking courses when the issue were brought up? Will they get their credits.

Students hope that everyone can work together and play nice. Reminder to keep students first. COD exists to educate students above all else.

Not a lot of concern that we will lose accreditation. Concerns about deadlines. We don’t want to be scrabbling at the last minute.

Extreme optimism about the BoT retreat and hopes that it happens soon.

Personally I would like to reiterate: COD is not a business. I can comment on the great way that Shared Governance is working now. New committees, parking taskforce implementations were helpful. This district is a good one and as long as the community contributes and is allowed to contribute, I think we will be in a good position.

Chair Mazzochi opens up the floor to Trustees to ask faculty questions.Trustee Olsen – I apprecaiate the FT and PT faculty have put into their thoughtful recommendations.I hope that all recommendations made here get a fair hearing. We also need to remain engaged in this process. We must continue to have this dialogue. I find the model of shared governance is one of the bedrocks of higher education. It is unique and important. We must get stakeholders involved in decision making. We must do more work to ensure that the dialogue continues, including students. We could make students a particular part of an agenda, as well as other staff members who would like to comment and make recommendations. Expresses the desire to have one on one conversations with faculty and others. We should make this a monthly part of our agenda.

Mazzochi– Yes, I spoke with Dr. Collins about this. We would like the Taskforce to give us monthly updates on this.  A lot of things get discussed but there is no follow-up or follow-through. We must not only discuss but also put in place an action plan. A monthly report is something we are going to include. We must think through which things we have heard tonight must happen on the basic administrative level vs where are there areas where we as Bot need to be setting some policies. Or where do we need to change policies. We need to think about where best practices are being implemented. I’m very interested in hearing more on administrator evaluation. We need to hear more about setting standards for that. We need to be careful to know we are wearing the right hats and in the right place. We as a Bot have things we need to focus on, and Administration has areas it needs to work on.

It would be helpful for the BoT and the Admin to have a comparable model as faculty to Administrators have so we know the things that are appropriate for the BoT to do, things it is not appropriate. The BoT is here to set the strategic goals, what we think should happen. But the professionals who have the expertise should set HOW that happens.

Napolitano — common theme is communication and collaboration. But we have several other committees andsome of those are open to the public. I encourage faculty, students and members of the public to attend those meetings as well. Not many do at this point. For example, the Budget Committee. Come and share your thoughts and concerns. I encourage Bot members to come as well.

Chair MAzzochi steps to the Podium to present what the BoT has done.

“Road to Feb 2017” to meet the HLC deadlines.

Criterion Two, Core Component 2A

Bot has independent film, audit committee — a triple check system to make sure investments are according to Bot policy. We have a MOU about this. Bot has added more checks.

Bot members have access to all 43 internal audit reports.

Bot has strengthened internal controls,

Criterion Five, Core Component 5.B

Ethics Training program. Bot has included its own Ethics training in addition to what HR has chosen.

Not providing financial statements regularly — we will be providing those month to month.

outlines various measures to increase Bot accountability.

 

Administration leadership failures

BoT will keep looking at outstanding faculty VNC issues.

particular focus — the SLEA situation

Improve intra-Board cooperation. Needs dates from all BoT members for availability to schedule the retreat.

Action Plan — January

resolving Bd issues 2)oversight administrative issues 3)further information gathering. We know we need to address this by Feb 17

Trustee Olsen — regarding Ethics training and processes. Talk about whistleblowers. Students also mentioned this. There are multiple ways to raise issues. Reporting to supervisors ,  legal, or report to designated Ethics officer. The importance of anonymous tiplines. We have to have this in cases where there are untenured faculty, for example. Or people at a lower level — fear of putting one’s name to a complaint because of possible retaliation.

Dr. Joe Collins, Acting Interim President, presents updated plan of action, Response to the HLC.

Working document. IT goes tomorrow to the Accreditation Taskforce.

Corrective Plan of Action

gives web address to look at the plan — website will be posted on the COD website. It is not posted yet. Hopefully tomorrow. The Accreditation Taskforce meets at 8:30 am tomorrow.

Show Cause — that will be the next step if we do not correct the problems the HLC has found.

We have 11 months to file an Assurance Filing.

Collins goes through the document which describes what the College has been doing thus far to address the problems. This will all be found on the COD website later.

Chair Mazzochi asks for additional questions.

Trustee Bernstein — thanks for faculty and Collins for presentations. Should we look for an outside person or agency to look in a few months to tell us if we are on the right track? I would hate to have Feb 17 to roll around and we think we have done everything, but we haven’t. Is there an outside agency to bring as a consultant to bring some months from now.

Collins — not an agency, but individuals.II know some individuals that have extensive experience with the HLC. I have been planning on raising this with the Bot — hiring someone outside of the institution to give us feedback on what we are doing and if it satisfies the HLC concerns.

Bernstein — other trustees?

Mazzochi – it is premature at this point. The Taskforce needs to revisit this issue maybe in MAy.

Mazzochi– we need to make sure it’s the right person who knows of our COD needs.

Olsen – -Yes I support that in concept.

Agenda Item 9: Introductory of In-house council. Presented by Linda Sans Van Kirk, HR, COD.

LSVK goes over the Categories of legal costs that institutions incur. Describes the two primary roles that in-house counsel provides.

Goes through pros and cons of maintaining in-house counsel. Goes through salary estimates.

Item 10 — Approval of Perkins and Will for SSC Miller Honorarium, and Commemorative Displays

Trustee Napolitano asks for clarifications about the group.

Schmiedl, COD Facilities Manager — clarifies  that it is a stand-alone group within the larger firm. We do not have experience with them. We did not check references. We relied on the information that they submitted. This is only permission to negotiate a contract. If you approve this we will supply the information you are asking for.

Vote: All trustees vote yes. Motion passes.

11. Trustee Discussion

Bernstein – nothing.

Wozniak — I have a statement I’ve been wanting to read regarding issues that have been going on in the Bot.  Addressing the boycott — notes that until the Clean Slate came to the BoT we could all work together. Says that they cannot get information, documents. Goes over incidents that have kept the Board from working together. Objects to the swearing in of David Olsen since he cannot hold this office and be on the Downers Grove Board, by law.

Student Trustee Roark-nothing.

Trustee Olsen — I agree that working together is very important. I think tonight’s meeting was a great meeting, especially the discussion of the HLC report. Excellent discussion, hearing from the stakeholders.

I would liek some understanding from the administration, from Dr. Collins, what the scope of the Haynes contract is. I don’t think that the information from Mr LEfort fully addressed the scope of this.

Mazzochi– Mr. Elliot can provide that to you.

Olsen — yes, and shared with all trustees.

Napolitano —  sent from Trustee McGuire’s letter should be entered into the record as well as Wozniak’s statement.

MAzzochi– notes activities to celebrate the 5oth anniversary of COd and wants input on the types of activities trustees would like to see to celebrate.

Notes that she met with three students who are running for the Student Trustee position.

Also, all Trustees, can you please give me dates for when you can participate in a retreat.

Regarding multiple attorneys at a meeting — COd is only being charged for one lawyer from a firm, even if more than one from the firm show up.

I would like to entertain a motion to go into Closed session, after which we will vote on item 6B.

Attorney Elliot reads the reasons for which a Closed Session can be held.

Vote — all trustees vote yes.

Closed Session begins.