Board of Directors Meeting December 2, 2020 | BCTC

Our Leadership

Board of Directors Meeting December 2, 2020

Location

Microsoft Teams Meeting Conference Call

6:00 p.m.

Agenda

  1. Welcome/Introductions - Ron Walker, Board Chair
  2. Business Meeting
    1. Approval of Minutes, September 2, 2020 - Ron Walker, Board Chair
    2. Approval of Capital Strategic Needs Analysis - Lisa Bell
  3. Information/Discussion
    1. President's Report - Dr. Koffi Akakpo
    2. Enrollment Report - Dr. Palisa Williams Rushin
    3. Mission Statement Review - Aaron Gay
    4. Budget and Financial Review - Lisa Bell
    5. Foundation Report - Mark Manuel
    6. Functional area Updates
      • Finance & Operations - Lisa Bell
      • Academics & Workforce Development - Dr. Greg Feeney
  4. Announcements - Ron Walker, Board Chair
  5. Adjourn - Ron Walker, Board Chair

Minutes

Approved by the BCTC Board of Directors on 03/03/2021

  • BCTC Board of Directors, Chair: Ron Walker Jr.
  • BCTC Board of Directors, Secretary: Dr. Joshua Hoekstra

Members Present

  • Joshua Hoekstra
  • Ted Vittos
  • Tom Stephens
  • Bob McNulty
  • Florence Huffman
  • Marissa Smith
  • Gbili Ntambidila (Simon)
  • Ron Walker, Jr.
  • Olivia Scholz

 

Others Present

  • Koffi Akakpo
  • Lisa Bell
  • Mark Manuel
  • Greg Feeney
  • JoEllen Reed
  • Palisa Williams Rushin
  • Ross Johnson
  • Michelle Sjogren

I. Welcome/Introductions - Board Chair, Ron Walker

Chair, Ron Walker, Jr. called to the meeting to order at 6:04 pm and asked attendees to introduce themselves.

II. Business Meeting

Mrs. Olivia Scholz made a motion to approve the September 2, 2020 Board of Directors’ meeting minutes.  Mrs. Marissa Smith seconded the motion.  The motion carried.
Ms. Bell reviewed the Capital Strategic Needs Analysis.  This capital needs assessment is conducted every two years.  Capital needs are ranked and submitted to System Office for inclusion in the KCTCS biennial budget request. The seven projects were reviewed by board members. Mrs. Florence Huffman made a motion to approve the submission of the Capital Strategic Needs Analysis to the KCTCS System Office.  Mr. Tom Stephens seconded the motion.  The motion carried.

III. Information/Discussion

  • Dr. Akakpo reported that BCTC’s fall term has gone very well.  The current enrollment has 40 more students than this time last year.
  • BCTC’s fall call campaign provided extra assistance for over 500 students and the next call campaign will begin next week.
  • As of yesterday, BCTC was approximately 720 students down in spring enrollment compared to this time last year. Departments are working hard to improve enrollment numbers.
  • BCTC Graduation will be held on December 12 & 13, 2020.  Due to the ongoing pandemic, this will be a drive-thru graduation.
  • Good Giving Program started this week at BCTC. Dr. Akakpo and Mr. Ron Walker encouraged board members to participate in Good Giving.
  • Dr. Rushin reported that student enrollment as of November 2, 2020 was 10,182 compared to 10,144 from this time last year, which a 0.4% increase.  BCTC was the only college in the system with an increase in enrollment.  Mr. Walker commended staff and faculty on their hard work in increasing enrollment.
  • Dual credit enrollment had an 11.8% increase.
  • Dr. Rushin reported that spring enrollment gap was closing over the past four weeks with the following percentages:
    • November 1 enrollment was down 19.7% compared to last year.
    • November 15 the enrollment was down 16.1%.
    • December 1 the enrollment gap was 12.4%.
  • Faculty and staff are working to improve enrollment numbers.
  • Mr. Aaron Gay gave an overview of the mission statement review process. The KCTCS Board of Regents along with SACCOC require a mission statement for each college.  BCTC’s mission statement is reviewed every three years.  Policy requires the mission statement to be clearly defined, comprehensive and specific to the institution itself, and appropriate to higher education.  It should address teaching, learning and if applicable, research or public/community service.
  • The mission statement review survey went to full and part-time faculty and staff, Foundation board and BCTC board members.  The survey consisted of five questions and sent to 1,081 individuals with 77 responding to the survey.
  • Once reviewed by the BCTC Board of Directors, the mission statement will then go to KCTC Board of Regents for final approval.
  • A motion was made by Mr. Bob McNulty to approve BCTC’s mission statement.  Mrs. Florence Huffman seconded the motion.  The motion carried.
  • Ms. Bell shared that the Governor had announced that mandatory state appropriation budget cuts would not be necessary at this time. BCTC had budgeted an 8% mandatory state appropriation budget cut due to notification from the Office of State Budget Director that budget cuts would be likely in fall 2020.
  • The budget narrative was reviewed.  It was reported that the current revenue for spring was $9,669,162.
  • The Governor announced two initiatives related to federal CARES grant funding.  State appropriation funds would be returned and exchanged for federal CARES funding in the amount of $431,000 and BCTC would receive additional federal CARES grant funds of $431,000. These CARES grand funds, totaling $862,000, must be spent by December 31, 2020.   All expenses must comply with federal guidelines related to CARES grant funds and be directly related to the COVID pandemic.  The application has been submitted for these initiatives.
  • Ms. Bell explained that the Performance Based Funding model contains a 2% stop loss measure. This measure is where no KCTCS college can lose more than 2% of their state appropriation.  The question was asked if the stop loss measure, was indefinite.  Discussion followed.  Dr. Hoekstra stated that he feels it undermines the performance-based funding model. It was stated that Hazard College was scheduled to lose three million if the stop loss was not in place. Mrs. Huffman commented that she feels privileged to be a part of a system that shares the wealth.
  • Ms. Bell reported that Barnes and Noble Bookstore commission for the fall is $140,546.
  • Mr. Manuel reported that Jane Gemberling was hired as the Senior Administrative Assistant for Advancement.
  • BCTC has received two new endowed scholarships totaling $40,000.
    • The Dr. Gordon Liddle and Dr. Jutta Kaush Liddle Scholarship
    • The Fuch Family Scholarship
  • The faculty/staff campaign has received a total of $13,788 to date.
    • Jimmy Nash Homes and Kentucky Bank provided challenge matches
    • Focused on The HEART of BCTC and Greatest Need Fund
    • While participation dropped to 22% from 46% last year, the average gift increased to $109.15 from $61.00
    • An additional $700 from part time employees
  • Good Giving Challenge
    • For the first time all four regional campuses are participating
    • Strategic Communications has helped with messaging and social media support
    • Four campuses total over $8000 as of this afternoon
  • Scholarships
    • The scholarship process was revamped
    • Scholarships were awarded more quickly and effectively, which in turn means our stewardship reports can all be completed in January 2021
  • Grants
    • Two new grants from DOD/NSA totaling $482,188.00:
      • Cybersecurity Education Pathways for Minorities
      • Healthcare Cybersecurity Pathways
    • Two grants we had received before totaling $26,966.00:
      • Catholic Charities ESL for refugees (HHS)
      • Julian-Carver Family Foundation for college readiness boot camps
  • Ms. Bell noted a few of the current capital construction project milestones, led by Mr. Wayne Cowan, Dean of Facilities Planning and Capital Construction, as follows:
    • Danville Campus Advanced Manufacturing Facility Building Addition is on track to be finished two months early and will be ready for students in fall 2021.
    • Newtown Campus, The Den, construction is proceeding and will be ready for students in fall 2021.
    • Newtown Campus parking lot - 244 new spaces completed August 2020.
    • Newtown Campus Cadaver Lab - Completed August 2020.
  • Ms. Bell reported that the budget office has assisted with tracking and reporting of CARES Grant funds and reimbursement requests for the Danville Work Ready Skills Initiative (WRSI) project expenditures.  Quarterly and Annual reporting is required for all CARES Grant funds.
  • The Bursar’s office has provided in-person cashiering services during the pandemic.  Their department has also served on a System Office pilot project to implement a System wide unified payment plan process for prior term past due accounts receivable balances.  In the past, payment plans for prior term balances due were a manual process administered individually by each college.
  • The Information Technology department has installed over 800 desktop/laptop computers to aid both in person and remote instruction and work.  Additionally, they developed and implemented a surplus desktop distribution process enabling 210 students to receive a free desktop computer. Additional surplus desktop computers will be given away to students as units become available.
  • Ms. Bell reported that the Operations team has done an amazing job with Healthy at Work initiatives, compliance, reporting, cleaning and sanitization during the pandemic.  
  • Dr. Feeney reported that the Spring schedule is 77% online and 23% in-person.
  • With the many advising efforts, including a call campaign to all BCTC students, the November 1st -19.7 enrollment deficit is down 12.4%.
  • Dr. Feeney reported that DC credit enrollment continues to be strong and show growth in enrollment.
  • The Orthotics and Prosthetics Technology Program scheduled to begin in fall 2021, pending approval from SACSCOC will be housed on the Leestown Campus.  There are only six accredited programs in the country.  BCTC will be the first institution in the state of Kentucky to offer this program.
  • BCTC is working with the University of Kentucky in the following areas:
    • Bachelor of Science in Lean Systems Engineering Technology (LSET)
    • Associate in Applied Science in Integrated Engineering Technology
    • Embedded certificates: Electrical Engineering Technology and Mechanical Engineering Technology
    • Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering Technology (CPET)
    • Associate of Science / Associate in Applied Science in Computer Engineering Technology
    • Embedded certificates:  A+ Prep, Computer Tech Basic, Informatics Programming, Net+ Prep, and Computer Maintenance Technician
  • All are pending approval from KCTCS, UK Senate and SACSCOC.
  • Dr. Feeney also reported that BCTC is currently working on the Department of Labor Job Corps Scholars grant that supports 80 Job Corps Scholars to earn 1 of 65 certificate programs.
  • System Office received grant funding to explore what it would be like if a competency-based education model were implemented. There are over 170 employees from all 16 colleges serving on committees exploring this. The funded opportunity allows for a faculty-led project that reviews all the ways KCTCS Colleges interact with students and meet business/industry & community needs.
  • Dr. Feeney reported that BCTC has been reaccredited for 10 years. A 10-year active plan has been implemented for the 2030 reaccreditation process.

 

IV. Announcements - Board Chair, Ron Walker

Mr. Walker commended BCTC faculty/staff and students for their hard work and dedication in their leadership during this pandemic. This has been a trying time and everyone at BCTC has stepped up to help students succeed.

V. Adjourn - Board Chair, Ron Walker

Mr. Walker, Chair adjourned the meeting at 7:33 pm.