Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at
6:03 p.m.
Roll Call
Present: Canady, Heywood, Holden,
Jeffries, Patterson, Pelleran, Rasmusson
Absent: None.
Additions/Deletions to the Agenda
There were no additions or deletions
to the agenda.
Limited Public Comment Regarding
Agenda Items
Sharon Banks, Superintendent, Lansing
School District - Thank you so much. It is indeed a pleasure
to be here this evening. To the young people in the audience, to
the guests, and especially to the Board of Trustees and to
President Cunningham. We were in a Board meeting over in our
office, but I asked to be excused because tonight is a special
night for me in that I am able to give back. When I first
arrived in Lansing there were a few people who extended the
olive branch and wanted to help me in any way that they could
and Paula was one of those individuals. We had a lot of late
night conversations, and a lot of soul searching and asked for
someone greater than ourselves to be our guide. Many educational
institutions of higher learning are aloof, not friendly, and
definitely considered ivory towers. That is not the case with
Lansing Community College. So I am here tonight to tell you that
it's a like a big brother that treats you like an equal. It's
a like having a power of strength that you know you can lean on.
Not only for yourself and for your colleagues, but most
importantly for your students. The Atlanta connection. Oh, an
awesome opportunity for our young people to envision to realize
and to ultimately achieve an opportunity to attend a historical
black university in Atlanta, Georgia all through the gifts of
the Lansing Community College. The Star Institute a program
where your employees have stood tall, helped us supported us,
and we try hard to give students and I vow to do everything in
my power to do better and to do more. Because we know that the
Star Institute works. I am a witness because Satitra Singleton
is my cousin and she?s in college now here doing her first
year after her senior year and will be leaving here and going on
to Ferris State, so she got her first year of college over at
Sexton High School and being involved in the Star Institute. So,
I have a witness and a testimony in my own family. We've got
to do more and better. The Lamp Program. Paula waves the flag
and taught it to me very quickly. We have more students this
year than we've had in the past and we know that this is a
successful program allowing our students an opportunity to be
involved at the GM plan to do more, to learn more, and most
importantly to let those in the community know how
intellectually astute our students are, and how they are as
problem solvers. Last year I had the opportunity to go and
observe my students in the Lamp Program problem solve publicly,
and boy was I proud. But just as proud was the parent who
knocked on my door on that Monday morning and said, "Gee
that was nice of you, the President and other individuals to
come and see our students be involved in the Lamp Program."
Gifted and talented. we're able to matriculate our students
right here through your university because they need more course
work. that's important for us to know that we don't have to
look outside an astronomical amount of money to do any other
type of learning, when we can send our students right here to
our big brother and big sister. Educational Advisory Group. I
can't think of one time that I've called to talk to Paula or
asked her for help that she has not sent a staff member to the
Lansing school District to make what we would like to do happen.
Instructional Assistance Certification. We are in the process
now in talking because we have a large number of instructional
assistants, but we would like them to be paraprofessionals and
we know that we can work with your program, allow them some help
and incentives to be in your two-year program. And we think that
with the partnership with Lansing Community College and Lansing
school District we are going to get some teachers and grow our
own out of that group of paraprofessionals. Support for the
bonding. We had everybody in the community helping us, but boy
it really warms my soul to get a message on the numbers of
people in the Lansing Community College who telephoned for us. A
labor of love. So I am here tonight to tell you that Atlanta
Connection, Star Institute, Lamp Program, Gifted and Talented,
being educational advisors to a large number of my staff and
always to myself, the Paraprofessional Program, support for the
bond, that you are never nor will you ever be considered an
ivory tower, aloof, and uncaring, but a big brother and a big
sister who have put your arm out around and just hugged us.
Thank you so much. I'm here to support your president, her
contract, and to tell you that we love you and we see this
partnership being forever, bigger, wider, and a model for the
country. Thank you for allowing me to speak tonight.
Carol Wood, Lansing City Council ?
Good evening. Thank you for allowing me to be here this evening.
My name is Carol Wood and I am wearing many hats this evening. I
sit on the Lansing City Council as an at large representative
and I'm part of the neighborhood community. I work with
neighborhood groups and with the community at large and which is
part of my heart. Coming here this evening I thought of the
leadership we have before us this evening. The Board of Trustees
who so wisely asked Paula to take the helm of the community
college. And I think of all the things that, and Dr. Banks
alluded to many of the things that you do with schools, from
Star Institute to the Lamp Program, as a matter of fact, we on
the City, one who works with our web page is someone who is part
of Star Institute that works with you. His name is Noah and if
it wasn't for Noah and my calling him making sure that I was
doing what I was supposed to on my web page, we wouldn?t be up
and running sometimes. But the other part of this whole scenario
is what you do for the community every single day. And what
Paula with the Board's blessing has also done. When I think of
the fact that you have stepped forward and first of all, put
your footprint out for those of us in the community so we do
know where you are going. What the College's plans were and
how we could look at achieving what was best for the university
and what was best for us in the community. I thank you for that.
I also thank you for the fact that you have embraced the
neighborhood around you. When I think of the fact that coming to
you and asking you to look at adopting the home ownership
program and that you stepped forward and you did that. And by
your example, when we brought this on the first part of the
month, the Accident Fund, the first private concerned to say
that they would allow 400 of their employees to apply through
their process and put new ownership in Lansing, and we
appreciate that. When I think of the greater Lansing Housing
Coalition and how many times you have opened your doors for
their presentations that they have done in the community by
opening this facility especially and the different things that
you have in the community. This is community. This is part of
what makes us be a family here. This is part of what allows us
to come before you and say you are part of our family, part of
our friends, and how much it means to us that you have given the
trust to Paula and how much she has given back to us with your
blessing. We also think about the fact through that neighborhood
group who try to promote themselves and putting forth brochures,
videos on what they stand for and what is going good in their
community and Paula has said that there were students that would
help them with that. And so I ask you this evening, as not just
a council member who can say that through part of the leadership
of Paula we now have your millage passed and when we say some of
the other things that haven?t passed, the counties, the school
districts, we thank you for that because you are part of our
community. And when I also look forward and say thank you for
being that friend and part of that community that has uplifted
us as neighborhood people, that has uplifted us as a city, and I
hope that we?ll keep her in that role to continue to move
forward in stride for what's best for Lansing Community
College. Thank you.
Tony Benavides, Cristo Rey Community
Center - Thank you for the opportunity to be part of your
public comment this evening. My purpose tonight is to submit a
letter and comments reaffirming my support for our president,
Paula Cunningham. During this past year, she has made sure that
we, the community, know that she has a vision that is meaningful
not only just for the College, but also for the entire community
for which it serves. She has worked for additional programs. She
has made sure that the public knows the assets and its strengths
of the College and the impact that this institution has in
preparing well educated students to strengthen the workforce and
if so desired, to continue on to the four year institutions. She
made herself available to the public and has initiated many
contacts with the community attending meetings, serving on
community boards, and speaking at various functions. She has
made it possible for more citizens of this community to have
input and to feel comfortable in sharing their needs and ideas.
Ms. Cunningham has faced all the challenges that this position
brought with determination and with a professional energy that
speaks of her commitment for this institution. The passage of
the Lansing Community College millage is a result of all of the
above. She and her staff have worked many hours to inform the
citizens of this community. The votes that the millage received
speaks of the trust that the citizens have in her leadership. We
the Spanish speaking community stand behind her and we look
forward to working with her for many, many years to come.
Alisha Mosher, student - Good
evening. I am privileged to be here today. I'm here to share a
little bit of myself and at the same time give support to our
president, Paula Cunningham. As a student I see Paula Cunningham
as trustworthy, approachable and committed. And having a leader
like Paula Cunningham whose decisions can be trusted makes a
difference in how students view their school and education. It
determines the volume of students that get more involved on
campus while moving towards a higher education. Our school?s
president has succeeded in her decisions and goals for this
college. Having an approachable disposition as a leader is a
quality that Paula Cunningham has strongly displayed among the
students. I find it refreshing and also encouraging that someone
with her job title can sit among us and listen to our ideas and
concerns coming directly from our mouths about our classes.
Paula really takes to heart the experiences of the students and
includes those in the decisions that are made to make Lansing
Community College a better place for education. It's difficult
to be successful in any one thing unless you have the commitment
for both the pleasant aspects as well as the not so pleasant
aspects for the tasks set before you. I believe Paula Cunningham
has shown a high level of commitment for both. Which has
reflected in the increase of student enrollment, student
participation, which has given the students motivation needed to
transfer to a higher educational institution. Her level of
commitment has proceeded the growing amounts of success stories
for many people of all ages including myself. I'll be
receiving my associates degree in the spring and will be moving
on to a higher education. I have learned to apply trust,
commitment, and approachability to my every day life by getting
involved in my school and in my community outside of just going
to classes. Lansing Community College has been the encouraging
factor for me and for many other students looking for more than
a college experience. President Paula Cunningham stands behind
that and we all stand behind her. Thank you.
Paul DeWeese, House of Representatives
- Good evening. I am pleased to have the opportunity to
encourage the Board of Trustees to extend the contract for
President Paula Cunningham. President Cunningham along with the
Board of Trustees has really achieved something quite
remarkable. With quiet confidence she stepped into an unstable
situation. Fought with recrimination and distrust and with
gentle strength she has restored confidence, reestablished
trust, and reenergized the mission of the College. In thinking
about what she has achieved I've thought of a similar model
that we deal with in the Legislature and that is I think it
similar to asking an investor to invest in a toxic brown waste
field because that also involves risk and heavy personal
liability. But transformational leaders take risks on behalf of
the broad public interest. And that's what she did. Because
she is a person of integrity because she is accessible and she
is very present to the broader community she is a tremendous and
outstanding leader. I think it is also important to reflect on
how Lansing Community College is really a critical part of the
matrix of our broader community. When the college community is
healthy and when it is energized, it becomes part of the vital
strength of our region. Institutions like Lansing Community
College don't just exist on to themselves. They directly
impact all of our lives. They literally shape the image we have
on ourselves and our community. President Cunningham has made us
all proud again. The recent successful millage election I think
is a direct reflection of the public?s affirmation of her
leadership. So I'm very proud to stand before you and the
public to thank her for what she?s done. I'm looking forward
to working with her and the Board in the coming months to
continue to serve our community and provide opportunities for
the community.
Dennis Muchmore,
Muchmore, Harrington,
Smalley & Associates - I just want to thank the deer in
the state for being in existence or otherwise the legislature
would probably be in session. I would have a little opportunity
to come in hear to give you all our annual festive holiday
greetings to you and also congratulate all of you in getting
this college out of, that I thought, was in a very difficult
situation. With great effort and great grace on all your parts.
I particularly appreciate President Cunningham and the efforts
that she?s made to stabilize what the College does and how it
operates. Well, Sandy and I will tell you that when you deal
with the Legislature it is very difficult to deal with
legislators that don't think they will be talking to the same
person more than once and the opportunity to stabilize that
especially with the capital outlay. Because when we are talking
about long term projects for Lansing Community College it is
extremely important for all of you who have dealt with the
legislation, that's just about everyone in this room, it's a
small town and we all basically do the same thing, knows that it
is very true in having trust and the feeling that you have a
long term relationship is particularly very important. I have an
interest, especially from spending many years on the Lansing
Community College Foundation as chairman for a term, having the
opportunity to work with Gretchen and Chris Laverty, who I
consider a great friend of mine, we worked together for a lot of
years raising a ton of money for scholarships and programs for
Lansing Community College students all of which we saw took a
big dip and is slowly working ourselves back into a level of
trust in the community. Where we can all go out very easily,
whether it is KP or Olga or Brian or any of us go out and just
ask people to stand behind Lansing Community College students
and stick up for them and help them raise scholarship money
because the most important thing for the kids that go to Lansing
Community College is not that we have this program or that
program it's that they get a chance financially to have an
opportunity to get a higher education. And that all has to do
with stability and that all has to do with leadership and we
congratulate each and every Board member for the efforts that
they?ve put into it and the President and her administration
for leading the way towards bringing us back into a situation
where all of us can benefit ultimately with these kids
education.
Larry Leatherwood, University of
Michigan - Mr. Chair, Board of Trustees, I did not prepare any
comments tonight for a reason. The reason is that one does not
need to prepare comments when one speaks from their heart. And I
speak from the heart tonight because I think Lansing Community
College, as was pointed out by my friend, Mr. Muchmore, that the
Board has provided leadership with the guidance and tremendous
support to our president, President Cunningham. Perhaps this is
out of the ordinary, but I think this deserves it and I would
like the Board to stand up. Will you please stand up? Let?s
give them a round of applause (applause). While I don't sit in
your seats I can understand and appreciate what you must endure
in deliberating and making decisions for this college. I think
Superintendent Banks and others have eloquently talked about the
accomplishments of the College and this Board of Trustees and
most certainly our president, President Cunningham. I would be
redundant if I would repeat all of that on the other hand I
would be remised if I didn?t point out other things that would
also compliment with some of what was said about such as things
as the 2+2 Program, the Star program and one that I am really
familiar with is the M-TEC program. While that has not come to a
reality as of yet I have no doubt that it will under the
leadership of our president, President Cunningham. And obviously
the passing of the bond didn?t just happen. It took a lot of
work by the leadership of President Cunningham and the Board of
Trustees and most certainly all of you. Through a joint effort
the results were obtained and I think everyone should be
commended for that. Then I could go on and I could talk about
again about what I think you already know that President
Cunningham is a very considerate person. Considerate because she
listens to people. She takes into consideration what they may
say weight it and then makes a decision. She?s understanding.
She understands what's she?s listening to, what she hears.
She is very intelligent. You don't get where she is by not
being intelligent and that is why she is sitting there. She is
willing to provide leadership and I've seen that happen. She
didn?t hesitate, she said, "this is what we're going to
do" and I said, "don't argue, do it." I can go
on forever and ever and talk about the all attributes of our
president. I could go on and talk about all the attributes of
this Board of Trustees. I could go on and talk about all the
attributes of this institution. I think it is more important to
say to you that why, why mess with a team. You got a winner. You
remember last year when I came to speak I said I?d offer the
first vote for Ms. Cunningham. While I recognize this year, I
won?t offer my vote. I came here to say to you to please,
please take into consideration what you have. You have a jewel
and don't destroy it. Allow it to grow and glow and provide
the kind of leadership that this community, all of us need, our
president, Paula Cunningham.
Chris Laverty, UAW Training Technology
Representative, Local 652 - I rise in support of President
Paula Cunningham and the job she?s done since she?s been in
her current capacity. I've worked with her in several
different arenas throughout the community. First and proudly
foremost back at the plant we have several different contracts
with Lansing Community College. She?s always been there when
we have had any kinds of issues or concerns...(inaudible) the
College as far as the different things that we're trying to do
over there as far as keeping work in town and keeping a well
qualified, well trained workforce over there. Secondly, I serve
on the Capital Area Workforce Development Board so, therefore, I
work a lot with Paula regarding our M-TEC for the Lansing area.
I've gone with Paula on several other tours around the state
to visit some of the other M-TEC?s. I commend her on the job
she?s done as far as putting a together a community wide
coalition of businesses, labor, educators, different community
leaders to take a look at that entire process. She?s had no
problem when it came time to make a tough decision and that was
to go back and tell General Motors that one-acre wasn't going
to work. That wasn't easy, but she?s gone back and done that
and I'm very confident that we're going to get more
property, we're going to get more acreage and with other
things that have gone on since that point in time I feel that as
Paula said we are going to have the best M-TEC in the state. It
will be the last one probably (laughter). we're looking
forward to working with Paula and her leadership to make that
happen. I also serve on the EAG, which is the Educational
Advisory Group, which is a subcommittee of the Workforce
Development Board where all the different superintendents from
all three ISD?s from all the counties. Dr. Banks and several
other community leaders also working there to improve the
education within our area. Hopefully that will create more jobs
and create more work into this area. Paula is always there and
she always participates and she?s been a true leader in that
group. I commend her for what she?s done there also. That
committee has been very influential within the community since
Paula came on board. I guess last but not least is the current
chairman of the Lansing Community College Foundation. I work
closely with Paula and we worked closely on the millage and in
several other areas. She was right there when we needed her for
Lip Sync. I see a few others here in the room, although I don't
recognize the men without their dresses on (laughter). Paula?s
always there when we've needed her. Currently we're doing a
lot of benchmarking with other colleges throughout the state and
even the country. She?s been very supportive when we went to
her and asked for her help and assistance in giving us a hand
with benchmarking with some of her staff here at the community
college. Then also she?s been very helpful and supportive of
what we're trying to do as far as developing a fundraising
strategy for the Foundation. With that, Paula, I?d just like
to thank you for everything you?ve done since you?ve taken
over the helm at Lansing Community College. You?ve done a
great job of establishing trust and credibility and getting the
College back on track.
James Butler, Chairman of the Board of
the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce - One of the things
when you measure a person in reference to what they have done
you have to have some type of benchmark or you have to have some
form of documentation to determine if they have done what it's
expected to be done. What I did is that I went back and pulled
out the document that was dated July 26, 2000 and this is in
reference to the strategic plan. The strategic plan mapped the
road map. What it said is that these are things that we would
accomplish starting in 2000 and would extend to 2007. Based upon
my assessment I can say that Paula has done an outstanding job.
As far as I'm concerned as I look at it she has done an
outstanding job as president and also as a leader as well. She
has far exceeded the requirements of the job. She has been able
to accomplish the basics of the job with ease and with
excellence. There is not only less management in reference to
direction, but also great judgment, resourcefulness, and the
depth of knowledge are of the highest quality. She has the
ability to anticipate and adapt to changes in the job
environment. But not only that she has been able to create new
ways of doing things that change the nature of the job. So, in
short what Paula Cunningham has done is she has broken the
bounds of the job. Paula Cunningham has done an excellent job as
a leader and also as president of the College and I say let her
lead, let her continue to lead. Thank you.
Bob Every - I've been a part of
this college every year since 1966 either as a student or as an
employee. Boss, I have some heavy hitters here for you. I just
want to talk to Paula a minute about what has taken place at the
College over the past year since you?ve been president. You
came in some pretty difficult times. I don't think anybody
would argue with that. I've seen the students come alive
again. I've seen faculty come alive, staff members come alive.
I've seen the campus grow and grow in enthusiasm and it's
good to see that type of freshness and that positive outlook
that people have. It wasn't so long ago that that wasn't
there. When people were talking in little groups about this and
people were talking in little groups about that. Now everybody
seems to be pointed in one direction and that's the direction
of how can we make this a better institution. You certainly have
done more than your fair share in the short period of time that
you?ve been here to get that done. I'm not going to stay up
here a long time and talk about this and about that, but I can
see the change on this campus and believe me it's a change for
the better. Now, have we've gotten where we want to be? Of
course not, you never get where you want to be in a campus
environment. You continually build and build and build and
always strive to be better than you are the day before. And we're
getting that way with the millage being passed and the 11%
growth in student enrollments since you took office. Those are
positive directions that we need to keep going in and as long as
we don't lose sight of that we're going to be fine. I?d
like to gear down a little bit into some locker room lingo. You
were talking about teams, well I'm a coach. that's what I do
best. that's what I enjoy doing and God gave me I think a
little bit of a gift to do that and that's what I'm going to
continue to do until I can't do it any longer. But I can tell
I like your determination, I like your desire, I like your guts,
and I like the fire in your belly to get something done. If my
ball players had those attributes (laughter), we?d never lose
a game. I just want to tell you we need not to look any farther,
what are we looking for? We have what we need. This college is
now starting to live again and it's all because of a few
people. Just like a good football team you need a quarterback.
Without a quarterback you're nothing. We have the quarterback
we need. Thank you.
Lynn Savage, Interim Chair of
Physical, Fitness and Wellness and Interim President of the
Lansing Community College Administrative Association - I'm
really pleased to be standing here tonight, Paula, because I
believe in the mission and vision that we have now. And I agree
with Bob we have some life back, we have some commitment back. I
made a summary, because I can't speak without notes very well.
So, I just want to summarize some of the things that I think are
important for us all to hear tonight. You did assume your
presidential duties during a time of intense turmoil on campus.
And that was a tough time for anybody to answer a call to be a
leader and you did that and we all appreciate that. I think you
bring a great deal of energy and a great deal of vision to that
role and I think that can be seen as we implement the strategic
plan. I think you?ve shown an ability to listen to many sides
of all questions and I think that is a difficult thing. Many of
us don't have that attribute. The ability to form coalitions
is a real strong, strong attribute and you?ve done that. And I'll
site the millage, because I was personally involved in the
millage effort, I think that bringing together the labor groups
on campus and the other employees on campus bringing together
the leaders of the community, bringing together all of the
various elements that it takes to pass a millage. that's your
leadership speaking to us and to you. I think you?ve shown the
ability also to address some of the important labor issues that
face us here at the College particularly in terms of equity. And
I'm very pleased with the contracts that have been settled in
the last year and half. I think they are fair, I think they're
equitable. No we're not where we need to be, but we're
getting there and that's quite a tribute. We don't have that
history necessarily. We have a rather bumpy road in the past. So
I'm proud of that. And finally, I think you have shown the
ability of accountability. Not only yourself, but all of us to a
very high level of accountability. And I think those of us who
appreciate excellence value that a great deal. I thank you for
that I thank you for your ability to listen and carry on.
Gary Van Kempen - I have been an
employee at the College for over 25 years most of the time as a
faculty member and more recently in the human resources area. As
I look back on those 25 years I can't remember a time when I've
ever felt more confident about the future of Lansing Community
College. In human resources alone, we have seven labor
agreements in place and for the first time in the history of the
College we approved a new faculty agreement before the old one
expired. Also, for the first time in the history of the College
we have salary structures for over 500 of our employees that
will provide internal equity as well as external market
competitiveness. And thanks to the passage of the millage we
will be able to fully implement those salary structures next
year. I sometimes wonder why were we able to do this in the past
year when we haven?t been able to do these things previously.
It certainly had a lot do with the hard work and dedication of
those involved in the process. The original wage and class
committee, the individuals on the various negotiating teams.
There was also excellent human resources advice and guidance
provided by Dave Davidson. The Board of Trustees was very
helpful throughout the process. Chair Jeffries provided some
extra leadership at crunch time when deadlines were approaching.
In addition to all that and in my mind at the hove of all that
was President Cunningham. My sense is that Paula had a vision of
where she wanted us to be in the Fall of 2001 and we're pretty
much there and it's a pretty good place to be. Though I just
want to say to Paula publicly thank you for your leadership and
support throughout this process and I also want to express my
sincere hope that you will continue to provide that leadership
for LCC in the future.
Bill Turowski, Athletic Director at
LCC - I'm a little nervous. I once heard a story that Mark
Twain told about a man who was seized by the town?s folk for a
perceived offense. He had been tarred and feathered in the
tradition of the early frontier was being ridden out of town on
a rail. Someone asked the culprit how he liked what was
happening to him. The gentlemen answered if it were not for the
honor of the occasion I would just assume miss it. President
Cunningham I'm sure you can relate to that story. But I didn?t
come with tarred feathers tonight rather to lend my support for
you in the job and the performance you have given LCC over the
past year. Kind words were spoken tonight I couldn?t say it
any better. I fully and completely 100% support everything that
has been said so far this evening. But I just wanted to thank
you for your leadership and your vision. For bringing your
honesty and integrity to the position. For your open
communication. For challenging us to be our best and not
accepting less. For your support and offering a helping hand. I
certainly look forward to working with you in the years ahead.
Dorothy Jones - I speak as a citizen
of Lansing and the community college district. I am not
surprised that Paula has done such a fine job. I knew years ago
that she was going to do this someday. So, stay with success. I
also want to say to all of you thank you for having the courage
to take the millage to we citizens and gave us the opportunity
to give you the support that you need to move on in that area.
Thank you.
Mayor Hollister - Thank you. I just
want to reinforce my enthusiastic support for the partnership
that is represented by Paula and her administration. She serves
on our EDC Board and is a very conscientious member. We are
currently working on Hope scholarships for 500 sixth graders and
we couldn?t do it without the school district and the
community college. We've been over to Flint working with
Kettering. There?s just a number of initiatives and the
affirmation of the millage is really a tribute to her
administration and the leadership of this Board. I think we have
a real ace here and we need to keep her.
Chairperson and Board Member Reports
Chairperson
By-laws Policy Committee Update
Chairperson Jeffries stated that at
the October meeting he indicated that in December the By-laws
Policy committee would be forwarding a recommendation to the
Board on the policies and revised Board by-laws. The policies
will not be brought before the Board at the December meeting as
planned due to the necessity of receiving feedback from various
labor groups. He stated that in February or possibly March the
committee will bring forward a recommendation related to the
policies. However, it is planned for the December 10 Board
meeting for the by-laws to be on the agenda for the Board's
consideration. There is a work session to review the by-laws on
December 4 at Noon.
President's Performance Review
& Status
Chairperson Jeffries stated that every
year the Board reviews the President's performance and the
President has the option to do it in closed or open session.
President Cunningham has chosen to conduct the performance
review in open session.
President Cunningham presented her
performance review to the Board. (The report is on file with the
official Board materials.)
Chairperson Jeffries stated that most
of the performance reviews conducted by Boards are usually done
in closed session. It is something that usually requires frank
discussion. He thanked President Cunningham for allowing the
review to be conducted in open session. He asked each Board
member to ask questions or make comments about the President's
performance review.
Verbatim transcript:
Trustee Rasmusson - No questions,
but I'll comment briefly that I think Paula has done a good
job and I'm impressed that she knows the people in industry,
the people in business, people in labor, people in education,
and in the community. This is very important and it's
something no outsider can come in and do. She knows the job and
she has my support.
Trustee Holden - Thirteen people
spoke and I don't think there is anything magical about that
number nor anything we should be afraid of. But I just captured
some of the words that were said I heard vision, mission, plan,
provided direction from at least five other people that spoke.
As a matter of fact one had a letter, and I don't have a copy
of that July 27 letter where Paula went to the community and
said, here is our plan. I heard words like restored trust,
stabilized leadership, listens, a coalition builder, broken the
bonds of the job. And there was one that I missed. We heard from
faculty, administrators, a student, and community leaders, and
some in our political arena. The one I liked was the faculty
member who said that this campus has come alive and I'm glad
to be living in this alive campus. So, Paula, thank you for your
leadership.
Trustee Canady - I know that the
President often says that we make her job a lot easier, I don't
know that that is true, but I know she certainly makes our job a
lot easier. Since this is the second administration that I've
gone through. I can understand how differently things can
operate in having been in politics in one level or another for
more years than what I want to remember. I know that this type
of tranquility is a rarity. I think that stands as a strong
testament to Paula?s temperament and her ability as a leader
of this college. If I may have your indulgence, I'm just going
to sit back and enjoy the moment. Because I know these things
don't always come along in this type of situation. I want to
thank you, Paula, for making this possible.
Trustee Patterson - It's a great
moment for me to listen to the public?s comments about the
President. Reflecting on a very troubled past year, few months
for me and I think for many people on this Board and in this
room. But one of the real shining lights for me this year is
that I liked Paula from the start, I liked her before and I like
her now. But she?s proven to me a toughness that I truly
admire and a steadfastness that is just amazing at times. When
it looks like it is going another direction, and Paula pulls it
back. So, I really much appreciate that. I think that I'm the
first page in Paula?s report. It talks about the greatest
achievement of the College in the past year is that it
represents a continued confidence and goodwill of our community
towards LCC. Believe me I never lost confidence in that, but I
think a lot of people did. And I think we have been able to pull
that back. I not only want to thank Paula tonight for helping
with that, but I think Brian has done a good job with that with
this Board in calming us down, putting us into a better format
at times and I really appreciate that. I think that was
necessary. There have been times that I haven?t agreed with
it. I've learned a lot in this last year and I'll repeat
myself that when I travel around and have the privilege in
representing this institution, this is a very, very fine
community college. It comes across time and time again and it
takes a leader to continue that on and take it to a new level.
Our strategic plan, which was put together and lives today and
our ability to put the money to the literally bottom line with
our facilities master plan to prove that is just a tremendous
credit to this community and Paula I would be excited as we go
forth to fulfill it. You certainly have my support. It's a
pleasure to work with you and I will gladly support you.
Trustee Pelleran - I'm just
delighted to have been on this Board when we made the decision
to put Paula Cunningham in the drivers seat as the full time
president. At the time when we did that not only did I recognize
the fact that everyone in this community came forward from the
business sector, from the labor sector, from the legislature,
from civic organizations. Organizations that touch this college
not only through its humans, but through its boundaries. They
like Paula Cunningham. Paula Cunningham had done a good job
while she was here. She did a good job as interim president
healing a wound that was so deep and so bloody that this
community and the students here didn?t deserve it. That
healing has continued while Paula Cunningham has been our full
time president and she has kept the support that she had a year
ago and she has garnered the respect and greater support of
other entities and individuals that are touched by this college.
Community colleges are here to serve the community. Its
students, its taxpayers, and all of us who look to it for
cultural diversification and opportunities as well. The
workforce development needs, the financial responsibilities here
I don't think we could have a better person at the helm
steering our course and keeping us on target and focused. In my
line of work I tell people constantly focus, focus, focus and I
want to say that I believe that Paula Cunningham has kept on the
course true to the mission that we as elected Trustees are here
to preserve and protect. And she has done an admirable job and I
am pleased to serve Lansing Community College and all of you
with President Cunningham helping to steer that course. Thank
you, Paula, for a job well done.
Trustee Heywood - Paula and I go
back many, many, many years. When I was a student raising cane,
I suppose you would say, and I actually came to this place on
the Board by raising cane and asking questions. And I think
there is no misstatement when I say I was very reluctant when
Paula was appointed to this position permanently. But I think I
can be one of those people that you can proudly say is a
convert. Now, let me be careful on that. With what I have been
most impressed with, I may not agree with every course that
Paula takes, I may not agree with every recommendation that she
makes, but what I have been impressed with is that she has been
forthright with me. We've had our yelling matches, whether it
be on email or by phone or wherever it may be. But that I think
for me is part of the process of synthesis and I think it's
been interesting to watch her interact with the different Board
members. And I think she understands how people operate and
works with them in which ever way functions best. And to me, as
a leader who is someone that has led the community, I value that
more than anything else is that you work with people where they're
at. And that has been the power of what I've seen as your
ability to build coalitions. Your ability to work through
problems. Your ability to build an administration that is very
strong. So, you?ve won me over. Write it down because it might
be that last time I'll ever say something like that.
Chairperson Jeffries - I agree with
what everybody has said here tonight and particularly with what
the public has brought forward. I was very curious to hear
tonight with some anticipation what was going to be said and the
variety of folks that came out whether it's the internal
constituencies, in terms of faculty, staff and students or the
external constituencies, the business representatives or just
plain lay people that have come here tonight and talked on Paula?s
behalf. And I think that's speaks volumes about the type of
representative we have. I look at the President as the
representative of LCC as she goes out, not only on campus, but
off campus and represents us and I think the quality type of job
that she does has been spoken well of here tonight and that is
something that was very, very important for me to hear. The one
thing, I hate the term "the care and feeding of the
Board", and that's one thing that the President is
supposed to do. But one of the things that Paula does best and I
think that Todd was alluding to this is that she is very
responsive to the concerns, whether it's request for
information or concerns about whatever issue it is that you
have, she responds quickly, very thoroughly. And, I think Dave
can attest to this, the information we get is very quality
information, it's very condense and concise and it's quality
information. And I think it's due to the nature of LCC through
the strategic plan and it is being implemented. And I?d like
to thank Paula and her staff for the work and effort that they
put into that. Certainly I will be supportive of Paula in the
future. I think that it was very grateful for me to hear from
you all in terms of your thoughts. Thank you.
End of verbatim transcript.
IT WAS MOVED by Trustee Holden and
supported by Trustee Heywood to authorize the chairperson to
enter into contract negotiations with President Cunningham and
to submit a proposed contract for consideration to the Board at
its January 2002 meeting.
Chairperson Jeffries stated that the
President's contract is up in June 2002 and under the terms of
that contract that is the schedule the Board is to follow in
terms of any renewal or action against the contract.
Ayes: Canady, Heywood, Holden,
Jeffries, Patterson, Pelleran, Rasmusson
Nays: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried.
The Board took a short recess.
President Cunningham thanked the Board
of Trustees for their support and appreciates their continued
support. She stated that she had turned down this position, but
when she looked at the work that had been done with the
strategic plan and the direction the College was going in, she
said she did not want someone to come in and move the College in
a different direction. She was committed to the direction that
had been established and still does. President Cunningham made
comments about each Board member.
President Cunningham addressed Trustee
Rasmusson. She said that she is getting to know Trustee
Rasmusson more and appreciates his candor. She appreciates his
support and his work with the Funding Task Force, the Bylaws
Committee and she appreciates his presence considering it is
difficult at times for him due to his health. She stated that
thanks to Trustee Rasmusson CASE Credit Union now has a branch
on campus.
President Cunningham addressed Trustee
Holden. She said that she has known Trustee Holden for many
years. President Cunningham stated that Trustee Holden took an
unfair beating when she was the chairperson of the Board and
still has the enthusiasm and love for this college. During those
hard times she never gave up and continues to be committed to
Lansing Community College.
President Cunningham addressed Trustee
Canady. She stated that Trustee Canady is a delight and he is
the person she can spend the least amount of time with. She said
that Trustee Canady is always there to listen and provide
feedback.
President Cunningham addressed Trustee
Patterson. She said that the core of Trustee Patterson is his
wanting to serve and the love for this college and this
community. He is always willing to listen and has so much
passion about the work that is accomplished at this college.
President Cunningham addressed Trustee
Pelleran. She said that Trustee Pelleran is always willing to
help in any way she can. She is willing to put on an apron or
serve on a committee, and she is very active in the community.
President Cunningham addressed Trustee
Heywood. She stated that she is very appreciative of his
support. She realizes that he has been challenging. He has
called her a liar, that she was incompetent, and that he would
never support her candidacy. She said that his support tonight
meant a great deal to her.
President Cunningham addressed
Chairperson Jeffries. She said that she appreciates his
accessibility and his willingness to always help when it came to
participating on radio shows, television shows, or with
negotiations. She thanked him for caring enough to lend his time
to the College. President Cunningham stated that the Board
meetings are now run so much more efficiently and the Board is
as informed, if not more informed, than before.
President Cunningham thanked everyone
in the audience. She stated that everyone has pulled together
and improved this institution and the students are better off as
a result of it. For example, Ms. Cyndi Rooker stayed late one
night to get a mailing out and never saying one word. Ms. Jan
Stuart stayed up until midnight along with Sally Pierce to get
the contract language completed. That is why the College is
successful because of people like them.
Board Member Reports
Trustee David Patterson - Facilities
Master Plan
Trustee Patterson reported that on
October 31 the Facilities Master Plan committee reconvened to
discuss the capital outlay submission. It was decided to alter
the request that was submitted to the State of Michigan. Trustee
Patterson stated that the committee is recommending that the
capital outlay request of $50 million be reduced to phase one
only, which is $29 million.
IT WAS MOVED by Trustee Canady and
supported by Trustee Holden that the Facilities Master Plan
committee?s recommendation of reducing the capital outlay
request to be submitted to the State of Michigan to $29 million,
which is phase one be accepted.
Ayes: Canady, Heywood, Holden,
Jeffries, Patterson, Pelleran, Rasmusson
Nays: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried.
Trustee Heywood stated that he
attended the first dance concert since the program review
process and was disappointed. He said the performance of the
students and the skill was there, but the technical support and
the structural support were not. Trustee Heywood stated that he
hoped that would change and there would be support for a dance
program similar to what the college had in the past.
Trustee Pelleran stated that she
attended the CQI breakfast along with Trustees Patterson and
Holden. The program included President Cunningham and Mr. Ray
Turner who made a presentation regarding the strategic plan. She
said it was a wonderful program.
President's Report
Informational
Human Resources
Appointments
Administrative?
Gary VanKempen,
Director, College Academic Affairs, Provost?s Office
Executive Office Division
Faculty?
Martha Ehle-Madigan, Counselor,
Counseling Services, Student and Academic Support Division
Resignations
Administrative?
Keith Mino,
Director, Counseling Services, Student and Academic Support
Division
Faculty?
Kenneth Hamilton,
Faculty Member, Humanities and Performing Arts, Liberal
Studies Division
Millage
President Cunningham thanked everyone
for their assistance and support of the millage.
Action Items
Approval of Minutes - October 15,
2001
Chairperson Jeffries stated that he
had forgotten at the October Board meeting to thank Trustee
Holden for having participated in the presentation at the ACCT
conference on his behalf. He asked that the minutes reflect his
statement.
Trustee Holden stated she was proud to
have participated in the presentation.
Finance
Year-End Financial Audit Report?
Vice President Barbara Larson thanked
Sue Maloney, director of Accounting and Payroll, and her staff
for their work with the audit report.
Vice President Larson introduced Mr.
Bruce Dunn from Maner, Costerisan and Ellis.
Mr. Bruce Dunn presented the year-end
financial audit report to the Board (the audit report is on file
with the official Board materials.)
Chairperson Jeffries asked if the
student loans on page 21 are loans that the College gives.
Ms. Maloney responded that these are
loans that the College issues. They are short-term loans.
President Cunningham thanked Mr. Dunn
and Vice President Larson and her entire staff. She stated that
the College continues to receive outstanding financial audits.
Approval of Bids?
There were two bids presented for the
Board's approval. One proposal presented was for Continuous
Improvement/Organizational Development/ISO Consultant Services.
Mr. Lee Whipple of Bellaire, Michigan was awarded the bid. The
second proposal was for replacement of the roof on the AOF
building. Stephenson and Sons of Burton, Michigan was awarded
the bid.
President Cunningham stated that there
have been comments made regarding Mr. Whipple?s expenses.
According to the College's records, Mr. Whipple is the most
inexpensive consultant the College has had.
IT WAS MOVED by Trustee Canady and
supported by Trustee Holden to approve the President's Report
as presented.
Trustee Heywood asked that the motion
be amended in that the President's Report be approved with the
exception of Mr. Lee Whipple?s contract.
The Board agreed to the amendment.
IT WAS MOVED by Trustee Canady and
supported by Trustee Holden to approve the President's Report
with the exception of Mr. Whipple?s consulting contract.
Ayes: Canady, Heywood, Jeffries,
Patterson, Pelleran, Rasmusson
Nays: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried.
Trustee Heywood stated a complaint had
been brought to his attention about Mr. Whipple?s behavior.
This complaint was brought up during an exit interview of a
former employee.
President Cunningham stated that exit
interviews are not generally made public at all and it is in
order for people to be open, honest, and direct.
A portion of the exit interview was
distributed and is on file with the official Board materials.
Trustee Heywood stated that he is
concerned that the College is spending this type of funds on
someone that has been accused of being abrasive and insulting to
employees of the College. He asked that the Board recognize that
this type of complaint has been made.
Trustee Pelleran stated that she did
not believe a complaint has been made because it is an exit
interview.
Trustee Heywood stated that he
received a letter with the same document that has been
distributed. That is how he became aware that this was an exit
interview.
Chairperson Jeffries asked where was
the letter.
Trustee Heywood stated he did not have
the letter with him because he was waiting for this information.
Chairperson Jeffries asked if the
letter contained the same information as they have in front of
them.
Trustee Heywood responded yes.
Chairperson Jeffries asked if there
were any formal complaints made against Mr. Whipple.
Mr. Rich Howard responded that no
formal complaints have been made.
IT WAS MOVED by Trustee Canady and
supported by Trustee Holden to approve the consulting contract
for Mr. Lee Whipple.
Roll call vote:
Ayes: Canady, Holden, Jeffries,
Patterson, Pelleran, Rasmusson
Nays: Heywood
Absent: None
Motion carried.
Public Comment
Linda Birchmeier - I joined the LCC
staff in March of this year as an instructional designer working
with Tim Brannan. I wanted to go back to that point because I
know a lot of you have been with Lansing Community College for a
long time, but one of the first individuals that Tim had me meet
was Lee Whipple. Since that time I have had the opportunity to
work Lee almost on a daily basis since I was announced as the
Organizational Development director. I've never seen, since I've
met Lee in March, Lee exhibit any unprofessional behavior. In
fact I rate him as a first class mentor. I worked for Michigan
State University for almost 13 years and in a short amount of
time that I've known Lee I can't think of anyone that I?d
rather have the acquaintance with and work with to lead us
through the ISO and the AQIP process that President Cunningham
mentioned in her evaluation. He?s just an outstanding
individual who has a true passion for Lansing Community College
and he had the opportunity to sit with me and go through the
strategic plan step by step. And that was not his role. That was
something that I could have easily done on my own. He took the
opportunity to do that and he really is a first class citizen, a
first class leader, and a first class mentor for me.
Nancy Lombardi - I'm the current
director of Quality Assurance here at the College. It's a new
position and it began in July this year and I work very closely
with Lee. I have found him to be extremely professional, very
well informed. He?s made the time to spend with me. I think
mentor is another good word for it. The only time I have found
Lee to be abrupt is when people are being stupid (laughter). If
you want a diplomat, that's not what the position calls for,
but Lee always phrases and expresses himself in a very
intelligent manner if people are willing to enter into a
dialogue with him. People who want to go on and attack will not
get very far. They will not intimidate him. And I think
sometimes when people are looking to intimidate another person
and it doesn?t work they feel intimidated. Thank you.
Ray Wawro - I work in Information
Systems and College Development division. I was on the selection
committee when we chose Lee as the consultant. Lee did a very
professional job in his presentation. I've been on a number of
selection committees and don't always choose the lowest bidder
and don't always choose the best presentation, and we try to
balance that. In this case I think Lee was a very obvious
choice. I think he was also the low bidder if I remember
correctly. Since that time I've worked with Lee in beginning
to implement ISO and he?s done a very good job at explaining
ISO and what that really means and how we go about implementing
that. And I fully support Lee in this. Thank you.
Ray Turner - I've worked with Lee
Whipple closely for the last year and a half or so. I'm not
going to speak to his qualifications or skills or his
intelligence. I'm going to speak to his illegit abrasiveness.
Lee is a consummate professional and way beyond being a
consummate professional is he is the kindest man that I can
remember working for. The kindest man and that counts for more
than anything else with me.
Glenn Cerny - That is the contract
that is mine when I inherited the division in July. One of the
biggest things that I asked for when we go out to get a
consultant is, number one, the person delivers. That they
actually do what they said they were going to do and it goes
right to ISO, which says, do what you say and say what you do.
that's what Lee does. In this contract it was very easy for me
to look at and see the work ethic that was provided, plus the
thought that goes in. This is a person that works day and night
for this college. The other key component was that my staff that
we're developing in the ISCD division I wanted to make sure
that we would have a mentor. Somebody that would instill
confidence, direction, leadership, and be able to when they left
our staff be a lot better off than when we started. And that is
the key component. And I take any offense to anybody that says
abrasive or any kind of that language because I've never seen
it. All I've seen is that he puts his cards on the table and
he lets you know where he stands and that's a perfect
opportunity for us to say where you stand and any kind of
component in terms of abrasiveness is really just more
individuals not really understanding the confrontation that
occurs when you have a change agent on a campus. That is what we
are. The ISCD division was developed into a change agent. So, I
look forward to working on this contract with Lee and instilling
that mentoring ability in our staff.
Trustee Holden - Todd, as a fellow
Board member, I guess I?d really like to encourage you to
relax a bit and try to see some of the goodness of what's gone
on in this campus. Earlier Paula commended me for a difficult
year, I think it was a commendation, and let me tell you that
every morning before I get the newspaper, I would think about
what was helping the direction of this college and it was in
fact our Vice President of Planning, Paula Cunningham at the
time and this plan. I urge you to relax a bit because this is
not new your resistance. You resisted long before you were Board
member and I'm not sure what personal kinds of things went on,
but I would encourage you to relax a little bit and try to learn
what the truth of what many of these comments were and the power
of this plan.
Chairperson Jeffries - I just want
to say one thing, and it is not to you, Todd, it's to Lee. I
want to thank you for all the work that you?ve done here at
Lansing Community College. I think anyone who spoke here tonight
that knows what's going on at LCC is because of the strategic
plan. And you certainly had, I mean your fingerprints all over
that, and I appreciated the help you provided me individually as
a Board member. And I know as a Board when we sat down and
started working on the strategic plan, I mean, I hate strategic
plans. They're boring and everybody gets them and puts them on
the shelf and they don't do anything with it. This is the
first time, Lee, that one, the plan is excellent, and it is
being implemented. And I think everybody, I know everybody?s
behind it, and the fruit of that plan we heard about tonight.
And you have a lot do with that and I don't want you for a
minute to think that this type of crap and the other stuff that's
been going on with you, I know a lot of what's been going on
with you personally, the hits you?ve taken here on campus,
reflect what the majority of this Board feels about you and
thinks about you. we're glad you're here and I'm glad you're
going to stay for a couple more years at least with us. And we
got to appreciate the work you're going to give us. Thank you.
(applause)
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
