Clackamas Community College

Key discussions centered on capital projects and facility updates. The board discussed applying for state matching funds for large capital projects, specifically noting the Natural Resources Center, with potential construction completion in 2029. Significant time was spent reviewing the Wilsonville campus master planning, including engaging with local partners and the Wilsonville school district regarding potential student housing or commercial space development. Progress on athletics fields was reported, detailing the replacement of softball and baseball dugouts, installation of tension netting poles, and upcoming track replacement with collegiate-level dimensions and a new soccer field with turf, along with new grandstand seating featuring a solar array. Design efforts for the Natural Resources Center (NRC) building, utilizing mass timber construction, were detailed, including schematic design status, anticipated construction document completion in the fall, and an expected construction start in November, with move-ins projected for early 2028. Financial and scheduling aspects related to the $15.1 million in OSU Extension 4 District funding for the NRC building were also discussed, including invoicing timing relative to construction milestones.

The session included presentations regarding the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) committee's activities, focusing on their panel-style 'snack and learn' program designed to meet Oregon state law requirements for cultural competency and build community. Key topics covered included supporting various student populations like first-generation and Pell Grant-eligible students, and resource sharing from 13 different campus areas. A partner from Workforce Development Services discussed how their collaboration with the Cougar LEAP office strengthened operational practices, particularly concerning the allocation of training dollars through a structured reflection process called the 'Cougar Pause' to ensure equitable decision-making. The presenters also noted ongoing challenges such as declining federal funding and policy shifts requiring continuous review of eligibility criteria.

This document details the midcycle accreditation report for Clackamas Community College, which functions as a three-year evaluation within a broader seven-year accreditation cycle. The report is a 30-page document, supplemented by 15 additional pages that address outstanding recommendations, with a primary focus on the first accreditation standard. It provides an informal assessment of institutional effectiveness, measures progress on strategic priorities, and reviews student achievement outcomes and the college's assessment practices for program and general education learning outcomes. The report aims to gather feedback on implementing ongoing changes and resolving prior recommendations, specifically concerning the evaluation of associate faculty and the consistent utilization of assessment data for institution-wide decisions.

The meeting primarily focused on presenting and discussing the results and subsequent actions related to the employee climate survey. Key discussion points included the survey's background, development process (which included literature review and focus groups), and high overall job satisfaction (95%). Concerns highlighted included 30% of employees witnessing mean or disrespectful behavior, prompting the development of a respectful workplace policy. Another major concern was that 44% of employees could not find necessary information to perform their jobs, leading to the implementation of a new internal SharePoint site for knowledge management. Additionally, 40% of employees reported heavy workloads, particularly administrators and department chairs, leading to a review of departmental structures and institutional priorities to reduce fatigue. The survey also indicated dissatisfaction with HR support due to staffing limitations in 2023, though the team is now fully staffed and has redesigned its service processes. Finally, the session detailed the factor analysis that distilled approximately 200 survey questions into nine core factors, and outlined the plan for a smaller pulse survey to be conducted in September 2026.

The meeting began with introductions of all committee members, outlining their connection to the college or community regarding the bond program. Key discussion points included providing an overview of the committee, covering its composition, purpose, and time frame. The committee's purpose is to provide oversight to the implementation of the bond measure approved by voters on November 5th, ensuring projects reflect community input, advising on public engagement, and informing constituencies. The estimated time frame for the committee is four years, with quarterly meetings planned. The college committed to providing a financial snapshot (budget to actuals) at every meeting. The session also included land and labor acknowledgments, recognizing the traditional caretakers of the land and the foundational role of forced and exploited labor in the nation's history.