Christine Fossett

The board received a presentation on research regarding adjunct faculty experiences during the pandemic. Discussions covered policy governance updates, various trustee reports, and the President's report on legislative impacts, budget adjustments, and administrative efficiencies. Student engagement activities, faculty union updates, and instructional developments were reviewed. The board also addressed human resources initiatives, student service relocations, financial reports, and scholarship program updates. Additionally, the board approved an honorary degree nomination and conducted tenure and contract renewal motions for several faculty members following an executive session.

The board meeting included a study session on Enterprise Risk Management. Key discussions covered student drama presentations, college risk management policies, and reports from various college divisions including instruction, human resources and equity, student services, and administrative services. Trustees reviewed institutional reports, including updates from the Association of Community College Trustees Legislative Summit, college enrollment initiatives, and strategic planning goals. The board addressed new business items such as increasing the trustee per-meeting stipend, finalizing ACT award nominees, and reviewing nominations for the Diversity Wall. Financial updates, foundation activities, and academic support services were also discussed before concluding with an executive session regarding public employee performance and potential litigation.

The board discussed institutional budget outlooks, fiscal health, and long-term financial strategies including revenue projections and enrollment trends. Presentations included updates on campus facilities, instructional programs, and community engagement initiatives at the college's satellite location. The board reviewed policy updates, student government and campus activity reports, and updates on accreditation preparations and financial aid process improvements. Additionally, the board considered fundraising plans for a teacher education building, including naming opportunities, and conducted an executive session to discuss public employee performance and potential litigation.

The board meeting included a study session on the college's computer replacement plan, focusing on standardized device deployment and cloud-first storage strategies. Key discussions covered updates on policy governance, legislative advocacy regarding state budget reductions and potential changes to the Running Start program, and the status of athletic teams. The President's report addressed budget projections for the upcoming academic year, initiatives for the mobile classroom, and strategies for grant writing. Reports were also provided by the student advocacy leadership, as well as updates on instructional programs, human resources, student services, financial status, and foundation fundraising goals. Additionally, the board reviewed progress on strategic planning objectives related to technological modernization and accreditation status for the Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science program.

The meeting began with a study session presentation on the modernization of Centralia College's procurement function, detailing the shift from decentralized, manual processes to integrated digital workflows, which has resulted in increased efficiency and better financial oversight, including a 27% reduction in purchase orders following the expansion of the procurement card program. Discussions also covered a consolidation and modernization effort for campus printers. During the regular meeting, the board received updates on policy governance, including the development of initial Artificial Intelligence (AI)-related policies and the five-year review of board policies. Trustee reports included campus activities, participation in the ACT Fall Conference focusing on funding allocation models, and discussions regarding financial communication strategies between trustees and presidents. The President's Report noted the passing of a state board member and provided updates on legislative advocacy efforts, including discussions with a Senator's office regarding TRIO programs and funding concerns. Updates were also given on accreditation efforts, specifically the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities' planned standard revisions. The board also reviewed foundation fundraising goals for upcoming capital projects and heard reports from student services, instruction (including a 'Stuff the Bus' drive), faculty, and classified representatives.