Matthias Austin

The meeting featured a native lands acknowledgement and roll call, followed by the recognition of the All Oregon Academic Team, highlighting high-achieving students across various programs including nursing, physics, and behavioral health. Additionally, the board discussed the process for faculty recognition, which encompasses tenure, promotion, sabbatical, and emeritus status reviews for faculty members.

The meeting agenda includes the Native Lands Acknowledgement, Roll Call, and Public Comment session. Key discussion items are categorized under Information Items, covering the Monthly Budget Status for January 2026, New Hire Reports, and Exploratory Degree Titles within Guided Pathways, including the inactivation of certain broad degree titles. New Business involves approval of tuition and fees for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. The agenda also specifies Board of Directors' Operations, including Committee Updates and Board Member Activities, followed by the President's Report concerning legislative tracking, the documentary screening, and Data Week activities. The session is scheduled to conclude with an adjournment to Executive Session concerning Labor Negotiations.

The Policy Review Committee agenda for March 12, 2026, includes a review of the previous meeting's minutes from February 12, 2026. Key discussion points involve proposed revisions to policy BEP 9: General Fund Reserve Policy, specifically moving from a percentage range to 60 days of operating reserves with a minimum floor. The committee also planned to review the alignment of the internal calendar with GP 7: Board Planning Cycle, and review GP 9: Board Operations. Additionally, proposed revisions to BPR 1: Delegation to the President are scheduled for review.

The Advocacy Committee meeting agenda included reviewing updates on the College Funding Petition to Oregon Legislators and the OCCA Updates regarding priority bills in the 2026 Oregon Legislative Session. Key discussions also involved recapping the 2026 ACCT National Legislative Summit, providing an update on Elected Leaders Outreach, and reviewing the internal and external timelines for advocacy and legislative activities, including the upcoming legislative session end date and HECC schedule.

The agenda for the Board of Directors' Meeting included several key items. Information items covered the Monthly Budget Status for December 2025, New Hire Reports, the 2025 Audit Report presentation, and updates on the Strategic Plan regarding Student Access and Community Engagement. New Business involved a resolution to support participation in CTE Month. Board of Directors' Operations included the second reading of recommended changes to policies on Communication and Counsel to the Board (BEP 7) and the Role of Chairperson/Vice-Chairperson (BEP 4). Committee updates covered Advocacy, Audit and Finance (which noted a clean opinion from auditors), Policy Review, and Real Estate. The Real Estate Committee discussed updates on commercial development and a proposal from the Central Oregon Center for the Arts (COCA) for a facility on the Bend campus. The President's Report highlighted the FIPSE grant for the Manufacturing program, GED success at Deer Ridge Correctional Institution, and COCC's recognition by Firewise USA, alongside concerns voiced regarding the HECC's proposal for strategic consolidation.