Starr Bernhardt

Key discussions during the regular meeting included a Mission Moments segment featuring the Chess Club, which is planning a winter workshop and upcoming tournament, and a welcome for two new staff members who started in November 2025. Advocacy and Legislative Engagement involved an overview of the upcoming legislative session, concerns regarding a projected $1 billion state operating budget shortfall, and the critical need to advocate for fully funded faculty and staff COLAs. The Board approved the consent agenda, which included various administrative items and minutes from previous meetings (excluding the minutes themselves from the summary). Faculty updates highlighted new program cohorts, such as the BAS Behavioral Health program, student projects in Manufacturing and Process Technology, and innovative teaching methods like the 'Herstory Museum Exhibition' in the History of American Women course. The ASB President reported on successful student engagement activities, including a high-attendance Game Night and a significant increase in food drive donations. The President's Report noted stable financial alignment with the budget as of November 30, 2025, despite a $1.2 million federal funding reduction due to Title V defunding and TRIO program non-approval, while reporting on local awards received by college personnel. Business items included the approval of emergency and permanent rule revisions for WAC 132R-04, Student Code of Conduct, related to post-vacatur Title IX regulations, and the approval of Exceptional Faculty Awards for five instructors. The Board also reviewed several board policies for upcoming revision or scheduled review.

The meeting addressed Old Business items, specifically the Hot Cocoa Social and Movie Night, noting approximately 55 attendees for the latter. New Business involved planning several upcoming events. These included a date change for the Ping Pong Tournament to January 20th, scheduling Karaoke Night for January 13th with a Nacho Bar, and launching a Guessing Jar contest running from January 12th to 17th, with the winner of the Winter Basket announced on January 18th. Additionally, logistics were confirmed for an Immigration Know Your Rights Informational Zoom Session scheduled for January 20th, with separate English and Spanish sessions.

Old business reviewed included the Ping Pong Tournament, which had 14 competitors, and the Immigration Know Your Rights Zoom Session, which drew approximately 30 attendees. New business primarily focused on upcoming Winter Quarter 2026 events: Ice Skating scheduled for January 23rd, Futsal on January 27th, and a Paint and Sip event on January 29th with a limit of 26 students. Additionally, details were provided for the sale dates of Winter Formal Tickets (January 26th-February 9th) and Candy Grams (February 4th-11th).

The agenda for the Regular Meeting included standard items such as Call to Order, Mission Moments highlighting the Chess Club and new staff, and an update on Advocacy and Legislative Engagement. The Consent Agenda involved action items including second readings for Board Policies 6106, 6112, and 6115, alongside approvals for previous meeting minutes and various college functions. Reports and updates covered faculty initiatives, ASB activities, and the President's Report, which detailed enrollment statistics and the Operating/Revenue/Expense Report as of November 30, 2025. Business items for action included revisions to the Student Code of Conduct (WAC), the Exceptional Faculty Award, review of other Board Policies, and adoption of the Board's self-evaluation and 2026 meeting schedule. Discussions also covered the 2025-2026 Proprietary Budget, student success dashboards, capital and maintenance projects, and personnel changes.

The agenda for the Regular Meeting covered several key areas. The Consent Agenda included approval for the minutes of the December 11, 2025, meeting, as well as the second reading of Board Policies 6116, 6130, 6200, 7100, and 7800. Reports and Updates featured faculty updates, including a presentation on an Exceptional Faculty Award recipient, an ASB update, and the President's Report covering enrollment figures, operating financials as of December 31, 2025, and probationary/tenure reviews scheduled for the next meeting. Business items included action items for approving the Trustee Fund Scholarship Statement of Understanding and approving the 2026 ACT Awards nominations, a first reading for a revision to Board Policy 8021, and a review of several other Board Policies for the ongoing governance goal.