Mt Hood Community College

The Board of Education held a study session to review the dental hygiene program, which is a limited-entry, highly coveted two-year program that serves as a model for cultural competency and workforce development. The board also received an update on the semiconductor talent development initiative, highlighting the rapid growth of the mechatronics program, the construction of an advanced robotics lab, and the institution's commitment to equitable student success and workforce alignment.

The Budget Committee meeting focused on electing a chair and vice chair for the upcoming committee term. The President presented the proposed 2026-2027 fiscal year budget, addressing structural financial challenges, including a $5 million gap between ongoing revenues and expenditures. Key topics included strategies for cost containment, such as reducing non-essential spending, utilizing unused funds from employment budgets, and necessary personnel reductions. The budget committee discussed the impact of a proposed tuition increase and the balance between long-term financial stability and student affordability. The session also touched upon the implementation of the voter-approved bond program and the importance of maintaining institutional accreditation and essential workforce training pathways.

The session commenced with the call to order and confirmation of quorum. An action item involved approval to utilize goods or services contracts in excess of $150,000 for the pool enclosure project, specifically an increase in the total contract amount from $4.5 million to $5 million due to a necessary change to micro pilings. The primary agenda item was a presentation by the President of the Northwest College Commission on Colleges and Universities regarding accreditation and governance, which detailed the importance of board functionality, adherence to roles, the purpose of accreditation (quality, stability, sustainability), and the distinction between board policy setting and administrative implementation.

The session, identified as Session #1137 of the winter retreat, began with an icebreaker activity where members discussed their favorite college classes, including topics like healthcare administration, Gestalt learning theory, criminology, American history, international terrorism, Native American law, economics, and business law. Following the icebreaker, the primary agenda item discussed was a deep dive into the 2025 Climate Survey results, conducted as a compliance component for HB2864. The presentation detailed findings from the confidential survey (10% student response rate, 54% employee response rate) and 10 focus groups involving over 300 participants. Key discussion points focused on campus culture, interactions, and opportunities, highlighting differences in perception between students and employees regarding the alignment of organizational culture with mission, vision, and values. Positive themes identified included strong support from programming, events, and resources like the pantry and equity center, as well as a perceived campus willingness to change and an overall caring environment.

The meeting commenced with the declaration of a quorum for the regular session and subsequent approval of the agenda. Public input was accepted from several individuals addressing issues such as the demand for online course offerings, particularly Math 111, where waitlists exist while in-person sections are under-enrolled. Presentations were also given on the Natural Resources Technology program, highlighting its field-based learning and community engagement, including work on reforestation and wildlife management at the Port of Portland. Furthermore, the full-time faculty bargaining team provided an update, expressing concern over proposals to eliminate tenure and evaluation workgroups and restrict the faculty senate's role in policy changes, suggesting these actions undermine shared governance and are cost-neutral but damaging. Following public comment, the board moved to reports, including a legislative update from the Oregon Community College Association representative detailing advocacy efforts, the 2025-2027 budget cycle, and impending state revenue shortfalls due to federal funding changes, as well as ongoing budget planning and immigration enforcement discussions.