Weekly Update, Nov. 22

Developed by the math department, Math Fast Track is for students who have had algebra in the recent past, but tested into Math 20, 60 or 65. Math Fast Track helps “fill in the gaps” with the goal of moving students into a higher math placement, saving them both time and money. At mid-term, Hollis Duncan’s first Fast Track class is showing good results. With 18 students enrolled, mid-term data shows 12 students moved up one test placement, four moved up two placements, and one student moved up three placements. One student in class is struggling to move up for various reasons. Hollis plans to give full results at the end of the term. As part of the Achieving the Dream initiative, data generated will be used to track student progression and success.  

Barry Broadbent was sworn in as the newest Board of Education member at the board meeting Nov. 20, replacing outgoing board member Cathrine Thomas. A Scio resident, Mr. Broadbent will represent Sweet Home Zone 1, which includes parts of rural Linn County, Sweet Home, Scio and Brownsville. Mr. Broadbent is a marketing specialist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Portland, and is the former owner of Valley Industries, a lumber manufacturing facility in Scio. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture and Resource Management from OSU. The next board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 18, at 5 p.m. in the college board room, Calapooia Center.

Each November, the Board of Education takes time to review the most critical financial issues facing the College, which provides initial guidance to staff members who have budget development responsibilities, and helps in developing the proposed budget presented by the Board to the Budget Committee in May. The college is at a place where the outlook is improving. Enrollment has stabilized, state resources are improving, and pension costs increases have moderated. This puts the college in a position to rebuild reserves to restore the buffer and make a few investments for the future. Board  recommendations around critical financial issues, developed around the college’s strategic goals of increasing completion, ensuring student equity, and ensuring quality education, include: Adding $200,000 to the Mission, Effectiveness, Resources and Improvement Team (MERIT) for investments to move the college forward; continue to add at least $600,000 to the ending fund balance in order to meet target levels as directed by the board; freeze tuition for the 2013-14 academic year; continue funding specific projects pertaining to capital depreciation, technology, instructional equipment and the roof reserve, and continue not charging department payrolls to fund the PERS rate reserve fund. For more detailed information, see the Critical Conversations document in the Board of Education packet for Nov. 20: http://po.linnbenton.edu/boardmeeting/11_20_13BoardPacket/

Weekly Update, Nov. 15

LBCC's nursing program received numerous commendations for instruction and student support during its recent accreditation visit by the Oregon Board of Nursing. Program director and chair Sheryl Caddy led the lengthy process, which included a self-study report and a three-day visit from the Nursing Board with tours of clinical sites and classrooms, and interviews with students, staff and administrators.

LBCC’s Re-Choired Element Chamber Choir and the Concert Choir have been selected to compete in the eighth-annual World Choir Games held this coming July in Riga, Latvia. Students will compete in three categories including Mixed Chamber Singers (a cappella), Musica Sacra A cappella, and Musica Contemporanea, with approximately 300 choirs from six continents and more than 60 countries competing.

LBCC has five Automated External Defibrillators (AED’s) on campus to help stop an irregular heartbeat in the case of sudden cardiac arrest. AED locations are noted on campus maps as a heart shape, including the online campus map and building directory maps. Although the device should be operated by trained personnel, knowing the locations of these portable devices is important to everyone. Locations: Public Safety Office, first floor Red Cedar Hall; Takena Hall, first floor; Industrial A, second floor hallway; Activities Center hallway; and in the President’s Office, Calapooia Center.

Students in James Reddan's choir signing in the Bookstore atrium.