LANSING COMMUNITY COLLEGE
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
March 20, 2006
Budget Workshop
3:00 p.m.

Adopted Meeting Minutes

CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order at 3:03 p.m.

ROLL CALL

Present: Brannan, Laverty, Proctor, Rasmusson
Absent: Canady, Pelleran, Smith

Trustee Pelleran arrived at 3:44 p.m.

Trustee Smith arrived at 4:30 p.m.

LIMITED PUBLIC COMMENT REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS

Hoa Nguyen – My name is Hoa Nguyen. I rarely speak before the Board. I think it would be helpful for me to introduce a little bit about myself for the purpose of my comment which I am about to make. I came to the college in October 2001 as Assistant Vice President for Finance. I was the college budget officer until Ms. Barbara Larson left the college for New York in early 2003. After Barbara left, Mr. Glenn Cerny who became my immediate supervisor then assigned me to work with Mr. Lee Whipple on the college strategic plan. In July 2004, I was assigned to work in Quality under Dr. Cardenas. I am happy to work under Dr. Cardenas’ direction. I am saying that because I admire her vision and ability to think strategically. What I’ve really wanted to say something about the Business Office staff whom I had worked with before. These are dedicated individuals who work long hours and tirelessly to manage the college’s limited resources in the best possible scenario. Budgeting is not easy. If someone thinks budgeting is just an expenditure plan, then I would say that based on my fiscal experience both in State government and here at the college that is neither my experience nor training. Budgeting is management planning articulated in dollars. I know we have to address the projected deficits in 2007. However, I also hope to hear about the college long-term strategies to align our limited resources and to manage the rising costs in health-care, the potential reduction in state funding support. Given the structural deficit in state budget, and unless top officials in state government address the issue, public universities and community colleges got no choice but to manage this shortage. Raising tuition is just a short-term solution. Parents and students would understand if a moderate increase in tuition is necessary to maintain the same level of services. But the uncertainty of tuition increase every year really irritates parents and students. Another thing is I also hope to see strategic discussion regarding the vital connection between fiscal planning and enrollment management. Based upon my research, I have learned that many institutions have failed to understand the critical relationship between enrollment plan and fiscal management in ensuring long-term institutional success. I hope we will not have the same meeting next year or the year after that just to discuss the same issues for the same deficits for the following fiscal year. Thank you!

BUDGET WORKSHOP

Vice President Barbara Larson and Ms. Denice Beckwith provided a PowerPoint presentation on preliminary budget projections for fiscal year 2007 (the presentation is on file with the official Board materials.)

There was a question and answer period throughout the presentation.

PUBLIC COMMENT

There were no comments from the public.

ADJOURNMENT

IT WAS MOVED by Trustee Rasmusson and supported by Trustee Pelleran for the meeting to adjourn.

Ayes: Brannan, Laverty, Pelleran, Proctor, Rasmusson, Smith
Nays: None
Absent: Canady

Motion carried.

The meeting adjourned at 4:38 p.m.