NOTES FROM THE Feb. 22, 2017, MEETING OF THE CF DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES

By Board Report

Board Report from the Feb. 22, 2017, meeting of the CF District Board of Trustees

The meeting was held at the CF Levy Center. The board members toured the new Levy Campus under construction prior to the meeting.

 

Recognition

The District Board of Trustees recognized two student leaders. Kayondra Rogers is president of the Levy Center Student Activities Board and is pursuing a career in journalism. Auriauna Graham is vice president of Levy SAB and plans to become a teacher.

 

CF Foundation

Chris Knife, executive director of the CF Foundation, shared recent successes. The foundation was gifted a 103-acre farm near the Ocala Campus that will help grow equine and agribusiness programs at the college. Ninety-two percent of full-time faculty and staff participated in the annual Family Campaign. Three community members have joined the CF Foundation board: Bill McCall, Philip Olstein and Marcia St. John. The foundation’s financial impact on the college was up 26 percent in 2016.

 

Legislative Update

Dr. Henningsen said that he is closely monitoring two bills. SB 2 Higher Education includes changes to performance funding measures. SB 374 Postsecondary Education includes limitations on the number of baccalaureate degrees offered by Florida College System institutions, the addition of a governing board for the FCS, and support for year-round Pell Grants. Rob Batsel, general counsel and director of Governmental Relations, said that the college is closely watching the budget.

 

Levy Center Update

Dr. Rayanne Giddis, Levy Campus provost, said she is looking forward to the new campus opening for fall semester. The Levy Center served 1,558 students in 2015-2016 and dual enrollment is up 68 percent. The Applied Welding Technologies program is at capacity with 46 students, and there are 24 students in the EMT program. A noncredit forestry program will launch in May. The Levy Center will host Preview Night March 30, and the college is waiving the application fee for any student who applies to attend the Levy Campus in the fall.

 

In Other Business, the Board of Trustees:

  • Approved academic and administrative calendars for 2017-2018.
  • Approved write-offs for fiscal year 2016-2017 in the amount of $122,206.54. Students are still responsible for the debts, which are 1.38 percent of related revenue for the year.
  • Received the Monthly Fiscal Summary Report and List of Warrants.

 

Trustee Comments

Trustee Ron Ewers thanked the Levy Center team members for their hospitality. Joyce Brancato commented on the need for the forestry program and asked if the information could be shared with the governor.

 

President’s Report

  • Eight CF music students and two faculty members (John Ash and Hingrid Kujawinski) attended the Florida College System Activities Association Winter Music Symposium, an annual gathering of the most talented music students in the Florida College System (held at Jacksonville University). Several CF students received accolades: Chase DeCarlo competed in the statewide concerto competition and received first place in the brass instrument category; he will receive a $1,000 scholarship to further his education. Percussionist Marcus Chandler received an honorable mention. Students also attended master classes and rehearsals, and performed in culminating concerts.
  • Rick Scott held a Jobs Summit Feb. 2-3 in Orlando. Many thanks to Don Taylor and Ron Ewers for attending with Dr. Henningsen. The governor’s focus was on continued job creation and the importance of legislative funding for Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida.
  • The Association of Florida Colleges Trustees Commission held its annual Legislative Conference in Tallahassee in February. Presenters included Chancellor Madeline Pumariega, Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam, legislators and a panel of media. Thanks to Don Taylor for attending with Dr. Henningsen on behalf of the trustees.
  • Henningsen attended Council of Presidents meetings in Tallahassee and met with members of our legislative delegation on our legislative priorities including funding for the Appleton Museum of Art.
  • Henningsen attended the State Board of Education board meeting Feb. 16 as a representative of the Council of Presidents and gave an update on legislative and workforce preparation issues for our system.
  • In January, Student Success Conversations was launched to engage faculty and staff in data-informed conversations about enhancing the support to our students to ensure they are successful in achieving their academic goals. These conversations are embedded in the Student Success Committee and are broadcast via WebEx so all staff can participate. In the first conversation, 68 staff members participated.
  • The 2017 Association of Community College Trustees National Legislative Summit was held Feb. 13-16 in Washington, D.C. Thanks to Rusty Branson for representing CF at this conference.
  • CF’s Future Florida Educators Club members attended the state FFEA Conference in Orlando Jan. 21-22. Student Jessica Beylotte won second place in the lesson plan competition and Ariana Smith-Miller took third place in the essay competition.
  • With more than 2,000 student responses to the Rate-Us-Now survey collected in 2016, our collegewide student satisfaction score continues to climb to record highs. Eighty-eight percent of students agreed or strongly agreed that we demonstrated our service standards of Professional, Responsive, Informative, Dependable and Engaged. Congratulations to the entire CF team for raising the bar again.
  • For the eighth time, CF has earned Tree Campus USA recognition for its dedication to campus forestry management and environmental stewardship. Tree Campus USA is a program of the Arbor Day Foundation. Many thanks to Professor Steve MacKenzie and his committee for their work in obtaining this designation.
  • In January, Associate Professor John Ash was elected secretary and president-elect of the Florida College Music Educator Association. This organization brings together FCS music faculty for collaboration and sharing of resources to strengthen the music curriculum and better prepare students for the transfer process.
  • The 20th annual CF Dinner Theater was held Feb. 9-12. This event has generated more than $1 million in student scholarships since its inception. Thanks to Bill and Cynthia Edgar for joining Dr. Henningsen, Rep. Charlie Stone and his wife, Marion County Commissioner Michelle Stone.
  • This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Mr. and Ms. CF Scholarship Program in its current form. Twelve past winners, dating as far back as 2003, participated in the program. We also had former hosts, Student Life team members and Cash Pealer, former vice president of the foundation, in attendance to celebrate this magnificent program. Fourteen students from 12 diverse clubs participated in the program and competed for the titles. The winners were Mr. & Ms. CF 2017 Morey Lewis and Shelby Willard; Mr. & Ms. CF 2017 Runners-Up Noah Widmann and Caitlin Adcock; and Mr. and Ms. CF 2017 Candidates Choice Morey Lewis and Sierra Oliver.
  • In Appleton Museum news, the Frida Kahlo exhibition and related events are attracting large crowds; The Frida-by-Moonlight party Feb. 10 was attended by more than 400 people and more than $2,000 in merchandise was purchased from the Appleton Store. “Hallowed Absurdities: Work by Theodore Waddell” runs through May 7; his found object sculptures present an interesting twist on his beliefs about the equality of all life, be it human or animal. Marion County elementary and high school teachers enjoyed a Planning Day Feb. 8 at the museum. Education Assistant Marie Fielding presented information on the museum’s educational opportunities, Magical Night at the Museum and Appleton-on-the Go to 35 educators. In January, the museum’s Trips ’N’ Tours staff traveled with 45 people to Naples and enjoyed an impressionism exhibit at the Baker Museum and a performance by the Naples Philharmonic.
  • In Athletics, Men’s Basketball will secure the Mid-Florida Conference title and advance to the state tournament with a win Feb. 22 against Santa Fe. Women’s Basketball will qualify for a spot in the state tournament with one more win, or at least a playoff opportunity to enter the tournament. Baseball begins conference play next week. Softball is already achieving team success (preseason No. 1 and currently ranked in the top three nationally); player Shayne O’Connell has been named Florida College System Athletics Association and National Junior College Athletic Association Pitcher of the Week, Morgan Cushman was named FCSAA Pitcher of the Week, and Destinee Lizzmore was named FCSAA and NJCAA Player of the Week.

 

The next board meeting will be held Wednesday, March 29, at 3 p.m. at the Vintage Farm, 4020 S.E. Third Ave. in Ocala. The change in location was approved by the board.