Owensboro Community and Technical College Board of Directors' Meeting | OCTC

Owensboro Community and Technical College Board of Directors' Meeting

Thursday, March 14, 2024
Hybrid Delivery
Minutes

Board Members Present

Charles “Buzz” Backstrom, Sr., Zara Basham, Sharmy Davis, Doug Hoyt, Pat Jones, and Jordan Lanham

Call to Order

The OCTC Board of Directors’ meeting was called to order by Chair Doug Hoyt at 5:27 p.m. (CST) on January 11, 2024. This meeting was held in the Administration Board Room, and the Microsoft Teams platform was used.

Approval of Minutes

Chair Hoyt called for a motion to approve the minutes from the meeting on November 9, 2023.

Motion

A motion was made by Zara Basham to accept the minutes from the November OCTC Board of Directors’ meeting. Buzz Backstrom seconded the motion.

Vote

The minutes from the November meeting were approved by unanimous consent.

Old Business

Election of Officers

According to the OCTC Board of Director bylaws, officer elections are held annually during the November meeting. However, due to technical difficulties that affected the quorum, elections were rescheduled from November to January.

Chair Hoyt called for nominations for board chair.

Motion

Pat Jones nominated Doug Hoyt for the chair office, with a second made by Zara Basham. With no additional nominations and by virtue of acclamation, Doug Hoyt was re-elected as chair.

Chair Hoyt called for nominations for vice-chair. Zara Basham nominated Pat Jones with the motion seconded by Doug Hoyt. With no other nominations, Pat Jones was re-elected as vice-chair by acclamation.

Chair Hoyt called for nominations for secretary. Zara Basham nominated Joan Hayden with a second motion made by Pat Jones. With no other nominations, Joan Hayden was re-elected as secretary by acclamation.

New Business

President's Report

Dr. Williams provided the following report:

  • Spring 2023 enrollment increased 0.6% in headcount, which equates to 18 students. The lower percentage was expected, considering the higher enrollment percentages in the previous seven semesters;
  • The State of Kentucky is seeing a decline in college enrollment. Strategies to boost OCTC enrollment were shared with the Board. A focus on a communication plan to convert prospects into applicants along with processing academic plans for high school dual-credit students are part of the enrollment initiative;
  • The December 2023 graduating class consisted of over 200 students, with 140 graduates participating in the December 14 ceremony;
  • Priorities related to the Huron study and implementation strategies were outlined. These include Project Management Office, Management Restructure, Academics, Data Strategies, Capital Construction Process, Strategic Sourcing, and Space Utilization.
  • Dr. Ryan Quarles, KCTCS president, is scheduled to visit OCTC on February 23. A lunch invitation was extended, and additional details will be communicated at a later time;
  • An update on Senate Joint Resolution 98 was provided, outlining the key components: reforming higher education governance, exploring the idea of a new public university in southeast Kentucky, and restructuring KCTCS into technical and transfer programs. Dr. Williams shared other General Assembly bills are being monitored, and updates will be provided when available;
  • Recommendations from the KCTCS state audit were shared, and key issues were provided to the Board;
  • The HealthForce Kentucky mobile unit was in Frankfort, where several members of the General Assembly were able to tour the unit;
  • Higher education is a strong emphasis in Governor Beshear’s proposed budget;
  • OCTC employees have been recognized for their achievements: Katie Ballard received a certificate of merit for nomination for the NACADA Region 3 Excellence in Advising. Jan Goldman was recognized as the Outstanding New Professional by the American Personnel’s ACPA C2YC.
  • The following recognitions were made during the annual holiday potluck in December:
    • OCTC Awards of Excellence-Faculty: Matt Alschbach
    • OCTC Award of Excellence-Administration: Sharmy Davis
    • OCTC Award of Excellence-Staff: Penny Howard
    • Accessibility Award-Faculty: Bethany Ebelhar
    • Accessibility Award-Staff: Becky Hodskins
    • Pillar Award for Fostering an Encouraging & Approachable Learning Environment: Dr. Lori Donahoo
    • Pillar Award for Student Advocacy: Stacey Bertke
    • Pillar Award for Workforce Education & Readiness: Andrew Austin
    • Pillar Award for Community Service: Casey Hamilton
    • Quiet Hero Award: Craig Miller
    • Scholarship Award: Dr. Tim Dick
    • President’s Award for Adjunct Teaching: Lou O’Leary
    • President's Award for Teaching: Kaye Brown

Adjournment

With no other business, Vice-Chair Jones adjourned the meeting at 6:07 p.m.

Approved

Scott Williams, Ph.D., President (Signature on File)

Doug Hoyt, Chair (Signature on File)