Monthly Highlights
February 2005 Highlights
LANE'S SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS were praised in the February online feature, Member Spotlight, of the Sustainability Western Network (www.efswest.org). "Lane's core value of promoting responsible stewardship of resources and public trust is realized in its comprehensive and outstanding sustainability program," read the four-page article. The network promotes sustainability in higher education in the West and is an affiliate of Second Nature program (www.secondnature.org).
FRANK DRENGACZ was named Outstanding Classified Employee of the Month for February. Drengacz has served as lead groundskeeper for six years and has been instrumental in creative and restorative campus projects. He uses fewer chemicals, creates natural habitats, uses native plants, and obtains numerous in-kind donations or low cost materials.
TONY MCCOWN AND LAYLA ULAM will represent Lane at the Oregon Community College Association Student Scholar event in April. OCCA recognizes scholars for excellence in the classroom; intellectual curiosity outside the classroom; evidence of substantial development of their talents; and the ability to share this development with others. McCown is a second-year student and is ASLCC president. He plans to transfer to the University of Oregon and pursue a law degree. Ulam also is a second-year student with plans to transfer to the UO. She will pursuer a degree in journalism and women's studies.
THE BLACK STUDENT UNION at Lane held a Tent City re-enactment at Alton Baker Park on February 12 in observance of National Black History Month. African American migrants to Eugene in the 1940s could not legally reside or own property within the city limits and so lived in tents, makeshift shacks, and other sub-standard housing on the banks of the Willamette River, then an unincorporated area.
THE EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION SYSTEM was tested February 9. The test included implementing the emergency telephone tree system, and all-staff e-mail. Data is being analyzed for improvements and the system will be tested again.
REAFFIRMATION OF ACCREDITATION by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities was confirmed by official letter in late January, President Mary Spilde told the Board of Education at its February 9 meeting, Lane was given three commendations and two recommendations. One commendation recognizes the commitment of faculty, staff and administration while facing budget and enrollment challenges and transitioning to a new campus governance structure. The second commendation is for community service and entrepreneurial efforts to sustain and develop new educational programs. The third commendation recognizes Lane for creating mutually beneficial community partnerships to enhance educational opportunities. NWCCU noted high faculty morale and involvement in scholarship, research, artistic creation, and entrepreneurial efforts. "The creative spirit ranks among Lane's greatest resources," wrote the commission. One recommendation is to improve the consistency of part-time faculty evaluations. The other is to better assess educational programs in terms of student outcomes and improve programs as indicated by assessment. The commission requires that Lane write a focused interim report on the two recommendations and host a commission representative in spring 2007.
STATE FUNDING CUTS HAVE CAUSED ENROLLMENT DECLINE at Oregon's community colleges, according to a study released by the college presidents on February 16. The study shows that in 2001-02, Oregon community colleges served 406,931 students. By 2003-04, enrollment had dropped to 330,595. Other key findings: For each 10 percent decrease in state funding, unduplicated headcount has decreased by 4.5 percent. Most of this impact (3 percent out of 4.5 percent) is attributable to tuition increases forced by state funding cuts. The remainder (1.5 percent out of 4.5 percent) is attributable directly to program cuts. Contrary to popular belief, decreases in personal income result in decreases in community college enrollment. Each one percent fall in Oregon personal income (adjusted for inflation) leads to a 1.10 percent fall in unduplicated headcount.
Excerpted from Lane Weekly and news sources by Joan Aschim, public information officer, Marketing and Public Relations, February 2005.