Monthly Highlights
March 2007
TUITION RATES FOR 2007/08 were adjusted for inflation using a 5 percent Higher Education Price Index, in accordance with Board of Education policy. These rates will be used in budget development. The proposed per-credit rates are: in-state resident tuition/states bordering Oregon, $73; international students, $210; non-residents of Oregon or border states, $251; non-credit, $4 per contact hour.
THE JOINT WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE co-chairs budget released March 22 proposes $458 million for Oregon’s community colleges, less than the governor’s proposal of $483 million, and much less than the colleges’ request of $529 million. Based on the governor's proposal, Lane projects a $4.7 million deficit for 2007/08. Based on the co-chairs proposal, the deficit would grow to $6.2 million. At $529 million Lane would still have a deficit, but reductions would be less severe.
THE WEYERHAEUSER COMPANY FOUNDATION awarded $50,000 to the Lane Community College Foundation to support Career Pathways programs and career and technical training for high school students such as RTEC (Regional Technical Education Consortium). Funds will be used in part to develop a career pathway in environmental science and to defray the costs of training.
SIX CANDIDATES FILED FOR ELECTION to the Lane Community College Board of Education in the May 15 election: Tony McCown and Stefan Ostrach, Zone 2 (North Eugene, Coburg, Junction City, and Harrisburg); Pat Albright, Zone 5 (downtown and south Eugene); Roger Hall and Rob Spooner, Position 6, At-Large; and Robert Ackerman, Position 7, At-Large. All positions are for four-year terms from July 1, 2007, to June 30, 2011. All district voters may vote on all board positions, although candidates running for a zone position must live within the zone.
PRESIDENT MARY SPILDE traveled to the Middle East and India to explore opportunities in marketing curriculum abroad, and in recruiting more international students to campus. No college funds were involved in the travel expenses.
PROFESSIONAL FITNESS TRAINING PROGRAM STUDENTS placed first at the American College of Sports Medicine Northwest Chapter Student Quiz Bowl, competing against 13 other schools from the Northwest. Lane was the only community college at the competition.
THE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM won its second consecutive Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges championship. Freshman Mercedes Alexander earned tournament Most Valuable Player honors and finished with 24 points and nine rebounds for Lane.
FACULTY RECOGNITION AWARDS for winter term were presented to Wendy Simmons, Health and Physical Education; Kate Sullivan, Language, Literature and Communication; and J.S. Bird, Art and Applied Design. Faculty are nominated on the basis of excellence in their work inside and outside of the classroom by students, staff, faculty and alumni.
SCOTT BELL was named Classified Employee of the Month for March. He has worked as administrative coordinator in ABSE since October 2001. He is known for creativity, a collaborative attitude, and creating a welcoming environment.
Excerpted from Lane Weekly and news sources by Joan Aschim, Marketing and Public Relations, (541) 463-5591, March 2007.