Monthly Highlights
June 2008
AN $83 MILLION BOND MEASURE was approved unanimously by the Board of Education for the November 4 ballot to fund facilities renovations, upgrades and remodels. The 15-year bond would continue the investment of approximately 25 cents per $1,000 of assessed value that property owners are paying on the current bond, which retires in 2009. Many buildings are more than 40 years old and need new heating and cooling systems, plumbing, roofing, and other upgrades. Classrooms and labs need renovations to increase access and allow multiple uses, alleviate crowding during peak demand times, and provide appropriate instructional technology and equipment. The board approved 16 projects that vary in scope and cost. Information is available at www.lanecc.edu/bond.support.viewStory.cls?cid=111932&sid=4&fid=1
THE CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEE CONTRACT was approved unanimously by the Board of Education. The seven-year contract provides a 1 percent salary increase, a one-half step longevity increase, and 81 hours of extra leave time in lieu of normal cost of living adjustments. The college will increase contributions to health insurance premiums by 3 percent and classified employees will pay an additional 1.5 percent. The contract term is July 1 through June 30, 2015 with three economic re-openers in March of 2009, 2011 and 2013. Lane employs about 400 classified staff.
LONGHOUSE CONSTRUCTION began June 3. Sixteen Douglas fir logs measuring 12 feet long by 20 inches in diameter were erected, followed later in the month by even larger crossbeam logs. The 6,200-square-foot Longhouse will serve as a multicultural educational facility and meeting place for students and the community. Progress is being captured on a web cam available at lanecc.edu/nasa/longhouse/index.html
SILTCOOS STATION was spotlighted in the July issue of Sunset Magazine on the “What to do in the Northwest” page. Within two days of the issue’s distribution, Lane’s Florence Center received 24 inquiries about using the meeting center and cabins. The Travel Channel will visit in July to get a story. Meanwhile, phase two of renovations was completed including landscaping, decking and a stairway to the lower level of the grounds. Renovations will resume in September. Information is available at www.lanecc.edu/florence/siltcoos
TWO ART STUDENTS WON NATIONAL AWARDS in the League for Innovation Student Art Competition. Best of Show was awarded to Deborah Taube for an untitled wood sculpture, and an Honorable Mention was given to Linda D'Agosto Yaeger for an oil painting titled, "It's Not Simple." The competition included more than 90 works of art from League colleges. See more at www.league.org/league/competitions/student_art/student_art0708.html
PHOEBE ANDERSON was named Classified Employee of the Month for June. Phoebe worked in several hourly positions at the college before joining Cooperative Education as full-time administrative specialist in May 2005.
TUTORING SERVICES surveyed 126 students and found that 96 percent were very satisfied with the service. Eighty percent felt that tutoring helped them raise their grades. All respondents felt they were treated with respect.
Excerpted from Lane Weekly and news sources by Joan Aschim, Marketing and Public Relations, June 2008.