The Oregon Institute of Technology (Oregon Tech) Board of Trustees, as well as its Executive, Academic and Finance Committees, met June 29 and 30 to approve budgets, review new and innovative programs including the Rural Health Initiative, and learn more about internal projects planned and underway, among several other items.
Rural Health Programs and Approaches Trustees heard and discussed an overview of Oregon Tech’s engagement in the Rural Health Initiative and health-related program innovation in the university’s allied health and related programs from Dean LeAnn Maupin and several members of the faculty in the College of Health, Arts and Sciences. Some areas covered included the rural health partnership and Oregon Tech’s role in that from Dean Maupin; history and status of Dental Hygiene from Program Director Evelyn Hobbs; overview and approach of the new and unique Population Health Management program, including information on the PHM Research Center in downtown Klamath Falls and field-based work which gives students work experience while at Oregon Tech, from Assistant Professor Dr. Sophie Nathenson, and Instructor Stephanie Machado; an overview of the new Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy and its connections to the community from Associate Professor Dr. Kathleen Adams; and an overview, approaches and future opportunities in the Humanities and Social Sciences by Department Chair Dr. Mark Neupert.
At the end of the presentation the Board approved a motion to support and actively collaborate in the Rural Health Initiative underway in Klamath Falls, with partners Oregon Health & Science University and Sky Lakes Medical Center who are leading the effort, including the fundraising component, in order to meet industry demand and meet student training and education needs. Trustee Stewart, CEO of Sky Lakes described the exciting opportunities to train medical practitioners with an expertise and focus on rural health issues and practice, the planned fundraising effort with a goal of $50-60 million, and the plan to tie into state and government support to bolster the plans.
Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center Dr. Jay Kenton, Interim Vice President of Finance and Administration and incoming Interim President of Oregon Tech, and Laura McKinney, Vice President of the Wilsonville Campus, gave an overview of the university’s involvement and progress with the Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center (OMIC) plans. Kenton gave a summary of the in-process Phase I due diligence review being completed on the building in Scappoose, on which Oregon Tech has made an offer. McKinney, in the Academic Committee meeting, summarized the benefits to students, connections with industry, and the potential of remote delivery of courses and programs to and from the OMIC site. She said that the goals for OMIC participation for Oregon Tech include expanding business engagement; adding new revenue sources; building a world-class Manufacturing Engineering Degree program; relieving space issues in Wilsonville for labs and other academic spaces; complementing Oregon Tech’s existing expertise in areas of interest to industry and expand our campus partners such as Oregon State University and Portland State University. McKinney said that OMIC is both a research and education center, and industry ties these two pieces together and feel that they can’t be done effectively or with quality when done separately.
At the conclusion of the discussion, the Board voted unanimously to empower the administration to complete the negotiations for closing the first phase of due diligence and committing additional earnest money and other funding to continue the purchase review process.
In other actions and discussions at the Board and Committee meetings, Trustees:
- Approved the Cornett Hall renovation project, as revised.
- Heard an update on academic, community and industry partnerships and outreach from Associate Vice President Colligan.
- Approved adoption of the Presidential Evaluation Process Policy.
- Approved the sale of the President’s Residence. When the new permanent president arrives she/he will be provided with a housing stipend for use in covering housing costs in Klamath Falls and in the Valley, for use when the President is in Salem and Wilsonville areas.
- Heard an update on the University/Foundation Agreement.
- Heard a presentation on Enrollment Management, and an update on Fall 2016 enrollment projections from Carl Thomas, Director of Admissions and Institutional Research Analyst Farooq Sultan.
- Discussed the Board evaluation and self-evaluation processes, as well as the Trustee orientation process.
- Heard a report from Dean Maupin on the results of Oregon Tech’s recent accreditation process -- the findings, kudos, areas for improvement, and follow up -- from the NW Accreditation Commission.
- Heard a report from Interim Dean Neupert on the Faculty Compensation Study being completed by MGT consulting firm, including current status, development of peer institution comparator list, and timelines for completion.
- Approved the request to Select an Internal Auditor and Authorized Staff to enter into a contract.
- Adopted an amended Tuition and Fee Policy.
- Adopted Oregon Tech’s 2016-17 Education and General (E&G) Fund Budget.
- Heard a report on the E&G budget projections for Oregon Tech.
- Received an update on strategic enrollment management at Oregon Tech from Vice President McKinney.
- Discussed Adjunct Pay rates.
- Reviewed the Board’s Work Plan and calendar scheduling of forward regular and special agenda items.
- Heard an update on the Soccer Field Project.
- Heard an update on the Vice President of Finance and Administration selection.
- Heard an update on the proposed Recreation Center for students.
- Heard a report on campus beautification needs and process.
- Heard updates from the Chairs of the Board Committees; from the Oregon Tech Faculty Senate; and from Associated Students of Oregon Institute of Technology.
- Reviewed water testing results: at the Klamath Falls campus, water systems were tested thoroughly for lead and copper and in every case they tested well below limits. Wilsonville campus facilities were built after 2000 and do not contain lead piles, therefore not requiring testing. The City of Wilsonville also conducts periodic testing and has found no issues.
After the meeting, Board Chair Lisa Graham, other Trustees, incoming Interim President Kenton and faculty and staff welcomed leaders from Pacific Power & Light (PP&L) for a meeting on Oregon Tech’s Renewable Energy Program and to tour the university’s Geothermal Power Plant. Stefan Bird, President of PP&L, presented a check after the presentation for $9,000 from the Pacific Power Foundation to Oregon Tech to support first-generation undergraduate education in engineering. Other PP&L leadership at the meeting included Scott Bolton, Vice President External Affairs, and Todd Andres, Regional Manager.
