Chancellor’s Advisory Council Minutes

September 8, 2008

  

 

Present:           Del Adlawan, Susan Bendon, Dave Gleason, Gwen Hiraga, Steve Holaday, Richard Kipper,  John Kreag, Dorvin Leis, Martin Luna, Alec McBarnet, Boyd Mossman, Howard Nakamura, Mitchell Nishimoto, Curtis Tom, Leona Wilson.

 

MCC:              Clyde Sakamoto, Herman Andaya, Marilyn Fornwall, Cordy MacLaughlin, Suzette Robinson, Alvin Tagomori, David Tamanaha

 

 

 

 

Call to Order:  Richard Kipper called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. 

             

Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the May 12, 2008 meeting were approved.

 

Institute of Music Proposal:  Bob Wehrman discussed plans for the proposed Hawaiian Music Institute.  The program would offer instruction in music technology, drama, music business and performance.  The capstone would be a release of an album and Mountain Apple has indicated an interest in supporting the program.  Completing the program would open up job opportunities such as recording engineers, music teachers and performers.  A discussion centered on what degree or certificate the students would receive. 

 

Fall 2008 Enrollment:  The current enrollment reported by Alvin Tagomori, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, is 3265.  This is a 9.5% increase over the Fall 2007 figure of 2981.  Many of the MCC students are unclassified and  do not qualify for financial aid.  The counselors are working with these students early in the year  to define educational plans.  A mandatory orientation was held before the beginning of the fall semester.  The college is creating educational opportunities to aid in job relocation for those who are laid off and for inmates about to be released from MCCC.

 

College Budget Overview:  David Tamanaha, Vice Chancellor for Administrative Affairs, gave a budget overview reporting a $643,000 budget challenge this year due to an electricity shortfall.  Also a proposed 4% legislative reduction and Governor’s restriction would cause an additional $150,000 budget cut.  Discussions have taken place to determine where some reductions could take place. Solutions to reduce the electric expenses as well as generating our own power include a windmill and Photo Voltaic Panels.   Clyde asked the Council for thoughts as to when they projected  the economy might recover.  The general response was that it would take a year or two.  MCC tuition revenues are up this year which will help alleviate some of the budget constraints.

 

Program and Faculty Developments:  Suzette Robinson, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, discussed the proposal for the new Dental Hygiene program which will begin with 10 new students this January upon approval by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.  She continued to present the Authorization to Plan updates for the following programs.

 

Suzette shared backgrounds of the new faculty the college has hired.  She then discussed the “Achieving the Dream” program for Hawaiian students.  Resources from OHA and Kamehameha Schools are helping students who have difficulty with successfully completing initial “gatekeeper” classes.  The college seeks to promote higher levels of student success through financial aid, faculty advising, curricular and teaching changes, and with strengthening student study skills and habits. .

 

WASC Accreditation Activities:  The college is pursuing the additional four-year degrees with a November 13th WASC Jr meeting to discuss a possible transition to WASC Sr. as well as a proposed name change.

 

CIP Activities:

 

 

Report on Gifts:

 

 

Various Reports:

 

Next Meeting:  November 10th, 2008, 3pm-4:30pm, Class Act.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Marilyn Fornwall