Notes from the President to the Board of Trustees, January 28-March 12, 1999

Notes from The President to the Board of Trustees begins with an overview of the winter quarter activities. Washington Association of community and Technical College Presidents meetings, a January 27 presidents dinner with Senator Valoria Loveland. On January 28, President Transue met with Rep. Brian Sullivan from the local district. Washington On-line plans are underway with a focus towards the addition of twenty courses available online. Tacoma Community College needs new computer systems. On January 29 President Transue attended Lorna Ovena's confirmation hearing to the Senate Judiciary Committee. Norma Whitacre leaves Tacoma Community College for Cascadia College. On January 30, President Transue headed to Sonoma, California for a board meeting with the 'National Council on Continuing Education and training (NCCET).' Pierce County Coordinating Council had a meeting at Bates Technical College on February 3. The T.A.C.I.D. building lease is due to expire in 2007. The foundation board has ended the Toast to the Northwest fundraising event, due to the optics of high levels of alcohol consumption on campus, the liability, and the cost effectiveness. The Adult Students Seminar is held on Saturday, February 6. On Sunday, February 7, President Transue attended the Artists Trust Auction. On February 11, the Legislative Task Force, chaired by Laurie Jinkins, met to discus the status of various bills and arrangements for having the committee meet with legislatiors on February 25. On February 11 the President's Council on Diversity met to discuss a variety of issues, and African American students have presented concerns about the climate on campus. On February 12, President Transue met with Tom Huff to discuss repair needs for the college. On Feburuary 12, Sherman Alexie spoke at the College. Enrollment issues have arisen due to a large rise in the number of high-school students and options need to be explored. Community meetings with several community and technical college presidents are taking pllace, and public information officers are devloping materials which will then be used to go out and meet with community groups. On Tuesday, February 16, President Transue met with William Riley and Associates to discuss a First Generation Scholars program. Norm Rice, the former Mayor of Seattle will give the commencement spech for the 1999 year. On February 18, Rick Lengyel of the Boeing Company delivered a check for $50,000.00 to the Office of the President. Sam Smith, the President of Washington State University spoke at the Rotary club, attended by President Transue. Several students will be traveling to Pskov Volny University as part of a continuing exchange. This is a joint project with the University of Washington - Tacoma. On February 22, President Transue met with several student government officers to discuss support for the Student Center Expansion Project. On February 22, president Transue also met with a number of faculty members who are interested in the establishment of a faculty senate, or some other appropriate type of forum for regular interaction. February 24 saw the WACTC presidents meet with co-chairs of the House Capital Budget Committee. On February 26 Tacoma Community College had a reception for Wasaburo Takahashi, a well known ceramicist from Japan. Two letters have been sent to representatives from our district and also to the co-chairs ofthe Ways and Means Committee, as well as the Appropriations and Higher Education Committees for the Senate and the House. March 1 executive staff meetings saw a prepared report on the college's Y2K preparedness. A New HR Director is announced. President Transue met with several members of the Black Student Union on March 4. The students expressed some concerns having to do with campus climate. Additionally, on March 4, Shane Conway and president Transue met with a consultant from BCC to discuss tool that the college can use to ensure that they are managing their enrollment most effectively. Multicultural Advisory Council had two students present information on the Vietnameses and Native American Student Organizations. The President's Council on Diversity reported a strong turnout, and met with their new Multiethnic Cultural Affairs Director. President Transue will continue to serve on the Pierce County Educational Consortium. On March 8 the four community and technical college presidents met with seveal private industry council staff, and several other representatives of the Employment Security Department. The second annual day of Remembreance was held at the Tacoma public Library on the evening of March 8. On March 10, President Transue met with the Student Senate and discussed the evolution of the capital vision plan. The Legislative Task Force was chaired on March 11. The World Trade Center banquet was held on Thursday, March 11. Several members of the college including the president traveled to see the presentation of several awards. Dan Small traveled to Chicago to receive two silver Paragon Awards from the National Council on Marketing and Public Relations. Th regulary fifth year interim evaluation by the Northwest Assocation of Schools and colleges is scheduled to take place on April 26 and 27.