CUSP Business Meeting, May 2, 2014, WSSSC Conference, Bates Technical College
Present in Attendance: Samantha Lelo, Clark, Sheila Walton, Lake Washington, Jen Manley, Tacoma, Wayne Anthony,
Edmonds, Megan Wiggins, Lower Columbia, Cameron Cox, Pierce College- Fort Steilacoom, Bruce Steele, Spokane, Kris Baier,
Whatcom, Becky Riopel, Cascadia, Story Gilmore, Green River, Edward Esparza, SBCTC, Chanell Sagon, Tacoma, Jonathan
Brown, Highline, Jessica Supinski, Renton Technical College, Brandon Lueken, Bellevue, Cal Erwin-Svoboda, Clover Park
Technical College, Shelley Bannish, Centralia, Michelle Iko, Renton Technical College, Jennifer Rhodes, Everett, Vince Ruzicka,
Walla Walla, Heather McKenzie-Waite, Spokane Falls, Lea Wasson, Everett, Christine Vasquez, Everett, Kim Jackson, Big Bend,
Thuyvi Nguyen, Edmonds, Stewart Sinning, Edmonds, Lewis Latimer, Edmonds, Kat Flores, Bates, Nicole Piscopo, Bellingham
Technical College, Tim Orton, Spokane, Rick Ross, Peninsula, Sarah Gruhler, Clark, Samuel Chesneau, Seattle Central, Jose Chi,
Seattle Central.
Call to Order at 9:14am
Welcome & Introductions by Jonathan Brown of Executive Board members, Committee Chairpersons and CUSP member
introductions.
Approval of Minutes: Shelley Bannish moved to approve the minutes as written, Rick Ross seconded. Motion passes
unanimously.
Reports:
A. State Board Report, Edward Esparza: The Director positions at the SBCTC have been filled. SBCTC is creating a
legislative internship position for 1-2 individuals to represent the interests of WACTCSA and CTC students, track
legislation for CTC institutions, attend legislative committee meetings, and participate in the weekly state board
policy meetings. Will be seeking representative nominations from CUSP members; the internship is in draft form with
plans to begin search process in the fall of 2014 prior to the legislative session. HB 1079 passed; undocumented
students are now eligible for state need grant dollars; training opportunities will be made available in 2014-15 to
make sure staff are well-trained.
B. WSSSC Report, Erin Blakeney: Not present to report.
C. President’s Report: Jonathan Brown: Time being dedicated to WACTCSA and upcoming Voice Academy.
D. Treasurer’s Report: Jennifer Rhodes: Gave current balance information for our fiscal cycle of programmatic expenses.
Provided a proposed 2014-15 budget expense report. Discussion on when to open the fiscal cycle registration
process for members to pay 2014-15 annual membership. Discussion to raise the cost of the Legislative Academy to
$100 for registration; will move forward at a later time.
E. Secretary’s Report: Jen Manley: Sign in for attendance and welcome to new CUSP members.
F. Legislative Committee: Kris Baier: One week from today is the Voice Academy at N. Seattle; 16 schools registered so
far. WACTCSA had a successful constitution/by-laws meeting to redesign documents. July 23, 2014 will be the
Summer WACTCSA training session. Seeking host site. This training is designed for potential executive officers,
regional directors, and school member representatives.
G. Wenatchee Conference: Bruce Steele: Discussion on budget development for the 2014 Institute.
H. 2014-15 Calendar of Meetings & Locations: Cal: Fall 2014 CUSP meeting tentatively at Walla Walla CC; Winter 2015
meeting at Skagit Valley College, and Spring 2015 Meeting at Spokane Community College. Will need to shift the April
dates in Spokane due to conflict with Students of Color Conference dates. Seeking location for 2015 Student Voice
Academy. Will be coordinating an Institute Relocation Committee for December 2014. Renton Technical College is
the Fall 2014 alternate location for quarterly meeting. Spokane CC is confirmed to host the Summer July 23 WACTCSA
meeting; Pierce Fort Steilacoom as alternate. Clark College is confirmed to host the Student Voice Academy 2015.
I. Executive Team Nominations & Elections: Open positions President-Elect, Treasurer, Secretary, annual Legislative
Committee Chair, and Wenatchee Institute Chair, Rally Coordinator. Propose the idea of sub-committee Chairs to
evolve as a Committee Chair elect, stay for year of Chair, and post-committee Chair structure.
a. President-Elect: Heather nominates Kris Baier for President-Elect.
b. Secretary: Jen Manley
c. Treasurer: Jenn Rhodes nominated by Heather.
d. Institute Chair: Bruce Steele, Shadow-Chair Institute 2015: Jessica Supinski
e. Legislative Committee Chair: Cameron Cox, Chair-Elect, Sheila Walton
f. Motion to approve as written, Wayne Anthony, Sheila Walton Seconded. Motion passes unanimously.
J. New Business:
1. 2014 Wenatchee Institute:
i. Budget development updates to allow for robust educational sessions and program outcomes
with the removal of showcases. Revised budget will be sent out next week. Kim mentioned her
preference for not removing the programming element from the Institute program entirely.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Council discussed how many schools booked entertainment from the Wenatchee conference this
year to gauge the necessity of being inclusive of showcases and performers in the Wenatchee
Leadership Institute. Rick discussed feedback he received from performers in the past and how to
utilize the programming element in leadership training on how to effectively train programmers
and bring programming to campus. Becky mentioned engaging local talent in Wenatchee to
account for institutions that can’t afford to send all programmers to NACA or other showcasing
venues. Discussed the evolution of the Institute, and this year’s Institute to address the
mechanics of programming and training how to program; however, Bruce would like to explore
methods for performers to be included. Sami tasked with creating a local performer spreadsheet
to provide at Wenatchee. Kim will send info on performers to help with block booking separate
and apart from the Institute.
Relocation of 2016 Institute: Cal: Sub-Committee has been working diligently to explore re-locating the
Institute for 2015 and/or 2016. Identified Olympia, WA as a viable option for September 2015; SPSCC is
willing to co-host and within close proximity to SBCTC and Red Lion accommodations. Seeking an official
th
adoption of re-locating the Institute. Need to make a decision by June 30 to be able to cancel 2016
contract. Will assess a cancellation for the 2015 contract. Cal presented a projected 2015 budget. The
current contract runs out in 2016. Rick posed the option of alternating locations to accommodate both east
and west schools; there is agreement to explore this possibility to account for travel on a rotating basis.
Wenatchee Coast hosts 124 rooms and complaints continue regarding limited capacity. With new location,
the Red Lion can accommodate the majority of schools with an additional hotel in close proximity as
alternate. The Committee previously explored other relocation options such as Yakima, TESC, EWU and
CWU. Yakima was not available in this timeframe for first 2 weeks of September; TESC and CWU were
unable to commit due to unknown scheduling. Eastern Washington University has a similar issue due to
other institutional schedules. JB thanked Cal for leading this 2-year process and proposal. Jessica moved to
approve the re-location proposal as written to break the contract with the Coast for 2015 to relocate to
Olympia. Bruce seconded. Shelley expressed concern for the possible loss of bonding in the student
experience with such close proximity to campuses, and letting the legislative agenda be optional. The
appeal for Olympia is the ability to have more breakout room options as we evolve the conference. Kim
clarified that this conference has expanded to include 9 tracks of sub-groups to attend. The Committee will
need to create space and provide information to schools to invite constituents from these groups. This relocation process will allow for flexibility and options to provide for these tracks. The motion to approve
breaking contract with the Coast for 2015 to relocate to Olympia per the proposal was voted upon with a
count of 12-In Favor, 7-Opposed, and 2 Abstentions. JB recommends follow up direction on the Institute
and inclusion of CUSP members not represented at today’s meeting.
WACTCSA Update: Proposed changes from CUSP delivered to WACTCSA after the Rally. WACTCSA
embraced the items and formed a constitutional sub-committee. Will bring a reformed constitution that
reflects changes to the Voice Academy. One of the biggest changes is when they choose executive
members to selecting in the fall. Also linking those positions to training; would like a designated WACTCSA
representative at each institution to provide support and information through CUSP. The other piece is
requiring executive members to be a part of the summer training. If a student is seeking the executive
positions, they have to get approval from their advisor first.
Student Voice Academy: Students need to be prepared. The White Paper won’t be written at the SVA this
year; all of the issues that the students bring forward will be recorded and a legacy document created.
There will still be a vote as to what topics will be selected to move forward on the White Paper; WACTCSA
will be responsible for writing the White Paper. Wayne asked when and where the White Paper will be
released. In the fall, the White Paper will be endorsed; a draft will be prepared by July 1. The link to the SVA
website is available, and institutions can still register. This year’s SVA will build in an awards program in
recognition of students that have put in a lot of effort. Will gather Advisor list of participating institutions
on Monday to seek additional help with hosting small sessions on a variety of topics. Voice Academy
seating will be arranged by regions. Will need advisor help to host tables, facilitate introductions, intro to
WACTCSA, etc. Seeking a CUSP Co-Host to help facilitate these discussions. Heather, Wayne, Kris, Sarah,
Cameron, JB, Brandon volunteered.
Annual Work Plan: In draft format. At the end of June each year, WSSSC brings together each Council rep.
to report achievements from previous year and work plans or goals for the following year. JB provided draft
of accomplishments and goals from 2013-14 and 14-15 and requested feedback or comments.
Achievements included: Legislative Academy attendance increase, Wenatchee Leadership Institute revisions
in format and what was provided for leadership development, WACTCSA constitutional revisions, relocation
of Wenatchee Leadership Institute, CTC Student Legislative Intern Project created, “CUSP Talks”, Annual
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7.
registration model shift. Jessica recommended showing the numbers and data for the CUSP Professional
Development; Heather added to include more information about the Professional Development that we
provide as well as an ongoing goal for 2014-15 to bring in dynamic speakers for CUSP members. Sheila
commented and offered re-wording of the Wenatchee leadership institute revisions. Brandon
recommended achievements in Voice Academy. Goals: Strengthening CUSP member school participation,
Implement relocated Leadership Institute, concretize CUSP annual programming structure, and develop a
new WACTCSA Summer Institute.
ACPA Partnership, Cal: Provided an overview of the progress and discussion on the potential APCA
partnership with CUSP due to the CUSP continual growth in our annual program cycle. The Council is
concerned about giving up any control of our approach to the current leadership model. The Committee
decided a needs assessment would help to determine what is needed; an opportunity to gauge what CUSP
needs so as to inform our decision of what is needed from APCA. APCA’s Advisor Institute is coming up for
advisors interested in learning more about what APCA has to offer to CUSP.
CUSP Awards Nominations: Heather: Reviewed the Lori Rhett Award that is well-known in our system and
wants to pursue to continue this award and how to rejuvenate that process to gain more nominees and
more awards in the future. Heather will have some information ready by early summer; Lori Rhett
nominations are due in June.
Announcements: Cal thanked JB for his service as CUSP President.
Motion to adjourn.
Made by: Sami Lelo
Seconded by: Sheila Walton
Motion carries unanimously to adjourn at 12:01pm.