The Bitterroot College Program of The University of Montana
UNAPPROVED Meeting Minutes: Wednesday, May 25, 2011
The Steering Committee of the Bitterroot College Program (BCP) of The University of Montana (UM) met
on Wednesday, May 25, 2011 from 3:00 – 5:20 PM at the Human Resource Council Conference Room in
Hamilton. The meeting was chaired by John Robinson. In alphabetical order, committee attendees
included: Tim Bronk, Perry Brown, Terri Duncan, Suzy Foss, Roger Maclean, Patricia Meakin, Kimberley
Mills, Lynn Stocking, and Dixie Stark. Committee members absent were Katelyn Andersen, John Cech,
Chuck Jensen, Deb Morris, Rick O’Brien, and Bobbie Roos. Also present was BCP Interim Director
Victoria Clark.
Members of the public present included Joseph Gallagher, Catalina Gerner, and Terri Ryan.
Taking meeting minutes was Kathleen O’Leary, BCP Program Assistant.
The meeting was called to order at 3:08 pm. Chair Robinson opened by reading aloud a letter he had
composed to the Montana Commissioner of Higher Education Sheila Stearns. Robinson asked if the
committee would approve his sending of the letter. Tim Bronk voiced his approval of the letter. Suzy
Foss suggested that Robinson notify State Senator Bob Lake before sending the letter. Robinson
indicated that Lake knew of Robinson’s position already. Provost Perry Brown asked that a copy of the
letter be sent to UM President Royce Engstrom if the letter were posted to Commissioner Stearns. The
committee agreed to Robinson’s request to send the letter. The full text of the letter was as follows:
Dear Commissioner Stearns,
You probably have no reason to remember me except for the “Casey at the Bat” speech I gave before
the Senate committee on behalf of the Bitterroot Community College. I finally agreed to be on the steering
committee to determine how two year higher education should be taught in the State of Montana. After a
couple of meetings Provost Royce Engstrom asked to be relieved of the chairmanship of the steering
committee, and they elected me.
Before Mary Moe retired I felt we were going to make rapid progress with our mission to develop a
model for two year higher education in Montana. We all agree that the current structure will not solve the
two year higher education problem in Montana. Since Mary is not involved anymore we do not have the
energetic direct participation she provided.
I thought I’d write directly to you with our problem. I don’t know how closely you are monitoring our
situation, but I am sure you are aware we are growing at a very rapid rate. When we had the big meeting
in Hamilton regarding the Bitterroot College Program I asked the hard question about funding. Senator
Bob Lake and yourself both indicated it would be taken care of. Bob even suggested he could have some
legislation passed that would give us a solid funding base. It never happened.
Our rapid increase in student population is going to require greater funding. Casting the increased
burden on our partner, The University of Montana, seems a little overbearing after the legislature cut
higher education funding by thirteen million [dollars]. The only place for us to look for help with our
funding problem is your office and the Board of Regents. Funding higher education, even two year higher
education, should be the responsibility of the Commissioner and the Board of Regents.
I wasn’t sure when I took over the chairmanship of the Steering Committee if it would be too great a
burden for me. As it has turned out it has been a very rewarding experience. Seeing the increasing
numbers of people who are now getting to fulfill their wish for higher education is uplifting to say the
least. The students have the highest level of motivation I have ever witnessed. The BCP is a great
investment in the future of Ravalli County and the State of Montana.
I was a little surprised when I read in the paper that you were going to retire. I’ve been retired for quite
some time, and I understand the idea of not having to go to the office, and the lure of doing things you
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UNAPPROVED Meeting Minutes: Wednesday, May 25, 2011
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would like to do. Everyone connected with the Bitterroot College Program wishes you the very best. In your
last year we would greatly appreciate your help in getting our funding problem solved.
Very truly yours,
John W. Robinson
Chairman of the BCP Steering Committee
Next Chair Robinson called for approval of the April 2011 meeting minutes. Kathleen O’Leary noted that
it was incorrectly stated in the minutes that Tim Bronk’s last meeting was in April, but that rather
Bronk’s last meeting was today, in May. The correction was duly noted; the minutes were then
approved unanimously with O’Leary’s correction.
Chair Robinson then called for Old Business, Planning Discussion. Victoria Clark opened the discussion
by summarizing the conversation of the April meeting, noting that issues considered in April included
adding a Vet Tech program to the academic program plan, changing the name of the BCP (the word
“Program” many found problematic), and having invitations to the proposed Business, Industry, and
Government Committee be signed by the UM Provost and the BCP Advisory Council Chair. Taking a lead
from the BCP name issue, member of the public Joseph Gallagher asked if the BCP were in substance a
junior college as found in California and if Montana had a system of traditional two-year colleges. Clark,
Robinson, and Tim Bronk responded to Gallagher indicating that the BCP while still an evolving entity
was moving in the direction of being a unit of both transfer and vocational/technical education which
fell under the general programming rubric of a comprehensive community college. Clark explained that
the state was currently undergoing a re-evaluation of its two-year structure and that presently the twoyear system was part of the greater Montana University System with multiple 2-year unit governance
types. Gallagher suggested that the BCP be renamed the Bitterroot Junior and Technical Program for
greater clarity of purpose. Provost Brown suggested the name Bitterroot Transfer and Technical
Program. Bronk mentioned that “junior college” was not a term commonly used in Montana, but that
his main issue with the BCP’s name was the word “program,” which he felt failed to give the BCP validity
as an actual college to potential students. Suzy Foss reiterated Gallagher’s point that “program” was not
suggestive of the BCP’s voc-tech component. Several committee members suggested exchanging the
word “program” for “campus.” Provost Brown said that “campus” was an entirely different category
and was unlikely to be available. Brown noted that this discussion could only be resolved at a higher
level.
Member of the public Terri Ryan then asked about the academic program plan and whether retraining
for healthcare occupations was a priority. Clark responded that the educational needs assessment done
by Maas Companies had provided the basis for the proposed program plan and that training for
healthcare as well as recreation/hospitality occupations were on the program plan list. Ryan next asked
if there was an intent to better integrate the local GED program (Literacy Bitterroot) with the BCP in the
future, noting that Literacy Bitterroot produced as many high school diplomas each year as some of the
valley’s high schools and that the BCP was the next logical step for many new GED graduates. Clark,
Dixie Stark, and Provost Brown responded that integration was a work in progress and that funding
issues were involved, but that a short-term goal was at minimum co-location of the BCP and Literacy
Bitterroot.
Terri Duncan and Provost Brown both mentioned that they had some formatting edits for Clark with
respect to the Strategic Plan, but that they would communicate these corrections to Clark later.
Kimberley Mills asked about the implementation plan for the academic programs, wondering what
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UNAPPROVED Meeting Minutes: Wednesday, May 25, 2011
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factors had been involved in determining the implementation order of the programs. Clark responded
that a number of factors were involved, but that one was certainly ease of implementation and cost of
implementation. Notably, the more costly programs such as building maintenance and carpentry were
latest in the implementation time frame as these involved considerable capital outlay and that funding
for such outlay had not yet been identified. Clark did say that if money were identified sooner than
expected the implementation timeframe could and would be revisited. Patricia Meakin and Dixie Stark
both mentioned turning to local high schools, especially in the summer, for voc-tech instructional space.
Clark said she would look into the possibility. Mills then asked when the new advisory council would
convene. Clark stated that once the plan was adopted by the Board of Regents then the new advisory
council could be formed. Provost Brown commented that the earliest the plan could go before the
Regents was at their September meeting but that, despite this later date, there was no reason not to
start acting on forming the new advisory council over the summer. Clark said she would put formation
of the advisory council on the June BCP Steering Committee meeting agenda.
Chair Robinson next called on Kimberley Mills and Terri Duncan to give the Student Issues report. Mills
began by introducing another set of logo options drawn up by UM Printing & Graphics Services.
Suggested changes included moving the flower to the center, making the UM text larger (more
readable), using the Griz Paw interchangeably with the Bitterroot flower, and adding the word “of”
between BCP and UM. Mills said she would run the suggestions by graphics services. Provost Brown
reminded everyone that the logo would ultimately need to be approved by the UM information officer.
Mills noted that once a logo was approved, the BCP could start selling branded merchandise which
would be a good fundraising opportunity. Terri Duncan then introduced the concept of having a BCP
Student of the Month program. The committee soundly supported the idea and asked Duncan to come
back with a proposal with the intent of having the program up and running by fall 2011.
Chair Robinson then asked Clark to present her Director’s report. Clark began with a breakdown of
operational issues: 1) courses/enrollment—for Summer 2011—7 courses/88 duplicated students/17.6
FTE, M95 had been added thanks to Lynn Stocking’s efforts, but unfortunately it was added so close to
the start of the summer semester that enrollment wasn’t as high as anticipated (students had to make
plans prior to the class being confirmed); Fall 2011—32 sections/203 duplicated students/37.5 FTE—
enrollment is generally on track although may drop CAPP 91 and redirect students to the BCP summer
continuing education basic computer classes, Patricia Meakin noted that the Stevensville North Valley
Public Library was offering free basic computer classes and that BCP students would be welcome, Terri
Duncan commented that if students were having trouble getting started that the BCP should consider
dedicating someone to help in the new BCP computer lab; Clark then mentioned that in terms of
students needing help that the BCP now had a cohort of students who were looking to transition to the
UM campus and that developing a transition to the UM program would be helpful; it was remarked that
students were earning Associate’s degrees before transferring and that the earning of these degrees
needed to be recognized; Lynn Stocking and Provost Brown stressed the importance of awarding and
celebrating these degrees even if the ultimate student goal was a Bachelor’s degree; various questions
were asked about the Associate’s graduation process and about providing transition support; Duncan
volunteered to assist with the development of a transition support program and “an earning your
Associate’s” checklist, Clark said she would follow through with idea; Kimberley Mills asked if there
would be a tutor for the STAT 216 course, Clark responded that the linked discussion lab should provide
access to a statistic’s tutor, Clark said they would have a tutor for chemistry, Lynn Stocking clarified that
in some cases a math and statistics course could fulfill the UM’s general education requirement for a
foreign language; Joseph Gallagher announced that he had to leave the meeting, but that he was
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interested in helping as a statistic’s tutor if needed; Gallagher noted that he held advance degrees in the
sciences; Tim Bronk also left the meeting at this time; 2) admissions/enrollment/academic advising
services—Clark presented a flyer announcing BCP New Student Orientation dates for fall 2011 and
introducing the BCP’s first Orientation Week—comprised of a series of free enrichment workshops on
reading, listening, and testing strategies as well as financial literacy; the flyer was being inserted by COT
admissions staff into all acceptance packets sent out to Ravalli County students; Clark explained that she
was recruiting BCP faculty to volunteer to develop and implement the workshops; Catalina Gerner (BCP
fall Spanish instructor) volunteered to help with the workshops; Clark added that in response to the last
meeting’s discussion on advising problems, she and Stocking were working out a fall 2011 advising
strategy; Suzy Foss left the meeting at this point; 3) student support issues—Clark said that a new
agreement had been worked out with the UM Bookstore with respect to selling textbooks and that now
the BCP would receive 10 percent of all BCP textbook sales, with the money to be used to support the
BCP’s continuing education program; 4) Operations Committee—Clark stated an Operations Committee
meetings had been held in May and another was set for early June, and that BCP registration issues and
program planning were presently the main topics; 5) continuing education—Spring BCP CE—duplicated
enrollment at 72; headcount at 31, net revenue was about $300, lost money by running Word with only
one paying individual; enrollment in Basic Computers, Keyboarding, QuickBooks, and Business classes
was strong; Excel was cancelled due to lack of enrollment; Summer BCP CE schedule was out, some
changes to accommodate summer schedules—no Monday or Friday classes, put Excel and QuickBooks in
evenings, put Basic Computers, Keyboarding, and Word in August to accommodate incoming college
students; 6) community issues—summer outreach – the BCP had a booth at the Hamilton Farmer’s
Market twice in May, students were manning the booth as volunteers, getting a good community
response and bringing in new students; the BCP advertised in the “Grad Tab” distributed at all Ravalli
County high school graduations; the BCP had obtained $5000 from the Job Service’s “College Access”
grant to do a county-wide postal saturation mailing and sponsor a summer series of New Student
Information Sessions, the mailing was set to go out by June 15; 7) facility issues—Clark passed out a
tentative plan for the BCP expansion at the Ravalli Entrepreneurship Center; the new space was to
include three new classrooms, including science and computer laboratories; Clark had met on Monday
with UM architect Jameel Chaudhry and the remodeling project was still on schedule for completion by
August 29; the committee gave Provost Brown a round of applause for his efforts in securing the
expansion project.
Clark then turned to the fiscal report. Clark noted that the BCP was now actually about $2000 in the
black, and that the remaining end of the fiscal year funds were to be spent on locking cabinets to secure
the BCP’s textbook inventory. Lastly Clark mentioned the need for a local fundraising effort to provide
for equipment and furniture for the expansion. Clark stated that she believed local monetary support
was imperative as the UM had already generously agreed to fund the increased lease cost as well as the
construction remodeling costs. As time was short, the fundraising plan was to send out a targeted
mailing to about 250 local individuals asking for their help in raising $50,000 to offset equipment and
furniture costs related to the expansion. A draft letter was circulated to the committee members for
their perusal. Various comments were made about how to improve the letter and how to go about the
mailing and the follow-up. Clark said she would send out the letter via email so that all could comment
and that once things were closer to production she would notify members about assisting with the
mailing and the follow-up.
Chair Robinson then asked for public comment. There was none.
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Chair Robinson moved to adjourn the meeting, and all agreed. The meeting was adjourned at 5:20 PM.
Minutes subscribed by Kathleen O’Leary (with Victoria Clark summarizing).