Bitterroot College Program of The University of Montana
Minutes of the Steering Committee
Meeting Location: Human Resource Council Building Meeting Room, 316 North Third Street, Hamilton
Meeting Time and Date: 3:00 – 5:00 PM, Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Chair: John Robinson
Vice Chair: Lynn Stocking
1) Call to Order and Roll Call
a) Steering Committee members present: Roger Maclean, Patricia Meakin, Kimberley Mills, Deb Morris,
Rick O’Brien, John Robinson, Dixie Stark, and Lynn Stocking
b) Steering Committee members absent: Katelyn Anderson, Perry Brown, and Chuck Jensen
c) BCP staff present: Victoria Clark and Kathleen O’Leary (taking notes)
2) Introductions  members of the public were asked to introduce themselves
a) Public present: Pat Connell (Representative House District 87)
3) Announcements and Documents Received
Discussion Summary: Chair Robinson opened the meeting with a statement relating to the history of
community colleges in Montana:
You all know I’m an old man with nothing to do so I can fool around with anything I might find interesting. I
found the history of community colleges in Montana interesting so I started to fool around. The first community
college in Montana was Custer County Junior College founded in Miles City in 1936. In 1966 it changed its name to
Miles City Community College. During the thirty years in between it was supported and controlled by the local
community. The community paid to have college education in Miles City. In 1970 an independent community college
district was established with a newly elected Board of Directors under the then existing laws of the State of Montana.
In 1940 Dawson County founded a local college. It was operated and controlled locally. It was supported and
operated by the local community for twenty-seven years until 1967 when it became a locally controlled community
college under the laws of the state of Montana. Both of these community colleges have reached a plateau of students
and have maintained a steady student body. The oil industry is booming in an area not far from these institutions and
it is possible they may have an increase in students.
Sometime in the early 1960s the idea of a local college was started in the Flathead area. The efforts of the local
community bore fruit in 1967 when there was a successful election to establish a community college under the laws of
Montana.
These three colleges came into local existence before Montana established a Board of Regents in 1971. Since the
Board of Regents was established by legislation there have been no more community colleges established in Montana.
In 2007-08 the Bitterroot Valley tried to establish a local community college under the same laws of Montana as the
three aforementioned community colleges were formed. This effort was defeated in a large part by the opposition of
the Board of Regents, the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education, and The University of Montana.
Our efforts to form a college caused quite a stir in the field of higher education. As a result of the Bitterroot
Valley’s local efforts to establish a community college the position of the Commissioner of Two-Year Higher Education
was created. This steering committee was created to establish two-year college education in the Bitterroot Valley.
There was really no public input into the creation of the steering committee. The members were kind of plucked out of
the air. As a result we have morphed into the Bitterroot College Program (BCP) by the University of Montana.
We would not have become a successful operation if the Bitterroot College Program effort had not been guide
and directed by the overwhelming dedicated driving force of Victoria Clark and the strong backing of the people who
served on the steering committee. All the projections for growth (and they have been right so far) indicate that this
institution will become larger than the locally controlled colleges in Custer County and Dawson County in the not too
distant future.
Montana is now engaged in an effort to establish a coordinated system of two-year higher education because of
the hodge-podge condition of two-year higher education that now exists in the state. I have reiterated the histories of
the three community colleges to show how they came into being. They were started because the local people
recognized the need for college education in their area, and they put forth the effort to achieve that goal. These
institutions were started from the ground up not from the top down.
From the limited information I am able to gather the committees formed to establish a unified system of two-year
higher education are attempting to establish the new system from the top down instead of from the bottom up. The
College of Technology (COT) that now exists as a college of The University of Montana was begun as a local institution
BCP Steering Committee Meeting Minutes, 10-26-2011, Page 2 of 5
in Missoula. It was the taxes of the citizens of Missoula County that supported the institution. When the University
took over the institution part of the reason was to relieve the local citizens of those taxes. The local institution soon
became a college of the University and there is no local control of this two-year institution.
Montana State University has recently acquired a two-year institution that is supposed to be comparable to what
we have created here. It isn’t. It is more akin to the COT at the University of Montana than it is to the BCP.
The missions of a university and a two-year college are not the same. Universities are designed to be academically
oriented. Bachelor degrees, Master degrees, and Doctor degrees and research are the academic missions of
universities.
The mission of two-year community colleges is a little different. Part of the mission is to prepare students to be
able to learn on the college level. After they earn their Associate degree they may decide to obtain a Bachelor degree
and they are equipped to achieve that noble aim. Part of the mission is to provide the people of the area with the
necessary skills to successfully perform in the local work force. Another part of the mission is to provide the
opportunity for people in the area to achieve a high school diploma. Two-year community colleges are to provide the
boot straps for people to grab hold of and elevate themselves to better positions in society. This mission has to be
managed from the bottom up, not the top down.
Two-year colleges need to have local control to give the people of the area pride in the institution. The two-year
colleges should have a partnership arrangement with the universities. Not all students of the two-year colleges will go
on to the universities. However those who obtain an Associate degree and decide to seek a Bachelor degree or more
will be well qualified and able to achieve that goal as a result of going to the two-year college. The universities will not
have the burden of teaching students how to learn on the college level.
I am very proud of what has been achieved since the doors of the BCP have been opened. I know we have shown,
with the dedicated help of the University, we can do the job. However if this college is to achieve its maximum
potential the local population must be involved. To involve the local citizens there must be local control of the college
as demonstrated by the three community colleges now in existence.
4) Approval of Steering Committee Meeting Minutes from August 24, 2011 and September 28, 2011
Discussion Summary: Dixie Stark asked that the word “the” be deleted from a sentence near the bottom of
page three of the August 24 minutes and that Kimberley Mills’ name be spelled correctly in the September
minutes. Patricia Meakin asked if the John Cech was actually a member of the Steering Committee or a
distinguished guest with respect to the September 28 minutes. Victoria Clark responded that he was a
member of the committee. With Stark’s requests granted, the minutes from both August and September were
approved unanimously.
5) Student Issues Update (Student Representative)
Discussion Summary: Kimberley Mills reported that academic advising for fall was going much better than in
previous semesters. She said that students appreciated the group advising approach and that students were
getting what they needed in a timely manner. Mills then commented on problems with the pre-recorded
video delivery of STAT 216. She noted that the recording of one lecture had failed entirely, that another
lecture had incomplete audio, and a third lecture had been spliced together out-of-sequence. While STAT 216
discussion instructor Michael Sulock had supplied the missing lecture content to the students after his weekly
face-to-face meeting with the BCP students, the students believed Sulock’s recap of the lecture content was
not adequate. Too, not all the BCP students had been able to attend the recap lecture. Summarily the BCP
students believed that the lecture content they missed was going to negatively impact their mastery of the
course content and therefore their grade in the course. Mills emphasized that the course only had two exams
and a final, and that missing lecture content was sure to directly impact students’ grades. Steering Committee
members asked if extra credit could be offered, extra points could be awarded, grades could be curved, if
tutoring could be provided, and/or if the missing lectures could be fully redone and re-recorded for viewing by
the BCP students. Clark and Stocking said they would investigate all the possibilities. Clark said she would
contact the course instructors and discuss the situation with them, noting that going forward lectures not
recorded or not recorded in full or not properly recorded would not be acceptable.
Next Mills turned to the issue of the Steering Committee appreciation plaque. There was some discussion
concerning who should be on the plaque, with members in the end agreeing on the following names:
BCP Steering Committee Meeting Minutes, 10-26-2011, Page 3 of 5
Sharon Alexander, Katelyn Andersen, Tim Bronk, Perry Brown, John Cech, Theresa Duncan, Royce Engstrom,
Suzy Foss, Patti Furniss, Carlotta Grandstaff, Chuck Jensen, Roger Maclean, Patricia Meakin, Kimberley Mills,
Mary Sheehy Moe, Deb Morris, Rick O'Brien, John Robinson, Bobbie Roos, Dixie Stark, and Lynn Stocking.
6) Old Business
a) Planning Discussion
i) Update on Strategic Plan Submission to Regents
Discussion Summary: Clark reported that Provost Brown was not going to be able to review the BCP Strategic
Plan in time for the November Board of Regents meeting. Consequently now the plan was to have the
document before the Board of Regents at their January meeting in Helena.
7) New Business
a) Steering Committee Meeting Dates for November and December 2011
i) Proposal – meet only once during November and December; meet on Wed, Dec 7
Discussion Summary: Clark asked that the November and December Steering Committee meetings be
consolidated into one meeting scheduled for Wednesday, December 7. Stark asked if the Human Resource
Council Building Meeting Room would still be needed for the meeting. Clark replied in affirmative. A vote was
taken and all agreed to consolidate the two meetings and set the single meeting date for December 7, 2011.
8) Director’s Report
a) Operational Issues
i) Highlighted topics
(1) College
(a) Fall 2011 Enrollment Summary and Student Demographics
(b) Bookstore
(c) Spring 2012 Courses and Enrollment
Discussion Summary: Clark first discussed fall 2011 enrollment and student demographics (see associated
handout). Clark reported that student headcount was 199 for the semester and that FTE was 89.4 (duplicated
headcount was 460). Looking at the demographic handout, Clark noted that in 2009 the BCP accounted for 10
percent of Ravalli County enrollment at the UM-COT, but that in fall 2011 the BCP captured 60 percent of
Ravalli County enrollment at the UM-COT. Clark also mentioned that one third of BCP students were only
taking one class at the BCP; she stated that once BCP students could be uniquely identified in the UM system
then there would be data on whether these students were also taking online classes and/or classes in
Missoula. Too, Clark commented that although 124 new students had been enrolled at the BCP for fall 2011
the BCP net gain in students from spring 2011 was only 60. Clark reiterated that again once there was a way to
uniquely track BCP students in the registration system then they could research what happened to the “lost”
60 students—did they transfer to Missoula or elsewhere in the Montana University System? Or were they no
longer in school? If no longer in school, why not? Dixie Stark wondered if students were not returning for
financial reasons or more for academic reasons. Pat Connell encouraged implementing an exit survey so that
data could be gathered. Stark emphasized that getting this data was important for both students and
taxpayers.
Clark then turned to fall textbook sales. Clark said sales had topped $24,000 and that no inventory was
missing and that no money was unaccounted for. However, she said that selling and tracking this quantity of
sales had been a tremendous amount of work for which the BCP was not properly staffed. She commented
that managing textbook sales had taken up a lot of her time and that it had put her behind in many other
tasks. Moreover, the 10 percent of sales that the BCP had been expecting to receive for their efforts had been
reneged upon. Clark said that for next semester she was going to get the bookstore arrangement in writing
and that she was investigating how to subcontract the whole process so that BCP staff and she were minimally
BCP Steering Committee Meeting Minutes, 10-26-2011, Page 4 of 5
involved. Rick O’Brien suggested asking Chapter One or the Paper Clip to be a partner. Dixie Start suggested a
book mobile. Clark said she had asked Chapter One in the past and they had decided against partnering.
Next Clark reported on spring 2012 classes. Clark said that 35 classes were scheduled including Anatomy
and Physiology labs as well as a Chemistry lab. Other new courses on the schedule were Medical Ethics,
Geography, Sociology, and Spanish II. In terms of faculty, Clark mentioned that at the moment only the
Interpersonal Communication course did not have an instructor in place.
(2) Continuing Education
(a) Sunflower Matrix Business Forum Summary
(b) Winter 2012 Course Catalogue
Discussion Summary: Clark reported that 79 individuals had attended the Sunflower Matrix Business forum
and although there had been hopes for a much larger turnout, that the presenters seemed pleased by the
numbers none-the-less. Clark commented that while she felt the forum was an educational success, it had not
been a fundraising success, and that all costs had not been fully recouped. With respect to winter 2012 BCP
Continuing Education, Clark said she would be focusing on advertising a single catalog of classes rather than
advertising each class as it came along. Clark noted that this should serve the community better and would
consolidate advertising costs and efforts.
(3) Administration
(a) New BCP Staff Position Update
(b) Security Issues
(c) Expansion Update
(4) Community Outreach
(a) Expansion Open House
(b) Brewery Fundraiser
Discussion Summary: Clark stated that there had been issues with hiring for the new BCP staff position—that
an interim person could not be placed into a newly created contract professional slot. Consequently until a
position description was approved and an open hiring process was completed, the BCP would be hiring a
temporary Administrative Assistant. Clark stated that the BCP was critically short-staffed and the immediate
need was to have a third full-time person on board—hiring a temporary Administrative Assistant would allow
for a third person to be in place until the new contract professional position could be filled (a multiple-month
process). With respect to security issues, Clark reported that the missing overhead projector had been
returned by an unidentified individual and that a laptop that had been missing had been recovered. Regarding
the facility expansion, Clark conveyed that the new space would be open for instruction on November 7 and
that the new entrance doors were set for installation on November 11. Clark noted that the new doors would
not be handicap accessible, but could be retro-fitted with an automatic opener.
Next Clark turned to the Expansion Open House. It was agreed that Friday, December 9 would be the
event date. Rick O’Brien said that the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce Board had unanimously
approved having the Chamber host food and beverages for the event. O’Brien also suggested that tables be
set up with faculty and students providing information on different classes. Patricia Meakin asked that the
past Bitterroot Valley Community College Trustees-elect all be invited so they could see what gains had been
made. Pat Connell said he would be sure to invite lots of people. Clark noted that Provost Perry Brown and
Deputy Commissioner of Two-Year Education John Cech were already scheduled to be at the BCP that
afternoon so she hoped they too would be able to attend. Meakin, O’Brien, Robinson, Stark, Roger Maclean
and Lynn Stocking all offered to assist with the event. Clark said she would schedule a volunteer meeting
shortly.
Lastly Clark commented on the upcoming Bitterroot Brewery Pint Night and Silent Auction Fundraiser. She
said that the event was scheduled for Sunday, December 11 and that students and faculty were overseeing the
function.
BCP Steering Committee Meeting Minutes, 10-26-2011, Page 5 of 5
a) Fiscal Issues
i) Monthly Financial Statement (State Fund Only)
ii) Collection of BCP Student Fees
iii) Fundraising Update
Discussion Summary: With respect to the BCP’s state fund, Clark reported that the budget was in the “black,”
as it turned out that the money she had set aside for adjunct health benefit costs was not necessary as this
money came out of a different fund pool and did not impact the BCP bottom line. Clark said that the savings
would be used to purchase a reception desk for the new BCP reception area and to offset the cost of new
furnishings/equipment for the expansion. Notably, BCP fundraising efforts could be somewhat lessened in
light of the budget savings. Stark encouraged Clark to support local businesses when ordering new furniture
and equipment. Clark stated that the reception desk they were considering would be built by a local cabinet
maker.
Regarding the collection of BCP student fees, Clark reported that the BCP had been awarded fees to pay
for all its hardwire connections in the new student computer lab. Clark said she was looking into securing BCP
course fees for the spring. Turning to fundraising, Clark stated that $18,000 had been raised to date. She
noted that due to different savings and cost-cutting measures while she still hoped to raise $50,000 via the
BCP Expansion Campaign, a sum of $30,000 would be acceptable.
9) Public Comment (none)
10) For the Good of the Order (none)
Discussion Summary: Dixie Stark remarked that she had been at one of the College!NOW listening sessions at
the UM-COT. She said she was impressed by the UM-COT faculty and staff turnout, however she had been
disappointed that the College!NOW representative taking notes on the flip chart had omitted comments
relating to autonomy, local control, and 2-year versus 4-year funding. Stark said that the listening session had
been followed by an online survey and that she had made note her disappointment on the survey.
11) Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 4:55 PM.