Facing tough decisions, LCC board begins conversations about values, budget cuts

Members of the Lane Community College Board of Education began a challenging discussion July 17 about budgets by talking about values and priorities — but the conversation soon turned to specifics. 

The meeting, guided by a professional mediator, preceded the board’s July 19 retreat — and many difficult decisions about the college’s goal to trim about $10 million in spending over the next three years.

Board members put fiscal responsibility, students, faculty and community as their priorities, but acknowledged that those are bound to be in conflict in budget decisions. In his closing comments, board member Steve Mital urged his colleagues to hear each other out when they propose ideas for cuts.

“We have to find ways to talk about it that don’t just push everybody back to their corners or isolate folks,” Mital said.

Focusing on board relationships after tension

Mediator Tim Hicks, from conflict resolution consultancy In-Accord, led the discussion in the meeting, emphasizing the importance of relationships among board members. 

“It’s true in a family, when a family is having hard times, relationships are stressed,” he said. “Recognizing that, pay particular attention to your relationships and don’t let (structural issues) erode (relationships).”

The mediator’s visit came after recent board meetings that have revealed tensions among members and the college president. 

Former vice chair Kevin Alltucker accused former board chair Zachary Mulholland in an April meeting of abusive and bullying behavior toward LCC President Stephanie Bulger. Mulholland denied the allegations and said Alltucker’s accusations reflected tensions between him and Alltucker. LCC launched an independent investigation into the bullying, but neither the college nor the board has publicly reported on the results of the investigation.

Getting granular on budget priorities

The board’s priority discussions started in the theoretical and gradually became more rooted in reality.

Bulger said she wanted to prioritize keeping LCC’s satellite locations open, including facilities in downtown Eugene, Cottage Grove and Florence, as well as the college’s Aviation Academy at the Eugene Airport.

The board had varying opinions. Most expressed support for the access they provide to Lane County residents in more rural areas while also calling for an examination of the financial viability of them. Vice Chair Jerry Rust, who represents the college’s westernmost district, including Florence, said he thinks the school’s Florence location is underutilized.

“I would like some time to get a real clear picture of what’s going on in the satellites, and how much they’re costing us and what programs are being funded,” Rust said.

Board member Julie Weismann pushed back, saying the satellite sites may need subsidies because they provide equitable access to education.

“We don’t put a student in the room and then go, oh, cut that room down because it didn’t pay for itself,” she said.

She said subsidies should, however, be provided only to a certain point.

Another topic later brought up by board member Mulholland was the expense of extracurricular activities. When asked whether he agreed that students, staff and community should be the college’s priorities, he agreed with one caveat.

“Certain extracurricular activities I value lower than serving the community and taking care of our people,” he said.

Kara Flath, LCC vice president of finance and operations, said extracurriculars attract students beyond those participating in athletics or similar programs. Flath said she would share information about the programs with the board.

Board members concluded they don’t know enough about programs to have in-depth discussions about cuts and want to look further into alternative sources of revenue.

The board’s next scheduled meeting is Sept. 3 at LCC’s main campus in Building 3, Room 216.