The Colorado Mountain College Board of Trustees met at the college’s campus in Edwards Friday, May 15, where they approved revised policies on reduction in force for faculty and sexual misconduct, and approved a lease for a building in downtown Rifle where students can take a limited number of courses and register for classes.
The revised reduction in force policy was developed in consultation with the college’s elected Faculty Senate and college leadership before being forwarded to the board for approval. Over the past year, all college policies have been reviewed, and updated or revised as needed, and brought to the board of trustees for approval.
The policy on sexual misconduct takes into account changes in required compliance with Title IX and the Clery Act – most notably in definitions of sexual misconduct, harassment and violence, as well as requirements for prompt and equitable investigations and remedial actions in the event of any reports or complaints. Over the next seven months college staff will develop procedures that support the policy, and train employees and students in the applications of the policy and procedures.
Trustees heard that the lease of a building in downtown Rifle, located at 229 West Avenue, will enhance the student learning environment for Rifle and western Garfield County by better serving student demand for convenient classes and course registration. Other operations in west Garfield County will continue; School District 16 will continue to allow the college to use the existing Parachute building, and the college’s Rifle campus south of town will continue its operations there.
On the CMC Board of Trustees’ consent agenda, they unanimously approved or accepted six faculty requests for sabbaticals, quarterly financial reports, a new course fee for one culinary class, a revised purchasing and contracts policy and the 2015-16 budget for the board of trustees (which is separate from the college’s operating budget). Next year’s board’s budget of $64,620 is the same as it has been for the current year.
Also during the meeting the board held the first public hearing of the proposed budget for 2015-16, which has total operating expenditures of $59.5 million. That draft budget is available for viewing May 18 on the college’s website, and at all of the campus’s 11 campuses and learning locations, in addition to the central administrative offices in downtown Glenwood Springs.
In other action, at the trustees’ annual joint meeting with the appointed CMC Foundation Board, they signed a cooperation and services agreement. During that meeting, foundation board members received an update on the college’s strategic plan priorities and progress so that their work will continue to be aligned with the college’s strategic direction.