NPC Minutes of the Board of Trustees Meeting
June 3, 2020
The National Park College Board of Trustees met in a special called meeting on June 3, 2020 at 3:30 p.m. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the meeting was held virtually via Zoom. Trustees present were Mike Bush, Joyce Craft, Gail Ezelle, Jim Hale, Don Harris, Bev Joe, Forrest Spicher, and Raymond Wright.
Staff and faculty members present were Anne Benoit, Eric Boardway, Janet Brewer, Juanita Brewer, Blake Butler, Gwendolyn Carter, Chris Coble, Wade Derden, Matthias Elder, Laurie Everton, Kelli Embry, Amy Fincham, Roger Fox, Bruce Hankins, Nicole Herndon, John Hogan, Lisa Hopper, Jill Houlihan, Janice Ivers, Toni Knupps, Brian Kroening, Julie LaRue, Susan Millerd, Donna Nevill, Mark Oliver, Melony Ritter, Nathan Ritter, Jerry Thomas, Christopher Thrasher, Darla Thurber, Steve Trusty, Lisa Walker, Tim Ward, and Mike Wiles.
Forrest Spicher welcomed everyone to the meeting Jim Hale presented the invocation.
The media was notified of the meeting.
Items for Action
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Steve Trusty, Vice President for Finance and Administration, presented the FY21 budget (Resolution 2020-C) for approval. The FY21 budget process began during the Fall 2019 semester and included input from all campus areas. The College considered proposals made by budget managers that required substantial changes due to the COVID-19 global pandemic.
The budget was developed based on several premises, including a commitment that there will be no increase in the cost of tuition or fees, institutional scholarships will increase by over 18 percent, current academic and student life programs will remain intact, and new investments in four-year degrees with SAU and other willing institutions will continue.
Dr. Hogan added that we are working with a projected state general revenue appropriations decrease of $1.023M as well as a projected enrollment decline of 12% for the fall semester. While our projections have changed over the past few months, we know our students’ expectations have not changed but have only increased. In addition to demanding a quality education under half the cost of the average Arkansas university and close to home, they want to know they are safe. To that end, we are making additional investments in technology to increase automation and accessibility for students. We will equip our students with all the resources needed to be successful in their classes this fall, no matter how they choose to attend those classes. We are going to do what it takes to get our students enrolled and supported while they attend their classes. Their success is our mission and our responsibility.
Mr. Trusty stated that the College’s budget managers built a financially sound budget during a very tumultuous time, while focusing on service to students and the future sustainability of NPC. We are presenting a fiscally conservative budget that focuses on the goals set forth in the Strategic Plan that aim to meet the established High Priority Objectives. The College also worked through a staffing reorganization as part of the budget process to minimize administrative overhead, maximize services to students, and position the College to invest in new initiatives. He informed members that the Adult Education and NPTC budgets would be presented at the June 24th board meeting.
Raymond Wright moved to accept the FY21 budget as presented. Mike Bush seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Trusty thanked the budget managers for their input and support, as well as Dr. Hogan and the Board for their leadership and encouragement. Chair Spicher acknowledged the amount of work that went into creating the FY21 budget, especially under such unique circumstances.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:44 p.m
Forrest Spicher, Chair
Joyce Craft, Secretary/Treasurer