NPC Minutes of the Board of Trustees Meeting
The National Park College Board of Trustees met in regular session on March 29, 2023, beginning at 3:38 PM. Trustees present were Mike Bush, Joyce Craft, Jim Hale, Rhonda Harrington, Bev Joe, Lance Porter, Forrest Spicher, Renee Westfall, and Raymond Wright.
Staff, faculty members, and guests present were Bill Allison, Blake Butler, Chris Coble, Taylor Corbanel, Chris Crew, Justin Davis, Wade Derden, Jennifer Edwards, Kelli Embry, TJ Fritz, Michelle Godwin, Quinntez Grimes, Katelyn Hardage, Dillon Hargrove, Alveon Harris, Drake Henderson, Nicole Herndon, Ja’Bryant Hill, Nichus Jackson, John Hogan, Brad Hopper, Lisa Hopper, Brian Kroening, Julie LaRue, Melony Martinez, Josh McDaniel, Mark Oliver, Ty-Shon Pannell, Robin Pelton, Andrew Pennington, Scott Post, Patrick Punch, Kristin Quintanilla, Mitzi Reynolds, Rebekah Robinette, Holly Roe, Jerry Thomas, Darla Thurber, Gary Troutman, Brody Tucker, Lynn Valetutti, Amy Watson, Tim Webb, Colbie West, Nakavieon White.
The media was notified of the meeting. Courtney Edwards and Brandon Smith of The Sentinel Record were in attendance.
Chair Joyce Craft opened the meeting with a welcome.
Trustee Harrington provided the invocation.
Items for Action
- Trustee Bush made a motion to approve February 22, 2023, minutes as presented. Trustee Spicher seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
- Trustee Spicher made a motion to approve the January 2023 financial statements as presented by Andrew Pennington, Controller, during the Finance Committee Meeting. The motion passed unanimously during the Finance Committee Meeting.
- Wade Derden proposed Academic Program changes to include a new transfer program, Associate of Science in Education for transfer to UAM BA Elementary Education K-6 for completion and program revisions to include Hospitality Management, CP. Trustee Wright made a motion to approve the Academic Program changes as presented. Trustee Spicher seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
- Julie LaRue, Director of Human Resources, presented the ratifications of personnel actions. Trustee Westfall made a motion to approve the ratifications as presented. Trustee Bush seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
Items for Report
- Vice President for External Affairs and Chief of Staff Darla Thurber introduced Lynn Valetutti, Director of Library Services, who shared an update on National Park College’s 50-anniversary celebration. Lynn Valetutti explained that the 50-anniversary display in the Library included the history of sports at National Park College.
- Vice President for Administration Kelli Embry shared that NPC had to increase our bed count in fall 2021 to accommodate the demand for housing from our students. In fall 2021, we increased the bed count from 180 to 210, then in fall 2022, we increased it to 240 beds. In fall 2022, we filled all available beds and had a waitlist of over 100. We are again offering 240 beds in fall 2023. Of the 240 beds, only 79 are currently available. Currently, Dogwood Hall is 67.08% pre-leased for fall 2023, compared to only 20.4% last year at the same time. The Office of Residence Life has an additional 38 applications pending and over 55 additional inquiries as of March 24. NPC’s housing development firm, Servitas, projects that the College could fill an additional 200 beds based on this type of demand. After extensive analysis, Servitas has suggested that NPC revisit the plan to add additional housing next to Dogwood Hall. This provides significant construction and administrative cost savings. Due to site limitations, the project they are proposing will have between 166-180 beds. The existing maintenance facility will have to be relocated. NPC’s on-call architect is working on a viable solution that fits the budget. The project is estimated at $12 million.
- Board Chair Report - Chair Craft congratulated the student of the month awardees and applauded the Alpha Beta Psi chapter of Phi Theta Kappa for their extraordinary work this past year. Additionally, Chair Craft expressed pride for the athlete’s journey this season. She professed gratitude for the work of the NPC Administrative Team in finding solutions to meet the students’ on-campus housing needs.
- President’s Report - President Hogan congratulated the student of the month. He also congratulated our Phi Theta Kappa chapter, Alpha Beta Psi, on their impressive accomplishments that were noted at Regional Convention and to Dr. Robinette for her continued excellence as advisor for our chapter. Additionally, Dr. Hogan thanked the Board for supporting the Nighthawk Basketball teams. Dr. Hogan expressed his appreciation for the Administrative Team’s work and enthusiasm and for Servitas and other partners’ dedication to meeting the need of the students. Dr. Hogan added that many lives would be impacted because of the ability to provide safe, affordable housing options for our students.
There was no further business. Trustee Harrington motioned to adjourn, and Trustee Spicher seconded. The meeting adjourned at 4:38 PM.
Joyce Craft, Chair
Beverly Joe, Secretary/Treasurer