September 22, 2017 SSE Board of Directors Minutes
Minutes
SONOMA STATE ENTERPRISES, INC.
Minutes
September 22, 2017MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mr. Yale Abrams
Ms. Grace Anderson
Ms. Madeline Cline
Dr. Kirsten Ely
Ms. Christina Gamboa
Mr. Wilson Hall
Dr. Stacy Heldman-Holguin
Ms. Nicole Hendry
Dr. Kyuho Lee
Ms. Joyce Lopes
Mr. Neil Markley, Ex-Officio
Dr. Judy K. Sakaki
Mr. Vince Sales
Dr. John Urbanski
Ms. Amanda Visser, Ex-Officio
Dr. Lisa Vollendorf
MEMBERS ABSENT:
OTHERS PRESENT:
Mr. Steve Higginbotham
Mr. Tyson Hill
Ms. Megan Konieczka
Mr. Bobby LaCour
Mr. Mike Ogg
Mr. Jeremy Olsan
Ms. Nancy Keller
17.00 Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 2:21 p.m.
17.01 Seating of the Board and Introductions
Ms. Lopes welcomed everyone to the first SSE Board meeting of the year. She encouraged everyone to introduce themselves. She thanked Mr. Ogg for his services as a staff representative to the Board and noted that we will begin the search for a replacement.
17.02 Committee Appointments
Handouts of the committee appointments were provided.
Audit Committee- Mr. Yale Abrams, Ms. Cristiana Gamboa, Ms. Nicole Hendry, and Dr. John Urbanski
Executive Committee- Mr. Wilson Hall, Mr. Nicole Hendry, Dr. Kyuho Lee, Ms. Joyce Lopes, Mr. Neil Markley, and Ms. Amanda Visser
Finance Committee- Ms. Madeline Cline, Dr. Kirsten Ely, Mr. Neil Markley, and Ms. Amanda Visser
17.03 Approval of the May 19, 2017 Minutes
The minutes from May 6, 2017 were provided to the Board via email prior to the meeting. Dr. Heldman-Holguin moved to approve the May 19, 2017 minutes. Dr. Ely seconded the motion. The minutes were approved unanimously with no changes.
17.04 President’s Report
Dr. Sakaki gave an update on the searches for the following positions: Chief of Police, Athletic Director, and Associate Vice President for Strategic Communication. The search firm, Issacson Miller, is being used and she is hopeful we will receive qualified candidates soon.
Dr. Sakaki met with the Board of Trustees yesterday and was happy to announce that Jennifer Yoc, a biology major from Sonoma State, was awarded the CSU Trustees’ Award for Outstanding Achievement. The Board of Trustees honors one student from each campus and Dr. Sakaki emphasized how proud she is of Ms. Yoc.
Dr. Sakaki has been working closely with Graton Rancheria where she was able to meet Joan Baez. Ms. Baez is an artist and a civil rights activist. Graton Rancheria donated money to the University which allowed the University to purchase her series of paintings of Civil Rights Leaders. Ms. Baez has offered to come to campus to discuss her experience with each of the civil rights leaders. Dr. Sakaki then discussed her hopes for a Social Justice Center on campus in which she envisions these paintings being housed. Dr. Heldman-Holguin shared in her excitement for a Social Justice Center. Dr. Ely congratulated Dr. Sakaki on obtaining such an amazing donation.
17.05 Chief Academic Officer/Provost Report
Dr. Vollendorf began by thanking everyone who is serving on the Board. She shared that we have received $2 million in base funding from the state of California. Dr. Vollendorf has been working closely with Student Affairs to create a strong plan to utilize the base funds to better Sonoma State University's advising, technology, and support services.
She gave an update on the faculty searches and informed the Board there are now 22 tenured faculty members. She is focused on creating a strong 21st century learning environment. She believes the Wine Spectator Learning Center is a symbol of the future of our learning and teaching.
Dr. Vollendorf informed the Board of the upcoming Strategic Planning efforts. She is hopeful this will unite our campus and give us a clear list of priorities for years to come.
17.06 Vice President for Student Affairs Report
Dr. Heldman-Holguin gave an update on the Graduation Inititative 20-25 plan. Adding advisors and creating a physical advising center will help us achieve greater retention and graduation rates. Student Affairs has also received funding for Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) advisors and has increased their focus on outreach admissions programs.
Dr. Heldman-Holguin commented on the success of Big Nite and encourages the Board to check out various other student activities happening now around campus.
17.07 Associated Students Report
Mr. Hall told the Board of current projects the Associated Students are focusing on. Mr. Hall, along with Dr. Sakaki, will be at Pizza with Presidents in the Seawolf Plaza. This will be a version of a town hall in which students are encouraged to ask any questions they would like.
Associated Students will be attending the Fullerton California State Student Association (CSSA) Board of Directors where representatives from all 23 campus will be meeting. Among other topics, they will be discussing ways in which to address current Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) challenges.
Mr. Hall also informed the board Associated Students is working on a Voter Registration Campaign. A new position has been created in Associated Students, Legal Service Director, who students can seek referrals for legal advice.
Mr. Hall was happy to announce Sonoma State University will be hosting the CSSA. He feels this is an honor because we have not been able to host an event this large in a while and it will be a great way to show off our campus. He also announced on October 14 JUMP will be hosting Sonoma Serves. This is the largest service event of the year where different groups of students travel around Sonoma County and assist in a variety of community services events.
17.08 Report from SSU Vice President for Administration and Finance/ Chief Financial Officer and Chair of SSE Board of Directors
Ms. Lopes has been at Sonoma State University for 6 weeks and was happy that she was able to help with Move-In Weekend. She wanted to take a moment to recognize SSE who helped prepare for Move-In Weekend, Welcome Back BBQ, and Big Nite. As of right now there are 1,800 full time freshmen and 700 transfer students enrolled.
She informed the Board that Risk Management is rolling out the Seawolf Ambassador Program. These student ambassadors will be available to help manage events around campus. She also informed the Board that Sonoma State University’s Stevenson Hall is currently number seven on the CSU list for capital funding. Ms. Lopes feels it is very likely we will receive funding for the $100 million project.
Ms. Lopes mentioned the Strategic Planning process is beginning. She assured the Board she will be engaging with them as much as possible for their input as we move forward with this planning.
17.09 Chief Operating Officer’s Report
Mr. Markley started his report by reintroducing Ms. Nancy Keller, the Director of Culinary Services. He is impressed by how she is being proactive and adventurous in changes she is making to our culinary world. For example, instead of having heavy snacks at the board meeting, she has set up a wellness break. Mr. Markley asked that everyone please try and give feedback.
He also acknowledged that SSE currently employs a few DACA students. Their jobs are safe and we have been providing support to them. The deadline to reapply for DACA status is October 5th and SSE has been working with students on how to reapply. Dr. Heldman-Holguin offered to help as well if any of the SSE employees need assistance finding resources.
During our last meeting, Dr. Lee expressed concern about the wait times at Charlie Brown’s Cafe. Mr. Markley used this concern as a pilot program for the Business Process Improvement group. Mr. Ogg gave a PowerPoint presentation on the information and statistics they learned during the project. He provided some solutions and the Board discussed. The PowerPoint will be sent electronically after the meeting.
Mr. Markley commented on the presentation and thanked Mr. Ogg for his work. He felt the process was enlightening and thought it was interesting the “obvious” answer was not the solution.
Mr. Markley presented to the Board a new report concept he would like to complete. During a discussion at a Finance Committee, Dr. Ely expressed interest in compiling information to show all of the various gifts and good will SSE provides throughout the year. Mr. Markley asked that any volunteers for this committee be sent to Ms. Konieczka. Discussion ensued.
17.10 Chief Financial Officer’s Report
Ms. Visser informed the Board the 990 is nearing its final stages. She will be sending it out to the Board for their review. Once the Board has had time to review and provide feedback she will send the 990 to the IRS.
17.11 Conflict of Interest Presentation Non-Profit Integrity Act, Compliance, and Insurance
Mr. Olson from the Law Office of Perry, Johnson, Anderson, Miller & Moskowitz, LLP presented the annual Conflict of Interest Presentation. He reviewed Board members’ legal and fiduciary responsibilities. Mr. Olsan provided handout to the board which he went over in detail and requested that the signed version of the Conflict of Interest forms be submitted to Megan Konieczka.
17.12 ACTION ITEM: Acceptance of the 2016/2017 Audited Financial Statements
Mr. Abrams informed the board the Audit Committee reviewed the 2016/2017 Audited Financial Statements and accepted as presented. He then introduced Mr. LaCour from Aldrich. Mr. LaCour gave a review of the audited statements and a brief discussion followed. Handouts were provided to the Board.
Mr. Abrams moved to accept the 2016/2017 Audited Financial Statements. Dr. Ely seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously by the Board.
17.13 ACTION ITEM: Review, Discussion, and Action on gift for the Wine Spectator Learning Center
Prior to the board discussing this matter, Ms. Lopes read a letter on behalf of Dr. Sakaki requesting $1.1 million in support to complete the Wine Spectator Learning Center.
Dr. Vollendorf emphasized how important this building will be for the institution as a whole. Mr. Hall mirrored Dr. Vollendorf’s comments on how important the building would be for the student body. Discussion ensued regarding where the money for the gift would be coming from.
Mr. Sales wanted to ensure that SSE will get publicly recognized for their contribution to the Wine Spectator Learning Center.
Dr. Ely moved to approve the Gift for the Wine Spectator Learning Center. Mr. Abrams seconded the motion. Non-opposed. The Gift for the Wine Spectator Learning Center was approved unanimously with no changes.
17.14 ACTION ITEM: Review, Discussion, and Action on the Salazar Leasehold Improvement Gift
Ms. Visser reminded the Board that as of July 1 the University and SSE had terminated the Salazar lease. Since the University and SSE are no longer in a lease agreement, it is proposed SSE gift the asset of the Salazar Hall second floor to the University. The asset gift will result in a reduction of SSE assets, but no cash will change hands. This was discussed at the Finance Committee and there were no objections.
Dr. Kirsten Ely moved to approve the Salazar Leasehold Improvement Gift. Mr. Hall seconded the motion. None opposed. The Salazar Leasehold Improvement Gift was approved unanimously with no changes.
17.15 ACTION ITEM: Review, Discussion, and Action on the 2017/18 Budget
Mr. Markley reviewed the proposed 2017/18 SSE budget. He began by pointing out a new budget format from years past. The budget now contains a second sheet that includes the description of each line item on the budget. Given the loss of rental income from Salazar Hall and Faculty Staff Housing land, the finance committee worked to address an operating deficit. Other changes to this year’s budget include:
lowering the cost of goods sold to represent a more realistic percentage and adjusting the hourly employment so it is leaner. Due to budget cuts approved last year, SSE will use $1.9 million out of its reserves as outlined in the budget document.
Ms. Lopes thanked the Finance Committee for their efforts.
Dr. Kirsten Ely moved to approve the 2017/18 SSE Budget. Dr. Stacey Heldman-Holguin seconded the motion. None opposed. The 2017/18 budget passed unanimously with no changes.
17.16 Other Non-Action Items
None.
Meeting was adjourned at 4:30 p.m.
Mr. Neil Markley Chief Operating Officer
Ms. Megan Konieczka Recording Secretary