By Candace ChaseThe Daily Inter Lake

The Flathead Valley Community College Board of Trustees on Monday awarded tenure to five instructors and approved the second reading of a revised tobacco-free policy.

Before the vote on tenure recommendations, Karas told trustees that the college’s collective bargaining agreement with faculty covers the process for awarding tenure.

“It’s a very extensive process — it’s a very serious process,” she said. “Tenure is something that shouldn’t be taken lightly nor should the application for tenure.”

Tenure has opponents and proponents, she said, adding that she believes it “brings a lot to our college and our faculty.”

Karas said an instructor may apply after teaching for three years. Applicants then meet with the tenure review committee that makes a recommendation to the vice president who makes a recommendation to the president.

Five faculty members were recommended for tenure and two were not recommended. Trustees approved the five recommended for tenure: Jim Bogar, physics instructor; Rich Haptonstall, theater instructor; Kristina Long, paramedicine instructor; Laura VanDeKop, math instructor and Ruth Wrightsman, biology instructor.

Trustees also approved a revision to the campus smoking and tobacco usage policy. The name was changed to tobacco-free policy with tobacco use limited to designated enclosures and designated tobacco use areas.

Previously, tobacco use was allowed inside cars in parking lots.

The Student Senate requested the change to a tobacco-free campus. A survey of other Montana campuses found designated smoking areas retained on tobacco-free campuses but moved to the extreme border areas where possible.

At a meeting in October, Karas said the administration as part of the updated policy would find an area with less student traffic for a smoking enclosure now located near the Arts and Technology Building and launch a program on smoking cessation as well as a program on campus tobacco-free rules.

Trustee Tom Harding, who initially opposed the tobacco-free request, said he could support this policy. However, trustee Mark Holston, who wanted a completely tobacco-free campus, said he could not support this policy because he wants a tobacco-free campus to “mean exactly what it says.”

“This is right in line with all the tobacco-free campuses in the state of Montana,” Harding said in response to Holston’s comments.

Chairman Robert Nystuen said he considers this a transitional policy. He called for the vote that was 6-1 with Holston voting no.

In other business, trustees heard a year-end report on financial aid by director Cynthia Kiefer. She said that  73 percent of students received financial aid, a number similar to last year.

“Our default rate did go up, as expected,” Kiefer said. “It went from 6.5 to 14.7.”

She said the college beefed up entrance counseling. Kiefer said counseling emphasizes budgeting and the monthly payment required for the amount borrowed.

Karas added that the Montana guaranteed student loan program used to provide one-on-one counseling but was changed, so that has impacted the default rate.

“That has made a difference not only at our college but other state colleges,” she said. “Also, the economy does play a role. If students can’t get a job, then it’s hard to pay back the loan.”

Karas said the college is looking into informing students about options to  avoid default like a forbearance program for those experiencing economic hardship.

She said the college is looking into several strategies which she could share with the board in the future.

During her president’s update, Karas said that the legislative session begins in January. She said the college’s main issue will be the budget, noting the governor’s budget released last week left the state’s share per student at 50.8 percent.

“This is one governor’s budget,” she said. “There will be a new governor in another month and a half so we’ll keep you updated.”

She congratulated Kris Long for her hard work resulting in the accreditation of the college’s new paramedicine program.

Wrapping up her report, Karas said that the Broussard nursing and health building construction has moved along very quickly.

She said the college expects to complete the project in March on schedule.

“We think, rather than waiting until summer to move everybody in, we’ll get everybody moved in sometime in the spring and start using that building as soon as possible,” Karas said.

The next regular board of trustees meeting takes place on at 3:45 p.m. on Dec. 17 in the Board Room in Blake Hall.

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by email at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.