Minutes

A regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of Community College District VIII, 3000 Landerholm Circle SE, state of Washington, was held on Wednesday, February 25, 2025. Pradnya Desh, chair, presided. This meeting was held in B201 and on Zoom. A telephone line was also available.

Chair Desh called the business session to order at 2:01 PM.

Roll Call

A quorum of the Board was present.

Present: Chair Pradnya Desh, Vice Chair Rich Fukutaki, Trustee Richard Leigh, Trustee Greg Dietzel, President David May, Assistant Attorney General Tricia Boerger, and Board Secretary Alicia Keating Polson.

Absent: none.

There were 80 guests in attendance.

Approval of Agenda and Minutes

Trustee Leigh made a motion to approve the agenda (February 25, 2026) and minutes (January 6, 2026 and January 21, 2026.) Trustee Dietzel seconded.

The motion passed unanimously.

Constituent Reports

Faculty

The Faculty report was provided by Lindsay Haney, President of the Bellevue College Association of Higher Education (BCAHE.)

• Title II deadlines are in two months and faculty are concerned that:
  • Faculty haven’t received a defined scope of work to engage in.
  • The college hasn’t identified tools to make accessibility requirements possible for faculty in disciplines where screen readers are not compatible with best existing teaching practices and materials.
• Thanks to President May and his office for the immigration town hall with Former Trustee Miller. His expertise and perspective were valuable, and it was important for the campus community to get to ask questions. Concerns include slow response times and areas the college is still considering next steps, such as the Know Your Rights training.
• Faculty are concerned about communication from administration.  When deans and chairs, rather than administration, communicate leadership decisions or new practices with their division or program faculty, there are mistakes or discrepancies.

Foundation

The Bellevue College Foundation (BCF) report was provided by Chelle Chase, President of the BCF Board.

• Welcomed new Foundation board member James Thomas, Vice President of Organizational Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging at BECU.
• Continued work with the Athena Group to align the Foundation and College strategic plans.
• The 2026–27 Foundation scholarship application is open, and volunteers are being sought to assist with scholarship review during Read Week in April.
• Faculty applications are being accepted for the annual Lockwood Grants, which provide up to $15,000 to support innovation and entrepreneurial initiatives on campus.
• Nominations are open through February 28 for the inaugural Distinguished Alumni Award, which will be presented at the Diamond Jubilee on April 18.
• The Alumni Leadership Council welcomed new member Sana Lakhani, a 2007 Bellevue College graduate.
• More than 200 community members attended the annual President’s Breakfast on February 6.
• Planning continues for the College’s 60th anniversary Diamond Jubilee celebration on April 18, which will support fundraising for student success.

Student

The Student report was provided by Daniella Salima, Vice President of Associated Student Government of Bellevue College (ASGBC.)

• ASGBC hosted its annual BC Lobby Day and presented its legislative agenda to local state legislators.
• Legislative priorities included textbook tax exemptions, student trustee representation across community and technical college boards, and affordable on-campus housing for students statewide.
• Applications have opened or will soon open for several student leadership roles, including the ASGBC Board of Directors, Student Senate, student commencement speaker, and student trustee.
• The ASGBC Board of Directors and the Student Technology Fee Committee are reviewing a potential Digital Signage Program and assessing associated costs.
• The Winter 2026 Course Material Voucher Program received 242 applications, the highest number since the program’s launch, with the next application cycle planned for spring quarter.
• Planning is underway for the Service and Activities (S&A) Fee application process and committee review.
• ASGBC hosted a Valentine’s Day student event with over 100 attendees and is planning additional outreach events, including finals week programming and student elections.

Classified

The Classified report was provided by Valencio Socia, WPEA Chief Shop Steward.

• Received reports that some classified staff cannot participate in PD Day and are instead instructed to attend departmental training.
• Raised concerns that part-time hourly classified employees:
  • Are not consistently receiving holiday or closure-related compensation
  • Do not receive consistently implemented, honored, or recognized professional development opportunities under Procedure 4700P
• Raised concerns about supervisor and dean training related to classified staff rights and protections.
• Expressed concern that BCAHE and the Budget Review Advisory Committee (BRAC) were notified of program viability data and classified staff were not.
• Provided a summary of the topics from one-on-one meeting with President May.

College Assembly

The College Assembly report was provided by Michael Broome, Chair of College Assembly.

• Assembly is excited to have a working meeting with Dr. May to look ahead at the future of governance, plan to better work with Cabinet, and align with the Strategic Plan.
• Assembly proposed a retreat for the end of spring to find a system that doesn’t need to find its footing at the start of each academic year.
• Resources and Planning council has added a new goal: review and compare Service’s and Activities (S&A) Fees between institutions for potential improvements.
• Classified council is reviewing the faculty and staff safety net fund process and the employee and administrator handbooks.
• Council for Inclusion and Diversity has been discussing the possibility of federal officers on campus after a recent Town Hall on immigration enforcement.

Public Comment

Donald Rowe, faculty at Bellevue College, provided public comment on the budget.

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Program Highlight

International Education

The Program Highlight is a regular feature at Board meetings that spotlights a Bellevue College program or initiative and its impact on students. This month’s presentation featured International Education & Global Initiatives led by Jean D’Arc Campbell.

The Office of International Education and Global Initiatives (IEGI) supports more than 900 international students representing 56 countries. Bellevue College ranks 12th among associate degree–granting institutions in the United States based on international student enrollment. IEGI oversees four structured programs designed to prepare and support international students and community participants:

• Intensive English Program: Provides nonnative English speakers with instruction to strengthen reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in preparation for college level coursework.
• Bridge Pathway Program: Offers a one quarter English preparation experience in which students enroll in a college level English course along with classes that develop writing skills, critical thinking, and personal responsibility for learning.
• International High School Completion Program: Serves academically motivated F1 students ages 16–17 who have not yet completed high school. Students follow an associate degree curriculum and, upon program completion, earn both a Washington State high school diploma and an associate 
• Customized Group Programs: Provides short-term, customizable learning experiences for participants ages 15 and older. Programs include hands on English instruction, cultural activities, homestays, excursions, volunteer opportunities, and a graduation ceremony. They are suitable for student groups, retirees, and other community participants.

First Read

Tenure

A recommendation from the Tenure Review Committee regarding tenure appointments for full-time faculty members listed below has been submitted to the College President, in accordance with the “Collective Bargaining Agreement By and Between the Board of Trustees of Bellevue College – Community College District VIII and the Bellevue College Association of Higher Education.” On the basis of this recommendation and in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement, it is the recommendation of the President and the Tenure Review Committee that the faculty candidates listed below be granted tenure.

Candidates Recommended for Tenure

Aseel Kanakri                  Arts & Humanities (English)

Celeste Lonson              Social Science (Psychology)

Peter Ophoven                Science (Software Development)

Sandra Wilson                 Arts and Humanities (Interior Design)

Sophie Leung                  Arts & Humanities (English)

Travis McKinney              Arts & Humanities (English)

The reason for tenure, as stated in the Revised Code of Washington, is to protect faculty employment rights. Further, tenure protects academic freedom and promotes collegiality and professionalism among faculty.

The tenure process at Bellevue College involves four levels:

1. The Tenure Evaluation Subcommittee (TES) gathers information, mentors the candidate, and prepares the tenure document.
2. The Tenure Review Committee (TRC), including six faculty members elected by the faculty at large, reviews the documentation prepared by the TES to ensure that similar standards and expectations are met across the many disciplines. The TRC provides an objective look at each document to make sure that the case supporting the recommendation of the TES is sound.
3. The College President, after reviewing the recommendations of the TRC, submits those recommendations and accompanying materials, along with their own recommendation, to the Board of Trustees.
4. Finally, the Board of Trustees, giving serious consideration to the recommendation of the President and the TRC, decides to grant or not grant tenure or extend the probationary period.  During the first two years of candidates’ employment, the President uses the recommendation of the TRC to decide whether or not to continue the probationary period.

Required documents have been gathered by the TES and the tenure candidates that provide evidence that the process described above has been strictly followed.

2026-2027 Board Meeting Dates

The Washington Administrative Code (W.A.C) requires that a list of Board meeting dates be filed with the Code Revisers Office each calendar year so that appropriate notice of meeting dates can be given to the public. The following dates were submitted for the Board’s consideration as regular meeting dates for the 2026-2027 academic year:

Date                                                                 Start Time

• Wednesday, August 19, 2026                  9 am
• Thursday, August 20, 2026                       9 am
• Wednesday, September 23, 2026          2 pm
• Wednesday, November 4, 2026              2 pm
• Wednesday, December 9, 2026              2 pm
• Wednesday, January 20, 2027                 9 am
• Thursday, February 25, 2027                     2 pm
• Wednesday, March 17, 2027                   2 pm
• Wednesday, April 21, 2027                       2 pm
• Wednesday, May 26, 2027                        2 pm
• Thursday, June 17, 2027                            2 pm

The proposed dates meet the needs of the college in maintaining its administrative and contractual obligations and do not conflict with any major religious or secular holidays according to the common religious and U.S. public holiday calendar. None of the proposed dates conflict with school breaks during the 2026-2027 academic year for the Bellevue, Issaquah, and Mercer Island School District calendars. Further, the last meeting in June occurs before the final day of school for the school districts. The proposed meetings dates do not conflict with the ACCT Leadership Congress or ACCT National Legislative Summit.

There are a total of 11 regular meeting dates, including two dates for the summer Board retreat and one date for the winter Board retreat. Other dates may be scheduled further into the 2026-2027 year.

Revision of Policy 4000: Community Care and Institutional Inclusion and Deletion of Policy 4050: Cultural Pluralism Policy

Lori Keller, Director of Policy and Government Relations, presented the proposed revisions to Policy 4000 and proposed deletion of Policy 4050. A revision was initiated by the Council for Inclusion and Diversity (CID) in 2023, to align policies (previously aligned with the Office of Equity and Pluralism) with the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI). In 2025, executive actions from the U.S. Department of Education prompted a deeper look at the college commitment to all members of the campus community. CID members volunteered to provide guidance, institutional history, and thoughtful improvement. An Executive Director of Compliance Change Management was hired to ensure alignment and integrity of the process.

Policy 4000 was last revised in 2021, and Policy 4050 was last revised in 2013. Most of the principles in the cultural pluralism policy were moved to Policy 4000 in line with the college mission, vision, and values of 2025. It is more important than ever to protect the health and wellness of every member of the Bellevue College community. It is critical to state college values and follow through on those values with practical actions and meaningful resource allocations to increase community care and institutional transformation.

Proposed changes include:

• Delete 4050, move select content to 4000 
• Add and refine requirements to promote and ensure the commitment of care.
• Clarity of purpose and of consequence for lapses in practice or behavior.
• Specificity around areas of focus and support to maintain an environment of inclusion.

45-Day Comment

This policy was open for public comment from September 18 – November 3, 2025. Four comments were received. Three comments were received opposed to the deletion of policy 4050. One comment was received in support of the proposed deletion.

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Action

Revision of Policy 2050 and WAC132H-126: Student Conduct Code

Motion 02.26

Trustee Leigh moved that the Board of Trustees of Community College District VIII approves the revisions to WAC 132H-126: Student Code of Conduct. Trustee Dietzel seconded.

The motion passed unanimously.

Revision of Policy 2200: Admission

Motion 03.26

Trustee Dietzel moved that the Board of Trustees of Community College District VIII approves the revisions to Policy 2200: Admission. Trustee Leigh seconded.

The motion passed unanimously.

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Quarterly Reports

Enrollment

Steve Downing, Dean of Enrollment Management, presented the quarterly enrollment report, which included a review of final enrollment figures for Fall 2025 and the interim status of Winter 2026 enrollment, and revised projections for Spring 2026 and initial projections for the 2026-2027 academic/fiscal year.

As of February 9, 2026, Bellevue College is serving 16,865 Winter Quarter students with 11,996 FTE. Winter 2026 enrollments continue a multi-year upward trajectory, surpassing Winter 2025 headcount (15,756) and FTE (11,454). Running Start enrollment continues to grow strongly, increasing from 3,428 in Winter 2025 to 3,794 in Winter 2026. International enrollment shows slight growth year-over-year but remains below projection due to continuing visa issuance delays. Worker Retraining enrollments increased from 101 in Winter 2025 to 139 in Winter 2026.

Winter 2026 FTE actuals (11,996) are 1.4% above the projection of 11,825. This is the fourth consecutive Winter Quarter in which actual FTE exceeded projections. Strong Running Start participation and stabilization in domestic enrollment contributed to continued growth. International enrollments remain an area of elevated volatility due to federal visa processing conditions.

Finance & Budget

Dr. Jorge de la Torre, Vice President of Administrative Services, and Ty Bergstrom, Executive Director of Finance and Auxiliary Services, presented the quarterly finance and budget report, which included the Fiscal Report providing an updated end-of-year forecast based on the winter quarter enrollment and current spending trends. This report also included two projected scenarios for the following 2026-27 fiscal year based on legislative proposals.

Currently the end of year forecast is higher than previously anticipated due to a higher than forecasted annual Running Start enrollment. Another assumption is that lapse salary or unfilled positions are reduced to 4% down from 7%. This is due to increased hiring of staff and the removal of unfilled positions as part of the budget reduction process. 

The forecast for the following year includes a scenario for the Governor’s budget, which is estimated to have a $1.2 million negative impact on our state allocation. The other scenario represents a proposal that would reduce the FTE credit limit for Running Start students from 1.4 to 1.2. Since the bill did not include a fiscal note, management has applied a very conservative estimate that $3.5 million in state funded Running Start tuition would be negatively impacted for the College due to the loss of enrollment. 

As the supplemental budget has not been approved, these scenarios are estimated and may change significantly as more information becomes available. Both 2026-27 scenarios do factor in the COLA and retroactive pay adjustments for the WPEA contract.

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Reports

President’s Report

David May, President, provided the President’s report:

• Expressed appreciation to the trustees who attended the recent President’s Breakfast and thanked the Bellevue College Foundation for organizing the event.
• Noted that the College continues to closely monitor budget developments in Olympia, which may have significant impacts on Bellevue College.
• Congratulated Bellevue College student-athletes, highlighting the Men’s Basketball team’s 26-game win streak heading into the final week of league play.

Board Report

Trustee Desh provided the Board report:

• The trustees recently engaged in legislative advocacy in Olympia & DC.
• Trustee Fukutaki reported on meetings in Washington, D.C. with members of Congress and national higher education leaders to advocate for Bellevue College and the Washington community and technical college system. Discussions included proposals related to tax-free Pell Grants, expanding access for lower-income students, and increasing federal support for TRIO programs based on demonstrated outcomes.
• Trustee Fukutaki also shared insights from national conversations through the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) and the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), noting the increasing pressures faced by community college leadership and the relatively short average tenure of presidents nationally.
• Chair Desh highlighted federal discussions around Workforce Pell and its potential to support short-term and certificate programs, as well as the administration’s focus on funding apprenticeship initiatives.

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Unscheduled Business

There was no unscheduled business.

Executive Session

At 3:40 PM, Chair Desh announced the Board would convene for 30 minutes in executive session under RCW 42.30.110(1) for the following purpose: (g) To review the performance of a public employee; and (i) To discuss with legal counsel representing the agency litigation or potential litigation. Assistant Attorney General Tricia Boerger was present for the litigation-related discussion. Chair Desh announced that no final action would be taken during the executive session.

At 4:10 PM, Chair Desh extended the executive session by 20 minutes.

The executive session ended at 4:30 PM.

Adjournment

There being no further business, Chair Desh adjourned the Board of Trustees meeting at 4:32 PM

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