Archive for MULTI PURPOSE FIELD VERDE CAMPUS

ANALYSIS BY YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE SUGGESTS YAVAPAI COUNTY FACES SEVERE SHORTAGE OF DOCTORS AND NURSES

By R. Oliphant
Tuesday, February 11th, 2025

Yavapai County lags far behind the rest of Arizona and the nation when it comes to numbers of doctors per thousand of residents when adjusted for population age

Yavapai County lags significantly behind the rest of Arizona and the nation in the number of doctors and nurses per capita, according to a report presented by Yavapai Community College. The discouraging analysis was shared with the College District Governing Board at its January 28 workshop.

At first glance the report says that the number of doctors per 100,000 residents in Yavapai County may not seem drastically low. However, when adjusted for the County’s older population and its increased healthcare needs, the data paints a much bleaker picture.

For instance, while Yavapai County officially reports having 55 doctors per 100,000 residents, this figure drops to 25 per 100,000 when accounting for the greater medical demand of an aging population. By comparison, under the same adjusted assumptions for age, the state of Arizona has 45 doctors per 100,000 residents—80% more than Yavapai County. Nationally, the number rises to 75 doctors per 100,000, three times higher than Yavapai County’s adjusted figure.

A similar trend is seen among nurses. After adjusting for the County’s older population, Yavapai County has 498 nurses per 100,000 residents. In contrast, Arizona as a state reports 949 nurses per 100,000—91% more that Yavapai County—while the national average stands at 1,014, more than double Yavapai County’s figure.

The analysis was conducted by Yavapai Community College economist and data analytics expert Ryan Jones, with assistance from Vice President of Finance and Administration Clint Ewell. The adjustment for age was based on data indicating that Yavapai County’s population is 50% older than the national norm, leading to significantly higher medical care needs.

Above slides were prepared and presented by the Community College to the Governing Board at the January 28, 2025 workshop.

 

Categories : Food Service, MULTI PURPOSE FIELD VERDE CAMPUS, OPINIONS, Politics

THIRD DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE PAYNE SEEKS CLARITY ON CONFLICTS BETWEEN ARIZONA LAW AND COLLEGE POLICIES

By R. Oliphant
Friday, January 31st, 2025

Sends letter to Chair McCasland requesting a workshop discussion on policy misalignment—McCasland has yet to respond

Representative Toby Payne

Third District Yavapai Community College District Governing Board member Toby Payne has formally requested that Board Chair Deb McCasland convene a meeting to address potential conflicts between state law and policies adopted by the Board and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), the institution’s accrediting body. 

As of this writing, it is believed that McCasland has yet to respond to Payne’s request.

In his letter, Payne raises concerns regarding the delegation of authority to the college president and the alignment of state law with existing HLC and Board policies. Normally, state law should take precedence over any Board or HLC policies that directly conflict with it.

Payne has requested a discussion to provide clarification and education on these matters. His full letter is reproduced below.

To: Deb McCasland, YCGB Chair

From: Toby Payne, YCGB Member

Subject: Concerns Regarding Governance and Policy Alignment

I am deeply and sincerely disturbed by the current tension within the governing board and between the board and YC administration. After reviewing Policy 310, Resolution 2024-18, Arizona State Statutes, and the Higher Learning Commission’s (HLC) Criteria for Accreditation, I have identified several critical areas requiring attention, conversation, and deliberation among governing board members.

Key Concerns

l . Delegation of Authority: The subject of “delegation of authority” resulted in Lynne Adams providing copies of Attorney’s opinion letters and related correspondence from 2006 and 2010. However, these documents focus on “appoint and employ” versus “appoint or employ” and contracting. They do not address broader governance implications.

Resolution 2024-18 states: “The President shall be authorized to establish all college operational policies, make all decisions, take all actions, establish all practices and develop all activities.” This language appears inconsistent with HLC Criteria Core Component 5.A.I , which reads “Shared governance at the institution engages its internal constituencies—including its governing board, administration, faculty, staff and students—through planning, policies and procedures.”

2. Policy Development and Approval of Policy 310 was presented to the board as part of a packaged consent agenda, with no prior engagement or shared governance process. As such, it cannot be considered a “board policy” but rather one imposed on the board.

Policy 310 references Policy 401, stating: “ The board acknowledges the difference between governance and administration of the college.” This raises questions about clarity and boundaries between governance and administration. Additionally, the statement that “the board’s primary function is to establish the policies by which the college shall be administered” conflicts with instances where the college appears to develop policies that administer the board.

3. Alignment with HLC Criteria and State Statutes HLC Core Component 2.C underscores the autonomy of the governing board to make decisions and highlights the importance of compliance with its subpoints, particularly l, 3, and 5.

Arizona Revised Statutes 15-1444(A) explicitly state that each district board shall “visit each community college under its jurisdiction and examine carefully into its management, conditions, and needs.” This duty cannot be restricted by the administration and contradicts the Resolution’s assertion that “the Board’s sole official connection to the operational organization, its achievement, and conduct is through the College President.”

Lynne Adams made the point clear in her opinion letter dated March 10, 2006 page 3, that “except as otherwise provided” expressly recognizes that the legislature may make exceptions to the general grants of power found in that statute, as a modifier of the powers of the Board.

Proposed Actions

l . Education on Delegation of Authority: I propose a discussion and education session led by our attorney to distinguish between delegating authority and relinquishing or waiving authority. This will clarify the board’s role as the legally constituted and final authority for the operation of Yavapai County Community College District.

2. Work Session on Governance and Policy Alignment: I request that you, as Chair, schedule an agenda item and a work study session to address the following:

        • Ensuring alignment between state statutes, HLC criteria, and board policies.
        • Clarifying governance boundaries and roles.
        • Establishing a shared governance process for policy development
        •  

3. Preparation for HLC Assurance Review: With the next HLC Assurance Review in two years, now is the time to ensure compliance and alignment at all levels. Addressing these concerns proactively will foster good communication, clear boundaries, and shared understanding between the board and administration.

Conclusion

Chair McCasland, I urge you to prioritize these issues and engage the full board in discussions before adopting any further policies or resolutions. Open communication and collaborative efforts are essential to resolving current tensions and ensuring effective governance that benefits Yavapai College and its stakeholders. I expect that you, Dr. Rhine, David Borofsky and Lynne Adams will discuss this, but precisely the point is that this needs to be discussed with the board.

Thank you for your attention to this critical matter.

Respectfully,

Toby Payne

Categories : District Governing Board, Food Service, MULTI PURPOSE FIELD VERDE CAMPUS, Politics

PRESIDENT RHINE FORWARDS VAGUE LETTER WRITTEN BY GOVERNING BOARD CHAIR TO STAFF AND OTHERS ALLEGING FALSE MISINFORMATION ABOUT BOARD POLICY IS BEING CIRCULATED BY “ILLEGITIMATE BLOGS, WEBSITES, SOCIAL MEDIA, AND OPINIONATED NEWS ORGANIZATIONS”

By R. Oliphant
Thursday, January 16th, 2025

Chair McCasland’s letter lacks clarity and substance while ignoring controversial Policy 310, which has resulted in numerous articles and comments raising concerns over chilling free speech by threatening to fire any of the 500 to 1,000 full or part-time College employees who dare to communicate with any Governing Board member

Robert E. Oliphant

OPINION: Yavapai Community College president, Dr. Lisa Rhine, recently forwarded a letter to the Community College’s staff and others written by Yavapai Community College District Governing Board Chair Deb McCasland. In the letter, McCasland warned about “false information” being publicly disseminated, claiming the misinformation was coming from “illegitimate blogs, websites, social media, and opinionated news organizations.”

The most obvious failure of the letter was this: At best it was extremely vague. It lacked any specifics about the alleged misinformation she claimed was being disseminated. It failed to identify any of the media sources she deemed unreliable.  It provided no context whatsoever.

The glaring omissions in the letter cast significant doubt on the credibility and intent behind the claims. These omissions are especially troubling given her sweeping condemnation of the local news media—or is she even making such a condemnation? The lack of clarity leaves readers guessing.

When making such broad accusations, it seems to me that it is critical to identify the supposed false information and provide evidence to substantiate the broad claims being asserted. The letter should have named the various alleged “illegitimate blogs, websites, social media, and opinionated news organizations.” Without this information, the letter comes across as baseless and unhelpful. It is impossible to evaluate the validity of her warnings.

Notably, the letter sidestepped addressing the controversial Governing Board Policy 310, which has sparked significant commentary in the local news in recent weeks. Policy 310, enacted by a 4-1 vote of the outgoing Board in November, includes a contentious clause stating: “Under no circumstances should an individual Board member direct or contact by any means, a staff member concerning a college or community issue.” Critics, including this Blog, argue that this policy undermines the elected Board member’s role as representatives of Yavapai County taxpayers. It also reflects a troubling lack of trust in Board members and imposes what some see as an inappropriate or at least “chilling” restraint on free speech. The College disagrees.

Of interest, the letter written by McCasland briefly referenced Board Policy 401, a restatement of an existing policy that has not attracted notable controversy. By contrast, the ongoing public discussions and commentary have focused on Policy 310 and its implications.

Moreover, McCasland appeared determined to remind employees that President Rhine wielded nearly unchecked authority over them and anything classified by her as “operations.” However, McCasland’s remarks appeared to veer off course at times. She seemed to vaguely insinuate that the “misinformation” she mentioned in her letter was somehow tied to criticism of the staff’s exceptional work. Consider her statement:

“Despite what you may read in illegitimate blogs and websites, on social media, or from unsourced and opinionated ‘news’ organizations, your work is unmatched and life-changing. I would encourage you to disregard anything that alludes otherwise. Do not even entertain it.”

Yet, the Blog has found no recent articles publicly critical of staff. This statement, then, resembles what some might call a “red herring”—an attempt to mislead or distract. The fact is that recent commentary has been directed at the College’s executive leadership, particularly the troubling fixation on secrecy, suppression of free speech, and various financial and procurement practices.

In sum, Chair McCasland’ s decision to broadly dismiss criticism as “false information” without examples or context undermines her letter’s credibility. Instead of fostering transparency and addressing valid concerns, the letter appears to deflect attention away from legitimate issues while failing to provide clarity or constructive guidance.

The letter forwarded  to staff and others by president Rhine is found immediately below:

Categories : Editorials/Essays, Food Service, MULTI PURPOSE FIELD VERDE CAMPUS, OPINIONS, Politics

IS IT TIME TO SERIOUSLY DEVELOP THE VERDE VALLEY CAMPUS? OR CONTINUE THE DECADES-LONG PRACTICE OF FOCUSING ONLY ON MAJOR DEVELOPMENT ON THE PRESCOTT SIDE OF MINGUS MOUNTAIN?

By R. Oliphant
Wednesday, July 3rd, 2024

How about a simple, inexpensive multi-purpose field with dozens of uses to serve the communities and 30,000 residents immediately adjacent the Campus as a starting point?

OPINION: Yavapai Community College, nestled off Black Hills Drive in Clarkdale, Arizona, remains largely unknown to many Verde Valley residents due to inadequate signage and poor marketing along with minimal serious development.

Despite decades of requests, the Prescott-based Community College administrators have consistently ignored the need for proper Verde Valley Campus signage, a significant problem that persists to this day. Notably, the Governing Board allocated half a million dollars for a sign to CTEC near the Prescott airport in the last budget year, highlighting the disparity in attention and resources between the east and west sides of Mingus mountain.

This neglect is emblematic of a broader issue. For the past 50 years, the Prescott-based administrators have maintained iron-fisted control over College development, viewing Sedona and the Verde Valley primarily as a tax haven to support major multi-million dollar capital and renovation projects on the Prescott side of Mingus Mountain.

Rather than allowing the Verde Valley campus to wither due to this neglect, there is a glimmer of hope for revitalization. One potential, simple solution is to create a three-acre multi-purpose parcel of land on the remaining untouched 80 acres of the site. This inexpensive and responsible addition could, among other things, attract the so-called “hanging fruit” consisting of about  30,000 residents living in the three communities immediately adjacent the campus to various events. The obvious purpose is to make the residents aware of the College and indirectly market the availability of its  services to them. And carry out the College’s mission, neglected on the east side of Mingus Mountain, of providing cultural opportunities to these communities.

Unlike the massive financial investments made by the College on the Prescott side of Mingus over the past decades—such as the professional tennis complex, the heated Olympic-sized wading and swimming pool, student residence renovation, the practice soccer field, the recent multi-million dollar purchase of a 42-acre camp with over 60 buildings, and the multimillion-dollar auditorium—this proposal would not require significant financial resources. However, it would mark a meaningful beginning in revitalizing the campus and strengthening ties with the surrounding communities and their residents.

This proposal exemplifies the kind of subtle marketing effort that truly smart colleges excel at. By investing in the Verde Valley campus, Yavapai Community College can foster a sense of belonging and engagement among local communities, ensuring the campus thrives rather than fades into obscurity. Or, it can continue to selfishly stuff its pockets with Sedona/Verde Valley property tax revenue and limit its use primarily to promoting further, major development only on the Prescott side of Mingus Mountain.

Here are just a few of the ideas for using the parcel that could attract potential students, residents and others to the Verde Valley Campus:

  1. Car Shows: Host classic car shows, exotic car exhibitions, and student car modification showcases. Partner with local car clubs and automotive companies.
  2. Outdoor Art Shows: Organize art fairs, sculpture gardens, and live painting sessions featuring local and student artists. Include interactive art installations and workshops.
  3. Farmers Markets: Set up weekly farmers markets with local produce, artisanal goods, and handmade crafts. Include live music and food trucks for a festive atmosphere.
  4. Outdoor Concerts and Festivals: Host music festivals, outdoor concerts, and cultural festivals. Provide stages for live performances, food vendors, and activities for all ages.
  5. Food Truck Rodeos: Organize regular food truck gatherings with a variety of cuisines. Include picnic areas and live entertainment to create a vibrant dining experience.
  6. Outdoor Movie Nights: Set up a large screen for movie nights under the stars. Show classic films, recent releases, or student films. Provide blankets, seating, and concessions.
  7. Health and Wellness Events: Host yoga sessions, fitness boot camps, and wellness fairs. Invite local fitness instructors and wellness professionals to lead activities and workshops.
  8. Community Gardens: Create community garden plots where students and community members can grow vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Include educational workshops on sustainable gardening.
  9. Educational Fairs: Organize science fairs, technology expos, and career fairs. Feature exhibits and demonstrations from students, local businesses, and organizations.
  10. Craft Fairs: Hold craft fairs showcasing handmade goods from local artisans and students. Include DIY workshops and craft activities for attendees.
  11. Seasonal Festivals: Celebrate seasonal events with themed festivals such as spring blooms, fall harvests, or winter wonderlands. Include relevant activities, decorations, and food.
  12. Pet Adoption Events: Partner with local animal shelters to host pet adoption events. Include pet-friendly activities and booths with pet supplies and services.
  13. Fitness Challenges: Organize obstacle courses, fun runs, and fitness challenges for all fitness levels. Partner with local gyms and sports clubs.
  14. Cultural Events: Host cultural festivals celebrating different communities and traditions. Include music, dance, food, and cultural displays from various cultures.
  15. Night Markets: Create night markets with food stalls, craft vendors, and live entertainment. Offer a unique evening experience for the community.
  16. Tech and Innovation Expos: Showcase technological innovations, startup ideas, and student projects. Include interactive demos and presentations from tech companies.
  17. Outdoor Theater: Set up a stage for outdoor theater performances, including plays, improv shows, and student productions. Provide seating and concessions.

These events and activities can create a lively, engaging space that attracts diverse members of the community and fosters a sense of togetherness and enjoyment.

Categories : MULTI PURPOSE FIELD VERDE CAMPUS