Derr addresses fumes

The monthly MHCC District Board meeting on Wednesday covered a variety of issues, but one that stood out wasn’t raised until after a scheduled evacuation drill interrupted the session.

President Debbie Derr addressed the occurrence of noxious odors during the first stage of a three-month upgrade of MHCC’s HVAC (heating and air conditioning) system.

During this time, Aug. 12 to Sept. 27, several new fan systems were installed by Johnson Controls, the job contractor. Once these systems were turned on, an offensive odor resulted that caused several reported cases of burning eyes, headaches and nausea.

The odors surfaced again in early October, during the second stage of the HVAC replacement process. After this second episode, the source was determined to be a sealant used in the fan rooms by the company.

Derr said she confronted Johnson Controls with several questions about the incidents. A decision was made to switch to an odorless sealant and change the times when these new systems will be operated for the first time, she said.

According to Derr, Johnson Controls insisted that the sealant used initially is commonly used on work conducted at hospitals and other facilities that are populated during HVAC work, without complications.

A page covering this issue has been added to MHCC’s website.

Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division (Oregon OSHA) and SAIF (State Accident Insurance Fund) experts are now working with the college to test air quality during the ongoing renovation work.

The Wednesday Board meeting covered several other issues.

An upcoming college accreditation process will use self-reporting, via an online, virtual visitation, a process that no board members seemed familiar with. Derr quipped that, at least, “If we roll our eyes (at accreditation officials), they won’t see it.”

Derr signaled her intent to launch more strategic planning for MHCC, extending through 2020.

In other facilities news, a software glitch was the suspected cause of failed lighting in the 1600 and 1700 classroom buildings earlier this week.

A number of board members attended an Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) convention in Seattle last month. Diane Noriega, Board chairwoman, who was elected to the ACCT Diversity Committee, said there was a surprisingly political atmosphere to the convention.

The board approved changes to the Adult High School Diploma program and is looking at creating a comprehensive marketing plan for the college to promote increased student accessibility.

The MHCC’s classified employee group gave a presentation to familiarize Derr, the newly hired president, and Board members with the 195 employees who serve numerous functions on campus.

The workers have been in contract negotiations described as “disappointing” so far by Cathy Nichols, president of their bargaining group.

Advocate Staff