SECRETARY
PRO-TEM
In
the absence of Leslie Englehaupt, Dr. Driscoll volunteered to serve as
Secretary Pro-Tem.
APPROVAL OF AMENDED
AGENDA
The
administration requested that Action Item 18. – Faculty Appointment –
Anthropology & Sociology Instructor be removed from the agenda. It was moved by Ms. Olivero and seconded by Dr.
Driscoll to approve the amended agenda, as presented. Motion passed by voice
vote.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
CONSENT AGENDA
It
was moved by Dr. Huffman and seconded by Ms. Burkart to approve the consent
agenda, as presented. Motion passed by voice vote.
The
following items were approved in the consent agenda:
Approval
of Minutes
– October 9, 2012 Audit/Finance Committee Meeting and October 16, 2012 Board
Meeting
Approval
of the Bills
- $1,626,194.36
Education
Fund - $840,023.69; Operations and Maintenance Fund - $95,204.29; Operations
& Maintenance (Restricted Fund) - $252,844.00; Auxiliary Fund - $159,810.70;
Restricted Fund - $234,654.33; Audit Fund - $10,000.00; and Liability,
Protection and Settlement Fund - $33,657.35
Treasurer’s
Report
Personnel
Approved
the stipends for the pay periods ending October 6, 2012 and October 20, 2012.
PRESIDENT’S
REPORT
Dr.
Corcoran gave a construction update prepared by Cheryl Roelfsema. Regarding Phase 1, the geothermal field and
detention pond have been seeded; trees have been planted; and stone cropping
installation has begun. Roofing is complete except for punch list items; metal
(zinc) panel installation and the Trespa composite facade installation will
begin in approximately one week. On the Peter Miller Community Technology
Center’s second floor, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing work continues;
heat pumps and rack were delivered last week; and East-end drywall is 65
percent complete. The first floor East entrance will be closed-in very soon;
the building will be heated next week; and HVAC ductwork to the outside air
units is in progress. Regarding Phase 2, the new maintenance building concrete
floor, stoops and approach have been poured; the East addition concrete masonry
unit west wall is complete; electrical switch-over to the new transformer and
gas meter installation is planned for later this week; and demolition of
Building 10 will begin after Thanksgiving. The project remains on
schedule. Last month Mike Phillips
reported the voter registration drive was a success. A voter registration table was available on
Spirit Day and in the Lobby the week of September 24 and again on October
8. The deputy registrars also registered
students in their offices and in the Library. Mike wanted to be sure to recognize
Joanne Jalley, Sherri Popurella, Kathy Sramek, Tracy Morris, Sue Mertel, and
the local Tea Party group coordinated by Jim Jarka for working at the tables.
Overall, Mike and his colleagues registered 224 voters this fall, bringing the
grand total since 2002 to approximately 2300 voters! Haiku Horror Stories is a new book
available from Amazon.com and soon it will be available in hard copy. What
makes this book especially interesting is that it was written by Carey Burns
with illustrations by Jill Hejl. Dr. Corcoran congratulated Carey and Jill on
their collaborative efforts and hopes the book is a great success. Dean Marianne Dzik provided a number of
exciting updates involving students and staff in her English, Math and
Education division: Kim Radek, Adam Oldaker, and Delores Robinson recently
received the good news that one of their Sigma Kappa Delta students, Ali
Braboy, has had her abstract submission chosen for a roundtable discussion of
the topic "Reopen the Book to Fantasy Worlds" at the Sigma Kappa
Delta national conference in Portland this spring. Congratulations to Ali
Braboy on a job well done! Diane
Christianson and Jill Urban-Bollis presented a workshop at last month’s meeting
of the Illinois Community College Faculty Association on "Education
Candidate Dispositions: Assessing Professional Dispositions and Behaviors in
Career Programs." Jill Urban-Bollis
has received Charlotte Danielson Training through the LaSalle County Regional
Office of Education, which will lead to her assisting the ROE in presenting
workshops on this evaluation model to the Oglesby School District and the
Streator High School District. Diane
Christianson is now a National Association of the Education of Young Children
(NAEYC) accreditation site reviewer. She
recently participated in a site visit to McDowell Technical Community College's
Childhood Education Program in Marion, North Carolina. Ericka Ratcliff, an actor from the Chicago
Shakespeare Theater, visited Nora Villarreal's Honors Shakespeare class via
Skype on November 9. Students were able
to engage in a question-and-answer period with the actor. Jeffrey Cramer, Curator of Collections at the
Thoreau Institute in Lincoln, Massachusetts was a digital presenter in Adam
Oldaker's American literature class on November 16. Mr. Cramer talked about artifacts that
belonged to Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. Professor Oldaker met Mr. Cramer this past
summer while attending a National Endowment for the Humanities event in
Concord, Massachusetts. Mark Brown
recently participated in a program at Heartland Community College in
celebration of National Novel Writing month.
Professor Brown read from his short story "The Iron Door." He also participated in a radio show entitled
Poets' Voices which airs on Peoria station WAZU, 90.7 FM. Sue Isermann has been reappointed to the NCI
Works Board, a testament to her expertise and contributions to the workforce
development community. Sue will also represent the College at an upcoming ICCB
conference for Illinois community college participants who have received the
Pathways to Results (PTR) grants. As an invited panel presenter, Sue will
discuss how she and her team applied quality improvement principles to achieve
greater equity and access within the Wind Technology program. From Jamie Gahm’s Continuing Education
department, last month 42 passengers participated in IVCC’s “Road Scholar
Program” and they called this year’s trip “Exploring Central Illinois on the
River.” Highlights included
presentations on river ecology and Native American culture, and a program by
Save Our American Raptors. Another bus trip involved an L -P High School
63-year class reunion using our Ed’Venture Program as an opportunity to see the
sights near and within the Illinois River.
A special thanks to Jamie Gahm for being part of a group that’s looking
to replicate the annual Peoria manufacturing expo sometime soon in the Illinois
Valley. Dr. Corcoran also thanked Bev Malooley and her staff for sponsoring a
number of activities last year including the most recent Breakfast of Champions
and 40 Under 40 events (where Kim Koehler was one of the 40 celebrated). Many thanks to Kelly Klobucher, of the Hegeler
Carus Foundation, for allowing IVCC’s Theatre Department to present the play
“The Snow Queen”, directed by Dr. David Kuester, at the Hegeler Carus Mansion
last week while the College is under construction. All three performances were
sold out. Students participating in the Area Career Center’s CEO (Creating
Entrepreneurial Opportunities) program visited the campus last week and Dr.
Corcoran hopes this will become a regular destination point for all CEO
students from this point forward. Working together with the high schools on
these kinds of innovative programs is certainly in-line with IVCC’s mission and
what is hoped to be achieved within the new building’s Center for Innovation
and Opportunity.
COMMITTEE
REPORTS
Mr. Mallery noted the filing period for the
April 9, 2013 election for trustee candidates is Monday, December 17 through
Monday, December 24, 2012. The College
is currently scheduled to be closed on Monday, December 24. Legislation is being proposed in the veto
session to address the issue of December 24.
If this is not resolved in the veto session, this item will be discussed
at the December board meeting.
TENTATIVE
TAX LEVY 2012
It was moved by Dr. Huffman and seconded by
Dr. Driscoll to adopt the resolution approving a Tentative Tax Levy and
Tentative Certificate of Tax Levy, as presented. A schedule was provided illustrating how
IVCC’s tax rate has decreased by 25 percent over the last ten years. Mr. Mallery noted that everything is done to
reduce the impact to the tax payers. The
slight increase in this year’s tax levy rate is due to an anticipated decrease
in the equalized assessed evaluation (EAV), which boosts the rate. During the budget process when a decrease in
EAV was anticipated, he was under the impression the College was budgeting to
hold the tax rate near level, but now the College is budgeting to increase the
rate. He noted it is important to
recognize the additional tax is increasing significantly. He has asked before
to consider weaning the College off of this additional tax. This year would have been an opportunity to
narrow the increase and hold the tax rate. For that reason, he is not
comfortable in voting for the proposed tax levy. Mr. Thompson noted the College qualifies for
the additional tax because it is a downstate school with lower EAV per
capita. The College does not have a way
to easily mitigate the amount the additional tax brings in and he believes to
lower the tax rate would not be prudent in order to maintain the programs the
College presently offers. Motion passed
by voice vote with Mr. Mallery voting nay.
FACULTY
RESIGNATION – TARA PTASNIK, ENGLISH COMPOSITION & WRITING
CENTER INSTRUCTOR
It was moved by Dr. Huffman and seconded by
Mr. Mallery to accept, with regret, the resignation of Tara Ptasnik, English
Composition & Writing Center Instructor, effective December 20, 2012, and
wish her good luck in her future endeavors.
Motion passed by voice vote.
STAFF
RESIGNATION – ROBERT C. MATTSON, DIRECTOR OF INSTITUTIONAL RESEARCH
It was moved by Dr. Huffman and seconded by
Ms. Burkart to accept, with regret, Robert Mattson’s resignation as Director of
Institutional Research, effective December 10, 2012, and wish him good luck in
his future endeavors. It was noted that
Mr. Mattson was the primary employee who effectively and efficiently utilized
the software for reports. A support staff person has been trained to run the
daily reports and the College is advertising for his replacement. Dr. Driscoll
appreciated his hard work and noted that he was critical to the quality of the
planning process. Motion passed by voice
vote.
FACULTY
APPOINTMENT – SAMANTHA C. WHITEAKER, NURSING INSTRUCTOR
It was moved by Ms. Olivero and seconded by
Dr. Driscoll to approve the appointment of Samantha C. Whiteaker as the Nursing
Instructor assigned to the Division of Health Professions for the 2012-2013
academic year with placement on the salary schedule at Step B-3 - $39,816. Dean Bonnie Campbell introduced Ms. Whiteaker. She is a graduate from OSF St. Francis
Medical Center College of Nursing with a bachelor’s degree and will soon be
finishing her master’s degree in nursing from Lewis University with a focus on
nursing education. She has a true sense
of community and this came through by the statements she made. She lives in the community and she believes
it is important to give back to the community and educating nurses to work in
the community is an important part. Her objective as a nurse educator is to
inspire critical thinking and a love of life-long learning in her
students. She hopes to perform as a nurse
educator with a sense of urgency, show compassion, be firm, and to exemplify
empathy when necessary. She hopes to
light the spark of education in her students as her nursing instructors lit in
her. Motion passed by voice vote.
APPROVAL
OF TRUCK DRIVER TRAINING ADVANCED PROFICIENCY CERTIFICATE
It was moved by Dr. Huffman and seconded by
Ms. Burkart to approve the Truck Driver Training Advanced Proficiency
Certificate, as presented. Mr. Thompson
recently heard an advertisement on the radio looking for a number of truck
drivers. He is hoping this will be a
push for the program. The new
certificate program will be eligible for students seeking financial aid. Mr. Thompson was impressed with the list of
classes for the program, specifically computer keyboarding applications, a warehousing
course, and introduction to business, all of which will provide enhanced
skills. Motion passed by voice vote.
TRUCK
DRIVER TRAINING AGREEMENT – SAUK VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
It was moved by Dr. Driscoll and seconded
by Dr. Huffman to approve the 3.5 year agreement with Sauk Valley Community
College to provide Truck Driver Training instruction at Sauk Valley Community
College. Motion passed by voice vote.
PROPOSAL
FOR REQUIRED STUDENT ATHLETE HEALTH INSURANCE
It was moved by Ms. Olivero and seconded by
Mr. Thompson to approve the proposal requiring student-athletes to carry and
provide proof of primary insurance coverage through the procedures described,
effective Fall 2013. The question was
asked if a student does not carry health insurance or if it lapses, will the
student lose his/her athletic waiver.
This was not included in the proposal, but will be added to the policies
and procedures that each student athlete is required to sign. Mr. Mallery did not feel the College should
be responsible for up to $1,000 of the deductible. The $1,000 is under the College’s umbrella
policy, which is part of the College’s liability program. Mr. Mallery believes the proposal would be
strengthened without the College’s $1,000 obligation. Dr. Huffman noted that the proposal is the
direction the Board asked the administration to pursue and he believes the
College should work through the proposal and review it in a year or two and
make revisions at that time, if necessary.
Motion passed by voice vote.
PROPOSAL
RESULTS – FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS
It was moved by Dr. Driscoll and seconded
by Dr. Huffman to accept the proposal from Total Administrative Services Corp.
for Flexible Spending Accounts for the plan year beginning January 1,
2013. Motion passed by voice vote.
RESOLUTION
AUTHORIZING THE FILING OF A COMPLAINT TO THE LASALLE COUNTY BOARD OF REVIEW,
OR, IN THE ALTERNATIVE AUTHORIZING INTERVENTION IN PROCEEDINGS BEFORE THE
LASALLE COUNTY BOARD OF REVIEW
It was moved by Ms. Olivero and seconded by
Dr. Huffman to adopt the Resolution Authorizing the Filing of a Complaint to
the LaSalle County Board of Review, or, in the Alternative Authorizing
Intervention in Proceedings before the LaSalle County Board of Review.
Student Advisory Vote: “Aye” – Ms. Burkart. Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Huffman, Mr. Mallery, Ms.
Olivero, Dr. Driscoll, and Mr. Thompson. “Nays” – None, motion carried.
TRUSTEE
COMMENT
Mr. Thompson reminded all trustees who have
not completed the Open Meetings Act training to do so and submit their
certificate to the president’s office by December 31, 2012.
Ms. Britney Burkart reported the Student
Government Association collected money and purchased Christmas items for
students in the U.S. and other countries.
Ms. Burkart recently attended the Illinois Student Advisory Committee
meeting. She serves on the outreach
committee, a state-wide volunteer service.
At the last meeting this committee chose anti-bullying and anti-suicide
as their projects. Each community
college throughout the state chooses how they want to fundraise or promote
awareness for the projects. IVCC will
purchase bracelets that state “not on my campus” and either hand them out or
charge one dollar. Money raised will be
donated to the Lady Gaga Born this Way Bullying Foundation. The SGA has a few activities in mind for
awareness, but a decision has not been made.
Under Items for Information Dr. Huffman
noted the thank you note from Cherished Friends regarding their logo being
created by an IVCC student in the graphic arts program. He stated this is a great outreach for the
students to network and a practical experience that builds on the
classroom. The corporations and
individuals are very appreciative. He hopes
the faculty continue to encourage their students to have this kind of
involvement in the community.
CLOSED
SESSION
It was moved by Dr. Huffman and seconded by Ms.
Burkart to convene a closed session at 7:25 p.m. to discuss 1) the appointment,
employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific
employees of the public body; 2) pending litigation; and 3) closed session
minutes. Motion carried by voice vote.
After a short break, the Board entered closed
session at 7:33 p.m. On a motion by Dr.
Driscoll and seconded by Ms. Olivero, the regular meeting resumed at 8:14 p.m. Motion passed by voice vote.
CLOSED
SESSION MINUTES
It was moved by Dr. Huffman and seconded by Mr.
Mallery to approve and retain the closed session minutes of the October 16,
2012 meeting. Motion passed by voice
vote.
A memo from Dr. Lori Scroggs and Ms. Isermann regarding
the proposed inactivation of the Horticulture AAS degree program was presented
to the Board. Enrollment in this program
has been consistently low and the administration will recommend action to the
Board at the January meeting. The
Curriculum Committee will meet in December and take action. This affects the spring schedule and the
administration wanted the Board to be aware of this future action. The College will continue to offer soil
classes and some applied horticulture classes for current students who want to
complete their certificate or degree.
There is a population of horticulture and agriculture transfer
classes. There will be no reduction in
force due to the inactivation of horticulture program. Ms. Carey, horticulture
program coordinator, has degrees in both horticulture and biology. With the strong and steady enrollment numbers
in the natural sciences, it is anticipated that Ms. Carey will continue to
teach the transfer courses in agriculture and horticulture along with scheduled
biology courses.
It was moved by Ms. Burkart, seconded by Dr.
Huffman, and carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m.