September 24, 2009 Minutes of Regular Meeting Board Meeting

The Board of Trustees of Illinois Valley Community College District No. 513 convened a regular session at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 24, 2009 in the Board Room (C307) at Illinois Valley Community College.

Members Physically Present:

Thomas C. Setchell, Vice Chair
David O. Mallery, Secretary     
Michael C. Driscoll       
Leslie-Anne Englehaupt
Melissa M. Olivero
Cheyanne Smith, Student Trustee

Members Absent:

Dennis N. Thompson, Chair
Larry D. Huffman

Others Physically Present:

Jerry Corcoran, President
Cheryl Roelfsema, Vice President for Business Services and Finance
Rick Pearce, Vice President for Learning and Student Development
Lori Scroggs, Vice President for Planning and Institutional Effectiveness
Walt Zukowski, Attorney

SPECIAL RECOGNITION – SENATOR GARY DAHL AND REPRESENTATIVE  FRANK MAUTINO

On behalf of the IVCC Board of Trustees and Dr. Jerry Corcoran, Mr. Setchell read resolutions honoring Representative Frank J. Mautino and Senator Gary G. Dahl for their dedicated service as members of the Illinois General Assembly.  Dr. Corcoran expressed his appreciation of their services, availability, genuine concern for their constituents, and always ready to act on the College’s behalf.  Representative Mautino thanked everyone for all that they do.  He stated in difficult times when you have capable people, referring to the people in the room, it makes it easier for him to do his job.  Senator Dahl expressed his appreciation and how important the College is, not only to all of the people at the meeting, but to the students and future students and the opportunity they will have with the new addition for advancement in education.

In the absence of Mr. Thompson, Mr. Setchell called the meeting to order.

APPROVAL OF AMENDED AGENDA

The agenda was amended (deleted consent agenda item 7.5 – Cash Farm Lease and added probable litigation to the closed session).  It was moved by Ms. Englehaupt and seconded by Mr. Mallery to approve the amended agenda, as presented.  Motion passed by voice vote.

CAMPUS UPDATE – PROJECT SUCCESS

Chris Herman, Director of Project Success, presented an update on the Project Success program.  The program serves low-income students, first-generation college students, and students with a documented learning or physical disability.  The program provides opportunities for academic development; assists students with basic college requirements and navigation of the college landscape; motivates students toward the successful completion of postsecondary education; and provides grant aid to current members who receive Federal Pell Grants.  The program also provides counseling services, academic workshops, campus visits to four-year universities, cultural enrichment activities, a wellness club, and leadership opportunities.  Chris Herman provided data for the past six years which indicated that Project Success students do as well as, if not better than, all other IVCC students when considering GPA, credit hours earned, and transfer and graduation rates.  Project Success will soon be submitting a 5-year grant application which requires an annual institutional match of $10,000.

CONSENT AGENDA

It was moved by Ms. Olivero and seconded by Dr. Driscoll to approve the consent agenda as presented. Motion passed by voice vote.

The following items were approved in the consent agenda:

Approval of Minutes – August 27, 2009 Board Meeting and September 9, 2009 Planning Committee Meeting.

Approval of the Bills - $1,603,073.68

Education Fund - $966,020.05; Operation and Maintenance Fund - $90,055.59; Operation and Maintenance (Restricted Fund) - $42,791.51; Auxiliary Fund - $345,958.62; Restricted Fund - $151,764.27; Liability, Protection and Settlement Fund - $6,483.64.

Treasurer’s Report

Personnel

Approved the stipends for the pay periods ending August 22, 2009 and September 5, 2009.

Consortia Purchases

Approved to purchase the following through buying consortia:

• 200 tons of rock salt from Cargill Incorporated Salt Division at $58.16 per ton for a total of $11,632 through the Illinois Joint Purchasing Program
• Elevator maintenance services from ThyssenKrupp Elevator at an annual cost of $17,443.56 through the Illinois Community College System Purchasing Consortium
• Janitorial supplies from Interline Brands, Inc., d/b/a/ AmSan at an estimated annual cost of $40,000 through the Illinois Public Higher Education Cooperative
• Print supplies from CDW-G at an estimated annual cost of $30,000 through the Horizon Resource Group

Request for Proposal – lease (1) 12-Passenger Van

Approved to seek proposals to lease a 12-passenger van for 36 months.  This will be an Educational Fund (Fund 01) expense.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Dr. Jerry Corcoran reported that at the special meeting of the Board on September 15, a question arose as to if the Capital Development Board (CDB) would be viewing the two appropriations of $16.3 million and $6.5 million for the Community Technology Center (CTC) project as one or two projects.  CDB has advised the College that they will want to design and construct the Community Technology Center and post-CTC construction as a single project.  A Board Facilities Committee meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, October 13 at 6 p.m. to work with the administration and architects on sorting through the options and prioritizing the many needs.  Between now and then, the administration will be working with the College’s architects on a breakdown of costs associated with renewable energy options for the CTC and many of the post-CTC construction activities such as relocating programs to new areas of the main campus; constructing classrooms, offices, and restrooms for students and staff in the auto tech, welding, horticulture, and warehousing/logistics programs; finding a practical solution to the challenges faced with the location of the childcare center; converting the counseling center into student life space; and demolishing temporary buildings and tennis courts.  The precious dollars available to the College to achieve some, but not all of these goals, are limited.  Dr. Corcoran made a few comments regarding the scope of the project and how the College got to where it finds itself today.  As of January 2009, the College had four projects on waiting lists for possible State funding:  1) a technology and workforce development center with an estimated cost of $13 million plus technology and equipment for an additional $2.7 million; 2) a community instructional center estimated to cost $22 million; 3) renovations to Buildings B, C, and D estimated at $11 million; and 4) renovations to Buildings C and G for $16 million.  The total cost for the first two projects combined was $37.7 million and the College’s share of the costs would have been $13.2 million ($7.7 + $5.5 million).  These projects were discussed with Senator Dahl, Representative Mautino, Congresswoman Halverson, Don Kathan from the Economic Development Administration, and Geoff Obrzut and Ellen Andres from the Illinois Community College Board.  It was decided to aggressively pursue funding for one building that would incorporate the most critical features of both a technology and workforce development center and community instruction center, to be known as the Community Technology Center, as well as some of the post-CTC construction activities mentioned earlier.  The College is now carefully crafting a building and construction plan that is both cost effective and strategic, with the IVCC local obligation being $7.4 million – a savings of $5.8 million.  Dr. Corcoran has never seen so many people rally for a worthy cause as he has for the Monetary Award Program (MAP).  The IVCC Board will be recommended to adopt a resolution regarding MAP.  The Council of Community College Presidents and the Illinois Community College Trustees Association adopted similar resolutions.  Earlier in the week there was a governor’s town hall meeting regarding this matter at the UIC Student Center in Chicago.  On October 7, Dr. Corcoran will be attending a luncheon at Bradley University featuring lawmakers and college and university presidents from throughout central Illinois to discuss this important issue.  On October 15^th, a student rally day is planned at the Old State Capital Building in Springfield.  With all this support, Dr. Corcoran is very hopeful for funding to resume for MAP grants in the spring semester.  Dr. Corcoran reported that Reed Wilson and he met with the Illinois Valley Building and Construction Trades Council in order to talk about all of the projects underway at the College.  The response from the Council was great and Reed and Dr. Corcoran appreciated the Council’s support.  Jeff Spanbauer, Melissa Killian, Juletta Patrick, and Fran Brolley were presented a check for $2,000 from the Wal-Mart Community Foundation to help fund a new program for veterans.  Matt Moyes, Emergency Medical Service program coordinator, will soon be commissioned as a 2^nd lieutenant in the Army Reserve, Army Nurse Corp.  Jamie Gahm was recently appointed to the Streator Chamber of Commerce’s Economic Development Committee.  The Continuing Education and Business Services Office has scheduled a Young Leader’s Forum on campus.  The October 22^nd forum is being presented in partnership with the Mendota, Illinois Valley, and Streator Chambers of Commerce.  The IVCC’s Men’s Golf team hosted the 2009 IVCC Invitational Golf Tournament September 18^th and 19^th at Senica’s Oak Ridge Golf Course.  IVCC finished third in a field of 17 teams and also finished on top of the 11 other Division II teams in the tournament.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

The Audit/Finance Committee will meet on Tuesday, September 29 at 4:30 p.m.  A Facilities Committee will meet on Tuesday, October 13 at 6 p.m. to prioritize the post-CTC construction items.  Closed Session Minutes Committee will meet immediately after the Audit/Finance Committee meeting on Tuesday, September 29.  Planning Committee – Cathy Bangert and Lori Scroggs presented the Key Performance Indicators and the Planning Committee supported this initiative.  Key areas were identified in which the College could continuously improve and excel.  The Committee thought the metrics were well written and measurable.  At this meeting the Community College Survey of Student Engagement was reviewed.  During discussion it was noted that the Board Policy Manual needed updating.  The Planning Committee agreed to take on this project.  The administration will provide recommendations to the Planning Committee and the committee will edit and bring to the full Board.  Administrative procedures that support the board policies will be incorporated into the Board Policy Manual.  Mr. Setchell suggested placing the Board Policy Manual on the IVCC website.

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES – PROJECT SUCCESS – LOCAL MATCH

It was moved by Dr. Driscoll and seconded by Ms. Olivero to approve the annual $10,000 institutional match for five years for Project Success for 2011-16.  Motion passed by voice vote.

REINSTATEMENT OF COLLEGE EMPLOYEES ASSIGNED TO THE SHERIDAN CORRECTIONAL CENTER

It was moved by Mr. Mallery and seconded by Ms. Englehaupt to authorize the College to reinstate the following full-time instructional and academic support staff at the Sheridan Correctional Center:

Harry Bell, Jr.

Jerry Christensen

Bruce Markwalter

Mary Neps

Suzanne Porter

Janice Sharp

Keith Stevenson

Steve Swett

Dr. Corcoran noted that the Illinois Department of Corrections will not enter into a multi-year agreement; therefore, the administration finds itself each year in an awkward position of notifying employees at the Sheridan Correctional Center of a possible reduction in force.  There is always a chance the employees could lose their jobs if the contract was not renewed.  The administration recently received a signed contract; therefore, they are recommending reinstatement.  Motion passed by voice vote.

FACULTY CONTRACT – SHERIDAN

It was moved by Mr. Mallery and seconded by Dr. Driscoll to approve the collective bargaining agreement between the Board of Trustees Community College District No. 513 and the American Federation of Teachers Local 1810 Sheridan for academic year 2009-2010, as presented.  Mr. Mallery commended those who worked hard to negotiate a salary increase.  Motion passed by voice vote.

NEW POSITION – BUSINESS TRAINING CENTER TRAINING SPECIALIST

It was moved by Ms. Olivero and seconded by Ms. Englehaupt to approve the full-time Training Specialist position in the Business Training Center, as presented.  Dr. Corcoran noted that this position had been placed in the FY09 budget and then it was decided, as the year progressed, to wait until FY2010.  He noted there are a lot of potential businesses in the district and Continuing Education does a good job of interacting with local employers.  Ms. Jamie Gahm, Director of Continuing Education and Business Services, stated this position has moved more from customizing to solutions, training, and quality.  This position will be advertised and a search will be conducted according to the hiring procedures at IVCC.   Motion passed by voice vote.

PROTECTION, HEALTH, AND SAFETY PROJECTS FOR TAX YEAR 2009

It was moved by Dr. Driscoll and seconded by Mr. Mallery to approve the two Protection, Health, and Safety Projects (Biology Science Lab Remodel – Building A and Replace Aluminum Feeder Wire, Branch Panels, and Transformers – Building G) as presented for a combined total cost of $1,765,420, and authorize submission of the appropriate resolutions for each to the Illinois Community College Board.  Motion passed by voice vote.

MONETARY AWARD PROGRAM RESOLUTION

It was moved by Ms. Englehaupt and seconded by Mr. Mallery to adopt the Illinois Monetary Award Program Resolution, as presented.  Community colleges across the State were encouraged to pass a resolution to support the MAP grant.  There are 138,000 students who will have their funding at risk.  Representative Mautino noted there are two plans under consideration to fund MAP – 1) increase the cigarette tax by $1.00 a pack which would generate $300 million.  The need for the program is $200 million; and 2) a tax amnesty where overdue taxes could be paid from January 1 through February 15 with no penalty or interest.  The last tax amnesty produced $279 million, but for this year the revenue expected is $104 million.  Motion passed by voice vote.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Mike Phillips, geology instructor, who is on the executive board of the community college faculty association, stated the association plans to pass a similar resolution for MAP.  He was concerned if the funding is delayed until January, it will be late for students to register.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved by Ms. Olivero, seconded by Ms. Englehaupt, and carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 8:24 p.m.  Motion passed by voice vote.