January 28, 2010 Minutes of Regular 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, January 28, 2010 in the Board Room (C307) at Illinois Valley Community College

Members Physically Present

Dennis N. Thompson, Chair
Thomas C. Setchell, Vice Chair
David O. Mallery, Secretary
Michael C. Driscoll
Leslie-Anne Englehaupt
Larry D. Huffman
Cheyanne Smith, Student Trustee

Members Telephonically Present

Melissa M. Olivero

Members Absent

Others Physically Present

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

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

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

CAMPUS UPDATE – STRATEGIC PLAN

Dr. Lori Scroggs, Vice President for Planning and Institutional Effectiveness, presented an update on IVCC’s strategic plan.  The process for strategic planning is required by the Higher Learning Commission and the Academic Quality Improvement Program through which IVCC is accredited.  Currently, IVCC is in the midst of two strategic planning cycles: 1) the implementation phase of the FY2007-2010 strategic plan in which the departments and divisions are carrying out the activities in response to the goals established in 2007, and 2) the planning phase for the FY2011-2014 strategic plan in which departments and divisions are designing activities to carry out strategic goals approved by the Board in June 2009.  The strategic plan is led by the Strategic Leadership and Planning Council (SLPC) comprised of faculty, support staff, and administration.  The planning process begins with an environmental scan to identify and research trends. A trend report is developed and SLPC identifies strengths, weakness, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) of the College to gauge how to respond to the trends. Community forums are held to review and receive feedback on the trends. The mission statement, vision statement, and core values are reviewed and strategic goals are developed.  In June 2009, the Board Planning Committee reviewed the results of this planning process and on June 25, 2009, the IVCC Board approved the FY2011-2014 strategic goals.  The strategic planning process engages the campus and community to allow individual visions to come together and in turn build a shared vision for the College. 

CONSENT AGENDA

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

The following items were approved in the consent agenda:

Approval of Minutes – December 17, 2009 Board Meeting, January 6, 2010 Planning Committee Meeting, and January 13, 2010 Special Board Meeting

Approval of the Bills - $1,411,681.83

Education Fund - $1,135,946.05; Operations and Maintenance Fund - $112,286.68; Operations and Maintenance (Restricted Fund) - $2,152.36; Auxiliary Fund - $98,357.94; Restricted Fund - $50,711.96; Liability, Protection and Settlement Fund - $12,226.84.

Treasurer’s Report

Personnel

Approved the stipends for the pay periods ending December 5, 2009, December 19, 2009, and January 2, 2010. 

RFP Results – 36-month Color Copier/Printer Lease

Accepted the proposal from Illinois Valley Business Equipment, Peru, IL, as the lowest, most responsible proposal to enter into a 36-month lease for a Canon Image Runner C7065 at an estimated cost of $26,802.00.

Bid Results – Air-Cooled CO₂ Laser Engraver

Accepted the bid of $10,995 from Scientific Spectrum – Willowbrook, IL, for a VersaLaser, Model VLS3.50 Air-Cooled CO₂ Laser Engraver.

Bid Results – Rigging System Trainer

Accepted the bid of $12,340 from Aidex Corporation, Lexington – OH, for an Amatrol 950-RGI Rigging System Trainer.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Dr. Corcoran highlighted the annual “IVCC Quick Facts” prepared by the office of Institutional Research.  IVCC’s total enrollment for credit students at the end of the fall 2009 term was 5,123; the total unduplicated headcount for credit students in fiscal year 2009 was 8,131, and for non-credit students it was 4,156. Because there is some duplication between credit and non-credit students, the grand total for unduplicated students was 11,806 served in fiscal year 2009. IVCC’s persistence rate from fall to spring is usually in the 67-69 percent range and the fall-to-fall rate is usually in the 46-49 percent range. From a continuous quality improvement standpoint, Institutional Research will begin sharing comparative data in this area for future reports.

The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) pass rates are included as Quick Facts and IVCC exceeded state and national averages.  On Tuesday of this week, Dr. Corcoran received the 2009 rates: for the third year in a row IVCC’s LPN students’ pass rate was a phenomenal 100 percent and the rate for RN students was 94 percent, significantly better than the State pass rate of 91 percent and the national pass rate of 88 percent. This information speaks volumes about the quality of IVCC’s nursing program because of its outstanding nursing faculty and staff.

Dr. Rick Pearce recently shared with the Board’s Planning Committee a draft of the Demographics Report for feedback which has now been finalized and was distributed to each Board member. Dr. Pearce took what had been a PowerPoint presentation for the Board in the past and turned it into a meaningful report that will give everyone a better perspective regarding where IVCC students come from, their needs, and what is necessary to help them achieve their academic and career goals. If requested, Dr. Pearce will present a campus update on the report in the near future. 

A group of developmental math instructors and administrators from Sauk Valley Community College will be visiting IVCC.  They are interested in establishing a developmental math lab on their campus, and in their search for best practices across the state they have decided to learn from IVCC's model.

Rose Marie Lynch, Jim Gibson, Dorene Perez and Sue Caley Opsal have extended an invitation to the Board to serve as judges for the 5^th annual Edible Car contest to be held on Wednesday, February 24^th from 11:00 a.m. until approximately 1:00 p.m. This contest is held in celebration of National Engineering Week and it engages student teams in designing vehicles entirely from food items.  The vehicles are judged in categories such as design, detail, creativity and other areas as determined by the judges. The vehicles also compete in speed trials, which begin at noon, followed by an awards ceremony.  If Board members can participate in this event, they were asked to respond to Jeanne Hayden.

Dr. Corcoran recognized the following employees:

• Dr. David Kuester, Jim Gibson, Keith Stevenson, and Linda Thomas were nominated by students and colleagues for the Dr. Stephen Charry Award for Teaching Excellence. Nominations can be viewed at the college’s website. Dr. Corcoran congratulated them for their hard work and dedication to the College. 
• The staff held a celebratory event in honor of Koshu Jagasia and her husband, Gary. They have both earned U.S. citizenship. Dr. Corcoran stated Koshu exemplifies IVCC’s core values of respect, responsibility, caring, fairness and honesty.
• In June 2009 the Board approved a plan to separate the duties of the Director of Nursing Programs from those of the Dean of Health Professions and to eliminate the position of Assistant Director of Nursing. The College is undertaking a search for a Director of Nursing Programs at this time. In order to remain in compliance with Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulations and its accrediting body, the administration has asked Pam Mammano, the current Assistant Director of Nursing, to assume the duties and responsibilities assigned to the Director of Nursing Programs until such time as a permanent director is identified. The administration is grateful to Pam for stepping in to fill the void at this critical juncture.
• Planning is underway for a team of representatives from Student Services and Adult Education to depart on what they are calling “The Road to College Road Show.” The group includes Tracy Morris, Patty Williamson, Sharon Barthelemy, Cory Tomasson, Chris Herman, Juletta  Patrick, Sara Escatel, Mark Grzybowski, and Dr. Rick Pearce. The first four stops on the road show will be in Ottawa, Streator, Mendota, and Princeton.
• Dr. Corcoran was proud to announce that Jamie Gahm, director of continuing education and business services, will be surprised to hear that she has been named the winner of the IVAC Member of the Year Award at its annual meeting tonight.  Jamie is fast approaching 24 years of service to the college. She does a great job supporting a variety of initiatives and, as demonstrated by her receiving this award, is very well respected in the community. 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Dr. Huffman and Ms. Olivero were asked to serve on the Child Care Advisory Committee.  Dr. Huffman reported a meeting was held with Rick Pearce and Diane Christianson.  Information is being collected and a more comprehensive report will be given at the February Board meeting.  If any Board members have questions that they would like asked or answered, Mr. Thompson invited them to contact members of the committee.

Dr. Driscoll reported the Board Planning Committee met on January 6, 2010.  Cathy Bangert reported on the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) Report.  In a peer group of 11 colleges, IVCC faired very well.  Dr. Driscoll was impressed with IVCC’s low administrative costs which were roughly half of the average for the peer group.  He believes IVCC is putting its funds in the right place – teaching the students.  IVCC’s tuition is lower than most of its peer group and its graduation rate was higher than its peers.  Cathy Bangert also reviewed the results of the National Community College Benchmarking Project.  An area of concern was the writing completer success rate dropped approximately five percent.  Reading completer success rates increased and math rates were stable.  Discussion followed on what is being done to improve these rates.  Dr. Pearce has already begun to take measures to improve the success rates.  The Planning Committee reviewed section one of the Board Policy Manual.  Several minor changes were made.  One major change was the policy on filling a vacancy on the Board.  Dr. Driscoll asked Board members to submit comments to Dr. Corcoran or Jeanne Hayden on this section of the Board Policy Manual.  He hopes to have section one approved at the February Board meeting and move forward with the other sections.  Dr. Driscoll sees a gap in the checks and balances under Board travel in the Board Policy.  He would like to see an approval process in place consistent with the administrative process.  If the Board knows up front there is a need to cut back, the Board could restrict the number of members attending meetings. Travel approvals could be an action item at the Board meeting and then would be noted in the minutes.  Mr. Thompson would like Board members to submit ideas for the Board travel policy to Dr. Corcoran or Jeanne Hayden.  David Mallery and Cheyanne Smith will be attending the National Legislative Summit in Washington, D.C. in February.  Dennis Thompson noted that he will be attending the March 12-13 ICCTA meeting in Oakbrook.  He plans to attend on Friday only.

Mr. Setchell reported the Audit/Finance Committee will meet on Friday, February 12 at noon in the Board Room.  This will be a very important meeting considering the State’s financial troubles.

PROPERTY TAX APPEAL RESOLUTION

It was moved by Mr. Setchell and seconded by Ms. Englehaupt 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.  Cheryl Roelfsema noted that the resolution before the Board members was prepared before Exelon filed a complaint.  Exelon has filed an objection to the property tax assessment and a hearing will take place on February 22.  The intervention by ten of the eleven taxing bodies has been filed and will be represented by Whitt Law LLC.  If approved, IVCC will join the other ten taxing bodies.  The taxing bodies have an appraisal for $736 million and Exelon has an appraisal for $325 million.  The LaSalle County Assessor assessed the property at $500 million.

Student Advisory Vote:  “Aye” – Ms. Smith.  Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Mr. Mallery, Mr. Setchell, Dr. Driscoll, Dr. Huffman, Ms. Olivero (telephonically), Ms. Englehaupt, and Mr. Thompson. “Nays” – None, motion carried.

BOARD POLICY MANUAL SECTION 1

Discussion on this agenda item took place under the agenda item – Committee Reports.

OTTAWA CENTER STAFFING

It was moved by Dr. Huffman and seconded by Dr. Driscoll to approve the following appointments and reassignments, effective February 2, 1010:

1. Sue Isermann as Ottawa Center Administrator with an increase in annual compensation of $3,000;
2. Jeannette Mathis as Acting Ottawa Center Coordinator with an increase in annual compensation of $6,000;
3. Reassignment of Co-Director of IVCC/SRAVTE Partnerships for College and Career Success (PCCS) Consortium to Mark Grzybowski with an increase in annual compensation of $1,000; and
4. Reassignment of CurricUNET implementation to Frances Whaley with an annual compensation of $1,000.

Motion passed by voice vote.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None.