March 25, 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, March 25, 2010 in the Board Room (C307) at Illinois Valley Community College.

Members Physically Present

Dennis N. Thompson, Chair
David O. Mallery, Secretary     
Michael C. Driscoll       
Larry D. Huffman
Melissa M. Olivero

Members Absent

Thomas C. Setchell, Vice Chair
Leslie-Anne Englehaupt
Cheyanne Smith, Student Trustee

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 Effectivness
Walt Zukowski, Attorney

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

It was moved by Dr. Driscoll and seconded by Dr. Huffman to delete Item #6.1 – Women’s Basketball Team, add Coca Cola Scholars, and approve the agenda, as presented with the changes. Motion passed by voice vote.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None.

RECOGNITION - COCA COLA SCHOLARS

Dr. Corcoran introduced IVCC’s nominations Run Jin You and Aseret Gonzalez for the All-USA Academic Team competition.  Only two students from each institution are eligible to be nominated for the team.  Dr. Corcoran received great news: Run Jin You and Aseret Gonzalez have been selected as the 2010 Coca-Cola Scholars. Selection as Coca-Cola Scholars was based on scores earned in the All-USA Academic Team competition. Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation partners with Phi Theta Kappa, a national honor society, to award gold, silver, and bronze scholars.  As 2010 Coca-Cola Gold Scholars, Ms. You and Ms. Gonzalez are among the top 50 community college scholars in the nation and will receive $1,500 each. Gold, silver and bronze scholars will be listed in a special section of USA TODAY on April 19. Cassie Fuller and Veronica Blue were honored one year ago as gold and bronze winners, respectively. Having two gold winners in the same year is very rare. This speaks volumes about the high quality of instruction at IVCC. Dr. Corcoran congratulated Run Jin You and Aseret Gonzalez and presented each with a special IVCC pen and key chain set.  He also congratulated faculty members, LeeAnn Johnson and Eric Schroeder, who are the Rho Omega Chapter of the PTK Honor Society coordinators for IVCC.  Both students will be honored at a Phi Theta Kappa Banquet in Springfield on April 21, 2010.

CAMPUS UPDATE – ASSESSMENT FAIR

Dr. Manuel Gomez presented an update on the 14th Annual Community College Assessment Fair hosted by Illinois Valley Community College on March 5, 2010.  There were 170 participants representing 30 colleges across Illinois.  The Keynote address, “Staying focused on Student Learning,” was delivered by Dr. Lynn E. Priddy, Vice President for Accreditation Services for the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.  The expected outcomes were fulfilled by showcasing IVCC, providing student-centered professional development opportunities, giving concrete examples of how assessment is being used by peers to advance student success, maintaining continuous quality improvement processes in everyday conversations, creating networking opportunities for faculty and staff, practicing cost-effective use of college resources, and demonstrating commitment to the advancement of student success at the local and state level.

CAMPUS UPDATE – OTTAWA CENTER

Dr. Rick Pearce presented an update on the IVCC Ottawa Center.  The building renovation is progressing on schedule as interior demolition began immediately after the City of Ottawa officially took possession of the building from Centrue Bank on Monday, March 15, 2010.  Dr. Pearce reviewed the layout of the Center which will feature three general purpose classrooms, a multi-purpose classroom to be used for adult education and continuing education courses, a computer lab, a CNA lab, a small assessment center, a board/meeting room, and three offices (administrative, student services, and faculty).  All classrooms and labs will be equipped with “smart classroom” technology.  The City of Ottawa is working to secure a food service vendor to lease an area in the building.  A recommendation and request to purchase Ottawa Center furniture will be presented to the Board in April or May.  General education courses, Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) classes, and adult education courses have been scheduled.  A schedule of continuing education courses is currently under development.  Beginning Tuesday, April 6 the community will be able to register for classes, speak with a counselor, and receive financial aid information in a temporary office in the Ottawa City Hall Council Chambers until the renovations of the new Ottawa Center location are complete.  A comprehensive marketing campaign to promote the Ottawa Center has begun with radio segments and flyers.  Dr. Pearce indicated the Ottawa Center can hold up to 150-180 people with ample parking available.  Centrue Bank donated furniture from the building and IVCC selected a board room table and storage units. 

CONSENT AGENDA

Mr. Mallery requested Consent Agenda Item #7.5 – Bid Results-Asbestos Abatement, Biology Lab Remodel-Building A - be removed from the agenda.  It was moved by Dr. Huffman and seconded by Ms. Olivero to approve the consent agenda as presented with the removal of Item 7.5.  Motion passed by voice vote.

The following items were approved in the consent agenda:

Approval of Minutes – February 12, 2010 Audit Finance Committee Meeting; February 12, 2010 Facilities Committee Meeting; and February 25, 2010 Board Meeting

Approval of the Bills - $2,788,399.50

Education Fund - $883,539.58; Operations and Maintenance Fund - $120,014.00; Operations and Maintenance (Restricted Fund) - $1,270,400.00; Auxiliary Fund - $211,421.86; Restricted Fund - $208,880.55; Liability, Protection and Settlement Fund - $5,701.58.

Treasurer’s Report

Personnel

Approved the stipends for the pay periods ending February 27, 2010 and March 13, 2010.

Bid Request – Security Surveillance System – Ottawa Center

Authorized to seek bids for a security surveillance system for the IVCC Ottawa Center at an estimated cost of $17,000.

  • Cherie Monterastelli reported that IVCC's six recent Therapeutic Massage graduates achieved a 100% pass rate on the National Certification Exam.
  • Dominic Sarsah was recently appointed by the Illinois Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Community College Board to serve on the Illinois Articulation Initiative Engineering Advisory Committee. This is an honor for Professor Sarsah and for IVCC.
  • Dean Ron Groleau recently hosted two visits to the IVCC Life Science Cadaver Lab. On March 22nd, 15 anatomy and physiology students from LaMoille High School visited the lab, and on March 24th Ron welcomed 29 students from St. Bede Academy.
  • Rick Serafini offered two sessions on Financial Education at the Annual IVCC Support Staff Retreat.  His presentations focused on recent changes in the credit card industry and on ways people can eliminate and avoid credit card debt.
  • Congratulations to Sharon Barthelemy and Lisa Witalka for the nice job they did of coordinating this year’s etiquette dinner. Students, staff, and sponsors of the program had a fine evening.  Sharon and Lisa are also gearing up for the annual job fair to be held on Thursday, April 15th beginning at noon. There’s always a nice turnout for this event so Dr. Corcoran encouraged everyone to attend the fair if their schedule will allow.
  • Jane Norem and Joanne Jalley made a presentation regarding the new Text A Librarian service to the Prairie Area Library System Academic Librarians at Northern Illinois University on Feb. 26th.
  • The library responsibly removed unneeded books, magazines, and videos from the collection by making them available to the campus and community via the Great Books Giveaway on March 3rd.
  • The Learning Technologies and Information Technologies staff bid farewell to the retiring Alan Broset who had supported technology users at the college for 32 years.
  • On February 18th, Educational Technologist, Mary Smith, facilitated an Empowering Online Learners online seminar attended by several Illinois community colleges.
  • Cheryl Roelfsema and her staff have received the Distinguished Budget Presentation award for the second year in a row. Great job, Cheryl!
  • Dr. Lori Scroggs has been notified by the U.S. Department of Commerce of her acceptance to the board of examiners for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. Congratulations to Dr. Scroggs.
  • The IVCC Horticulture Program co-hosted the Master Gardener Seminar with LaSalle County Extension staff on March 13th. The event was held at IVCC with approximately 130 people in attendance for various gardening workshops.
  • Reed Wilson successfully lead an effort to combine $2 million of in-kind and cash pledge contributions to go along with almost $4 million of state funding as the non-federal matching funds for the LaSalle County Broadband Initiative. If this $20 million project gets funded it will lead to tremendous educational and economic development opportunities for the majority of the IVCC district.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Mr. Dennis Thompson attended the ICCTA meeting in Oakbrook. Three main issues were discussed:  1) Legislative proposals to take on more debt - which Mr. Thompson did not approve of this action.  He thought it was just another way to shift the bottom line to the local and state institutions and set them up to get further behind.  2)  Student readiness – all the community colleges are aware that students need additional preparation to take college courses.  The community colleges have been handling their side for a long time to get students up to speed.  The goal is to give notice to the students that are not prepared.  In the student’s junior year is when they should know they need extra help.  Also discussed was “senioritis” and the answer to this is dual credit courses.  3) Strategic plan – almost all of the community colleges follow a strategic plan.  Mr. Thompson noted there will be no increase in the ICCTA membership dues.  ICCTA will cover their budget from their reserves.  The Illinois Board of Education is looking at massive cuts.  There is no solution until there are more revenues.  Consideration is being given to amend the 85 percent requirement for equalization to 70 percent.  But this might just create the same cycle of when every other college raises tuition then this makes IVCC have to raise their tuition. 

Mr. Mallery attended the National Legislative Summit in Washington, D.C.  Senator Durbin held a session where he asked many questions on how the economy was affecting community colleges, what is the ratio of tuition, and how much the community colleges rely on tuition.  Mr. Mallery also attended a meeting with Aaron Schock and he was very receptive to the college’s needs.   The proposed increase in the Pell Grant and the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) were included in the health care bill.  Discussion on community colleges being more of a one-stop shop was discussed where the (WIA) is in the same facility.  Funding of $125 million is proposed to enhance this area.  Community colleges will have a better chance of obtaining the Carl Perkins grant.  The Department of Labor has a website that is fully interactive and makes the application process very rewarding. There was discussion on doing away with senior year and directing money spent on senior year to early childhood education programs. The committee selected to recommend a solution to our early childhood education center might want to look into this.  Also, another $8 million was authorized for early childhood programs.

FACULTY RETIREMENT – TIMOTHY V. HORGER, BIOLOGY INSTRUCTOR

It was moved by Dr. Huffman and seconded by Ms. Olivero to accept, with regret, Mr. Tim Horger’s request for retirement effective May 31, 2010 and wish him a long, happy, and healthy retirement.  Motion passed by voice vote.

SABBATICAL LEAVE REQUEST – DIANE CHRISTIANSON

It was moved by Ms. Olivero and seconded by Dr. Driscoll to approve the sabbatical leave for Diane Christianson for spring semester 2011.  Said leave to be governed by the conditions stipulated in the agreement between the American Federation of Teachers Local 1810 and the Board of Trustees of Illinois Valley Community College District 513.  In the event that her leave would impact the implementation of a new Early Childhood Education Center, she would be willing to consider an alternative semester for the sabbatical request.  Dr. Huffman stated a sabbatical leave is subjective and he was concerned with the criteria used.  He advised looking into evaluation processes used at other community colleges.  He did not want sabbatical leaves to be considered entitlements.  Dr. Corcoran reported everyone who receives a sabbatical leave submits a report to the Board of Trustees on what they received from the leave and the benefits to the students.  Dr. Pearce plans to work with the Education Excellence Committee on establishing reasonable criteria.  Dr. Driscoll suggested the criteria be part of a board policy or procedure.  The criteria will be presented at the next Board Planning Committee and a decision will be made as to where it fits best.  Dr. Huffman believes the Board needs to make sure that the sabbatical leave is the best expenditure of the College when it is approved.  Motion passed by voice vote with Dr. Huffman voting “naye.”

TRANSFER OF FUNDS – CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD TRUST ACCOUNT

It was moved by Dr. Huffman and seconded by Mr. Mallery to approve the transfer of $1,000,000 to the Capital Development Board trust account at Citizens First National Bank to cover anticipated costs for Project No. 810-046-016, the Community Technology Center, due at the end of design development.  Motion passed by voice vote.

BASIC RENEWABLE WIND ENERGY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATE

It was moved by Mr. Mallery and seconded by Ms. Olivero to approve the Basic Renewable Energy Technician Certificate, as presented. The administration is very optimistic that this is a growing field.  Highland Community College has this program and has a waiting list.  Representatives from local wind parks/farms have clearly identified a need for skilled wind energy technicians. One technician is needed for every ten towers and the projection is that the wind farms will continue to grow.  The certificate program is based on current courses in electronics, electricity, industrial maintenance, and a few new wind courses. Kishwaukee Community College would be interested in the wind component courses. Students at Kishwaukee would complete courses available at Kishwaukee, enroll in the wind component courses at IVCC, and receive the certificate.  Motion passed by voice vote.

PURCHASE REQUESTS – LAB-VOLT SOLAR/WIND TRAINING SYSTEMS –MODEL 46120/WIND CONCEPTS, MODEL 950-WC1 MODULES

It was moved by Dr. Huffman and seconded by Dr. Driscoll to approve the purchase of two (2) Lab-Volt Solar/Wind Training Systems, Model 46120, from Advanced Technologies Consultants in the amount of $32,440 and five (5) Wind concepts, Model 950-WC1 Modules from Aidex Incorporated in the amount of $8,000.  Motion passed by voice vote.

FY2011 BOARD OF TRUSTEES BUDGET

It was moved by Dr. Driscoll and seconded by Dr. Huffman to approve the tentative FY2011 Board of Trustees Budget, as presented.  Mr. Thompson proposed to the Board of Trustees to discontinue membership in the Association of Community College Trustees.  This would mean the Board would not attend the national conference or the National Legislative Summit in Washington, D.C.  This would also decrease registration fees and out-of-state travel in the Board’s budget. Mr. Thompson wanted to hear from the Board members on the value of attending these events.  Mr. Mallery attended the National Legislative Summit and believes the caucus was very beneficial and board members could attend the caucus without paying the registration fee.  The student trustee’s budget for travel is included in the board budget. A new student trustees will be elected soon and Mr. Thompson did not want them to run for the position with a false concept that they would be attending these events.  They need to know that the budget is being cut and the Board will need to be more active on deciding whether the event is worth attending.  Dr. Driscoll commended Mr. Thompson on his leadership in proposing the budget which was reduced by 30 percent.  Dr. Driscoll feels it is completely appropriate considering the economic times.  He believes the trustees have an obligation to show constituents they are taking their financial responsibilities very seriously.  Mr. Mallery expressed his concern for the student trustees.  He would like them to have exposure at the national level.  He suggested charging a student fee for all the student government trustees to attend these events.  Ms. Olivero expressed her thoughts on the fact that ICCTA meets too often and it is costly to the community colleges.  Dr. Huffman suggested ICCTA and the Illinois Presidents Council meet and discuss the frequency and the cost issues.  The meetings could take place at the community colleges throughout the State instead of convention centers.  The motion passed by voice vote.

TRUSTEE COMMENT

Dr. Pearce submitted recommendations for changes to the commencement ceremony.    There was discussion on the request for the Board to wear regalia.  All were in agreement to wear regalia, but Mr. Mallery wanted the regalia to be the same and others wanted the regalia to identify each board member’s degree.  The regalia for this year will be identical and the regalia for next year will be discussed at a later date.  Mr. Mallery was concerned with hiring a photographer and the pressure of purchasing the pictures.  Others thought the presence of the photographer helps the ceremony move. The photographer’s picture is much better than a picture taken from a family member from the bleachers.  It was suggested to consider a camera set up by remote.  In general, the Board members were in support of the changes.

CLOSED SESSION

It was moved by Ms. Olivero and seconded by Mr. Mallery to convene a closed session to discuss 1) the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body and 2) closed session minutes.  Motion passed by voice vote.

The Board recessed at 8:36 p.m.  The Board entered closed session at 8:47 p.m.  On a motion by Ms. Olivero, seconded by Dr. Huffman, and carried unanimously, the regular meeting resumed at 9:57 p.m.

CLOSED SESSION MINUTES

It was moved by Dr. Driscoll and seconded by Ms. Olivero to approve and retain the closed session minutes of the February 25, 2010 meeting.  Motion passed by voice vote.

OTHER

Dr. Corcoran updated the Board of Trustees on the custodial services at the Ottawa Center.  The agreement being discussed with the Ottawa High School did not work out.  Dr. Corcoran would like to develop a request for proposals to ascertain the cost of cleaning the Ottawa Center and then perhaps sharing the cost. The Board was in agreement for Dr. Corcoran to proceed.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved by Dr. Huffman, seconded by Dr. Driscoll, and carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 10:03 p.m.  Motion passed by voice vote.