May 17, 2011 Minutes of Regular Meeting

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Dr. Corcoran began his report by publicly thanking Trustee David Mallery for joining him and representing the Board of Trustees on May 4^th at Lobby Day activities in Springfield. Dr. Corcoran felt it was time well spent in that Mr. Mallery and he were able to have productive visits with Representatives Bob Pritchard, Keith Sommer, Frank Mautino, David Leitch, and Rich Morthland, as well as Senator Sue Rezin.  For the other legislators they were not able to meet with, packets of information expressing appreciation for their continued support were either left in their offices or sent to them. IVCC legislators have a sincere and profound appreciation for community colleges and the role they play in stimulating local economies by training individuals to either go to work with newly acquired skills, or move on in pursuit of advanced degrees, all at a very affordable price. Dr. Corcoran and Mr. Mallery reminded several legislators, (1) IVCC is doing its best to hold down tuition and fees and property taxes, but it needs the state’s help in paying a fair share of the cost, and (2) community colleges are “Ground Zero” when it comes to statewide economic recovery and the best return on everyone’s investment when crafting the State’s budget. Earlier in the day, IVCC faculty, students and staff welcomed visitors from the U.S. Department of Education, DePue High School, and ISU to a panel discussion on several topics including examples of exemplary partnerships between rural elementary and high schools with community colleges, the changing demographics within the IVCC district, and the importance of encouraging those in the teaching profession to reach out to local and middle high school students  and consider teaching as a rewarding profession in order to have more teachers in the pipeline for the turnover that’s being forecasted over the next 5-10 years. Dr. Corcoran recognized Dr. Rick Pearce for coordinating this event, which went very well. Dr. Pearce also played an important role in organizing the April 20^th Common Core Standards workshop which was facilitated by ICCB and IBHE representatives. The turnout for the workshop was great and the feedback was very positive by all attendees.  Dr. Corcoran congratulated Paula Hallock, George Needs, and Glenna Jones on doing a fine job of coordinating this year’s Recognition Event which had the largest turnout that he could recall in the 15 years the program has been offered. Dr. Corcoran appreciated the work done by the planning committee. He also thanked Dennis Thompson, Dr. Larry Huffman and David Mallery for attending the function and representing the Board of Trustees.  Dr. Corcoran congratulated Chris Herman and his staff on doing a fine job of organizing the end-of-the-academic year banquet for students and their families in the Project Success program. The students enjoyed themselves and Project Success students do well at IVCC, thanks to the caring environment provided by Cyndi Cardosi, Diane Scoma, Teresa Bowen and Chris Herman. He also congratulated Dr. Rebecca Donna on being named to the Board of Directors of Freedom House, a domestic violence shelter in Princeton. Dr. Donna has always been a valuable resource to the college and the community and lately, she has gone above and beyond the call of duty in making recommendations for improvement to the security program at the college; Dr. Corcoran was appreciative of her excellent support.  As a reminder, this Friday is the Nurse Pinning event which will begin promptly at 5 p.m. in the Cultural Centre, followed by Commencement at 7:30 in Building G, and the GED commencement at 7 p.m. on Monday evening. Dr. Corcoran advised the members of the Board to arrive by 4:50 for the Nurse Pinning, no later than 7 for Commencement, and 6:45 for Monday’s GED program. IVCC has 55 students planning to partake in Friday’s Pinning, 229 in Commencement (the most ever!), and 32 in the GED Commencement.  He asked the members of the Board to attend as many of these programs celebrating student success as possible.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

The Planning Committee (Michael Driscoll, Melissa Olivero, and James Narczewski) met on Tuesday, May 10 to discuss a new policy on suspension, a series of policies affected by the new civil union law, a slight modification on the Conflict of Interest policy, an update on the strategic goals and objectives, and review of the Systems Portfolio.  Feedback from the Higher Learning Commission will be reviewed by the Planning Committee in August or September.

PARTIAL STUDENT SUPPORT

It was moved by Dr. Driscoll and seconded by Mr. Narczewski to approve a request for partial student support for the Case New Holland Service Technician Associate in Applied Science Degree program offered by Parkland College, as presented.  Motion passed by voice vote.

APPROVAL TO TERMINATE DEPOSITORY STATUS

It was moved by Dr. Huffman and seconded by Dr. Driscoll to terminate the college’s status as a Federal Depository Library and withdraw from the Illinois depository program.  Motion passed by voice vote.

TRANSFER OF FUNDS

It was moved by Ms. Olivero and seconded by Mr. Narczewski to transfer $5,000 within Fund 06 (Restricted Purposes Fund) from the ICCB Workforce Development Grant and $5,000 within Fund 6 (Restricted Purposes Fund) from the Illinois Manufacturing Extension Center to the Small Business Development Center.  Motion passed by voice vote.

BOARD POLICIES

The new policy on suspension was reviewed by the Board Planning Committee on May 10.  The following suggestions were made:  1) second paragraph, substitute the word “disobedience” with “insubordination”; 2) fifth paragraph, substitute the word “less” with “fewer”; and 3) ninth paragraph, change the word “wish” to “wishes.”  In the original suspension policy, the complaint went straight to the president.  The Planning Committee agreed that it needed to be presented to two or three lower levels before it is presented to the president or Board to clarify whether it is a real complaint.  Mr. Mallery was concerned if the Board initiated the suspension with pay, the opportunity to refute the charges has to come back to the Board.  It was suggested that wording regarding his concerns be incorporated into the policy.

The Board Planning Committee also reviewed policies that required modification to comply with the Civil Union Law. 

All policies were presented as the first of two readings and no action was taken at this time.  The policies will be presented for a second reading at the June board meeting.

ITEMS FOR INFORMATION

Mr. Thompson noted that IVCC received a grant for $90,000 from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation for geothermal installation.  Dr. Corcoran commended Dominick Demonica and Cheryl Roelfsema for their work on the grant.

TRUSTEE COMMENT

None.

CLOSED SESSION

It was moved by Ms. Englehaupt and seconded by Dr. Huffman to convene a closed session to discuss 1) imminent litigation and 2) closed session minutes.  Motion passed by voice vote.