November 29, 2016 Planning Committee Meeting

The Planning Committee of the Board of Trustees of Illinois Valley Community College District No. 513 met at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 29, 2016 in the Board Room-C307 at Illinois Valley Community College.

Committee Members Physically Present

Michael C. Driscoll, Committee Chair
Jane E. Goetz

Committee Members Absent

Laurie A. Bonucci

Board Members Present

Others Physically Present

Jerry Corcoran, President
Cheryl Roelfsema, Vice President for Business Services and Finance
Deborah Anderson, Vice President for Academic Affairs
Bonnie Campbell, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs
Matt Suerth, Director of Institutional Research
Frances Whaley, Head Librarian
Lauri Carey, Instructor
Delores Robinson, Instructor

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Dr. Driscoll.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

The Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) have been reviewed and have been trimmed from nine to six to better align with the Higher Learning Commission’s (HLC) AQIP strategic goals.  The KPIs will benefit from the new action project – Managing Data and Creating a Dashboard.  Frances Whaley, Head Librarian, and member of the KPI Revision Committee, gave an informative 30-minute PowerPoint presentation, furnishing those in attendance with a color handout of the 15 slides.  Frances touched on the definition of KPIs; the purpose of KPIs at IVCC; how the nine KPIs were trimmed to six new KPIs; initial goals for KPI revision; KPI review process; structural revision; content revision; target calculation; demonstration link www.ivcc.edu/kpi; recognition of major contributors including Dr. Anderson; and evaluating KPI revision. Dr. Driscoll and Ms. Goetz posed questions and comments regarding the data.  Jerry concluded it is a work in progress and highlighted that Frances did a nice job when the HLC visit took place on campus.  Dr. Driscoll commented the format looks nice and Jane agreed. 

PROGRAM REVIEW REPORT

Dr. Anderson prefaced her report by recognizing the hard work of Matt Suerth and Laura Hooper from Institutional Research.  The highlights from the 2016 Program Review were summarized from the July 18, 2016 Memorandum.  Dr. Anderson then pointed out the highlights from the first internal transfer program review from her November 21, 2016 Memorandum.  Dr. Driscoll pointed out the glaring question is enrollment which affects finances and everything.  Dr. Corcoran responded the Interact Committee is positive and that good things are coming from the brand new market of agriculture with a lot of folks working hard.  Discussion ensued with Dr. Driscoll adamant to find a way to reverse the trend with new ideas.  Dr. Corcoran defended we have good strategies in place but not seeing the results yet and that keeping Adult Education going is critical to the college’s mission.

ACCREDITATION UPDATE

Dr. Anderson anticipates receiving the Comprehensive Quality Review report at any time as it has been at the HLC for two weeks.  Once our reaffirmation has been approved, IVCC will have the opportunity to elect one of two accreditation pathways, the Open Pathway or the Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP).  Institutional Research and Information Technology are working hard on the data collection, dissemination, and transparency in making data readily available for campus constituencies.

GENERAL EDUCATION AND ASSESSMENT UPDATE

During the past two years the Assessment Committee has reviewed all eight general education goals with six of the eight assessed more than once with the committee to begin the process of using the results to determine measures to improve teaching and learning.  Dr. Anderson commended co-chairs, Dr. Kim Radek and Emily Vescogni, who have “moved mountains” in their accomplishments with this long-standing action project which is expected to close out soon after seven years.

STRATEGIC AND ACADEMIC PLANNING UPDATE

The Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analyses are to be completed by year’s end with the Academic Administrators synthesizing the information in an effort to prioritize the issues that will help the college develop institutional goals for the next three to five years.  The faculty SWOT analysis produced academic mission and vision statements that will be presented at the January in-service for work on academic goals to use to drive strategic goals.

NATIONAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE BENCHMARK PROJECT (NCCBP)

This project has been conducted annually, during the spring term at IVCC since 2007.  Each school that participates has the opportunity to compare themselves with other colleges on over 150 benchmarks such as student demographics, measures of student success, faculty and staff data, etc.  The report focuses on selected strengths and opportunities for the College.  The NCCBP considers a strength as any metric above the 75th percentile on the national survey and opportunities for improvement as any metric below the 25th percentile.  IVCC excelled in several academic measures. The area most in need of improvement is the percent of distance learning credit hours of total credit hours.  IVCC is applying to become a member of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA) to provide distance learning to students who do not reside in Illinois.  The administration is working with Interact Communications to find out if its in-district students want more online courses.  The good news is that the College’s strengths outweigh the opportunities for improvement by a four-to-one margin.

Cheryl Roelfsema spoke first referring to Matt Suerth’s report and the charts with trending of measures.  Dr. Driscoll referred to the NCCBP 2016 Strengths/Opportunities Report and commented that if we are in the 80th to 90th percentile, then we need to be tooting our horn and use in PR materials.  Dr. Corcoran stated he can take to the enrollment task force meeting on November 30.  Mr. Suerth is aware of strengths, shortcomings, and opportunities for improvement.  Ms. Goetz acknowledged the good improvement and appreciates all the work; Dr. Driscoll added that the time and diligence is appreciated. 

BOARD POLICIES (NEW AND REVISED)

Dr. Driscoll suggested that in the interest of time the many policies up for review be discussed by exception and Ms. Goetz agreed.  Alcoholic Beverage Sales:  Cheryl mentioned current insurance will cover and the event must have liability and DRAM insurance with $0 net cost to us.  Jerry brought up foundation events like the 21st century scholarship dinner could be held on campus and not have to spend $1,500 elsewhere to host with that cost savings going to the students.  Our policy is modeled after other community colleges.  Must approach the board 60 days before an event for approval.  Business Travel:  Ms. Goetz asked if policy is due to College of DuPage.  Supplier Diversity:  Dr. Driscoll inquired whether this new policy still allowed the College to award contracts to the lowest bidder to which Cheryl Roelfsema responded yes and that we are actively encouraging women-owned businesses to submit bids.  Dr. Driscoll commented it must be fair to everybody.  Other policies were presented to the Committee for their review and they were encouraged to send comments back to the administration.  Changes will be incorporated into the policies and then will be presented to the whole board for two readings at the December and January meetings before adoption.  Dr. Driscoll and Ms. Goetz gave their support and Dr. Corcoran mentioned that Ms. Bonucci had reviewed all the policies and had no questions.

OTHER

None.

ADJOURNMENT

Dr. Driscoll declared the meeting adjourned at 7:13 p.m.