June 2003 Board Meeting Report

Longtime Illinois Valley Community College board member Harry Debo resigned from the board at Wednesday’s meeting citing "increased commitments on other boards" for his decision. Board chair William Franklin, Jr., defeated in his bid for a second term in April, also stepped down.

Debo, of Peru, was first elected to the board in 1987, and Franklin in 1997. The board appointed David L. Wilcoxson of Peru, who won election to the board in April, to fill out the remaining five months of Franklin’s term before beginning his six year term in November. Wilcoxson will be seated at the July 16 meeting.

The board has 60 days to appoint a replacement to fill the remaining two years of Debo’s term. Newly elected board chairman Todd Phalen of Mendota appointed vice chairman Deborah Sweeden, secretary Tom Shea and himself to interview candidates for the vacancy.

Interested candidates can apply for the position by sending a cover letter and resume to the attention of IVCC President Jean Goodnow.

In his letter of resignation, Debo said the board focused on "one purpose and one goal — the best possible Community College with the best educational opportunities we can offer the residents of our district. The administration, faculty and staff of IVCC have been great to work with."

Debo was unable to attend Wednesday’s meeting but is expected to attend the July meeting to say good-bye.

In other action, the board learned that the proposed $16.2 million Community Instructional Center may receive state funding within two to three years. Of 54 projects approved for funding by the Illinois Community College Board, the Center is number 11, said Jerry Corcoran, interim Vice President for Business Services and Finance.

"We are optimistic that we will receive funding for the project within two to three years," said Corcoran. "We feel very good about where we are on the list, and hope that the trend for prioritizing community college capital projects continues."

The state will pay for three-fourths of the project, approximately $12 million, and the college the remaining $4 million. The center will be constructed in front of the existing campus and will house all enrollment management services such as counseling, admissions and financial aid, plus a 600-seat cafeteria and conference rooms.

Corcoran also reported the college is 24th on the ICCB list for the $8.3 million Building C classroom/library remodeling and addition. The college’s portion of the project is approximately $2 million.

In other business, the board heard an update from Director of Facilities Larry Rousey on the reopening of Building C and other construction projects. Rousey said asbestos abatement and renovations in C, paid for through a special $6 million state appropriation, will be completed this week and Information Technologies will be the first department to move back into the building beginning June 30. With the exception of the bookstore, all moves will be completed by Aug. 15.

Rousey also said the air conditioning units for the Cultural Centre and gymnasium will be replaced. Goodnow said the building improvements directed by Rousey and his staff have made the college far more energy efficient.

The board also:

  • Accepted the resignation of Lori Scroggs as Director of Development. Scroggs has accepted a teaching position in the Human Service Administration program at Bradley University.
  • Approved the elimination of the Bridges to Success program and its full-time coordinator Allison Lourash due to a reduction in BEST (Business Employment Skills Team) funding.
  • Accepted the $17,505 bid of Midland Paper Company of Wheeling for 900 cases of copy paper.
  • Learned Athletic Director and basketball coach Mike Riley will also coach the golf team next year. Riley replaces Jim Moskalewicz who coached the team for five seasons and won four Arrowhead Conference and two Region IV championships.
  • Learned of the resignation of men’s and women’s tennis coach Eric Perez, who will be the head coach at Lewis University next season. In addition, division secretary Pat Graham of Marseilles has resigned her position at the college.
  • Learned counselor Jane Sack of Peru has received the Community College Leadership Fellowship for outstanding academic and professional accomplishments from the Department of Human Resource Education at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
  • Learned that 19 full- and part-time faculty from IVCC participated in this year’s International Faculty Institute on Latin America at IVCC May 19-23.
  • Learned that the summer theatre production of The Boys Next Door will be staged at 7:00 PM this Friday and Saturday in the Cultural Centre. "The play is a wonderful and sensitive play on the plight of individuals with emotional and physical disabilities," said Goodnow.
  • Learned the IVCC Foundation golf outing will be at 8:00 AM Friday, July 11 at Deer Park Country Club and the IVCC Golf Team golf outing will be at noon, July 18 at Senica’s Oak Ridge.
  • Learned enrollment for the fall semester is up 17 percent over the same time last year.