April 2009 Board Meeting Report

Illinois Valley Community College further transformed its welding program to meet industry demand Thursday following board approval of six new welding certificates.

Industry representatives, assisting the college as advisory committee members, recommended the college move from a curriculum based solely on welding positions such as "Stick, Plate, Overhead Arc Welding," to one based on construction/maintenance and production/manufacturing, the two main areas for welding employment.

Developing a curriculum based on welding processes and different metals, program coordinator Paul Leadingham has created 20 new courses and Thursday the board approved certificates in Production Welding, Basic Construction Welding, Advanced Construction Welding, Gas Metal Arc Welding, Oxyacetylene Welding and Gas Tungsten Arc Welding.

"The advisory committee was pleased the college listened and acted on their input," said Sue Isermann, Associate Vice-President for Career and Technical Education. "The committee overwhelmingly approved the six proposed certificates."

In other action Thursday, the board heard an update on improvements in the college’s dental assisting program. Gloria Bouxsein, Dean of Health Professions and Director of Nursing, said the program has 12 full-time students this year, up from eight last year and earlier this year received the highest possible accreditation rating.

Employment opportunities for dental assistants in the region is expected to grow 15.6 percent by 2016 and hourly wages range from $9.80 to $16.25, said Bouxsein. IVCC’s 35-credit-hour certificate program is being taught by dental hygienist and program coordinator Cynthia Reif and dental assistant Patty McGuire.

The board approved:

  • The $20,448 bid of Smith Sales & Service of Peru for three 2009 Exmark Lazer Z mowers.
  • The $27,365 bid of Midland Paper of Wheeling for multi-purpose paper for the college’s copiers, faxes and printers.
  • The appointment of Patrick Berry as controller. Berry was the director of finance and supply chain at Pro-Build in Yorkville.
  • The appointment of Eileen Twardowski as interim director of financial aid and Virginia Pokryfke as interim director of the Early Childhood Center.
  • An agreement with the University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) to provide introductory agricultural transfer courses online to IVCC students at IVCC tuition rates. Introductory courses in animal sciences, crop sciences, soils, horticulture or agricultural consumer and resource economics will be offered beginning next fall.
  • A partnership with the U of I’s Global Campus to provide additional bachelor’s degree opportunities in business, environmental studies, nursing and health care and psychology.
  • A $1,500 agreement with the North Central Illinois Council of Governments, a non-profit regional planning agency, to pursue special project grants.
  • An intergovernmental agreement with the city of Ottawa for the Ottawa Canal TIF. The college will be "made whole" on the TIF except for agreements involving Ottawa Real Estate Investments, LLC, Jordan Block Holdings, LLC, and Heritage Harbor Ottawa Development Corporation.
  • The tentative $30,000 board of trustees budget for fiscal 2010.