September 2013 Board Report

The City of Oglesby will soon begin providing an armed police presence at Illinois Valley Community College.

At their monthly meeting Tuesday, trustees approved an intergovernmental agreement with Oglesby to provide police protection on campus 20 hours per week on days and times determined by the college, said IVCC President Jerry Corcoran.

“Parents have entrusted us to provide a safe environment for their children,” Corcoran said. “We upgraded our security significantly by contracting with G4S Secure Solutions. With Oglesby police working alongside G4S, our campus will be even safer.”

Patrol duties will include assistance with traffic incidents, incident response, first aid in medical emergencies, alcohol and drug prevention and conflict resolution. IVCC will pay Oglesby a maximum of $41.76 per hour for police coverage through April 30 when the rate will be renegotiated.

In other business, the board approved:

  • Requests for Purchase (RFPs) totaling nearly $220,000 for CTC instructional equipment to be paid for through the nearly $1.9 million raised in capital campaign donations. Equipment includes a turbine generator control troubleshooting learning system for the wind lab for $79,854, equipment for the industrial maintenance program totaling $20,165, a lab volt solar/wind energy training system for $45,580 and a lab volt EMS-8010 renewable energy training program for the industrial electricity program for $73,150.
  • Replacement of the Cultural Centre sound system at an estimated cost of $691,700 from PHS funds. Parts and components for the antiquated system, working at less than one-third capacity, are no longer available. The new unit will include an assistive listening system that will allow audio from instructors or performers to be broadcast via transmitter microphones to a personal receiver issued to hearing impaired students and guests.
  • Purchase of a replacement chiller/air handler for Building A at an estimated cost of $797,907 from PHS funds.
  • The appointment of part-time business specialist Gina Czubachowski to a temporary full-time specialist position in the Small Business Development Center. Three part-time positions were combined to create the position. 
  • Submission of a board letter requesting the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) assign IVCC a status of “recognition continued.” The ICCB is required to ‘recognize’ each of Illinois’ 39 community college districts; IVCC is scheduled for a recognition visit this fiscal year.
  • First reading of revisions to two board policies: medical/occupational examinations and drug-free campus and the addition of a new policy governing bicycle and skate board use on campus. A second reading at the Oct. 15 meeting is necessary before the policies can be revised.

The board learned:

  • The Certified Production Technician (CPT) certificate program launched this fall has been officially approved by the ICCB. The CPT allows students to prepare for high-demand, entry-level manufacturing jobs in just one semester. A dozen district manufacturers have pledged their interest in hiring program graduates.
  • A total of 222 graduates earned 240 degrees and certificates this summer compared to 260 earning 289 degrees and certificates in 2012.
  • In her annual report to the board, director of human resources Glenna Jones said 24 positions were filled in fiscal 2013 including 21 support staff positions, 14 part-time and seven full-time. “Due to the hiring freeze, we did not fill every vacancy but we did process 1,151 applications,” said Jones.
  • Mark Walczynski, history, philosophy and criminal justice instructor and author of  “Starved Rock State Park: The First 100 Years,” was recently honored by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources as an Outstanding Volunteer of the Year at a ceremony at the Illinois State Fair.
  • Education instructor and program coordinator Jill Urban-Bollis was appointed to the Curriculum Coordinating Council at LaSalle Peru High School where she will represent both the community college connection and parents.
  • The Illinois Valley Building Trades Council has agreed to donate the labor to replace the softball dugouts.
  • Over 200 students and more than 75 donors will be honored at the 17th annual IVCC Foundation Scholarship Recognition Reception Thursday night in the gymnasium.
  • On Sept. 9, IVCC officials met with representatives of the University of Illinois Extension Task Force to update a plan to house the Extension’s four-county regional office at IVCC. “It is an exciting plan that will allow our two public institutions, so steeped in mission and tradition working together for the benefit of our constituents,” said Corcoran.
  • In his monthly construction update, Corcoran said landscaping will soon be completed, furniture delivery and installation should wrap up this week, technology shipments have arrived for installation in early October and the MAG vertical machining center is scheduled for delivery to the Peter Miller Community Technology Center next week.