March 2007 Board Meeting Minutes
The Board of Trustees of Illinois Valley Community College District No. 513 convened a regular session at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 28, 2007 in the Board Room (C307) at Illinois Valley Community College.
Members Physically Present
David L. Wilcoxson, Board Chair
Dennis N. Thompson, Vice Chair
Paula J. Endress, Secretary
David O. Mallery
Lori E. Scroggs
Deborah L. Sweeden
Megan Guilfoyle, Student Trustee
Members Absent
Thomas C. Setchell
Others Physically Present
Larry D. Huffman, President
Jerry Corcoran, Vice President for Business Services and Finance
Harriet Custer, Vice President for Academic Affairs
Bob Marshall, Vice President for Student Services
Walt Zukowski, Attorney
PROJECT SUCCESS PRESENTATION
Ms. Loar Wells, Director of Project Success, reported on the services and programs provided by Project Success. Project success is funded through the U.S. Department of Education TRiO Program.
CONSENT AGENDA
It was moved by Mr. Thompson and seconded by Ms. Guilfoyle to approve the consent agenda as presented. Motion passed by voice vote.
The following items were approved in the consent agenda:
Approval of Minutes –Board Minutes of February 22, 2007 (Special) and February 28, 2007.
Approval of the Bills - $2,380,755.83
Education Fund - $752,346.75; Operation and Maintenance Fund - $116,425.51; Operation & and Maintenance Fund (Restricted Fund) - $53,108.00; Bond & Interest Fund; $1,265,400.00; Auxiliary Fund - $123,285.04; Restricted Fund - $57,787.22; Liability, Protection and Settlement Fund - $12,403.31.
Treasurer’s Report
Personnel
Approved the stipends for the payrolls ending February 10, 2007 and February 24, 2007 as presented.
Bid/Purchase Request – D225 - Renovation
Authorized the Business Office to seek bids for the purchase and installation of carpeting ($8,700), electrical work ($15,000), and to authorize the administration to purchase the KI University furniture solution through the IPHEC contract at an estimated cost of $73,000.
Bid Request – Window Blinds
Authorized the Business Office to seek bids for window blinds at an estimated cost of $25,000.
Bid Request – Haas Horizontal Machining Center
Authorized the Business Office to seek bids for a Haas Horizontal Machining Center at an estimated cost of $125,000.
U.S. Communities Government Purchasing Alliance
Approved the College to participate in the U.S. Communities Government Purchasing Alliance. The U.S. Communities assists local and state government agencies in reducing the cost of purchased goods through pooling the purchasing power of public agencies nationwide.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Dr. Huffman introduced Merri Mattison, sociology and anthropology instructor, as the 2007 IVCC Faculty Excellence Award winner. As recipient of this award, she has the opportunity to attend the International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence in Austin, Texas. Merri Mattison was very grateful to receive the award. She stated to be nominated by a student and have that nomination validated by her peers was wonderful and she is thankful for the opportunity to teach at IVCC.
Dr. Huffman introduced Susan Koepke, accounting instructor and advisor to SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise). Ms. Koepke was very happy to present the trophy for the Regional Championship Competition. The team will now advance to the SIFE National Exposition on Sunday, May 6 in Dallas, Texas. Ms. Koepke stated the students worked very hard for this competition and she was very proud of them.
Dr. Huffman attended the Etiquette Dinner sponsored by the IVCC Placement Services. This was a great opportunity for students to have dinner and learn dinner etiquette along with representatives from local businesses. Dr. Huffman reported 53 new members were inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Chapter on March 15.
Before the April 25 Board meeting from 6 – 7 p.m., the College Foundation is sponsoring a reception for Joseph Franco and his family. Mr. Franco is IVCC’s nominee for the ICCTA Distinguished Alumnus Award. The Annual Honors Banquet will be held on April 11 at Starved Rock Lodge and the Annual Recognition Event will be held on April 20 at Celebrations.
TRUSTEES’ REPORT
Megan Guilfoyle distributed a copy of the March 15th edition of the IVLEADER, minutes of the Student Government Association February 22 meeting and minutes of the IVCC Legislative Branch March 26 meeting. Elections for Student Government will be held on Thursday and Friday, March 29 and 30.
Dennis Thompson and David Wilcoxson attended the ICCTA's March 9 "Dropout Nation" seminar which focused on the estimated 210,000 Illinoisans ages 16 to 24 who are not attending school and do not hold high school diplomas. Mr. Thompson was expecting outreach activities to encourage students to come back to school. Students on the panel had not really dropped out. They were all disappointed in their high school program, counseling, or anxious in attending a school of 2,000 and were beginning to be absent. The community college created a middle college high school. The students seemed to be very capable and were successful. Students received dual credit and continued on at the community college. The seminar seemed to promote this program.
Mr. Wilcoxson reported that the nominating committee met for ICCTA state offices. The deadline date for applications to be submitted for a state office is April 20. The nominating committee will meet on April 24 to interview candidates. Elections will be held in June. The Board Chairs have been meeting at the ICCTA meetings and have found this to be very beneficial. They have decided to meet informally and thought this would be more productive. Mr. Wilcoxson learned that the legislative action on the Ethics Act is very optimistic. The Veterans group is proceeding forward on the Veterans Grant with a strong message on the funds entitled to them. ICCTA dues will increase slightly by 1.2 percent. ICCTA will continue to provide discounts for multiple attendees at meetings. Mr. Wilcoxson reminded board members of the ICCTA meeting on April 24 and Lobby Day on April 25.
TRUCK DRIVER TRAINING FEE ADJUSTMENT
It was moved by Dr. Scroggs and seconded by Mrs. Endress to approve an increase of $2.00 for the Truck Driver Training program fees. The motion carried by voice vote.
CASH FARM LEASE REVISION – FARM NO. 8842
It was moved by Mr. Thompson and seconded by Ms. Guilfoyle to place the 17.83 acre “Plots” in Farm Lease No. 8842. By adding this strip of land the annual income for Farm No. 8842 will change from 131.6 acres ($20,430.90) to 149.4 acres ($23,194.35). Doug Stockley has been working with the cash farm operator in the cultivating and seeding of this strip of land. This will relieve Mr. Stockley’s responsibilities as he will play a major role in the planting and maintaining of the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program for the 8.4 acres located at the river bottom. The motion passed by voice vote.
IVCC/STREATOR UMLIMITED, INC. AGREEMENT – WAREHOUSING SPACE FOR WAREHOUSING AND DISTRIBUTION COURSES
It was moved by Mrs. Sweeden and seconded by Dr. Scroggs to approve the agreement with the removal of Item 11 with Streator Unlimited, Inc. for the College’s use of the Company’s facility for warehousing courses. After reviewing the original agreement in the Board book, Walt Zukowski suggested removing Item 11 (Indemnification) as a safer course of action. The motion was passed by voice vote.
LASALLE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT BUSINESS CONTINUITUY PLAN AGREEMENT
It was moved by Mr. Thompson and seconded by Mrs. Sweeden to approve the agreement with the LaSalle County Health Department, as presented. The motion passed by voice vote.
PROPOSED BOARD POLICY 5007 – ASSEMBLY, RALLY OR DEMONSTRATION ON CAMPUS
This policy was presented for a first reading. It was not recommended for adoption at this time. Dr. Marshall reported that a number of community colleges have been experiencing an increase in various groups seeking to conduct rallies or demonstrations on campus. While most seek approval ahead of time, others arrive and proceed with the activity with no prior notice. This policy addresses those situations. The College recognizes, respects, etc. the rights of individuals and groups to freedom of speech, expression, etc. but also retains the right and obligation to ensure that activities of expression for or against an issue do not infringe upon the rights of others. If this policy is approved, Dr. Marshall plans to set up administrative procedures to support the policy. It was suggested the student handbook be a point of reference. This policy will be presented for the second reading at the April Board meeting.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES BUDGET
It was moved by Mr. Thompson and seconded by Ms. Guilfoyle to adopt the Board of Trustees budget as presented. The total amount for the Board of Trustees budget is $32,200 for FY08. The motion passed by voice vote.
2007 ICCTA BUSINESS/INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIP AWARD
It was moved by Mrs. Sweeden and seconded by Dr. Scroggs to approve the nomination for the Business/Industry Award to be submitted to the Illinois Community College Trustees Association to recognize the valued partnership between IVCC and the six area hospitals. The motion was approved by voice vote.
2007 ICCTA LIFELONG LEARNING AWARD
It was moved by Mr. Thompson and seconded by Mrs. Endress to nominate Jo Anne Walden for the Lifelong Learning Award to be submitted to the Illinois Community College Trustees Association. The motion was carried by voice vote.
LETTER OF INQUIRY REGARDING FARM #8841
Mr. Wilcoxson received a letter from a local attorney whose client is interested in purchasing IVCC property which is included in Farm #8841. The client has purchased property adjacent to the IVCC land and would like additional acreage to build a summer home. There were many unanswered questions such as: how much additional property does the client want, is the easement still in effect, what are the college’s needs for this property (such as program needs or some other objectives), how is the property zoned, etc. It was the consensus of the Board to explore the College’s own uses of the property before considering the sale of the property. The Board directed Dr. Huffman to use the resources he needs to obtain further information.
CLOSED SESSION
It was moved by Ms. Guilfoyle and seconded by Mr. Mallery to convene a closed session at 8:55 p.m. to discuss 1) the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body; 2) discussion of minutes of a closed session meeting. The motion passed by voice vote.
On a motion by Dr. Scroggs, seconded by Mr. Thompson and carried unanimously, the regular meeting resumed at 10:10 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION MINUTES
It was moved by Mrs. Sweeden and seconded by Ms. Guilfoyle to approve and retain the minutes of the February 28, 2007 closed session meeting. The motion passed by voice vote.
PRESIDENT’S EVALUATION FORM
The Board approved the President’s evaluation form as presented at the February meeting. It was the consensus of the Board the evaluation team would consist of the Board Chair and the Board Vice-Chair. Completed evaluations are to be submitted to Dr. Scroggs by April 18. Dr. Scroggs will compile the evaluations by April 25. The evaluation team will meet with the president prior to May 9. The president’s compensation will be discussed and approved at the May 9 special meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
It was moved by Dr. Scroggs, seconded by Mr. Mallery, and carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 10:35 p.m.