March 20, 2012 Minutes of Regular Meeting

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

It was moved by Dr. Driscoll and seconded by Dr. Huffman to approve the agenda as presented. Motion passed by voice vote.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None.

CAMPUS UPDATE – STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS

Dr. Lori Scroggs, Vice President for Planning and Institutional Effectiveness, presented an update on IVCC’s strategic planning.  IVCC is part of the Higher Learning Commission, an accrediting institution, and the Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP), IVCC’s pathway to accreditation.  The College looks at accreditation through the lens of continuous improvement by forming teams as its vehicles on how to improve its processes and systems on how things are done.  The College believes it needs to improve its processes to become a better institution.  It receives feedback from students, employees, stakeholders, board members, donors, and community members.  Customer service is the focus – what do they need and what are they looking for.  The College also uses data to make its decisions.  It quantifies what its stakeholders identify in surveys and other feedback mechanisms and over time recognizes trends.  The Higher Learning Commission looks at continuous improvement, but it also looks at the culture of the institution, a culture of continuous improvement so that IVCC will always look to get better and better.  There are a number of sequences of events that IVCC participates in to look at its culture, strategies, and performance.  These include action projects, the systems portfolio and appraisal report, as well as strategy forums all must align with its planning processes and other corresponding processes.  The AQIP model is based, in part, on criteria developed through the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program, a national public-private partnership whose mission is “to improve the competitiveness and performance of U.S. organizations for the benefit of all U.S. residents.”  Baldrige Executive Director, Harry Hertz describes the roles of both strategy and organizational culture as critical, illustrated through the physics formula, f = m x a, where mass represents the organization’s strategy, and acceleration represents the organizational culture - both necessary to be a force in the marketplace.  Components of the strategic planning process includes the board’s goals, president’s goals, facilities master plan, ITS strategic plan, AQIP strategic issues, division/department goals, and individual goals.  Other key processes that drive the activities of the college are the Budget, Environmental Scanning, and Assessment Processes.  One of the AQIP strategic issues identified in the Systems Appraisal Report noted that IVCC’s assessment process does not appear to be fully aligned with the strategic planning and budgeting processes.  This will be addressed at the upcoming Strategy Forum and as the Key Performance Indicators are reviewed.  A Strategic Plan Flowchart was presented.  An area for improvement is the full incorporation of division and departmental goals and a more systematic engagement of students and external stakeholders.  A team of eight from across the College will be attending a mandatory AQIP Strategy Forum in April and will address strategy, alignment, culture, and student learning and persistence.  Dr. Driscoll feels a summary of what the leadership believes is the direction of the College would be helpful.  It was suggested to have a board retreat to discuss these issues. Dr. Huffman noted that it was suggested colleges have a scoreboard so that everyone knows what is happening.  Dr. Scroggs pointed out the College is going in that direction.  On the College’s website on the Institutional Research page, the key performance indicators are listed with the targets and the targets are color coded as to the progress being made.  The Employee Development Program has been improved and links the employee goals to the College’s strategic goals.

CONSENT AGENDA

It was moved by Dr. Huffman and seconded by Mr. Cockrel to approve the consent agenda as presented. Motion passed by voice vote.

The following items were approved in the consent agenda:

Approval of Minutes –February 21, 2012 Board Meeting.

Approval of the Bills - $2,504,379.57

Education Fund - $901,666.55; Operations and Maintenance Fund - $66,456.56; Operations and Maintenance (Restricted Fund) $104,371.78; Bond & Interest Fund - $1,265,400.00; Auxiliary Fund - $84,154.39; Restricted Fund - $39,540.52; and Liability, Protection and Settlement Fund - $42,789.77.

Treasurer’s Report

Personnel

Approved the stipends for the pay periods ending February 11, 2012 and February 25, 2012.

Purchase Request – Instructional Supplies for Dental Assisting Program, Certified Nursing Assistant Program, and Nursing Programs

Approved to purchase instructional supplies for the Dental Assisting Program, Certified Nursing Assistant Program, and Nursing Programs, in the estimated amount of $44,167.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

For the 18^th consecutive year, IVCC has been awarded the certificate of excellence in financial reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association. The latest award was based on the college’s submittal of its comprehensive annual financial report for the fiscal year that ended on June 30, 2011. Dr. Corcoran congratulated everyone across the college who contributed to this report, especially Cheryl Roelfsema and Pat Berry for their leadership in the Business Office.  As noted in the monthly financial report, the temporary fence near Building C has been relocated and the temporary entrance opened today; drilling for the geothermal wells will begin April 3 (the number of bores has been reduced from 304 to 192 and the depth has changed from 320 feet to 500 feet - per the College’s architect, this will make the system even more efficient than originally planned); Building F is now closed and demolition has begun. Work on the foundations for the new building will begin March 26.  Dr. Corcoran thanked Gary Johnson and Cheryl Roelfsema for doing an outstanding job of working closely with the CDB, George Sollitt Construction Company, Paul Basalay, and everyone else associated with this major construction project.  The College’s women’s basketball team ended the season recently with a loss to Kishwaukee College. Their record was 24-8 so Coaches Cinotte and Shanyfelt and the team were commended for having another outstanding season, both on the court and in the classroom. Congratulations went to Tommy Canale and assistant coach Chris Herman for coaching the men’s team to a respectable 17-15 record.  It was noted that both teams were made up of approximately 75 percent in-district athletes and Dr. Corcoran stressed the fact that IVCC can recruit locally, win a lot of games, and have great local support from the IVCC community.  Dean Marianne Dzik submitted quite a few highlights from her English, Math and Education division to share with everyone:

• On February 24, IVCC hosted its 27th annual High School Writing Competition, which was coordinated by Randy Rambo.  Winners of the competition will be awarded IVCC Foundation scholarships.
• On February 25, the college hosted the Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics Region 7 High School Math Contest.  Two hundred students from eight high schools participated. Cindy Schultz coordinated the event.
• TEACH (student club for future educators) hosted a Dr. Seuss Birthday Bash on March 2.  Over 75 children and parents attended the party where games were played and books were read. 
• Tara Ptasnik was invited to EIU along with 2 other community college English instructors to talk to English graduate students about teaching writing in a community college. 
• Robert Wayne Bower, a former IVCC student and Math Learning Center tutor, visited IVCC’s Math Learning Center and Cheryl Hobneck on March 9. Robert is an adjunct faculty member at Ivy Tech Community College in Indiana and the purpose of his visit was to get some ideas for starting a lab at Ivy Tech.
• Cheryl Hobneck also recently hosted a group of administrators and educators from Sauk Valley.  Sauk officials are also exploring the possibility of starting a math lab and they wanted to use IVCC as a model.
• Dawn Wiggins’ student math group, Indefinite Limit, celebrated Pi Day and Einstein’s Birthday on March 14. 
• The Early Childhood Education Program sponsored the ECE Experience on March 16 for approximately 115 area high school students from Streator, Princeton, Seneca, and the Area Career Center. 

On March 15, the Illinois Valley Fine Arts Co-Op received a public and Community Service Award from the Illinois Alliance for Arts Education. Since 1998, the Co-Op has provided opportunities for K-12 students to experience a wide range of fine arts performances. Marlene Merkel, Kim Herout, Sue Gillio, and Dr. Jeff Anderson accepted the award at a ceremony at the Executive Mansion in Springfield. On February 24, Amanda Cook Fesperman coordinated the Martin Luther King Jr. writing contest on campus and the following students were recognized for their winning essays: first place winner Sophia de Jesus-Sullivan of Utica wrote “What Influences Me”; second place winner Perpetua Kah of Peru wrote “Speech With Action”; tying for third place were Fielding Lockas of Ottawa who wrote “Scapegoating” and Ginny McConnaughhay of Ottawa who wrote “James Baldwin.”  Bev Malooley, Jamie Gahm and Jennifer Scheri have been offering a series of Midwest Manufacturers Roundtable discussions around the district which have been informative and very well attended. The next one is scheduled for April 18 at the Utica Township Community Center and the topic will be Lean Manufacturing.  This week, Dr. Jeff Anderson had an essay published in The Chronicle of Higher Education entitled “Why community-college students need great books.”  Erin Salz has been selected as a 2012 Coca Cola Silver Scholar based on scores earned in the All-USA Community College Academic team competition for which more than 1,700 applications were received this year. The program is sponsored by the Coco-Cola Scholar’s Foundation and the PTK Honor Society. Erin will receive a check for $1,250 and be recognized in the April 23 issue of USA Today. Dr. Corcoran congratulated Erin Salz and also extended his thanks to LeeAnn Johnson and Eric Schroeder for the fine job they do of supporting IVCC’s PTK honor students.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Dr. Driscoll and Mr. Thompson reviewed the Request For Proposal for the Wind Turbine Project Consultant with Cheryl Roelfsema, Sue Isermann, and Reed Wilson.  There was not enough information to move forward and questions were sent off to be answered.  Mr. Thompson noted the wind turbine is an interesting addition to have as part of the facilities and a plus for the wind turbine program, but there are limits to what the College can do.  Mr. Mallery was concerned that Ameresco helped with the RFP and then no one but Ameresco submitted a proposal.  Until all the information is available and questions answered, the committee is not ready to bring the proposal to the Board.

Mr. Mallery attended the ICCTA Board of Representatives Meeting in Schaumburg on March 9 and 10.  He noted Illinois Central College is willing to host a diversity conference on its campus in October.  To encourage students, faculty, and staff to get more involved, they may hold the conference on Friday and Saturday.  Under legislative updates, two rose to the top – the State University Retirement System (SURS) and insurance.  Governor Quinn has talked about shifting the state’s obligation for paying teacher pensions onto local school districts.  ICCTA has asked legislators that any such transfer of pension obligations would need to be phased in over a period of years to reduce the burden on the taxpayers.  K-12’s only source would be the taxpayers.  IVCC’s sources would be tuition and taxpayers.  Mr. Mallery suggested contacting legislators and letting them know the huge impact this would have on the College and encourage the Governor to rethink this.  Mr. Mallery also noted that SB3635 and HB5248 deal with requiring the award of a contract to the lowest responsible bidder does not prevent a community college from complying with the terms and conditions of a grant, gift, or bequest that calls for the procurement of a particular good or service or the use of a particular contractor, provided that the grant, gift, or bequest provides all funding for the contract.

DISCONTINUATION OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CENTER

It was moved by Dr. Huffman and seconded by Dr. Driscoll to approve the discontinuation of the Early Childhood Education Center at the end of the spring 2012 semester and terminate the employment of Director/Teacher Ms. Virginia Pokryfke and temporary part-time teacher Ms. Carly DeWig, effective May 18, 2012.  Mr. Narczewski was not present at the February meeting when the discontinuation of the Early Childhood Education Center was discussed.  Dr. Huffman summarized the discussion.  Mr. Narczewski felt very strongly about the Center and noted it is convenient for students with children to attend IVCC.  The motion passed with one “nay” vote from Mr. Narczewski.

NAMING RIGHTS FOR THE STUDENT DEVELOPMENT COMMONS

It was moved by Dr. Huffman and seconded by Mr. Thompson to accept the gift of $100,000 to the Illinois Valley Community College Foundation from William and Dian Taylor for naming the Student Development Commons the William and Dian Taylor Student Development Commons.  The donation will be used for technological enhancement within the Commons.  Motion passed by voice vote.

PHS PROJECT – CEILING/LIGHTING REPLACEMENT BUDGET CHANGE

It was moved by Mr. Mallery and seconded by Dr. Huffman to submit a revised budget to the Illinois Community College Board, which would include $30,875 for asbestos removal to the ICCB for the Ceiling/Lighting Replacement Project.  Mr. Mallery questioned if the fixtures were the same as the other lighting replacement projects so all of them are aligned.  Mr. Gary Johnson replied yes, but the lamps might be improved.  Mr. Mallery then questioned if the retrofits for lighting have been effective.  Ms. Roelfsema noted the actual lighting per square foot has trended downward.  The question was asked if there was a list of projects where asbestos needed to be removed.  The administration knows there is asbestos in the building and when a project arises, it is taken care of.  Much of the asbestos was removed in Buildings A, B, and C.  Buildings D and E were not renovated because they were built after Buildings A, B, and C.  There is an on-going discovery of asbestos because the asbestos code has risen to a higher level.   It was suggested to prepare a proactive list of where asbestos is located and this would prevent change orders on new projects. Motion passed by voice vote.