May 14, 2015 Minutes of Regular Meeting

The Board of Trustees of Illinois Valley Community College District No. 513 convened a regular session at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 14, 2015 in the Board Room (C307) at Illinois Valley Community College.

Members Physically Present

Melissa M. Olivero, Chair
Michael C. Driscoll, Vice Chair
Larry D. Huffman, Secretary
Laurie A. Bonucci (entered the meeting at 6:38 p.m.)
Jane E. Goetz
Everett J. Solon
Austin M. Burnette, Student Trustee

Members Absent

David O. Mallery (entered closed session at 6:54 p.m.)

Others Physically Present

Jerry Corcoran, President
Cheryl Roelfsema, Vice President for Business Services and Finance
Deborah Anderson, Vice President for Academic Affairs
Sue Isermann, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs
Mark Grzybowski, Associate Vice President for Student Services
Walt Zukowski, Attorney

The meeting was called to order by Ms. Olivero at 6:30 p.m.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

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

PUBLIC COMMENT

None.

CONSENT AGENDA

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

The following items were approved in the consent agenda:

Approval of Minutes – March 31, 2015 Audit/Finance Committee Meeting; March 31, 2015 Planning Committee Meeting; April 9, 2015 Board Meeting; and May 5, 2015 Special Board Meeting

Approval of Bills - $1,188,436.12

Education Fund - $937,242.15; Operations & Maintenance Fund - $80,274.09; Operations & Maintenance (Restricted Fund) - $18,151.27; Auxiliary Fund - $100,565.67; Restricted Fund - $17,404.02; and Liability, Protection and Settlement Fund - $34,798.92

Treasurer’s Report

Personnel

Approved the stipends for the pay periods ending April 4, 2015 and April 18, 2015

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Ron Groleau, dean of business and natural sciences, reported recently that he facilitated cadaver lab tours for 230 students from six area high schools (Hall, LaSalle-Peru, Marquette, Princeton, St. Bede and Serena) in the spring semester.  The visiting students also met with LeeAnn Johnson and Carmen Hartford to tour the Natural Sciences Lab.  Student and instructor feedback from the high schools was very positive and this is believed to be a very effective student-recruitment function.  Dr. Corcoran reported the Foundation’s “70s Night” fund-raiser held at Seneca’s Oak Ridge on April 10 was an enjoyable and successful event thanks to the staff in Community Relations and Development, especially Janice Corrigan and Donna Swiskoski. Fran Brolley reported that the program netted $14,500. Melissa and Doug Olivero, Laurie and Steve Bonucci, and Walt and Nancy Zukowski were among those who participated in the fun evening. Dr. Corcoran thanked everyone for their support. The annual recognition event was held on April 24 this year at Grand Bear Lodge. There were 135 guests to help recognize 98 honorees for years of service, being granted tenure, notices of retirement, and outstanding teaching and service awards. Paula Hallock and Glenna Jones chair the committee that handles this important event; they were supported by Theresa Carranco, Carey Burns, Sue Harding, Kris Curley and Jeannette Frahm. Many thanks to the Recognition Committee and a special thanks to Jane Goetz for representing the board and assisting at the event. Dr. Corcoran thanked Carmen Hartford for bringing students Ashley Williams and Tiernan Ebener to Springfield on April 28 for exceptional recognition at the annual PTK honors banquet. Ashley was one of the featured speakers on the agenda and she did an outstanding job.  The next morning, Tiernan and approximately 12 students (including Amy Rogowski) were escorted to Springfield by Cory Tomasson and Mike Phillips so they could spend some quality time with Senator Sue Rezin and Representative Frank Mautino as part of the annual Lobby Day event.  When Dr. Corcoran visited with both legislators on the morning of May 29, they were looking forward to the arrival of our students—a great experience for everyone.  The event held on May 1 to officially dedicate the “Power On” sculpture created by John Aducci was terrific and Dr. Corcoran thanked Fran Brolley, Sheri Mitchum and Cheryl Roelfsema. He also thanked Laurie Bonucci for attending and representing the Board of Trustees.  Chris Herman’s end-of-the-year celebration for Project Success students was yesterday. Chris, Cynthia Cardosi, Diane Scoma and Teresa Bowen did a fine job of planning this event, especially by having past Project Success students like Oriel Morris return and share their stories in order to inspire our students to stick together and finish what they start.  The United Way of Eastern LaSalle County’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program was very popular again this year and a few days ago the College committed once again to this important service for 2016. Overall, 567 individuals were served this year at a number of sites over approximately four months including 88 individuals at the IVCC Ottawa Center. This is great experience for our accounting students. Dr. Corcoran told Dr. Anderson last week that Ron Groleau should be commended for IVCC entering into the partnership with the United Way of Eastern LaSalle County in the first place because it was faculty in his division who seized the opportunity years ago and have allowed it to flourish.  In the last year, Sue Monroe moved from the Foundation to becoming our director of Career Services and along with the annual job fair and matching up students with employers for jobs and internships, she recently coordinated a very nice etiquette dinner program for the benefit of 24 students. Dr. Corcoran thanked Sue for a job well done.  Kudos went to the Men’s Baseball Team for an incredible turnaround this year; as of today they are 33-17. They are scheduled to play Joliet Junior College in a best-of-three series in Schaumburg this weekend. If they win, they will move on to the eight-team World Series May 23-29 in Kinston, NC. Coach Jason Goode has done a fabulous job of leading this group of young men; the College is proud of the team and Dr. Corcoran wished them the best of luck. The College is equally proud of the fine season Cory Tomasson and the Women’s Softball Team had this year, winning 22 games in a very competitive division. Along with all of his other duties as speech instructor, student club advisor, and softball coach, Cory’s doing a fine job of working as the athletic director for the College’s chief student services officer, Mark Grzybowski—both of whom deserve special recognition for a job well done.  As a reminder, the Nurse Pinning is scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 16 in the Cultural Centre. Board members planning to attend should arrive at least 20 minutes early. Although all board members will be recognized, two board members will be needed on stage to assist with the program. Dean Bonnie Campbell has advised that there are 68 RN graduates.  Commencement will begin promptly at 2:30 p.m. in the gymnasium with Mark Grzybowski’s line up planned for 2 p.m. Gowns to be worn by the board will be in the board room and the board will head over to the gym together no later than 2:10. Dr. Corcoran invited the Board to stop by the Board Room after the nurse pinning to enjoy a light lunch and plan on visiting with former Lt. Governor Sheila Simon. Kudos to Scott Curley and his staff in Facilities for all of the work they have put into making the campus look beautiful—the best Dr. Corcoran has seen it in his 25 years at the college. The GED graduation ceremony has been combined this year with recognition of advanced ESL and GED students who have completed the Bridge to Manufacturing or Healthcare Program, and individuals who have completed all of the steps to becoming U.S. Citizens. The program will begin at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 21 in the Cultural Centre with a reception in CTC 124/125 to follow. Sara Escatel would like to have one or two board members on stage to join in helping hand out certificates and recognizing everyone on their accomplishments. And finally, summer session begins next Monday and so does a new chapter in the history of IVCC as it will become a smoke-free campus. The new board policy making the College compliant with the Illinois Smoke Free Campus Act takes effect on May 18, 2015.  Dr. Corcoran turned the floor over to Fran Brolley and Mark Grzybowski. 

Mr. Brolley noted on March 5 the College lost a beloved colleague and friend – Connie Skerston.  On October 10 a walk/run event will take place on campus in her memory.  All proceeds from the walk/run along with a year of fundraising by the support staff will benefit a scholarship in Connie Skerston’s name.  In another act of heartfelt jester, Dr. Lori Scroggs, former Vice President for Learning and Student Development, commissioned a plaque that will hang in the Admissions Office.  Connie’s family has been genuinely touched by all the work that has been done for students in Connie’s name – a very fitting legacy. 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

None.

BID RESULTS – PROTECTION, HEALTH, AND SAFETY (PHS) PROJECT –   EXTERIOR DOOR REPLACEMENT

It was moved by Mr. Solon and seconded by Dr. Huffman to accept the base bid from Vissering Construction Company – Streator, IL, in the amount of $147,000 for the PHS Project for Exterior Door Replacement and the Alternate Bid 1 to replace hollow metal doors and frame and associated hardware at exterior storage Room C125 in the amount of $5,000.  Motion passed by voice vote.

PROPOSAL RESULTS – FOOD SERVICE PROVIDER

It was moved by Dr. Driscoll and seconded by Ms. Bonucci to accept the proposal from Country Catering to provide food service on campus.  Motion passed by voice vote.

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS – ARCHITECT RESULTS

It was moved by Dr. Huffman and seconded by Dr. Driscoll to authorize the administration to enter into an agreement with Demonica Kemper Architects as the College’s architect.  Motion passed by voice vote.

REQUEST PERMISSION TO PREPARE AN RFP FOR A HEALTH INSURANCE CONSULTANT

It was moved by Mr. Solon and seconded by Ms. Goetz to solicit requests for proposals (RFPs) for a health insurance (medical, dental, and vision) consultant.  Motion passed by voice vote.

PURCHASE REQUEST – STUDENT COMPUTER UPGRADES

It was moved by Dr. Driscoll and seconded by Mr. Burnette to approve the purchase of 14 Latitude 3450 laptops, 48 OptiPlex 7020 desktops, and 46 OptiPlex 9020 desktop computers from Dell, Inc., in the amount of $75,015.86.  Motion passed by voice vote.

TRUSTEE COMMENT

Mr. Burnette reported members of the Student Government Association and Amy Rogowski, past student trustee, attended Lobby Day in Springfield.  It was a large success and Senator Sue Rezin and Representative Frank Mautino have committed to supporting the Community College System.  Mr. Burnette congratulated the Black Student Association on a successful bake sale on May 4.  Regarding the recent production of Sugar Babies, Mr. Burnette received negative feedback from students of its treatment of sex – some felt it was very sexist.  He was asked to bring this to the Board’s attention.  Dr. Corcoran and Dr. Anderson are working with the Humanities Division and the theater department to provide greater oversight and greater representation in choosing future theatre productions. Ms. Goetz congratulated Kevin Caufield on his article of an IVCC student, Polly Robinson, which was recognized as one of the top articles.  Ms. Bonucci was happy and honored to attend the ceremony for the artist John Aducci and the dedication of the “Power On” sculpture – a great enhancement to the campus.