February 11, 2016 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, February 11, 2016 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
Jane E. Goetz
David O. Mallery
Everett J. Solon
Austin M. Burnette, Student Trustee

Members Absent

Laurie A. Bonucci

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

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

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

PUBLIC COMMENT

None.

CONSENT AGENDA

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

The following items were approved in the consent agenda:

Approval of Minutes – January 14, 2016 Board Meeting

Approval of Bills - $1,752,144.16

Education Fund - $1,233,181.00; Operations & Maintenance Fund - $82,564.27; Operations & Maintenance (Restricted Fund) - $278,639.51; Auxiliary Fund - $85,896.28; Restricted Fund - $12,491.76; and Liability, Protection and Settlement Fund - $59,371.34

Treasurer’s Report

Personnel

Approved the stipends for pay periods ending January 10, 2016 and January 24, 2016

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Dr. Corcoran made reference to a report at each board member’s place from Dean Ron Groleau regarding last week’s annual Academic Challenge event that was held on campus. Ron has proudly served as the site coordinator for this program for many years-- he and his team do a fabulous job. Dr. Corcoran congratulated the 260 students from 12 high schools who participated.  An IVCC open house is scheduled for Tuesday, March 8 from 5-7:30 p.m. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about career and technical programs, visit labs and talk with instructors. The Student Services division will be well represented that evening with staff from admissions, financial aid, counseling, Project Success, tutoring, the Learning Commons and career services. Breakout sessions for those interested in transferring seamlessly to a senior institution, or those who may be undecided at this point, or anyone with questions on financial aid will benefit. Sue Isermann and Mark Grzybowski and their colleagues are planning an enjoyable and informative event. An International Festival is scheduled for Thursday, March 10 at 6 p.m. in the IVCC gym. This program is one of many good things that have come about as a result of the College’s partnership with University of Illinois Extension. The first experience at cohosting an International Festival was two years ago and it yielded outstanding results with 500 people on campus. The decision was made to only offer if every other year. This year there will be 21 booths manned by 4-H Leaders and their clubs. Sara Escatel is the person who deserves credit for coming up with this plan and making all of the arrangements. March 10 is also the date for the next board meeting so Dr. Corcoran encouraged board members to come early if they can and experience a trip around the world from inside the College’s gymnasium.  The Illinois Valley Building Trades Council (IVBTC) will be working in partnership with the College and Starved Rock Associates for Career and Technical Education on arrangements for the annual Career Expo to be held on Friday, March 18.  Over 1,100 have registered for this year from 18 different schools, all 8^th and 9^th graders.  Each student will attend two career exploration sessions between 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.  Overall there will be approximately 50 different career sessions.  In addition to IVBTC, sessions are also presented by the College’s faculty, staff, and other businesses partners.  Dr. Corcoran encouraged everyone to mark their calendars for that event as well.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Dr. Huffman reported the Audit/Finance Committee met on Monday, February 1 and there was consensus to bring the recommendations on tuition adjustment, course fees/adjustments, and the agriculture program instructor/coordinator position to the full Board tonight.  The Committee had a brief discussion on the deliberations underway to see if there can be some kind of incentive program for dual credit/dual enrollment students modeled after a program in Florida.  There were questions on the payback for the investment the College would make. The administration will continue to deliberate on what kind of incentive program, for students who complete at least 30 credit hours of dual credit-dual enrollment, would attract students who might not otherwise attend IVCC. Dr. Huffman reported Cheryl Roelfsema presented a three-year financial plan.  IVCC revenues are anticipated to remain stable in local taxes for the next three years.  Tuition increases are anticipated to be in the range of $5 to $6 per credit hour and no increases in state funding.  The assumption from state funding is 75 percent of what would have been expected.  This year state funding has been zero.  The College will follow the same premise and continue to levy the additional tax provided to equalization districts.  If the additional tax was not levied, the administration would have to cut the budget by $3.8 million which would mean a reduction of 40 to 60 full-time positions. 

STAFF RETIREMENT – SUE ISERMANN, ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS AND DEAN OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

It was moved by Dr. Huffman and seconded by Mr. Solon to accept with regret the retirement notice of Sue Isermann, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dean of Workforce Development, and Ottawa Center Administrator, effective July 31, 2016.  Dr. Corcoran appreciated the fact that Sue gave advance notice of her retirement so there would be a smooth transition.  No one can replace Sue Isermann.  She has been a great resource for 35 years and she will be missed.  Motion passed by voice vote.

FACULTY RETIREMENT – NORMAN ENGSTROM, CHORAL MUSIC/THEATRE INSTRUCTOR

It was moved by Mr. Mallery and seconded by Dr. Driscoll to accept with regret the retirement of Norman Engstrom, Choral Music/Theatre Instructor, effective June 16, 2016.  Dr. Huffman noted that Sue Isermann and Norm Engstrom are two long-serving people who have done a lot for the institution.  They have always been there to help the College whenever needed.  As a retiree, Dr. Huffman has not found anything better.  He wished good luck to both. Motion passed by voice vote.

RESOLUTION DESIGNATING THE FISCAL YEAR

It was moved by Dr. Driscoll and the seconded by Dr. Huffman to adopt the resolution designating the fiscal year be from July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017 and approve the budget calendar, as presented.  Motion passed by voice vote.

TUITION ADJUSTMENT

It was moved by Mr. Solon and seconded by Ms. Goetz to approve an increase in tuition by $5.00, from $111.60 to $116.60 per credit hour beginning with the summer 2016 semester. Mr. Burnette noted that this increase comes with the approval of the Student Government Association (SGA).  Dr. Corcoran thanked Mr. Burnette for his willingness to attend the Audit/Finance Committee and the SGA meetings and appreciated his support of the tuition increase.  Motion passed by voice vote.

COURSE FEES/ADJUSTMENTS

It was moved by Dr. Driscoll and seconded by Dr. Huffman to change 55 course fees:  49 increases, 4 decreases, one new course, plus the assignment of a course fee to one existing course, as presented.  Motion passed by voice vote.

AGRICULTURE PROGRAM INSTRUCTOR/COORDINATOR POSITION

It was moved by Dr. Huffman and seconded by Mr. Solon to begin the process of recruiting candidates for the Agriculture Program Instructor/Coordinator Position so that the College can build an exemplary agriculture program that meets the needs of the IVCC community.  Dr. Huffman noted that the board members have received a report from Reed Wilson on the steering committee that has worked to put the plan together and move it forward. This program needs to be started with employing the right person and having the right curriculum.  Mr. Mallery did not see what particular goals or key performance indicators were presented and he wanted these conveyed to each of the candidates. In the status report of the steering committee distributed to board members last month, realistic enrollment figures were 25 for 2016/2017, 50 for 2017/2018 and 75+ for 2018/2019.  Dr. Huffman’s opinion is this program will succeed to a large degree on who is hired in the position.  He noted this person needs to acquire the loyalty of the district high school instructors and build the kind of ag program that the district needs.  Ms. Bonucci was not present at the meeting.  She has been a valuable contributor at the committee meetings.  She wanted to be on record as supporting the hiring of this position.  Ms. Olivero was concerned with declining revenues and enrollments and then expending additional funds.  She noted she is willing to take a chance given the support it has received; she is just a little skeptical of the timing.  Motion passed by voice vote.

BID RESULTS – PROTECTION, HEALTH AND SAFETY PROJECT – LECTURE HALL D-225 RENOVATION

It was moved by Mr. Mallery and seconded by Mr. Burnette to accept the base bid from Vanguard Contractors, Inc. – Pekin, IL, in the amount of $476,200 for the PHS Project – Lecture Hall D-225 Renovation.  Mr. Mallery noted the alternative bid would be for liquidated damages and would be a deduction if everything went well.  The completion date is the first week of August.  Motion passed by voice vote.

TRUSTEE COMMENT

Mr. Mallery noted his son had a good experience visiting IVCC with other classmates and his daughter just graduated from IVCC with two degrees in December.  Mr. Mallery would be proud if his son attended IVCC. 

Mr. Burnette was glad to see that Ron Groleau received recognition for the WYSE competition.   He and his staff do a good job and everything comes together smoothly.  Mr. Burnette participated in the WYSE competition all four years in high school and also advanced every year.

Ms. Olivero reminded everyone that the president’s evaluation and the Board self-evaluation need to be completed soon.  Since Ms. Olivero and Dr. Huffman will not be present for the March board meeting, the discussion on the evaluations will take place at the April board meeting.  Board members should be receiving the evaluation forms soon to be completed.