March 14, 2019 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, March 14, 2019 in the Board Room (C307) at Illinois Valley Community College.
Members Physically Present
Jane E. Goetz, Chair
Everett J. Solon, Vice Chair
Amy L. Boyles
Jay K. McCracken
Melissa M. Olivero
Angela M. Stevenson
Joseph M. Marenda, Student Trustee
Members Absent
David O. Mallery, Secretary
Members Telephonically Present
Others Physically Present
Jerry Corcoran, President
Cheryl Roelfsema, Vice President for Business Services and Finance
Deborah Anderson, Vice President for Academic Affairs
Mark Grzybowski, Vice President for Student Services
Robyn Schiffman, Dean of Humanities, Fine Arts, and Social Sciences
Patricia Williamson, Director of Financial Aid
Walt Zukowski, Attorney
APPOINTMENT OF SECRETARY PRO-TEM
Ms. Goetz appointed Ms. Stevenson as secretary pro-tem in the absence of Mr. Mallery.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
It was moved by Mr. Solon and seconded by Mr. McCracken to approve the agenda, as presented. Motion passed by voice vote.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
CAMPUS UPDATE – FALL 2018 STUDENT DEMOGRAPIC REPORT
Mr. Mark Grzybowski presented the Fall 2018 Student Demographic Report. He shared information on Fall tenth day enrollment by enrollment status, residence, college-bound seniors, location, gender, age group, percentage of students receiving financial assistance, number of students receiving Foundation assistance, ethnicity, education goal, and employment status. Student demographic metrics of the 2018 Fall semester remained consistent compared to those at the same point in time during recently completed fall semesters. Mr. Grzybowski noted an interesting trend is the percentage share of total enrollment accounted for by students aged 18. These students accounted for 21.2% of IVCC’s total enrollment as of the tenth day of the 2018 Fall semester. This figure represents a nearly 2% increase from tenth day Fall 2017 and is reflective of a younger student body. Mr. Grzybowski pointed out that in Fall 2010 the mean age of IVCC students was 25 years old. The mean age was 23.8 years old in the Fall of 2018. Mr. Grzybowski informed that student financials have been slightly readjusted this year to provide a more accurate snapshot of institutional data. In the past, information on this slide detailed an awarded amount of aid as opposed to a received amount of aid. In the Financial Aid world, the term awarded refers to all FAFSA filers who list IVCC as a school on their FAFSA, which inherently includes some who choose to enroll elsewhere. Mr. Grzybowski added that we found it to be more applicable to share the received aid figures, which is reflective of only those FAFSA filers who chose to enroll at IVCC. Mr. Grzybowski thanked Ms. Patricia Williamson, Director of Financial Aid for her contributions to this report.
CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
It was moved by Mr. Solon and seconded by Dr. Boyles 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 14, 2019 Board Meeting.
Approval of Bills - $2,655,246.74
Education Fund - $1,875,192.96; Operations & Maintenance Fund - $76,245.69; Operations & Maintenance (Restricted Fund) - $575,241.80; Auxiliary Fund - $95,878.52; Restricted Fund - $10,249.14; Liability, Protection & Settlement Fund - $21,278.63; and Grants, Loans & Scholarships - $1,160.00.
Treasurer’s Report
Personnel
Approved the stipends for pay periods ending February 2, 2019 and February 16, 2019 and the Part-time Faculty and Staff Appointments of February 2019.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Dr. Corcoran congratulated Jacob McGeorge for winning this year’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. writing contest, and John Delaney and Marlee Theisinger for finishing second and third with their entries. Dr. Corcoran noted that the event was held this year on February 20 and is one of many offered throughout the year by IVCC’s Diversity Team, led by Amanda Cook-Fesperman. Dr. Corcoran was delighted to report that on February 28th he received great news from the Phi Theta Kappa organization that our Rho Omega Chapter of PTK was named a 2019 REACH Chapter and will receive special recognition in the form of five graduation stoles to be worn during commencement by PTK officers. The REACH Rewards program recognizes and rewards Phi Theta Kappa chapters that excel in the area of membership development. Ninety-one percent of PTK members will complete an associate degree or transfer to a four-year college, compared to just 38 percent of students nationally. Dr. Corcoran commended Eric Schroeder and Aseret Loveland, our club’s advisors, on a job well done. Dr. Corcoran was delighted to report that Jennifer Scheri, our terrific director of continuing education, just heard from Lumina Foundation that her team’s submittal of a proposal to move forward with an All Learning Counts initiative has been approved and we will soon be receiving a $10,000 planning award grant. The overarching goal of this work is to ensure that all post-secondary level learning from the military, work, and other experiences can count towards earning high-quality credentials. He noted that although there were 74 responses to the request of Lumina Adult Learner, 28 were invited to move forward and from that group we are one of four community colleges. Dr. Corcoran thanked Jennifer and her staff as well as Bonnie Campbell and Dr. Deb Anderson for their guidance and support. Dr. Corcoran informed that our annual Career Fair was held last week on campus. He added that he was attending meetings in Naperville and unable to be here, however, Susan Monroe reported that 1,038 students from 18 schools attended, there were 168 presenters, and 25 volunteers assisted in getting students to their sessions. Dr. Corcoran noted that every year this program underscores how lucky we are to work with our friends from Starved Rock Associates for Vocational and Technical Education (SRAVTE) and the partnership we have with the Building and Construction Trades and Contractors Association. He added that the Labor Management Group takes care of setting up all of the equipment on the east campus; they even held a business after-hours event with IVAC the night before to help everyone get a better feeling for what work in the trades involves. Dr. Corcoran reported that per Bonnie Campbell, “student and instructor feedback across the board was extremely positive.” Dr. Corcoran informed that the ICCTA Northwest Region meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 3 with a tour beginning at 5:15 p.m., the meeting to begin at 6 p.m., a presentation by Dorene Data on MIMIC and Women in Technology fields after the meal and wrap up by 8 p.m. He noted that it looks like all colleges in the region will have someone in attendance. If you have not gotten back to Judy, please do so. Dr. Corcoran reported that our 28th annual job fair will be held on Thursday, April 11 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the gymnasium. He added that if you know of someone looking for work, please feel free to spread the word. Dr. Corcoran informed that our 23rd annual employee recognition event will be held on Thursday, April 18 at Grand Bear Lodge with a social hour beginning at 4 p.m., appetizers at 4:30 p.m. and the presentation of awards at 5:30 p.m. Please let Judy know if you can join us for this special event. Dr. Corcoran reported that Julie Hogue, our excellent director of nursing, has advised that our LPN Pinning ceremony will be held on Monday, July 22, at 5 p.m. in the Dr. Mary Margaret Weeg Cultural Centre. Please mark your calendars and join us if you can. Dr. Corcoran congratulated the LaMoille High School Board of Trustees, administration, faculty and staff for sponsoring the third annual STEAM conference on our campus on Tuesday, March 12 in the IVCC gymnasium. Dr. Corcoran informed that about 240 junior high and high school students benefitted from the half-day event. He noted that Superintendent Jay McCracken asked him to stop by for a visit and it was great watching students so engaged in active-learning hands-on projects. Dr. Corcoran added that he was only able to stay for 20 minutes but the program was well planned and executed and that it was also nice to hear Mr. Jason Marquis deliver the keynote address. Dr. Corcoran shared that it was very kind of the local labor management group to host a business after-hours at the IVCC Ottawa Center last evening and a chance for lots of people to pay tribute to Mayor Bob Eschbach for his 20 years of excellent service. Dr. Corcoran noted that it was also fitting to have the program at the Ottawa Center because of the role that Mayor Eschbach played in launching the Center in the first place. Dr. Corcoran reported that Trustees Jane Goetz, Everett Solon and Angie Stevenson were in attendance which reminded him of the role that Everett played in facilitating the sale of the Centrue Bank property to the City in the first place. Dr. Corcoran noted that Mayor Eschbach and the City Council have been incredibly supportive of IVCC and consistent advocates for postsecondary education. Dr. Corcoran thanked Mayor Bob and Commissioners Dan Aussem, Tom Ganiere, Wayne Eichelkraut and James Less and the late Ed Whitney (an IVCC graduate) for a job well done.
TENURE RECOMMENDATIONS
Dr. Anderson informed that the tenure process requires faculty demonstrate exemplary teaching, contributions to the college and community, and involvement with professional organizations. Faculty recommended for tenure were: Tammy Landgraf, Willard Mott, Heather Knoblauch, and Dr. Andrew Seeger.
Tammy Landgraf – Early Childhood Education Instructor
Dean Schiffman noted that Ms. Landgraf “loves what she does and it shows. Ms. Landgraf represents the best kind of education that exists because she teaches to the whole student. She is warm without being too familiar and tough without being too demanding.” It was moved by Mr. Solon and seconded by Dr. Boyles to approve the tenure of Tammy Landgraf, as presented. Motion passed by voice vote. Ms. Landgraf was present with her husband Mitch to share her portfolio and celebrate her success with the Board of Trustees.
Willard Mott – Agriculture Instructor
Dr. Anderson reported that Mr. Mott’s accomplishments include the development of two Associate of Applied Science degrees in agriculture, the reinvigoration of the student agriculture club, extensive community outreach to the agriculture community, and the development of partnerships with area businesses and the University of Illinois-Extension. In addition to all of this, Mr. Mott also completed his master’s degree in Agronomy during his probationary period. It was moved by Mr. Solon and seconded by Mr. McCracken to approve the tenure of Willard Mott, as presented. Motion passed by voice vote. Mr. Mott was present with his wife Stacy to share his portfolio and celebrate his success with the Board of Trustees.
Heather Knoblauch – Nursing Instructor
Dr. Anderson noted that Ms. Knoblauch’s accomplishments include teaching a variety of courses including pharmacology, obstetrics and gynecology and administrative procedures during her first three years as an instructor. Dr. Anderson added that Ms. Knoblauch has been active with both the college and community in the areas of service making her the complete package as an instructor. It was moved by Mr. Solon and seconded by Mr. McCracken to approve the tenure of Heather Knoblauch, as presented. Motion passed by voice vote.
Dr. Andrew Seeger – World Languages Instructor
Dean Schiffman reported that Dr. Seeger’s accomplishments include the acceleration of the beginning Spanish sequence into one semester with the introduction of eight-week courses of intensive language instruction. Dean Schiffman added that Dr. Seeger’s students enjoy his impressive knowledge of grammar and continue to learn important lessons beyond language acquisition in his classes. Motion made by Dr. Boyles and seconded by Ms. Olivero to approve the tenure of Dr. Andrew Seeger, as presented. Motion passed by voice vote.
FACULTY RETIREMENT – JEAN BATSON-TURNER, HUMAN SERVICES INSTRUCTOR
It was moved by Ms. Stevenson and seconded by Mr. McCracken to accept with regret the retirement and last working day May 31, 2019 of Jean Batson-Turner, Human Services Instructor. Motion passed by voice vote.
ADMINISTRATOR RETIREMENT – PATRICIA WILLIAMSON, DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL AID
It was moved by Mr. Solon and seconded by Ms. Stevenson to accept with regret the retirement of Patricia Williamson, Director of Financial Aid effective June 20, 2019. Dr. Corcoran thanked Ms. Williamson, who was present at the meeting, for her many years of excellent service to the college and wished her well in her retirement. Motion passed by voice vote.
TRUSTEE COMMENT
Mr. McCracken thanked Dr. Corcoran for visiting the STEAM conference held at IVCC on March 12. This was the third annual science, technology, engineering, arts and math conference to be held at the college and the event was sponsored by LaMoille High School and Superintendent Mr. Jay McCracken.
CLOSED SESSION
It was moved by Mr. Solon and seconded by Ms. Stevenson to convene a closed session at 7:05 p.m. to discuss 1) the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body; 2) collective negotiations; and 3) closed session minutes. Motion passed by voice vote.
After a short break, the Board entered closed session at 7:10 p.m. On a motion by Mr. McCracken and seconded by Dr. Boyles, the regular meeting resumed at 8:22 p.m. Motion passed by voice vote.
APPROVAL OF CLOSED SESSION MINUTES
It was moved by Ms. Stevenson and seconded by Mr. McCracken to approve and retain the Closed Session minutes of the February 14, 2019 Closed Session Meeting. Motion passed by voice vote.
OTHER
None
ADJOURNMENT
Ms. Goetz declared the meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.