April 8, 2021 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, April 8, 2021 in the Board Room (C307) at Illinois Valley Community College.

Members Physically Present

Jane E. Goetz, Chair

Everett J. Solon, Vice Chair

Angela M. Stevenson, Secretary

Amy L. Boyles

Jay K. McCracken

Members Virtually Present

David O. Mallery

Naomi Ochuba, Student Trustee

Madison N. Miranda, Student Trustee-Elect

Members Telephonically Present

Members Absent

Maureen O. Rebholz

Others Physically Present

Jerry Corcoran, President

Chris Dunlap, Director of Information Technology Services

Walt Zukowski, Attorney

Others Virtually Present

Cheryl Roelfsema, Vice President for Business Services & Finance

Deborah Anderson, Vice President for Academic Affairs

Mark Grzybowski Vice President for Student Services

Bonnie Campbell, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs

Leslie Hofer, Director of Human Resources

Ms. Goetz informed of a couple of items: 1) The provisions related to the Open Meetings Act allowing for Board meetings to be virtual continue due to Governor Pritzker’s most recent disaster proclamation and 2) it is the custom and practice of the college to record Board meetings and the meeting was being recorded both audio and video.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

It was moved by Mr. Solon and seconded by Ms. Stevenson to approve the agenda, as presented.

Student Advisory Vote: – “Aye” – Ms. Ochuba. Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Mr. Solon, Ms. Stevenson, Mr. Mallery, Mr. McCracken, Dr. Boyles and Ms. Goetz. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None

RECOGNITION – NAOMI OCHUBA, STUDENT TRUSTEE

Ms. Goetz read a resolution and presented it to Naomi Ochuba along with a gift on behalf of the Board of Trustees to express sincere appreciation that Naomi has given generously of her time, energy, and talents in her responsibilities as Student Trustee to the College. Board members thanked Ms. Ochuba for her service.

Ms. Goetz was joined by the Board members in welcoming Madison Miranda as the newly elected Student Trustee for 2021-2022.

CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS

It was moved by Mr. McCracken and seconded by Mr. Solon to approve the consent agenda, as presented.

Student Advisory Vote: – “Aye” – Ms. Ochuba. Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Mr. Solon, Ms. Stevenson, Mr. Mallery, Mr. McCracken, Dr. Boyles and Ms. Goetz. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.

The following items were approved in the consent agenda:

Approval of Minutes – March 11, 2021 Board Meeting.

Approval of Bills - $981,879.61

Education Fund - $734,057.86; Operations & Maintenance Fund - $86,544.49; Operations & Maintenance (Restricted Fund) - $98,270.38; Auxiliary Fund - $14,671.45; Restricted Fund - $11,983.86; Audit Fund - $1,100.00; and Liability, Protection & Settlement Fund - $35,251.57.

Treasurer’s Report

Personnel

Approved stipends for pay periods ending March 13, 2021 & Part-time Faculty and Staff Appointments of March 2021.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Dr. Corcoran noted how beautiful the campus looks, especially this time of year when spring is in the air, flowers are blooming, all the grass has recently been cut, and spring sports are underway. Dr. Corcoran noted that Scott Curley’s custodial, maintenance and grounds-keeping staff do great work and he is proud of them. Dr. Corcoran informed that last night Cory Tomasson filled us in on the Student Government Association election results: Student Trustee - Madison Miranda; President – Emme Bottom; Vice-President – Eva Smush; Secretary – Nicolette Kendall; Treasurer – Helena Ogle; and Sophomore Programming Board – Emily Walker. Dr. Corcoran extended congratulations to all of the students who stepped forward to serve in these leadership positions. He added that we are looking forward to working with you over the next year. Dr. Corcoran noted that Judy Day and he have had delightful conversations with Madison Miranda and it is clear that she is taking the position of Student Trustee very seriously like her friends Naomi Ochuba and Toni Galindo did before her. Dr. Corcoran reported that our Academic Affairs division is proud to announce that IVCC is partnering with the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Nursing on an RN-to-bachelor’s program. He noted that the “Pathway RN/BS Program” allows seamless transfer of IVCC credit to SIUE for completion of the nursing baccalaureate. Students complete the AAS and the majority of the general education requirements prior to attending SIUE. Dr. Corcoran informed that students may enroll in two of the university’s nursing courses prior to obtaining RN licensure. SIUE’s accelerated program is offered in an 8-week, online format to accommodate the needs of working RNs. Dr. Corcoran noted that it can be completed in one year (three semesters) if most gen-ed requirements are met at admission. Students can also choose a slower program progression. Dr. Corcoran reported that IVCC Director of Nursing Jennifer Grobe is on record as saying “Much like our program, SIUE’s School of Nursing is an excellent value, is well-respected and affordable. “Nursing students often have to keep up with demanding courses while also juggling family and work responsibilities. The IVCC-SIUE partnership is a way to earn a BSN with minimal expense and travel.” Dr. Corcoran noted that Dr. Grobe is the college’s point person on this terrific partnership – in the short amount of time since joining us, Dr. Grobe has hit the ground running. Dr. Corcoran reported that as of Wednesday, the Foundation’s fifth annual Giving Day on April 1 had raised over $31,000, an increase of more than $7,000 from the previous year. There were 107 donors, up from 76 one year ago. Dr. Corcoran extended special thanks to Janice Corrigan for coordinating the campaign and to all the trustees who contributed so generously. Dr. Corcoran informed that tomorrow, April 9 the Illinois Community College Career Services Professionals Commission is hosting a statewide virtual career fair from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. He added that IVCC is one of 19 community colleges participating in the program thanks to Lisa Witalka, the college’s career services specialist. Dr. Corcoran reported that as of a few days ago 251 employers were registered to participate. He shared that employer industries to be represented range from advertising, agriculture, automotive, engineering, banking, construction, insurance, manufacturing, retail, transportation and logistics, and utilities/renewable energy. Dr. Corcoran noted that we appreciate Lisa’s fine work and hope that tomorrow is a success. He added that the goal is to have 500 participants /candidates attend. Dr. Corcoran informed that a few days ago he had an enjoyable meeting with Oglesby Mayor Dom Rivara and Commissioner Jason Curran about the city of Oglesby’s continuing interest in building a solar energy-generating facility on college property in order to demonstrate the city’s immediate commitment to renewable energy and long-term interest in providing electricity to our campus. Dr. Corcoran noted that once he has a proposal in writing from them, he will be happy to bring it to the attention of the board’s facilities committee for consideration. Dr. Corcoran was delighted to share that Ida Brown, long-time financial aid office employee who is retiring at the end of the month, was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Illinois Association of Financial Aid Administrators Conference this afternoon. Dr. Corcoran added that the award is well-deserved and offered congratulations to Ida on a job well done.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

None

APPROVAL OF THE CERTIFICATE: HELP DESK

It was moved by Mr. Solon and seconded by Dr. Boyles to approve the Help Desk Certificate, as presented.

Student Advisory Vote: – “Aye” – Ms. Ochuba. Roll Call Vote: “Ayes”– Mr. Solon, Ms. Stevenson, Mr. Mallery, Mr. McCracken, Dr. Boyles and Ms. Goetz. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.

FACULTY RETIREMENT – LAURA HODGSON, LABORATORY INSTRUCTOR FOR NURSING

It was moved by Mr. McCracken and seconded by Mr. Mallery to accept with regret the retirement notice of Laura Hodgson, Laboratory Instructor for Nursing, effective May 31, 2021.

Student Advisory Vote: – “Aye” – Ms. Ochuba. Roll Call Vote: “Ayes”– Mr. Solon, Ms. Stevenson, Mr. Mallery, Mr. McCracken, Dr. Boyles and Ms. Goetz. “Nay” – none. Motion carried. The Board members expressed congratulations and best wishes to Ms. Hodgson on her retirement.

TRANSFER OF FUNDS – CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD TRUST ACCOUNT

It was moved by Ms. Stevenson and seconded by Dr. Boyles to approve the transfer of $55,400 to the Capital Development Board trust account at Heartland Bank and Trust Company to cover additional costs for Project No. 810-046-019, as presented.

Student Advisory Vote: – “Aye” – Ms. Ochuba. Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Mr. Solon, Ms. Stevenson, Mr. Mallery, Mr. McCracken, Dr. Boyles and Ms. Goetz. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.

ITEMS FOR INFORMATION

Ms. Goetz noted that the letter for the 2021 Outstanding Full-time Faculty Member Award Nomination, Dr. Kimberly Radek-Hall is an item for information. Another item is the letter for the 2021 Outstanding Part-time Faculty Member Award Nomination, Christina Boughton. Congratulations were extended to both Dr. Radek-Hall and Ms. Boughton. Ms. Goetz informed that the ICCTA Annual Conference is set for June 4 and 5 at Bloomington-Normal with the Annual Awards Ceremony occurring the evening of June 4.

TRUSTEE COMMENT

Ms. Goetz noted that an organizational meeting of the Board needs to be scheduled after canvassing the votes from the April 6^th election. A special meeting of the Board was set for Monday, May 3 at 5:00 p.m. in the Board Room.

Ms. Goetz thanked Leslie Hofer and Paula Hallock for their work in scheduling the recent activities and open forums for the vice president candidates. Ms. Goetz thanked the Trustees for attending the open forum.

FACULTY RETIREMENT – LAURA HODGSON, LABORATORY INSTRUCTOR FOR NURSING

It was moved by Mr. McCracken and seconded by Mr. Mallery to accept with regret the retirement notice of Laura Hodgson, Laboratory Instructor for Nursing, effective May 31, 2021.

TRANSFER OF FUNDS – CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD TRUST ACCOUNT

Student Advisory Vote: – “Aye” – Ms. Ochuba. Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Mr. Solon, Ms. Stevenson, Mr. Mallery, Mr. McCracken, Dr. Boyles and Ms. Goetz. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.

ITEMS FOR INFORMATION

TRUSTEE COMMENT

CLOSED SESSION MINUTES

It was moved by Mr. Solon and seconded by Dr. Boyles to approve and retain the closed session minutes of March 11, 2021.

Student Advisory Vote: – “Aye” – Ms. Ochuba. Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Mr. Solon, Ms. Stevenson, Mr. Mallery, Mr. McCracken, Dr. Boyles and Ms. Goetz. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.

OTHER

Mr. Mallery requested that the documents or a summary for the solar energy facility at the college be forwarded to him. Dr. Corcoran advised that while there continues to be cordial discussions with the City of Oglesby officials regarding the solar energy proposal, he has no paperwork on it at this time. Dr. Corcoran assured that should he receive any documentation on the proposal it would be shared first with Mr. Mallery, Chair of the Facilities Committee. Ms. Goetz expressed appreciation to Mr. Mallery on behalf of the Board for all that he does as Facilities Committee Chair.

ADJOURNMENT

Ms. Goetz declared the meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.