November 18, 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, November 18, 2021 in the Board Room (C307) at Illinois Valley Community College.
Members Physically Present
Everett J. Solon, Chair
Jay K. McCracken, Vice Chair
Jane E. Goetz
William F. Hunt
Maureen O. Rebholz
Members Virtually Present
Amy L. Boyles
Madison N. Miranda, Student Trustee
Members Telephonically Present
Members Absent
Angela M. Stevenson, Secretary
Others Physically Present
Jerry Corcoran, President
Matthew Seaton, Vice President for Business Services & Finance
Mark Grzybowski, Vice President for Student Services
Bonnie Campbell, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs
Leslie Hofer, Director of Human Resources
Walt Zukowski, Attorney
Others Virtually Present
Deborah Anderson, Vice President for Academic Affairs
Mr. Solon informed of the following 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 Ms. Goetz and seconded by Mr. McCracken to approve the agenda, as presented.
Student Advisory Vote: – “Aye” – Ms. Miranda. Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Rebholz, Dr. Boyles, Ms. Goetz, Mr. Hunt, Mr. McCracken and Mr. Solon. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.
APPOINTMENT OF SECRETARY PRO-TEM
Mr. Solon appointed Ms. Goetz as secretary pro-tem in the absence of Ms. Stevenson.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Delores Robinson, English Instructor provided a “Spotlight on the Classroom” presentation. Ms. Robinson focused on student Harvey Vela’s participation in a National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates. Vela, a student of IVCC biology instructor Lauri Carey, participated in a twelve-week research project culminating in a poster presentation at the Illinois Summer Research Symposium entitled “The Effects of Forest Management Practices on Wild Bee Abundance and Functional Traits.”
CAMPUS UPDATE – IVCC FOUNDATION
Fran Brolley informed that the Illinois Valley Community College Foundation enjoyed an exceptional year in 2020-2021. This fall and spring, the Foundation will have awarded a record $400,000 in scholarships to 240 students. Mr. Brolley noted that awards created this past year include Larry and Christine Huffman’s Helping Hands Scholarship for adults, Kathy Notbohm’s Journey Scholarship for single parents, NuEra’s for cannabis production students and Dr. Kamal Kishore, owner of the Illinois Retina and Eye Institute, established ten $1,000 scholarships for healthcare and pre-med students. He added that awards were created in memory of Sandra Swanlund, Martha Burgess, Melva Richards, Kristine Jordan Kalil, Anna Marie Thorp, Ed Koscielski and Marlene and Melvin Mertel. Further, the Foundation endowment grew to 139 individual funds. Mr. Brolley noted that the 21st Century Scholars Society continues to reward our most promising second-year students. Eight students, including 21st Century Scholar Helena Ogle of Streator, were honored.
Mr. Brolley announced that Ms. Jane Goetz was being honored for her years of service at the college. He noted that Ms. Goetz joined IVCC’s Foundation in 2004 and served until her election to the Board in 2013. She was Board Chair for four years and continues serving as a trustee. Dr. Corcoran presented Ms. Goetz with the college’s Spirit Award for extraordinary service to students, the college and the Foundation.
CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
It was moved by Mr. McCracken and seconded by Dr. Rebholz to approve the consent agenda, as presented.
Student Advisory Vote: – “Aye” – Ms. Miranda. Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Rebholz, Dr. Boyles, Ms. Goetz, Mr. Hunt, Mr. McCracken and Mr. Solon. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.
The following items were approved in the consent agenda:
Approval of Minutes – October 14, 2021 Board Meeting.
Approval of Bills - $2,063,497.69
Education Fund - $1,765,895.79; Operations & Maintenance Fund - $88,448.44; Operations & Maintenance (Restricted Fund) - $47,706.12; Auxiliary Fund - $73,717.25; Restricted Fund - $53,169.37; Liability, Protection & Settlement Fund - $33,661.82; and Grants, Loans & Scholarships – $898.90.
Treasurer’s Report
Personnel
Approved stipends for pay periods ending October 9, 2021; October 23, 2021; and November 6, 2021 & Part-time Faculty and Staff Appointments October 2021.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Dr. Corcoran reported that as noted on pages 43-45 of tonight’s agenda, Nick Fish has earned the right to be awarded tenure at an unusual time of the year because his full-time hiring date was January of 2019. Dr. Corcoran noted that although we will be celebrating this achievement in February with other newly-tenured faculty, we congratulate him tonight for having earned this coveted recognition, and thank him for a job well done. Dr. Corcoran informed that other items for information noted in the agenda include Cory Tomasson’s correspondence with the National Junior College Athletic Association regarding our adding men’s and women’s cross country to the mix of sports at IVCC, and the realigning of our athletic program by moving baseball and men’s and women’s soccer from D3 to D2 status as well as men’s and women’s tennis from D3 to D1. He added that we believe this action will improve recruiting efforts and increase roster size at a time when we need to boost enrollments and offer scholarships to relive the financial burden for students with financial needs. Dr. Corcoran noted that incidentally, women’s tennis is doing a great job thanks to coach Julie Milota. They recently finished 3rd at the D3 tournament in Georgia. Dr. Corcoran informed that Vice Presidents Seaton and Grzybowski and Associate Vice President Campbell have included an excellent update regarding how we are spending Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds on page 49 of the board book. We think the bookstore gift cards offer for those who provide proof of vaccinations has been well received so we’re doing the same for students once they enroll in the spring term. He added that as a retention incentive, students who enroll for the spring and persist in at least 12 credit hours beyond April 7th will receive $1,000. For those who enroll and persist in 6 to 11 hours they will receive $500 after April 7. Dr. Corcoran noted that lastly, all dual credit and some dual enrollment tuition and fees will be waived for the spring semester. He added that Susan Monroe is eager to begin spreading the word to her many contacts at all of the high schools in the district, which we think should be very well received. Dr. Corcoran informed that Tom Quigley and his admissions and records staff should be commended for the effective Explore IVCC program they offered to the community Tuesday evening. We had a nice turn out with folks who enjoyed being back on campus. Dr. Corcoran reported that IVCC’s online footprint continues to grow. Dr. Patrice Hess, our director of learning resources, provided a number of us with an overview on where we are in this regard recently, and he thought that you would enjoy seeing it as well, so we are planning to have her provide a Campus Update on the topic in the new future, Dr. Corcoran informed that Dr. Gary Roberts, our new VP for academic affairs has informed us that he and his wife Amanda have purchased a home in the district and although his official start date is January 1, he will be with us for a few days next week to begin the process of getting up-to-speed on major initiatives ongoing at IVCC. Dr. Corcoran noted that Dr. Anderson has been very thoughtful in making sure that the transition is seamless – we thank her for her professionalism in this regard.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
None
PROTECTION, HEALTH AND SAFETY PROJECTS 2021
It was moved by Ms. Goetz and seconded by Dr. Rebholz to approve the three Protection, Health and Safety projects as presented for a cost of $2,755,938 and authorize the administration to include levy accordingly for the projects in coordination with the Tax Levy resolution.
Student Advisory Vote: – “Aye” – Ms. Miranda. Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Rebholz, Dr. Boyles, Ms. Goetz, Mr. Hunt, Mr. McCracken and Mr. Solon. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.
2021 TENTATIVE TAX LEVY
It was moved by Mr. McCracken and seconded by Mr. Hunt to Adopt the Resolution approving a Tentative Tax Levy that would keep the tax rate nearly flat for all District stakeholders and schedule a Truth-in-Taxation hearing at the December Board of Trustees meeting.
Student Advisory Vote: – “Aye” – Ms. Miranda. Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Rebholz, Dr. Boyles, Ms. Goetz, Mr. Hunt, Mr. McCracken and Mr. Solon. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.
SCHEDULE OF REGULAR MEETING DATES AND TIMES
It was moved by Ms. Goetz and seconded by Dr. Rebholz to approve the following meeting dates for 2021 and provide public notice of this schedule. All meetings will take place at 5:30 p.m. in Room C-307, the Board Room, on the campus of Illinois Valley Community College, 815 North Orlando Smith Road, Oglesby, Illinois.
Thursday, January 13, 2022 Thursday, July 14, 2022
Thursday, February 10, 2022 Thursday, August 18, 2022
Thursday, March 10, 2022 Thursday, September 8, 2022
Thursday, April 14, 2022 Thursday, October 13, 2022
Thursday, May 12, 2022 Thursday, November 10, 2022
Thursday, June 9, 2022 Thursday, December 8, 2022
Student Advisory Vote: – “Aye” – Ms. Miranda. Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Rebholz, Dr. Boyles, Ms. Goetz, Mr. Hunt, Mr. McCracken and Mr. Solon. “Nay” – none. Motion carried
PURCHASE REQUEST – CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE
It was moved by Mr. Hunt and seconded by Ms. Goetz to approve the authorization to purchase of Slate by Technolutions in the amount of $50,000.
Student Advisory Vote: – “Aye” – Ms. Miranda. Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Rebholz, Dr. Boyles, Ms. Goetz, Mr. Hunt, Mr. McCracken and Mr. Solon. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.
BOARD POLICY 3.9 – TUITION POLICIES
It was moved by Dr. Rebholz and seconded by Mr. McCracken to approve the changes to Board Policy 3.9, -- Tuition Policies, as presented.
Student Advisory Vote: – “Aye” – Ms. Miranda. Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Rebholz, Dr. Boyles, Ms. Goetz, Mr. Hunt, Mr. McCracken and Mr. Solon. “Nay” – none. Motion carried. Ms. Goetz noted that the Board Planning Committee recommended at its meeting on November 18, 2021 that the revised Board Policy 3.9 on Tuition Policies be presented to the full Board.
STAFF APPOINTMENT – DEAN OF HUMANITIES/FINE ARTS/SOCIAL SCIENCES
No action was taken on this item.
ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
Mr. Solon pointed out the information items on pages 43-58 of the Board book.
TRUSTEE COMMENT
Ms. Goetz shared ICCTA Board Highlights from the November 12-13, 2021 meetings.
CLOSED SESSION
Mr. Solon requested a motion and a roll call vote at 6:58 p.m. to enter into a closed session to discuss: 1) complaint lodged against an official or employee of the public body; 2) the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body; 3) collective negotiations; and 4) closed session minutes. Motion made by Ms. Goetz and seconded by Dr. Rebholz to enter into a closed session.
Student Advisory Vote: – “Aye” – Ms. Miranda. Roll Call Vote: “Ayes”– Dr. Rebholz, Dr. Boyles Ms. Goetz, Mr. Hunt, Mr. McCracken and Mr. Solon. “Nay” – none. Motion carried. The Board immediately entered closed session at 7:00 p.m.
Motion made by Dr. Boyles and seconded by Ms. Goetz to return to the regular meeting.
Student Advisory Vote: – “Aye” – Ms. Miranda. Roll Call Vote: “Ayes”– Dr. Rebholz, Dr. Boyles, Ms. Goetz, Mr. Hunt, Mr. McCracken and Mr. Solon. “Nay” – none. Motion carried. The regular meeting resumed at 7:25 p.m.
POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF RETIREMENT AGREEMENTS
Motion made by Dr. Rebholz and seconded by Mr. McCracken to approve the retirement letters and agreements with Randy Rambo, English Instructor and Tony Ruda, Health and Wellness Instructor, as presented.
Student Advisory Vote: – “Aye” – Ms. Miranda. Roll Call Vote: “Ayes”– Dr. Rebholz, Dr. Boyles, Ms. Goetz, Mr. Hunt, Mr. McCracken and Mr. Solon. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.
CLOSED SESSION MINUTES
It was moved by Mr. McCracken and seconded by Dr. Rebholz to approve and retain the closed session minutes of October 14, 2021.
Student Advisory Vote: – “Aye” – Ms. Miranda. Roll Call Vote: “Ayes”– Dr. Rebholz, Dr. Boyles, Ms. Goetz, Mr. Hunt, Mr. McCracken and Mr. Solon. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.
OTHER
None
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Solon declared the meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.