May 11, 2023 Minutes of Regular Meeting

The Board of Trustees of Illinois Valley Community College District No. 513 convened a regular session at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 11, 2023 in the Board Room (C307) at Illinois Valley Community College.

Members Physically Present

Everett J. Solon, Chair

Jay K. McCracken, Vice Chair

Angela M. Stevenson, Secretary

Amy L. Boyles

Rebecca Donna

Jane E. Goetz

Elizabeth G. Boyles, Student Trustee

Members Virtually Present

Members Telephonically Present

Members Absent

Maureen O. Rebholz

Others Physically Present

Jerry Corcoran, President

Tracy Morris, President-Elect

Gary Roberts, Vice President for Academic Affairs

Mark Grzybowski, Vice President for Student Services

Kathy Ross, Controller   

Mary Beth Herron, Director of Human Resources

Walt Zukowski, Attorney

Others Virtually Present

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

It was moved by Mr. McCracken and seconded by Ms. Stevenson to approve the agenda.

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

PUBLIC COMMENT

None

CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS

It was moved by Ms. Goetz and seconded by Dr. Boyles to approve the consent agenda, as presented.

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

The following items were approved in the consent agenda:

Approval of Minutes – April 13, 2023 Board Meeting and April 25, 2023 Organizational Board Meeting.

Approval of Bills - $1,803,000.43

Education Fund - $903,911.07; Operations & Maintenance Fund - $66,614.24; Operations & Maintenance (Restricted Fund) - $394,433.56; Auxiliary Fund - $280,316.02; Restricted Fund - $115,251.01; and Liability, Protection & Settlement Fund - $42,474.53.

Treasurer’s Report

Personnel

Approved stipends for pay periods ending April 8, 2023 and April 22, 2023 & Part-time Faculty and Staff Appointments April 2023.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Dr. Corcoran noted that as the Board may recall on March 30th a meeting of the Board’s Planning Committee was held where the administration, led by Dr. Gary Roberts, presented a recap on a number of reports that are published regularly including IPEDS, PACE, CCSSE, and Transfer Data to look for themes that emerge regarding what the college is doing well and areas in which we need to improve. He informed that two of the reports discussed last week by the SLPC are the High School Market Penetration report, a topic that Dr. Larry Huffman underscored as being critically important to us at the recent reorganization meeting, and the annual online/blended instruction report that is compiled by Dr. Patrice Hess, Director of Learning Resources and Mary Black, one of our fabulous math instructors. Dr. Corcoran reported that three takeaways from market penetration report include (1) our penetration rate improved from 21.6 percent to 27.8 percent overall, and if one were to pull out the split-district schools such as Midland, Bureau Valley, Fieldcrest, Henry-Senachwine and Seneca, our rate would be 31.9 percent; (2) approximately 40 percent of the 2022 high school graduates did not attend college in the first three semesters after graduating from high school (he noted that is an astounding fact to him; however, one year earlier it was 51.1 percent of the graduates); and (3) our New in College Penetration Rate improved from 44 percent to 52 percent, the best in ten years. Dr. Corcoran noted that in other words, more than half of the high school population is now being served by IVCC. He noted that regarding what Dr. Hess and Mary Black call our Online Footprint Spring Report, here are some items that he thought you would like to know about:

  • The number of online class sections, enrollments, credit hours, and students taking online classes increases gradually each semester.
  • Overwhelmingly, our online students are traditional-aged students, 18-24, in Associate of Arts or Associate of Science (transfer) degree programs.
  • 302 students enrolled in the Spring 2023 semester were enrolled in ONLY online classes, no in-person classes.
  • Ninety-five percent of our online learners live within the IVCC district boundaries.
  • In Spring 2023, we enrolled 55 dual credit students in 3 fully online classes.
  • Our 12-week online classes, starting 4 weeks into the regular fall and spring semesters, are popular and have strong enrollments overall.
  • IVCC offers daytime, evening, and weekend academic, technical and personal support services as part of regular operations now (thanks to the pandemic).
  • We have an active faculty-led Distance Learning Committee planning innovative professional development for faculty in the Fall semester.
  • And as Patrice stated, “no place can take you so far…online!”  IVCC offers options to complete the Associate of Arts, Science, and General Studies degrees and a handful of certificates fully online.

As we wrap up FY23 and give one last look at the goal we set for the college to “partner with high schools on more opportunities for earning college credit by way of both dual enrollment and dual credit”, Dr. Corcoran commented that a lot of good IVCC people should be proud of what we have accomplished in this regard. This year’s MIMIC fair on April 19th, was a great success thanks to Dorene Data. Dr. Corcoran noted to please thank her for her hard work and impressive results. Dr. Corcoran added that he would miss Dorene and would also miss our Project Success team of Chris Herman, Cynthia Cardosi, Diane Scoma and their annual end-of-the-year program that was held today and well attended by students and staff. He commented that the April 28th employee recognition event was outstanding. Dr. Corcoran extended many thanks to event planning committee made up of Paula Hallock, Mary Beth Herron, Taylor Burden, Gerilynn Schultz, Crystal Credi and Tina Hardy, and the excellent turnout of trustees and foundation directors who joined us. Dr. Corcoran informed that we had a nice surprise recently when Matthew Carroll of Black Bros. Co. and his family handed Dr. Shane Lange and Jennifer Sowers a check for $30,000 to the college in recognition of our excellent Manufacturing Program. He added that details regarding the donation are forthcoming, but for the moment we are happy to say thank you to the Carroll Family and Black Bros. employees for their generosity and support. Dr. Corcoran thanked our custodians and maintenance staff who have worked hard with Scott Curley and Gerilynn Schultz to make the campus nothing short of beautiful in preparation for Nurse Pinning, Commencement and our Adult Education recognition programs.  Dr. Corcoran noted that we are lucky to have you at IVCC.

Dr. Morris introduced Sandra Beard who has been selected to fill the position of Executive Assistant to the President effective June 1. She noted that Ms. Beard has 30 plus years of experience in supporting executive-level in higher education.  A recommendation for Ms. Beard’s staff appointment appears as a Board information item.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Mr. Solon appointed Jay McCracken to the Facilities Committee and Rebecca Donna to the Planning Committee for Board committee assignments 2023-2025.

PURCHASE REQUEST – MODERN CAMPUS SUBSCRIPTION, WEBSITE HOSTING & SUPPORT RENEWAL

It was moved by Ms. Stevenson and seconded by Mr. McCracken to authorize the renewal of the Modern Campus Content Management System, Website Hosting, Campus Maps and Support Agreement in the amount of $31,700 for Year 1 from Modern Campus. Total Year 2 fees will be $32,235 and total Year 3 fees will be $33,846.75.

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

PURCHASE REQUEST – FURNITURE PURCHASES IN ECE RESOURCE CENTER

It was moved by Dr. Boyles and seconded by Dr. Donna to authorize to purchase the furniture for the ECE Resource Center from Henricksen, Peoria, IL through the OMNIA Partners and NCPA purchasing cooperatives, at a cost not to exceed $36,775.

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

PURCHASE REQUEST – EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CLASSROOM TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES

It was moved by Ms. Goetz and seconded by Mr. McCracken to authorize the purchase of Early Childhood Education Classroom Technology Upgrades by CTI Conference Technologies, Inc., East Peoria, IL in the amount not to exceed $32,000.

Student Advisory Vote: “Aye” – Ms. Boyles.  Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Boyles, Ms. Goetz, Dr. Donna, Ms. Stevenson, Mr. McCracken, and Mr. Solon.  “Nay” – none.  Motion carried. Ms. Stevenson noted that the technology upgrades and furniture purchases would be paid by grant funds.

PURCHASE REQUEST – FURNITURE UPGRADES FOR LIBRARY & OTHER AREAS ON CAMPUS

Motion made by Ms. Stevenson and seconded by Dr. Boyles to approve to purchase furniture for the library and other areas on campus for a total of $60,388.

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

PURCHASE REQUEST – COMPUTER HARDWARE FROM LENOVO & DELL

Motion made by Ms. Goetz and seconded by Dr. Donna to authorize the purchase of Computer hardware from Lenovo and Dell not to exceed the amount of $385,000.

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

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL – CULTURAL CENTRE THEATRE LIGHTING UPGRADE

It was moved by Dr. Boyles and seconded by Dr. Donna to authorize to seek proposals for a Cultural Centre Theatre Lighting Upgrade project not to exceed $150,000.

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

APPROVAL – ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE DEGREE: PARAMEDIC

It was moved by Ms. Stevenson and seconded by Mr. McCracken to approve the Paramedic Associate in Applied Science Degree, as presented.

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

IGEN GRANT – SOLAR ARRAY & EV CHARGING STATIONS

It was moved by Ms. Goetz and seconded by Dr. Boyles to authorize to utilize IGEN grant funds for the identified projects, as presented.

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

PROTECTION, HEALTH & SAFETY PROJECTS – SALT SHED CONSTRUCTION

It was moved by Ms. Stevenson and seconded by Mr. McCracken to approve the Salt Shed construction project as a Protection, Health and Safety project, as presented for a cost of $272,000.

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

ITEMS FOR INFORMATION

Mr. Solon pointed out the information items on pages 68-75 of the Board book.

TRUSTEE COMMENT

Mr. McCracken noted that much of the reported positive college enrollments could be attributed to the partnering with high schools to provide more opportunities for students to earn college credit by way of college and career start programs and dual credit/dual enrollment. He thanked the IVCC administration for making certain that those programs are in place.

Ms. Stevenson informed that Dr. Corcoran will be the keynote speaker at the Ottawa Chamber annual dinner at Starved Rock Lodge on Thursday next week and the event will have an IVCC theme.

Ms. Goetz noted that Doreen Balzarini, whose letter of retirement is an information item, has been a wonderful teacher for the Adult Education program for many years. Ms. Goetz reminded that the ICCTA annual conference and required trustee leadership training will be June 2 and 3.

CLOSED SESSION

Mr. Solon requested a motion and a roll call vote at 5:57 p.m. to enter into a closed session to discuss: 1) the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body; 2) pending or imminent litigation; 3) complaint lodged against an employee of the public body; 4) collective negotiations; and 5) closed session minutes. 

Motion made by Ms. Stevenson and seconded by Dr. Boyles to enter into a closed session.

Student Advisory Vote: “Aye” – Ms. Boyles.  Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Boyles, Ms. Goetz, Dr. Donna, Ms. Stevenson, Mr. McCracken, and Mr. Solon.  “Nay” – none.  Motion carried.  The Board immediately entered closed session at 6:00 p.m.

Motion made by Dr. Donna and seconded by Mr. McCracken to return to the regular meeting.

Student Advisory Vote: “Aye” – Ms. Boyles.  Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Boyles, Ms. Goetz, Dr. Donna, Ms. Stevenson, Mr. McCracken and Mr. Solon.  “Nay” – none.  Motion carried. The regular meeting resumed at 6:18 p.m.

CLOSED SESSION MINUTES

It was moved by Dr. Boyles and seconded by Mr. McCracken to approve and retain the closed session minutes of the April 13, 2023 Board Meeting.

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

OTHER

None

ADJOURNMENT

Mr. Solon declared the meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m.