July 2002 Board Meeting Report
Illinois Valley Community College’s summer enrollment is the highest in the school’s history, board members learned Wednesday.
At summer midterm there were 2,209 students enrolled, up 177 students or 8.7 percent from a year ago.
"This is the highest summer enrollment we’ve had since we began keeping records in 1977," said Vice President of Student Services Bob Marshall. Opening summer registration March 4 was a factor in the increase, he said.
"We started summer registration about six weeks earlier this year to enable our students to make their summer plans earlier and to accommodate university students home on spring break," Marshall said.
President Jean Goodnow said enrollment for the upcoming fall semester is also up, nearly 10 percent.
In other action, the board approved the temporary rehiring of seven IVCC employees at Sheridan Correctional Center.
"We requested an extension from the Illinois Department of Corrections so that currently enrolled Sheridan students could complete their courses," said Goodnow. "The Illinois Department of Corrections will provide funding for the program for one month.
"Whether there will be further extensions is uncertain," Goodnow added.
The board approved the rehiring of program coordinator Barry Sanders and youthful offender program counselor Steve Swett through Aug. 16. Instructors Bruce Markwalter, Ken Carothers, Will Reidner, Douglas Ploch and secretary Maxine Stanford were rehired through July 31.
The board also ratified a one-month extension of the agreement between the district and American Federation of Teachers Local 1810 at Sheridan.
About 300 students were enrolled during the past year in IVCC computer technology, culinary arts, automotive technology, small engine repair and other classes at the prison. The medium-security prison houses more than 1,600 inmates and has 434 employees. Plans to close the prison were announced June 11, as part of $102.6 million in cuts the DOC was forced to make.
In other business, athletic director Mike Riley presented trophies won by IVCC teams in 2001-02. The Eagles won Region IV championships in baseball and men's and women's tennis. Softball (34-7), golf, women's basketball and volleyball all finished second in the region.
Both tennis teams, golf and baseball advanced to the National Junior College Athletic Association tournaments. Softball and volleyball just missed NJCAA berths, finishing second in the district championships. IVCC was the Arrowhead Conference "All Sports Champion" for the second straight year.
"We are extremely proud of the development of our athletic programs," Riley said. "We can see the results in the hardware we've brought home the past two years. Our coaches and our student athletes have worked very hard and the support of the administration, board and community has been exceptional."
Out of 108 athletes this year, over 30 had GPAs of 3.0 or better, Riley said.
The board also:
- Saw the presentations IVCC's Midwest region champion SIFE team delivered at state competition in April and at nationals in Kansas City in May. Students in Free Enterprise team members and advisor Alice Steljes discussed 11 educational outreach projects completed last year.
- Viewed a short CD presentation that will be used to promote IVCC.
- Approved changes in board policies regarding parking and traffic control and conflict of interest/gift ban policies.
- Received a letter of appreciation from Steve Malinsky, cochair of the American Cancer Society's La Salle County Relay for Life. Malinsky said the June 21-22 event at IVCC raised $189,000. He added, "Moving the event to IVCC has allowed us to really make it an event for all of La Salle County."
- Learned the college has received a $35,000 Illinois Department of Public Health Women’s Health Initiative grant. The grant will allow the college to work with district hospitals in a "Heart Smart for Women" program.
- Learned that Lou Piskur, training director for the JATC for Local 176 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), would be granted an honorary degree from IVCC when he retires this fall. Piskur was instrumental in helping set up an associate degree program between IVCC and the IBEW, a groundbreaking partnership that has since been adopted by several community colleges.