February 2003 Board Meeting Report

Following a presentation by program coordinator Pat Pearson and supported by several local dentists, the Illinois Valley Community College Board of Trustees voted Wednesday to give the program another year to implement initiatives to help it approach a break even point financially.

One of the proposals from Pearson called for charging for services being performed in the campus clinic. The board, however, did not agree with this part of the proposal.

"It would not be appropriate to collect fees as part of the program. We would much rather have the program coordinator recruiting students," said trustee Deb Sweeden.

Trustee Todd Phalen said, "We will look at this in another year to see what progress has been made."

The board also tabled for one month a motion to eliminate the men’s and women’s tennis teams and the golf team. Tennis coach Eric Perez and freshman golfer Brad Pinter asked the board for more time for coaches, parents and supporters to devise plans to save the programs.

"We may not have a balanced budget, we may have to borrow but we must give our students a chance and we are willing to make this commitment with your help. We will be expecting to hear from you at the March 18 meeting," trustee Deb Sweeden told Perez, several freshmen golfers and their parents.

By cutting the programs and trimming expenses from the five remaining sports, the college had hoped to trim $80,000 from next year’s athletic budget.

The board did eliminate a full-time position in the Early Childhood Education Center, held by Sallee Beneke. Reorganization of the center will result in at least $20,000 in savings. Other changes include closing the center for two months in the summer and increasing usage fees.

IVCC President Jean Goodnow said cuts have been made across the college to address an estimated shortfall of $750,000 in next year’s budget due to the failed November referendum.

"Unfortunately, we are going to have to make more cuts," said Goodnow. "We are continuing to review all expenditures including the replacement of employees who resign or retire."

The board accepted the resignation of one employee and the retirements of two others, nursing instructor Roseann Webb and sociology instructor Patricia Cole. The full-time position of Alberta Wimberly, who resigned this month as secretary to the mini course coordinator, will not be replaced.

In other business, the board learned the college will enter into a formal articulation agreement with DeVry University. With this agreement, Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree graduates will be able to transfer into DeVry’s Bachelor of Science in Technical Management (BSTM) program beginning in the fall.

The partnership allows graduates to take up to 20 credit hours of the DeVry program at IVCC.

"By allowing students to take 20 of the 62 required hours here, students will save thousands in tuition, travel and room and board," said Robert Marshall, vice president of student services. In addition, DeVry will provide two $1,500 scholarships to students each semester.

The board also approved a new certificate and Associate of Applied Science degree in forensic science, the first for a community college in Illinois. The forensic specialist certificate will focus on the rapidly emerging field of forensic science and criminalistics. Employment opportunities in the field are strong and student interest high, said Custer.

Criminal justice program coordinator Rebecca Donna said startup costs of the program will be minimal because IVCC already has the majority of the courses in its criminal justice program.

"Technicians with two-year degrees are needed to assist professionals in public safety, emergency response and law enforcement," Custer said. "Four-year universities are experiencing dramatic enrollments in this field."

In other business, the board:

Approved recommendations for tenure for instructors Linda Thomas, reading, Patricia Pence, nursing, Ann Marie Bruch, nursing, Lauri Carey, horticulture and Jim Moskalewicz, counselor.

Approved printing the 2003-05 college catalog at an estimated cost of $25,000.

Approved the $19,788 bid from Klaus Companies for six Panasonic LCD projectors.

Approved the property/casualty insurance premiums at a total of $296,881.

Accepted the proposal of McQuay Service of Wood Dale for $267,972 for the replacement and renovations of the five existing McQuay air conditioning units.

Extended the contract with auditors Clifton Gunderson, LLP of Dixon for three years. Gunderson will be paid $27,000 the first two years and $27,500 the third year.

Learned Steve Swett, a former counselor and commercial custodial instructor at Sheridan Correctional Center, is the new work transition coordinator, a grant-funded position.