July 2003 Board Meeting Report

Illinois Valley Community College hopes to capitalize on the nationwide fascination with crime scene investigation by launching the state’s first community college Forensic Specialist program this fall.

Wednesday night IVCC’s board approved the purchase of $15,000 in instructional supplies for the program. The equipment will be paid for with grant dollars from the Education-to-Careers program.

The equipment includes a portable police lab, a digital latent evidence photo system, a shake and cast impression kit and a master field blood test kit, among others. The first class in the certificate and degree program, Introduction to Forensic Science, will be offered this fall in the day and evening.

"Forensic technicians are in high demand and with the popularity of crime scene investigation, we expect these classes to fill," said Goodnow.

Forensic specialists assist police, emergency response and public safety officials in investigations.

The board also:

  • Accepted the resignation of English instructor Sharon Trotter Martin; the June 30, 2005 retirement of Giacomo Leone, Dean of Humanities, Fine Arts and Social Sciences; and, the appointments of physics instructor Majid Noori and Jerry Corcoran as Vice President of Business Services and Finance.
  • Approved the bids of Royal Vending of Streator for vending service, Jeremiah Joe of Ottawa for specialty coffee and Pizano’s Italian Eatery of Ottawa for food service. IVCC’s cafeteria will reopen in the lower level of C-Building when classes begin Aug. 18.
  • Approved a $650,500 boiler replacement project for buildings C and E. Commercial Mechanical Inc. of Dunlap was the low bidder for the project and will receive $533,752 for their work.
  • Approved four bids totaling $29,106.85 for computer printing supplies.
  • Approved new fees for the rental of college facilities and equipment.
  • Approved a change in board policy to allow the bookstore to sell IVCC apparel and supplies to college employees at a 15 percent discount.
  • Learned fall enrollment is up 17 percent and credit hours 12 percent over the same time last year.
  • Learned the Heart of America Ride for AIDS at IVCC last weekend attracted some 250 bicyclists, crew and volunteers. Event organizers expect to raise at least $200,000 for AIDS research and care.
  • Heard a report on the development office by director Lori Scroggs. The office pursues federal, state, private and corporate grants, handles alumni relations and directs the IVCC Foundation scholarship program. Scroggs distributed copies of the first alumni newsletter, "Growing by Degrees," which will soon be mailed to 2,600 alumni.
  • Presented a clock and plaque to 16-year board member Harry Debo of Peru.