January 2005 Board Meeting Report
Illinois Valley Community College Board of Trustees received a report from Harold Barnes, Director of Information and Technology Services, and Emily Vescogni, Director of Learning Technologies at the Wednesday night meeting. Barnes and Vescogni presented the semi-annual IVCC campus technology update addressing progress toward four of the ten Information Technology Strategic Goals. "All faculty computers have been replaced or upgraded, two new computer labs have been installed and two others have been expanded," said Barnes.
"Upgrades for the Network Operating Systems and the Lotus Notes e-mail and calendaring system will be completed later this fiscal year. In preparation for next fiscal year and beyond, print management systems and a network-based data storage system are being researched. The colleague student information system has been enhanced to provide web-based roster printing for the faculty and simplified manual check printing. Web-based grade submission for faculty and web-based address changes for students will be available soon," continued Barnes.
Emily Vescogni spotlighted the new IVCC Web site and distance learning initiatives. Vescogni shared comments from students who participated in the free, online orientation to distance learning: "The message we are hearing from our students is that online courses are helping working parents start and finish their education," said Vescogni.
"I am just delighted with the new home page of our college website. I would like to express my appreciation for the team who put so much time and effort into this project. Our home page is very engaging and designed to facilitate smooth navigation for our community. If you haven’t yet had the opportunity I encourage you to log on and take a look at www.ivcc.edu," said Dr. Jean Goodnow, President.
The board authorized the business office to seek bids for multimedia and audio visual equipment at an estimated cost of $50,000. The proposed equipment will be used to better serve the demands for presentation equipment in classrooms by upgrading older equipment and converting standard classrooms into technologically wired smart classrooms.
The business office was authorized to accept the bid of $14,267 from Action Printing, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin as the lowest responsible bid for printing of 18,000 copies of the two-year IVCC college catalog and authorized the business office to accept the bid of $9,800 from Thompson Electronics, Peoria for the annual inspection and testing of the fire alarm system.
Both the February 2005 and the August 2005 board meeting dates were changed at Wednesday night’s meeting. The regularly scheduled February meeting will change from Wednesday, Feb. 16 to Tuesday, Feb. 22, 7 p.m. due to the National Legislative Summit in Washington, D.C. The Aug. 17, board meeting will move from Wednesday, Aug. 17, to Wednesday, Aug. 24, at 7 p.m. This change is necessitated by the fiscal year 2006 budget calendar.
The board approved the proposal from the architectural firms of Basalay, Cary, and Alstadt and Legat to update the college’s master plan as presented.
179 students were awarded a total of 194 degrees and certificates in the following areas: 28 Associates of Arts, 39 Associates of Science, 21 Associates of Applied Science, 104 certificates and two Associate in General Studies as authorized and conferred by the board of trustees for the December 2004 graduates.
In other business, the board:
- Modified the policy – "appearance before the board," section 1000 of the board policy manual.
- Approved the appointment of Keith Stevenson as Warehouse/Shipping and Receiving Instructor assigned to Sheridan Correctional Center.
- Approved the appointment of Michael T. Pratt as the Welding Technology Instructor assigned to Sheridan Correctional Center.
- Accepted the request for retirement from Judith Krafcky effective May 26, 2006 as nursing instructor.