October 2007 Board Meeting Report
The Illinois Valley Community College Board of Trustees met on Wednesday night to approve a partnership agreement between IVCC and Western Illinois University. This partnership agreement will allow IVCC district residents to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree from WIU without being required to relocate. IVCC students who have completed any associates degree and wish to transfer to WIU into the Board of Trustees Bachelor of Arts (BOT/BA) degree program may be admitted to the degree program as long as the minimum required admissions standards have been achieved. Instructional delivery by WIU will be a combination of internet, correspondence and extension classes. An additional benefit to IVCC students is that WIU will lock in the tuition and fee rates in effect at the time of the initial registration as long as students maintain continuous enrollment.
In another partnership agreement approved by the board, IVCC will provide graduate teacher development courses through Aurora University. Teachers are able to earn graduate credit through professional development offerings held within the college’s district. Instructional delivery will primarily be instructor led, but may occasionally include internet based course offerings. Aurora University offers graduate study courses at a significantly reduced credit hour rate allowing an affordable and convenient option for area teachers to continue their professional development and fulfill continuing education requirements for recertification as required by Illinois law.
In the 2008 spring semester, IVCC intends to expand their nursing program through the generosity of area hospitals. IVCC plans on hiring an additional nursing instructor funded through a partnership with Illinois Valley Community Hospital, Community Hospital of Ottawa, St. Mary’s Hospital, St. Margaret’s Hospital, Mendota Community Hospital and Perry Memorial Hospital. The local hospitals will fund the salary of a nursing instructor for three and one half years.
The board entered into discussion on the future of the college’s athletic program.
“We’re going to retain athletics, but are looking for public comment to contribute
to our prioritization and future decision making in the form of letters (IVCC, Office
of the President – 815 N. Orlando Smith Ave. – Oglesby, IL 61348) or emails (dave_louis@ivcc.edu) sent directly to me by Nov. 15. These comments can be submitted by an individual
or a group. My office will collect, organize and distribute these comments to the
board,” stated Dr. Dave Louis, interim president.
In other business, the board adopted a resolution to authorize and direct preparation
of the tentative calendar year 2007 tax levy. The tentative tax levy will be presented
at the November board meeting with the levy being finalized and approved by the board
in December.
The board learned of the appointments of: Janna L. Bentley, administrative assistant II in health professions; Robert C. Mattson, research analyst and Thomas J. Canale, III as men’s head basketball coach and athletic director.
The board approved the following:
- Bill Taylor as the Illinois Community College Trustee Association Distinguished Alumnus nominee.
- A bid of $80,466 from TyJax Builders, Inc. for the display case renovation project.
- Two protection, health and safety projects to replace aluminum feeder wire, branch panels and fire-stop corridor walls as presented for a combined cost of $1,739,508 and authorize the submission of the appropriate resolutions for each to the Illinois Community College Board.
- Stipends for pay periods ending Sept. 8, 22 and Oct. 6
- Transfer of $800,000 from the education fund to the operations and maintenance restricted fund for future building needs and the transfer of $100,000 from the working cash fund to the education fund.
- An intergovernmental agreement with the city of Marseilles.
- The college’s strategic plan.
- And the board rejected all current bids and authorized the business office to re-open bids for the emergency call boxes and two way radio project at an estimated cost of $75,000.