May 2008 Board Meeting Report

Illinois Valley Community College Board of Trustees approved waiving the tuition and fees for students enrolling in a pilot program at Streator Township High School at Wednesday night’s meeting. The pilot program, Strategies for College, a two-credit course, is designed to help direct students who are unclear of their education or career goals. "It is our plan to get students to begin thinking ‘college readiness’ even though they might not be in a specific college-prep track. Strategies for College will help these students assume personal responsibility for their learning, help them set clear educational and career goals and help identify a direction for their adult life," stated Sue Isermann, interim vice-president for academic affairs.

With the recent tragedies at Northern Illinois University, Virginia Tech and other schools across the nation, the administration at IVCC continues to research ways to help provide for the safety of the students. In light of this increasing concern, the board approved the purchase, installation and implementation of a Cisco IP phone system from the Burwood Group for $303,000, contingent upon Illinois Community College Board approval. This phone system will provide an integrated emergency notification solution that can notify every campus phone in the event of an emergency. Notification can be delivered through a message displayed on the phone or through the phone’s speaker integrating with the existing emergency public address system. The Cisco IP will provide a stable, more extensible communications system and unify with emergency response services in compliance with state and federal safety requirements.

The Dislocated Workers Center at IVCC received notice of their share of the national rescission in funding with a total impact of approximately $300,000 over a three year period. The reduction in funds will impact the employment of two full-time case managers. The board approved the termination of Jennifer Uzella and reduction of Sarah Price from full-time to part-time status on June 30 with the termination of Price effective Jan. 1.

In other business the board approved:

  • An intergovernmental agreement for joint action in regard to certain real estate valuation proceedings for the negotiation of the equalized assessed valuation of the Exelon Generating plant.
  • The administration to seek bids for industrial maintenance equipment support materials at an estimated cost of $12,000; bids for a Rigging System Trainer at an estimated cost of $14,000; and proposals for banking services for the operating accounts and the trust and agency accounts.
  • Waiving tuition for students enrolling in Basic Computer Skills for College Success pilot program this summer.
  • The purchase and installation of the Cisco network hardware upgrades from the Burwood Group for $227,000 due to the need to replace key network components prior to the installation of the new IP phone system.
  • The purchase of industrial maintenance hands-on training packages for instructional purposes from Design Assistance Corporation in the amount of $13,590.
  • Stipends for pay periods ending April 19 and May 3

The board accepted:

  • Basalay, Cary and Alstadt Architects recommendation to accept the bid of $317,499 from JB Contracting for improvements to the computer server room.
  • A bid in the amount of $34,000 from Hastings Air-Energy Control, Inc. for a vehicle exhaust removal system in the automotive shop.
  • Tri-City Vending’s proposal for food vending services for five years.
  • The retirement of Mary Gross, director of adult education, effective Oct. 1 and Kenneth Carothers, culinary arts instructor at Sheridan Correctional Center, effective June 1.
  • The resignation of Loar Wells, director of project success and appointment of Chris Herman as interim director.
  • The resignation of Jane Battles, nursing instructor, effective Aug. 8
  • The appointment of Richard J. Serafini, accounting instructor and Promise K. Yong, chemistry instructor.
  • The board heard of the appointment of Laura Perlongo as administrative assistant II in the health professions department.