December 2015 Board Report

The Illinois Valley Community College board Thursday approved adding men’s and women’s soccer as a sport in fall 2016.

Adding soccer to the college’s other eight intercollegiate sports will enhance the student experience, increase enrollment and meet a community need, IVCC President Jerry Corcoran said.

“Soccer play has grown significantly across our district and state,” said Corcoran. “Nine district high schools and 21 Illinois community colleges have soccer teams and area youth programs routinely serve over 500 participants a year.”

As a Division III sport, soccer will not require tuition waivers for participants and will be “a relatively inexpensive sport,” said Athletic Director Cory Tomasson who estimated the cost at less than $18,000 for both teams. That’s less than all other sports except golf and men’s and women’s tennis.

“Soccer is extremely popular among youth organizations,” Tomasson said. “The Illinois Valley and Princeton youth organizations each realize between 500 and 600 participants annually.”

In a letter to the college, Illinois Valley Youth Soccer League President Jason Depenbrock said, “I believe soccer at IVCC is a natural fit and would be a great transition for many area players. Already we have kids leaving the area to attend small four-year schools or two-year community colleges to continue their soccer days.”

Longtime Streator High School soccer coach James Muntz said in a letter, “I think this is a wonderful idea and I would back this and promote this in our community 100 percent. This gives a great option for a lot of student-athletes. It allows them to get a good quality education and continue their passion for soccer close to home.”

In other business, following a public hearing, the board formally adopted an $11.4 million tax levy for 2015. Vice President for Business Services and Finance Cheryl Roelfsema said the levy will remain in the 37-cent range and would result in a slight increase to the average homeowner. IVCC’s portion of taxes on a home valued at $150,000 would increase $3.58 cents to $188.76, she said.

The board also approved:

  • Andrew P. Seeger as world languages instructor to fill a vacancy left by the retirement of Anna Marie Pietrolonardo. Seeger taught previously at Western Illinois University, Concordia University Wisconsin and Auburn University-Montgomery, Ala.
  • The Aug. 1 retirement of 25-year director of Early Childhood Education Diane Christianson. Under Christianson, the college opened a campus childcare center in 1994 that later became “Kidz Kampus” lab school; she earned the Faculty Excellence Award in 2004.
  • Jennifer Scheri as interim director of Continuing Education and Business Services. Scheri is a business training specialist within the department.
  • Purchase of a hardware upgrade for the Cisco IP phone system from Burwood Group for $26,878 and “first reading” revisions to 17 board policies.
  • Public notice of its 2016 meeting schedule for 6:30 p.m. the second Thursday of the month on Jan. 14, Feb. 11, March 10, April 14, May 12, June 9, July 14, Aug. 18, Sept. 8, Oct. 13, Nov. 10 and Dec. 8.
  • Release of closed session minutes of the June 11 closed session committee and the June 11 board meeting.

The board learned:

  • CNA instructor Kathy Vesper has resigned and part-time counselor John “Jack” Immel will retire March 31. “I will continue to be an ambassador in the community for the college,” Immel said in a letter.
  • IVCC’s student chapter of the American Chemical Society received a “Commendable” award for its activities in 2014-15.
  • A grand opening for the cyber café and student center is set for 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19. Improvements to be unveiled also include labs for the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and forensics programs in lower level Building D. “Everything looks beautiful and I know our students will be very impressed when they arrive for the first day of classes Jan. 14,” Corcoran said.
  • An estimated 400 guests attended the Foundation’s Nov. 20 IVCC-LPO Hall of Fame Induction ceremony honoring philanthropist Ralph Scriba, former area band Buckacre and late IVCC English instructor Ray Brolley. Scriba of Palos Verdes Estates, Cal., lead donor of the current scholarship campaign, and son Jim toured campus the day of the induction.
  • Corcoran was a guest at the Dec. 4 Illinois Manufacturers’ Association annual luncheon in Chicago where Gov. Bruce Rauner indicated it could be four more months before a state budget is approved. “This kind of uncertainty means much of what we’d like to do is placed on hold,” Corcoran said.
  • An agriculture steering committee will meet next week to hear about themes that emerged while visiting with various district groups. “Everyone is eager and optimistic about breathing new life into our ag transfer program and uncovering niche markets for certificates and AAS degrees,” the president said.
  • IVCC is considering offering high-performing high school graduates who have completed a substantial number of college credits the opportunity to enroll immediately at IVCC and pursue their associate’s degree tuition-free. The plan will be discussed with the board’s audit-finance committee in February.
  • Nine graduates were honored at Wednesday’s massage therapy graduation.