June 2015 Board Report

Illinois Valley Community College’s Peter Miller Community Technology Center recently achieved the gold standard for environmental efficiency, board members learned Thursday.

The 80,000-square-foot facility has earned LEED gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED is an acronym for Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design.

The CTC is a “showcase example of sustainable design” and demonstrates IVCC’s “leadership in transforming the building industry,” said S. Richard Fedrizzi, Green Building CEO, in a letter to Vice President for Business Services and Finance Cheryl Roelfsema.

Home to enrollment management and various career and technical programs, the building’s design earned high scores for its ability to control lighting, heating and cooling, use of daylight rather than artificial lighting, low-emission parking, water efficient landscaping, use of regional materials for construction, storm water management, use of recycled products and recycling of construction materials

“I’m very proud of this recognition, which so many people worked hard to achieve,” said IVCC President Jerry Corcoran. “It is aligned with our Vision Statement of ‘Leading our community in learning, working and growing.’”

In other action, the board approved:

  • Employment contracts for Corcoran, Roelfsema and Vice President for Academic Affairs Deborah Anderson with 2.5 percent salary increases for 2016.
  • Pay increases of 2.5 percent for all employees not affected by the negotiated labor agreement including part-time faculty and coaches.
  • Terminating the employment of a member of the support staff.
  • The $34,645 bid of Rescue Simulation Products of McKinney, Texas, for an ambulance simulator for the college’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program.
  • Seeking proposals for a “yearlong, overarching, strategy-based marketing plan” to reinforce IVCC’s brand, rebuild enrollments and develop strategies to appeal to adults age 20-40 and identify where to reach them.
  • Seeking proposals for a software-based control and management system for 10 classrooms, lecture hall D225 and student life space currently under construction. Estimated cost is $35,000.
  • Authorization to continue operating the college from July 1 through adoption of the 2016 budget and adoption of the prevailing wage resolution.
  • Extending the lease with Tri-City Vending & Foodservice for a year.

The board also learned:

  • IVCC Foundation’s 19th annual golf outing is Wednesday, June 17 at Senica’s Oak Ridge. Lunch will precede a 1 p.m. shotgun start.
  • Corcoran credited various administrators for successful commencement, nursing pinning and GED graduation ceremonies in May.
  • A total of 18 employees attended a May 29 Leadership and Core Values retreat organized by the human resources office.
  • Spring semester GPA for IVCC athletes was over 2.9. “We have high standards in the classroom, on the court and in the field,” said Corcoran.
  • Corcoran complimented trustee Jane Goetz and others for volunteering to do landscaping at IVCC’s Ottawa Center.
  • Dean of Humanities, Fine Arts and Social Sciences Brian Holloway recently issued a report detailing how his division’s faculty and staff provide community outreach through performances and activities. “We’re proud of Brian and the division he leads,” said Corcoran.
  • ESL instructor Martha Vera announced her retirement after 52 years of teaching. “I have enjoyed teaching ESL immensely and I know I will miss it, but it is time to do a few new things with however many more years God grants me,” Vera said in her letter.
  • Assistant volleyball coach Erin Zimbelman announced her resignation as did sign language interpreter Meghan McNamara and career services administrative assistant Cristina Sarabia.
  • A total of 467 graduates earned 550 degrees and certificates this spring.