September 2015 Board Report

Illinois Valley Community College finished tenth out of Illinois’ 48 community college’s in Wallethub.com’s 2015 Best and Worst Community Colleges listing, board members learned Thursday.

The ranking is based on cost financing, classroom experience, education outcomes, and career outcomes, said IVCC President Jerry Corcoran. 

WalletHub compared 670 community colleges in the U.S. using 17 key metrics ranging from the cost of in-state tuition and fees to student-faculty ratio.

In other business, the board approved:

  • The $22,176 bid from The Office Pal of Lakewood, N.J., for printing supplies.
  • The purchase of 280 tons of rock salt from Cargill Incorporated Salt Division through the Illinois Department of Central Management services at $63.36 per ton delivered for a total of $17,740.
  • The appointment of nursing instructor Amber Knowlton to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Jennifer Savoia. Knowlton, a part-time IVCC nursing instructor, earned her master’s in nursing from Northern Illinois University.
  • The treasurer’s bond proposal for the college’s Controller from R.J. Galla through Liberty Surety First for three years at $29,743.
  • Approval of two Protection, Health and Safety (PHS) projects totaling $1.5 million: a major renovation to lecture hall D225 including an added row of seating, middle aisle for accessibility, energy-efficient lighting and asbestos abatement totaling $659,624; and air handler/chiller replacement in Building D for $923,830. The D225 work is expected to begin next summer and could be completed in time for fall 2016.
  • Renewal of the cash farm lease with Chris Kolodziej at $380 per acre on 149 acres for a total of $56,620.
  • The $79,458 bid from Conference Technologies of Maryland Heights, Mo., for audio-visual over internet protocol equipment for the initial 12 rooms to include D225, new classrooms in Building D and the new student life space.
  • Expansion of the Colleague Storage Area Network (SAN) through the purchase of a Dell EqualLogic PS6100X, 14.4TB disk array for $24,068.
  • Linking the bookstore to the financial aid and cashier’s through the purchase of a Colleague FA-Link Module for $10,000 and related installation and support services for $6,000 from Trimdata Corp.
  • Expending an estimated $30,000 for OSHA safety training classes from 2BSafe, Inc., for the Continuing Education Center. All expenses are recovered from corporate clients utilizing the training.
  • Authorization to begin contract negotiations with the Illinois Valley Federation of Support Staff Local No. 6561 representing 44 employees.
  • $88,846 in furniture for the cyber café and student center, projects that are part of the third and final construction phase that began with the Peter Miller Community Technology Center.

The board also learned:

  • Sandra Safranske was hired as third shift custodian and Ron Nadolny retired after 10 years in the welding and Truck Driver Training departments.
  • Casey Loving and Danyelle Higgerson resigned from part-time positions in the assessment center and Ron Carlson resigned as assistant women’s basketball coach.
  • A total of 190 graduates earned 222 degrees and certificates this summer compared to 170 graduates earning 189 degrees and certificates in summer 2014.
  • In her campus update, Director of Human Resources Glenna Jones said of the 35 positions filled last year, 20 were for part-time support or part-time professional/technical positions. Of IVCC’s 394 full- and part-time employees, 160 are 55 or older. 
  • The U.S. Dept. of Labor has approved a $3.9 million German Apprenticeship model grant submitted by the Illinois Manufacturers Association on behalf of IVCC and nine other community colleges and a number of manufacturers in each district. “The goal of having this apprenticeship program up and running for the fall 2016 session is now achievable,” said Corcoran.
  • The Ag program steering committee held its first meeting Aug. 24 and another meeting is planned to invite feedback from high school agriculture program coordinators. “The response to this initiative has been very encouraging,” said the President.
  • The Foundation’s successful 21st Century Scholars Society dinner Sept. 3 is a lead up to the annual scholarship recognition event Sept. 17 in the gymnasium. “This is always a highlight of the year for me because I love watching the magic between our donors and their scholarship recipients,” said Corcoran.
  • Interact Communications will be on campus Sept. 14-15 working with a number of employees on a new outreach approach and marketing plan.