December 2021 Board Report

Commitment to an ag classroom building, dental lab renovations and new leadership for humanities and criminal justice were all part of Illinois Valley Community College board action Thursday.

The board committed to matching 20 percent of the $4.4 million needed for the agriculture classroom and lab building, phase II of the ag complex.

The college is applying for a $3.5 million U.S. Department of Economic Development Administration grant. If approved, IVCC’s obligation would be $885,300.

In other business, trustees approved the $555,200 bid of Vissering Construction of Streator for the dental lab renovation. With dental hygiene being added in fall 2023, the program is moving from B-Building to the upper floor of G-Building, a space formerly occupied by Therapeutic Massage.

Trustees also approved:

  • The hiring of Dr. Lirim Neziroski as Dean of Humanities, Fine Arts and Social Sciences effective Jan. 5. Neziroski is manager of online learning at Prairie State College in Chicago Heights. He earned a Ph.D. in English from the University of Georgia.
  • The hiring of Jonathan Hubbell as criminal justice instructor. Hubbell has four years’ experience teaching criminal justice at the community college and university levels and worked over 10 years at McLean County Adult Court Services in Bloomington.
  • The resignation of Caitlinn Hubbell, ag instructor and co-program coordinator effective Dec. 16.
  • The $13.9 million 2021 tax levy that includes a 9.3 percent increase over last year’s $12.5 million levy. It is based on a nearly 9 percent increase in the district’s equalized assessed valuation (EAV). The levy will keep the tax rate nearly flat for tax payers. The meeting began with a truth-in-taxation public hearing. 
  • Travel expenses of $188 for trustee Jane Goetz for attending a state trustee meetings Nov. 12-13.
  • Approval of closed session minutes from Nov. 18.

No action was taken on the agenda item related to a 360-degree evaluation of IT services.

The board learned:

  • Enrollment in IVCC’s first “Winter Intersession” has been “very promising,” said IVCC President Jerry Corcoran. The 18-day session running Dec. 21 through Jan. 7 includes online courses in chemistry, wellness, first aid, psychology, marriage and family and intercultural communications.
  • Online, 12-week “Late Start” classes beginning Feb. 7 include math for liberal arts, English composition I and II, global environment, sociology, music appreciation and human growth and development.
  • IVCC is exploring a partnership with the Illinois Valley YMCA for a childcare center in the Peter Miller Community Technology Center. “I am optimistic we can have the center up and going in the spring semester to serve up to 18 children,” said Corcoran.
  • The Medical Assisting Program Pinning ceremony at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 15 in the Dr. Mary Margaret Weeg Cultural Centre will be available via Zoom.
  • The Foundation’s 2021 Annual Appeal had raised nearly $30,000 from 92 donors as of Dec. 7.
  • In just two years, online enrollments are up 86 percent and online credit hours 83 percent, said Dr. Patrice Hess, Director of Learning Resources. In a campus update on the college’s online ‘footprint,’ Hess said online course sections are up 53 percent. “There is also more variety in our offerings such as virtual class meetings, flexible delivery classes and short-term classes,” she said.
  • Corcoran recognized Vice President for Academic Affairs Deborah Anderson at her last meeting. He credited Anderson, who is retiring after seven years, for the college’s online course expansion. “It’s fitting Dr. Hess handled tonight’s campus update regarding our online footprint. That was always a priority for Dr. Anderson and thanks to Deb and Patrice, we’ve made great strides.” Anderson will be replaced by Dr. Gary Roberts, Dean of Arts and Sciences at Lake Michigan College in Benton Harbor, Mich.
  • Corcoran also praised Allied Universal security officer Jim Anderson who is retiring Dec. 20 after seven years at the information desk. “Jim’s the type of person you want at the front door, a true gentleman,” Corcoran said.
  • A moment of silence was held at the beginning of the meeting for Sylvia (Jackson) Eaton, 92, of Ottawa, who died Nov. 21. She is the mother of secretary to the board Judy Day.
  • The 2021-22 student activities budget is $100,939 for 41 clubs, organizations and athletics.
  • Kimber King transitioned from part-time to full-time COVID-19 coordinator.
  • Part-time cybersecurity analyst Kimberly Reeland resigned Nov. 15 and part-time professional tutor James Greening retired Dec. 8 after 19 years.
  • IVCC’s first “Show and Enroll” registration event at Ottawa Center Dec. 8 attracted 15 students and generated more than 85 credit hours.
  • The college will use HEERF dollars to prepare nearly 50 food boxes for students in need over semester break. There are five meals in each box.
  • IVCC’s compliance with the Governor’s mandate regarding COVID-19 mitigations “has been nothing short of extraordinary,” Corcoran said. “The plan has been to reach 100 percent compliance and it looks like we will be there by the end of the semester. As Deputy Governor for Education Martin Torres told a group of presidents this morning, mitigations are saving lives.”