John A. Logan College Board of Trustees met March 28.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
Minutes of the regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of Community College District No. 530, Counties of Williamson, Jackson, Franklin, Perry, and Randolph, State of Illinois, held at Carterville, Illinois, on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, commencing at 6:00 p.m. The meeting was open to the public and available via Zoom.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Bill Kilquist.
The Chairman directed the recording secretary to call the roll.
Rebecca Borgsmiller -- present
Brent Clark -- present
Bill Kilquist -- present
Mandy Little -- present
Glenn Poshard -- present
Jake Rendleman -- present
Aaron R. Smith -- present
Jeremiah Brown -- present
Also present were President Kirk Overstreet, Legal Counsel Rhett Barke, Provost Melanie Pecord, Vice President Stacy Buckingham, Recording Secretary Susan May, and other College personnel.
Chairman Kilquist led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance.
OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no public comments.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES REPORTS
A. Chairman's Report
Chairman Kilquist congratulated the men's basketball team on their NJCAA National Championship. Athletic Director Greg Starrick presented the trophy to the Board, spoke on the season's highlights, and noted that this was only the second team in Illinois to win a national championship. Head Coach Tyler Smithpeters introduced each team member and thanked the administration and Board for their support.
B. Athletics Advisory Committee
Trustee Brent Clark commended the athletes and coaching staff for the team's performance both on and off the court.
C. Building, Grounds, and Safety Committee
Trustee Rendleman reported that the Building, Grounds, and Safety Committee met on March 21, 2023, and received updates on construction projects and campus safety. Design work is underway by BHDG Architects for the Career and Technical Center construction and renovation. BHDG also signed the design contract for the Baseball and Softball Player Development Facility. Phasing for this project is being worked out to ensure the project is delivered quickly and cost-effectively. The College is waiting on the Capital Development Board to hold a bid for the Elevator and Mezzanine project. The Board Room refresh, including new lighting and paint, was handled in-house by maintenance and custodial staff.
Campus Police Chief Allan Willmore provided additional information regarding the Alertus system that will be rolled out in classrooms this fall. This system will send alerts and safety messages to all employee and classroom computers on the JALC network and can also be projected on the digital signage posted throughout campus.
D. Board Policy Committee
Trustee Rebecca Borgsmiller reported that a special board meeting was held to address questions and provide clarification to district superintendents regarding revisions to Dual Credit and Early College policies. No changes were made to the policies presented on tonight's agenda.
E. Budget and Finance Committee
No report.
F. Integrated Technology Committee
No report.
G. Illinois Community College Trustees Association (ICCTA)
Trustee Aaron Smith reported that he would be attending ICCTA Lobby Day in Springfield on May 3, 2023. He also informed the Board that ICCTA had received another round of grant funding this year to explore community colleges offering baccalaureate programs. Only three community colleges in the state are participating at this point, and he noted that Cyber Security might be a potential degree
for consideration in the future. There was additional discussion regarding concerns and barriers with this model, and President Overstreet noted that the President's Council had formed a caucus to review these possibilities.
H. John A. Logan College Foundation
Trustee Rendleman reported that the Foundation would seat new board members Ben Craft of Carterville and Rich Gossett of DuQuoin, at their next meeting. Scholarship funding has increased over the past quarter, including a $30,000 scholarship endowment established by John L. Kuruc, $24,000 from Ameren Illinois. and $29,000 donated by FDC Foundation. Several attended the Scholarship Info Session held on March 20 for parents and students, and plans are to continue offering this event again next year at each district high school.
G. Student Trustee
Student Trustee Jeremiah Brown expressed appreciation to the Board and the administration for contributing to his growth during his tenure at John A. Logan College.
FACULTY ASSOCIATION REPORTS
A. Faculty Association Report
Faculty Association President Jane Bryant reported that negotiations were ongoing, and they hoped to conclude talks in May.
B. Adjunct Faculty Association – No report.
C. Logan Operational Staff Association Report – No report.
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP REPORTS
Financial Report
Vice-President Stacy Buckingham reported that at the end of February, with 67 percent of the year complete, expenditures were running at 61.60 percent, which equates to a 5.4 percent underspend. Ms. Buckingham added that projected revenues for FY23, based on the larger amount of the corporate personal property tax, could include an additional $875,000 over what was budgeted and an added $425,000 in interest income due to the increased federal fund rates this past year. She anticipates hitting our tuition goal and predicts that we will end the fiscal year with a deficit of $600,000 to $700,000, depending on actual expenses.
Bookstore RFP
Vice-President Buckingham reported that the request for proposals for a new bookstore was a significant undertaking that involved a 12-member task force led by Shannon Newman, Associate Director of Purchasing. The task force reviewed six proposals and submitted their recommendation for Board approval.
Provost Melanie Pecord
Provost Melanie Pecord reported that registration was underway for summer and fall. Many new options are available to students this fall, including four-week, six-week, eight-week, and 16-week course offerings. These options allow students to enroll in courses at any point in the semester.
Graduation
The College will hold two graduation ceremonies in the Donald L. Brewer Gymnasium on Thursday, May 11. Graduation for transfer degrees will begin at 5:00 p.m., and the Career and Technical Education degree ceremony will start at 7:30 p.m. In addition, Nurse Pinning ceremonies will be held on May 12, recognizing LPN graduates at 2:00 p.m. and Associate Degree Nursing graduates at 6:00 p.m.
Higher Learning Commission Conference
Provost Pecord reported that eight employees attended the Higher Learning Commission Annual Conference in Chicago. They will meet in the next few weeks to discuss what was learned and share that information with the campus.
President Overstreet
President Overstreet reported that he had very robust conversations with area Presidents at the Higher Learning Commission regarding competency-based education, prior learning assessments, and changes needed in the higher education system. There is a spirit of collaboration between community colleges and universities to address the necessary changes. President Overstreet noted that the Public Values Leadership: Striving to Achieve Democratic Ideas book by Michael Crow includes rich information on re infusing democratic principles and ideas into our learning.
Provost Position
President Overstreet thanked the Office of Human Resources for running the search process for the new provost. The hiring committee included employees from across the campus and Board of Trustee member Dr. Glenn Poshard. In addition, employee forums were held, and surveys conducted to gather additional feedback. President Overstreet interviewed the top three candidates and introduced his recommendation, Dr. Stephanie Hartford, pending the Board's final approval.
PRESENTATIONS
Student Senate Year in Review
Student Senate President Danielle Burke and Vice-President Selena Rogers reported that Student Senate had collaborated with the staff to analyze data and identify potential topics for the Student Voice Survey. Service projects they have participated in over the past year included the Clean SoIL Highway Clean-up, Nursing Club Halloween Event, AutumnFest Art and Craft Show, the Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive, and the Annual Angel Tree Gift Drive. Upcoming plans this semester include participating in another Clean SoIL event in April, an appreciation day for Campus Police and Building and Grounds Department, and writing letters of encouragement to future Logan students.
Recognition of Student Trustee Jeremiah Brown
Chairman Kilquist presented Jeremiah Brown with a plaque in appreciation for his service as Student Trustee.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
A. President Overstreet informed the Board that $59,402.98 in student technology fees were used to upgrade technology in ten classrooms ($31,087.10) and lighting technology updates in O'Neil Auditorium ($28,315.88).
B. President Overstreet presented a revised 2023-2024 Academic Calendar based on feedback received that updates the winter session from a three-week to a four-week session.
CONSENT AGENDA
Chairman Kilquist asked if there were any Consent Agenda items the Board would like to pull for further discussion or a separate vote. Hearing none, Consent Agenda items A – L were presented for approval.
A. Student Trustee Election Results
Approved the official results of the March 2, 2023, Student Trustee Election for 2023-2024; declared Jeremy Noble the winner of the election; and authorized the seating of Mr. Noble for a one-year term, effective April 15, 2023.
B. Organizational Meeting of the Board of Trustees
Set the date and time for its organizational meeting for 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 25, 2023.
C. Board Policies for Final Action
Approved revisions to Board Policy 8239, Early College, and 8243, Dual Credit, as recommended by the Board Policy Committee.
D. Syndaver Purchase for EMS/EMT Program
Ratified the purchase of two syndavers for the EMS/EMT program, at a total cost of $136,796, funded through the Delta Regional Authority Grant.
E. MTS Power Load and Cot Purchase for EMS/EMT Program.
Ratified the purchase of the MTS Power Load and Power-PRO Cot, at a total cost of $46,950, funded through the Delta Regional Authority Grant.
F. College Bookstore Management and Operations
Authorized the Administration to enter into a contractual agreement with eCampus.com to operate a virtual bookstore and explore other options to operate an on-campus merchandise/apparel store.
G. Provost Recommendation
Approved the recommendation of President Overstreet to appoint Dr. Stephanie Chaney Hartford as Provost, effective July 1, 2023.
H. Personnel Action Items (Appendix A)
Approved and ratified personnel recommendations of President Kirk Overstreet presented in Appendix A.
I. Expenditure Report
Approved the monthly expenditure report for the period ending February 28, 2023.
J. Treasurer's and Financial Report
Approved the Treasurer's and Financial Report for the period ending January 31, 2023.
K. Minutes of the February 28, 2023, Regular Meeting
Approved the minutes of the February 28, 2023, regular meeting.
L. Minutes of the March 8, 2023, Special Meeting
Approved the minutes of the March 8, 2023, special meeting.
Jake Rendleman and Brent Clark moved and seconded that the Board of Trustees approve Consent Agenda Items A – L as presented.
Upon roll call, all members present voted Yes. Motion carried.
(Resolution #16-4303)
EXECUTIVE SESSION – None.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Trustee Brent Clark announced that the Southern Illinois Leadership Conference would be held at John A. Logan College for the first time and would bring approximately 195 school administrators to campus.
ADJOURNMENT
Glenn Poshard and Jake Rendleman moved and seconded that the regular meeting of the Board of Trustees be adjourned.
A voice vote showed all in favor. Motion carried.
(Resolution #16-4304)
The meeting was duly adjourned at 7:17 p.m.
https://www.jalc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/MIN-03-28-23.pdf
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