Shawnee Community College July 12th, Board of Trustees Meeting

Shawnee Community College Board of Trustees voted Monday to extend Dr. Larry Peterson¡¦s contract until June 30, 2013. The vote was held during the regular July board meeting on July 12. Given the financial hardships of the district, Peterson requested that his contract compensation remain at the FY09 level.

Tim Bellamey, vice president of instructional services, shared with the board that about 30 students are expected to participate in the 10th annual Summer Youth Leadership Academy later this month. Area high school students in the Alternative High School Credit Recovery program have completed the first session and the second session is well underway. By the end of the summer these students should complete approximately 180 high school credits. The SCC summer semester has passed the mid-term point and finals will be on August 2nd and 3rd.

Contact: news@shawneecc.edu Ph: 618-634-3270 Fax: 618-634-3300 8364 Shawnee College Road Ullin, IL 62992

Carolyn Kindle, interim vice president processed 447 more Student Aid Reports for the 2010-2011 award year over the same period last year. This results in a 125% increase, indicating an increased need to student financial assistance. The college has also experienced a 220% increase in the number of summer Pell awards. Pell checks will be mailed to eligible summer students on July 20th. Student Ambassadors will participate in three county fair events, namely, the Massac County Youth Fair, the Pulaski County Fair and the Union County Fair. Enrollment for the fall semester is on-going with classes beginning Wednesday, August 18th.

Chief Financial Officer Tiffiney Ryan summarized the SCC financial picture. State equalization payment for the 4th quarter of FY10 and the $88,000 owed to the college for the Student Success Grant are not expected until late this year. Ryan told the board that the overall cuts to Illinois community colleges was $7 million or about a 5% decrease over FY10. Beginning with this fiscal year, the state will issue monthly vouchers instead of quarterly payments with the July 2010 monthly payment not expected until February or March, 2011. The Shawnee Community College FY11 budget is conservatively based on receiving no state funding.

Shannon Knowles, SCC board of trustee student member, reported that she will attend and present at the Youth Leadership Academy later this month. Although the fall semester has not begun, the student senate have two activities planned: Fall Fest on September 29th and a Red Cross Blood Drive on October 20th.

Dr. Peterson addressed the board on several points. The college has received notice from Congressman Costello that SCC has been awarded two Health and Human Services Grants: $11,470 American Recover Act and $17,489 Department of Health and Human Services. Also, the Illinois Community College Board's recent audit of our Adult Education grant had no findings. Representatives from SIU, Chancellor Rita Cheng and Executive Assistant John Davis met with Peterson in his home to discuss relationships between SCC and SIU, including the fee structure and the aviation program. Chancellor Cheng plans to visit SCC extension centers this fall.

On Thursday, July 8th Peterson, along with several SCC staff, attended Governor Quinn¡¦s official law signature event creating the Alexander-Cairo Port District. The law creates the Alexander-Cairo Port District and gives the board the authority to oversee, operate, and maintain port-related facilities and export trade companies within the boundaries of the district. Peterson praised the work of SCC Maintenance Supervisor Don Koch and his staff and all members of the SCC team who attended and/or assisted with the event.

Peterson informed the board that he will begin a one-year appointment as the Southern Illinois Collegiate Common Market Chairperson later this month. Peterson continued his report reminding the board of the upcoming "Lunch with the Best" event scheduled at the SCC main campus on Thursday, July 15th. Southernmost Illinois Tourism will be highlighted at the event. SCC faculty member Paul Echols shared with the board the SCC Campus Safety Plan. The Illinois Campus security Enhancement Act of 2008 requires public institutions of higher learning to develop a written campus safety policy. The plan will be presented to faculty and staff this fall and will be available for review on our website. In addition, interior safe zone indicators, severe weather drills, and training videos are part of the plan. Having completed his first instructional year, Echols also expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to serve SCC. He explained updates in the forensic science program and detailed several presentations that he has completed and expects to complete, including Illinois State Police classes, Federal Bureau of Investigation training conferences and a Quantico visit. He is also authoring a non-profit book entitled, "In Cold Pursuit."

The board discussed the scholarship award process and guidelines. The scholarship booklet is in the revision process and will be made available to the board for approval in September.

The board voted to: