Pytlinski seated as new Student Trustee
Grace Pytlinski, a sophomore from Waltonville, was seated as the new student member of the Board of Trustees following a March election. The Waltonville High School graduate is studying Agriculture Business and Agricultural Production and Management, and plans to transfer to Murray State University to continue her education in Plant and Soil Sciences. She hopes to one day become an agronomist, working for a large company like Monsanto or Syngenta. Pytlinski replaces outgoing student member Eric Schumm, who was recognized for his year of service Tuesday. She is following in the footsteps of big sister Claire, who served as student trustee for the 2015-2016 board year. Grace Pytlinski is the current RLC Homecoming Queen; Claire also held that honor in 2015.
New drone courses, other curriculum matters receive approval
Two new courses in the Unmanned Aircraft Systems program received approval Tuesday and their submission to the Illinois Community College Board for action also was authorized. Advanced Flight, Nature Photography will cover advanced UAS flying techniques, including autonomous flight applications and strategies to deal with challenges in capturing video and stills. Videography Production will cover basic and intermediate instruction and hands-on video editing training in Adobe Premiere Elements. Students will take video with drones and learn to turn the footage into professional-looking movies, complete with audio, title and other text, color and lighting adjustments and removal of unwanted clips.
In other curriculum matters, changes were approved to the Early Childhood Level 2 and Veterinary Assistant certificates, the IBEW Professional Inside Wireman curriculum was withdrawn, and several courses which are no longer in use also were withdrawn.
Bond issuance gets green light
The board approved a resolution providing for the issue of approximately $5 million in general obligation bonds (alternative revenue source) to defray the ordinary and necessary costs of operation. This move was made necessary by the continued lack of state funding.
Culinary Arts articulation agreement with SIUC approved
The board approved an articulation agreement allowing students to complete an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Culinary Arts at RLC and transfer into Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Bachelor of Science Degree in Hospitality and Tourism Administration.
PHS levy project to be bid
Permission was granted to bid for an excess Protection, Health and Safety Levy funded project. The project is the replacement of the air handler in the Advanced Technology Building, and the project qualifies under the PHS funding guidelines.
Roof, sidewalk replacement bids awarded
The board accepted the bid of $74,435 from D7 Roofing of New Baden for the replacement of the roof on the South Oasis. Additionally, the base bid and alternate of $57,890 from KRB Excavation of Trenton was accepted for sidewalk replacement. Both projects will be paid for using Protection, Health and Safety Levy funds.
Resignations from three
The board accepted with regret three resignations Tuesday.
·Erica Blumenstock, Nursing Associate Professor, effective July 31, 2017. She has been with RLC full-time since August 2007. “The time I have spent teaching nursing students will forever be one of my proudest accomplishments,” Blumenstock wrote in her resignation letter. “I am immensely proud of the number of exceptional nurses the nursing faculty have developed over the years.”
·Stephanie Smith, Community and Corporate Education Specialist, effective April 7. She had been with the college full-time since July 2014. “I am thankful for the incredible opportunities I have been given, the skills I have learned, and the professional relationships I have built,” Smith said in her resignation letter. “I wish Rend Lake College continued success as I know that it is not only a wonderful place to work, but an institution that works hard to ensure students’ success.”
·Kristin Yosanovich, Nursing Professor, effective July 31, 2017. She has been with RLC full-time since August 2004. “I am looking forward to my new opportunity, both professionally and personally,” Yosanovich said in her resignation letter. “I will truly miss the amazing colleagues I have been fortunate to know here, as well as the wonderful students that I have been so privileged to teach.”
In other business, the board …
·Ratified payment of college expenses, including travel reimbursements, as presented.
·Approved revision to board policy and procedure concerning computation of hourly rate of pay for part-time employees (second reading).
·Approved new policy and procedure concerning student optional disclosure of private medical / mental health information (second reading) and faculty qualifications (first reading).
·Approved sections 1 and 5 of the revised RLC Policy Manual (first reading).
·Approved revision to board procedure concerning stipends and reactivated the men’s basketball assistant coach job description.
Mark your calendars …
·Visiting Artist Series: Mixed Media by Najjar Abdul-Musawwir, Jan. 27-April 21, RLC Theatre Lobby.
·Culinary Arts Showcase, 5-8 p.m. Thursdays & Fridays, March 23-May 25, Pat Kern Private Dining Area in the RLC Student Center on campus; make reservations with Community & Corporate Education at 618.437.5321, Ext. 1714.
·Job Search Party, 3-6 p.m. Thursday, April 13, Holiday Inn / Doubletree Inn, Mt. Vernon.
·Lake Reception (RLC Fine Arts publication), 5 p.m. Thursday, April 13, King City Books, Mt. Vernon.
·Phi Theta Kappa Induction, 2 p.m. Thursday, April 20, RLC Theatre.
·RLC Sports Hall of Fame Induction Banquet, 5:30 p.m. Saturday, April 22, Waugh Gymnasium.
·20th annual STARS Award Banquet, 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 26, Waugh Gymnasium.
·Flummoxed Fairy Tales, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Thursday and Friday, April 27 and 28, RLC Theatre.
·Children’s Health Fair, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, April 28, RLC campus.
·RLC Student and Faculty Recital, 3 p.m. Sunday, April 30, RLC Theatre.
·Annual Board / Faculty / Staff Awards, 3:30-5 p.m. Tuesday, May 2, RLC Theatre.
·Jefferson County CEO Trade Show, 5-7 p.m. Thursday, May 4, Holiday Inn, Mt. Vernon.
·Spring Concert, 7 p.m. Thursday, May 4, RLC Theatre.
·Radiologic Technology Pinning Ceremony, 1 p.m. Thursday, May 11, Pat Kern Private Dining Area.
·Associate Degree Nursing Pinning Ceremony, 7 p.m. Thursday, May 11, Waugh Gymnasium.
· RLC Commencement, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, May 13, Waugh Gymnasium.
