Tuition remains flat for coming academic year
The board set the in-district tuition rate at $110 per credit hour for the Summer 2018, Fall 2018 and Spring 2019 terms, representing no increase from the current rate. There also was no increase in student universal fees. The out-of-district tuition rate will be set at a later date. At this time, college officials believe the institution will be able to maintain a strong financial position and meet its forecasted budget needs without a tuition increase. Maintaining the current rate allows RLC to remain competitive with its peer group schools.
President Wilkerson’s contract renewal receives first-reading approval
The board approved renewing the contract of President Terry Wilkerson (first reading). The contract is for a four-year term from June 30, 2018, through June 30, 2022, and per President Wilkerson’s request, represents no increase in salary or benefits.
“President Wilkerson has done a fine job of leading the college through some tough economic times in Illinois,” said Randy Rubenacker, chair of the RLC Board of Trustees. “We appreciate his leadership and his commitment to the college, and we look forward to the next four years.”
“It’s an honor to be in this position. I am a product of Rend Lake College,” said Wilkerson. “This college has been good to me, from my time as a student here through time as a faculty and an administrator, and I hope I am returning the favor. Leading the institution that you consider home is a privilege.”
Entrepreneurship Director, Facilitator stipends receive approval
The board approved stipends and accompanying job descriptions for Director of Entrepreneurship and Entrepreneurship Facilitator. Both of these stipend positions are needed to support the expansion of entrepreneurship programs throughout the district. The Director of Entrepreneurship will help county facilitators create curriculum, assess student outcomes and foster high school student entrepreneurial projects. The entrepreneurship facilitators, where necessary, will coordinate and oversee county-wide entrepreneurial programs for district high school students.
Tenure for three
Based upon recommendations from their supervisors, three instructors will receive tenure and the title of Associate Professor.
· Dr. Nina Goloubeva, Medical Assistant Program Director, effective July 1. She continues to teach all Medical Assistant courses as well as some Healthcare Terminology sections. She has worked closely with students to encourage critical situation analysis and continues to contribute significantly to moving the program forward, reported Kim Wilkerson, Dean of Allied Health.
· Charlotte Henry, Health Information Technology Instructor, effective April 21. She is a knowledgable instructor who continues to keep up to date on changes in the field. Henry has been instrumental in the HIT program accreditation process and in online curriculum development, according to Dean Wilkerson.
· Dr. Richard Holland, Physical Science Instructor, effective Aug. 17. According to comments from Andrea Banach, Dean of Math and Sciences, Holland has assumed responsibility for instruction, curriculum, revision and assessment of numerous physical science courses, has been instrumental in the repair and update to lab equipment and has developed online formats for some of the college’s physical science courses.
Clark, McBride moving on
The board accepted with regret two resignations Tuesday.
· Brian Clark, Coordinator of Data Information Systems, effective Feb. 16. He had been with RLC full-time since August 2008. “In the past 10 years, I have grown personally and professionally at Rend Lake College, and I will be forever grateful for the opportunities provided to me at this institution,” Clark wrote in his resignation letter. “I hope that I have had as positive an impact on the institution as it has had on me.”
· Don McBride, Mining Technology Associate Professor, effective Dec. 28, 2018. He has been with RLC on a full-time basis since April 2013. “I have enjoyed my time here and feel that Rend Lake College has accomplished much in assisting the mining industry over the past decade,” McBride wrote in his resignation letter. “I am proud to have been a member of your group.”
Accreditation update
The board heard a report on the college’s reaffirmation of accreditation activities. The college is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is due for an evaluation by the HLC in September 2018. The board was presented with an early rough draft of the assurance argument, which is designed to prove the college meets HLC’s five Criteria for Accreditation.
In other business, the board …
· Heard a report from Dr. Elizabeth Bailey-Smith of the Academic Council covering the curriculum matters taken up by the board Tuesday and reporting on additional meetings and activities.
· Ratified payment of college expenses including travel reimbursements.
· Approved withdrawal of the Green Facilities Management and Sustainable Design curricula, approved withdrawal of eight related courses, approved changes to eight classes and approved a change in credit hours for the Mine Operations certificate curriculum. The board authorized submission of these changes to the Illinois Community College Board for action.
· Approved the notice of election of the student member of the Board of Trustees.
· Approved creation of policy and procedure concerning the review and publication of Student Right to Know information, campus security disclosures, student policies and recruitment materials (second reading).
· Approved revision to college policy and procedure concerning social media (first reading).
· Approved revision of college procedures concerning fees, stipends, and performance evaluation and tenure of faculty members.
· Ratified approval of the 2018-2019 Emergency Medical Technician Handbook.
· Approved submission of the statement of final construction compliance for the Protection, Health and Safety Project involving the South Oasis roof replacement and campus sidewalk replacement.
Mark your calendars …
· Visiting Artist: Erica Burton, Jan. 15-March 2, Theatre lobby.
· Warrior Superfan Shoot-Out, 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, Waugh Gymnasium.
· Faculty / Staff In-Service, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20, RLC campus.
· RLC Basketball Homecoming Games vs. Lincoln Trail College, women’s game at 5:30 p.m., men’s game at 7:30 p.m.; Waugh Gymnasium.
· Career Fair, Friday, March 2, RLC Campus.
· Spoken Word and Open Mic Night, 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 5, King City Books, Mt. Vernon.
· Glo Bingo, 5:30 p.m. Friday, March 9, The Rec on campus.
· Transition Summit, Tuesday, March 20, RLC campus.
· Kickstart Your Journey, Thursday-Friday, March 22-23, RLC campus.
· Spring Musical: The Addams Family, 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, April 5-7, and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 8, RLC Theatre.
· Higher Learning Commission Annual Conference, Thursday-Monday, April 5-9, Hyatt Regency Chicago.
· Job Search Party, 3-6 p.m. Thursday, April 12, Mt. Vernon Hotel and Event Center.
· Trivia Night, Thursday, April 12, The Rec on campus.
· Phi Theta Kappa Induction, 2 p.m. Thursday, April 19, RLC Theatre.
· Lake Reception, 5 p.m. Thursday, April 19, King City Books, Mt. Vernon. Lake is RLC’s fine arts publication.
· Children’s Health Fair, Thursday, April 26, The Rec on campus.
· Flummoxed Fairy Tales, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Thursday-Friday, April 26-27, RLC Theatre.
