Radio Control Field move, construction approved
The board approved moving the Radio Control Field from its current location on the east side of campus and constructing a new shelter. The project will be completed with in-house labor, with a projected cost of $34,000. The size of the current field is not equipped for larger planes, and moving the field will allow it to be made larger and more easily accessible to parking. This will allow for bigger events and will bolster the relationship between RLC and the Rend Lake Radio Control Club. The field also is being designed for the use of drones for the Unmanned Aircraft Systems program.
Updated mission statement receives approval
The updated college mission statement was reviewed and approved by the board Tuesday. The mission statement and accompanying documents have undergone a thorough review as part of the Higher Learning Commission reaffirmation of accreditation process. The mission statement reads: “Rend Lake College provides educational opportunities across cultural and economic boundaries to the diverse student population we serve. We are committed to our students’ success in achieving their educational goals and to meeting our community-focused program objectives. With Rend Lake College, student journeys start here.”
Williams to join Student Records
Tracey Williams was appointed Student Records Specialist effective July 18. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and most recently was a travel consultant for Bailey’s Travel.
DeForest moves to Accounts Receivable
The board appointed Emily DeForest as Accounts Receivable Specialist, effective July 1. She previously served as Business Office Specialist at RLC. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Southern Illinois University.
Three positions to be advertised; new assistant coach stipend created
The board granted permission to advertise for three positions Tuesday: Diesel Technology Instructor, Computer Networking Instructor and Marketing Specialist. The instructor positions are needed to provide consistent instruction in Heavy Equipment, Ag Mechanics, Computer Science and Computer Networking, and the Marketing Specialist position is needed due to the department director taking on additional administrative duties. A job description and creation of the position also were approved for the Marketing Specialist.
Additionally, a job description for Men’s Assistant Golf Coach and an accompanying annual stipend of $7,500 received approval Tuesday.
VP Price announces retirement
The board accepted with regret the retirement resignation of Lisa Price, Vice President of Student Services, effective May 11, 2019. She has been with RLC full-time since October 1994. “As a product of Rend Lake College and a true believer in the community college system, I am happy to be able to have had the opportunity to give back to ‘my’ college,” Price wrote in her retirement letter. “I am proud to be a member of the Rend Lake College family and will always be a supporter of the place that taught me so much and has been very good to me throughout the years.”
Police Department’s Brown moving on
Accepted with regret the resignation of Charlie Brown, Police Officer, effective July 21. He had been with the college full-time since September 2012. “I appreciate the opportunity I have been given during my time here,” Brown wrote in his resignation letter. “I wish you and Rend Lake College the best in the future, and hope the campus remains safe and secure for all who come to RLC.”
In curriculum matters …
The board approved a new online course, Communication in Technical Services, which is part of the Office Systems Technology curriculum. Two existing certificates, Health Care Coach and Home Health Aide, were deactivated, and changes to six Physical Education courses were approved.
In other business, the board …
Ratified payment of college expenses, including travel reimbursements, as presented.
Approved an amended retirement resignation for Chris Nielsen, Dean of Applied Science and Technology. The new retirement date is Dec. 31, 2017, as opposed to the original date of July 1, 2018.
Approved section 4 (second reading) of the revised RLC Policy Manual.
Approved revision to board policy concerning faculty qualifications and evaluations of non-faculty personnel (first readings).
Approved salaries for the 2018 fiscal year.
Approved the 2017-2018 RLC Employee Handbook and the 2017-2018 Athletic Handbook.
Approved a vending agreement with Pepsi MidAmerica.
Reviewed closed session minutes and decided that minutes from July 2015 to November 2015 would not be released.
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 Steering Committee, Compliance Committee and other groups will participate in a series of meetings and small-group work sessions on campus on July 19 and 20. Organizers plan to have a draft of the assurance argument, which is generated in support of HLC’s Five Criteria, prior to that.
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.
Mark your calendars …
Practical Nurse Pinning, 3 p.m. Wednesday, July 12, Private Dining Area, Student Center.
Warrior Days (New Student Orientation), Wednesdays, July 26 and Aug. 2, on campus.
Faculty Orientation, 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 10, RLC Theatre.
Super Saturday, noon-2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, on campus.
Class of RLC Reunion – 50th Anniversary Celebration, 5-9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, on campus.
First Day of Fall Classes, Monday, Aug. 14.
Fun Fest, Noon-3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 13, on campus.
37th Annual RLC Foundation Golf Outing, Thursday, Sept. 14, Rend Lake Golf Course; noon shotgun start.
Illinois Regional College Fair, 9-11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19, Waugh Gymnasium.
