MINUTES OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES REGULAR MEETING
DISTRICT NO. 537
RICHLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE
ONE COLLEGE PARK – DECATUR, ILLINOIS 62521
August 18, 2015
CONVENING OF THE MEETING
Call to Order The regular meeting was called to order at 5:31 p.m. Tuesday, August 18, 2015,
in Conference Room E181 of the College by Chairman Campbell. Chairman Campbell also
recited the College Vision, Mission, and Core Values.
Roll Call
Trustees Present: Bruce Campbell, Dr. Larry Osborne, Tom Ritter, Dale Colee, Dr. David
Cooprider, Bishop Wayne Dunning, Randy Prince, Donnie Lewis
Trustees Absent: None
Also present: Dr. Gayle Saunders and other staff members
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes of the regular meeting of July 21, 2015, had been distributed to the Board prior to
this meeting.
Prince moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of July 21, 2015. Dr.
Osborne seconded. Voice vote being all ayes, Chairman Campbell declared the motion
carried.
APPEARANCE OF CITIZENS AND INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS
Dr. Saunders welcomed Valerie Wells from the Herald and Review.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
1. An editorial was submitted from the Herald and Review thanking Richland
Community College and those involved with the CDL Program for the success that
the student was able to accomplish with his new career.
2. Correspondence was received from Dr. Marcia Hardy thanking the University of
Illinois Motorcycle Rider Program that is sponsored by Richland Community
College.
3. A thank you note was received from the Michael McElroy Family for support during
the time of their loss.
Board of Trustees minutes
August 18, 2015
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College Activities Report:
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Students Welcome Back Picnic will be held in the Atrium on August 20, 2015
from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Engagement Fair, August 28 from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. in the Mueller Student
Center
2015 Farm Progress Show runs September 1, 2, and 3rd. The Farm Progress
Show Concert, featuring Craig Morgan will begin at 5:00 p.m. on September 2nd
Saturday Produce Market is still running on Saturdays until September 26th from
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Constitution/Citizenship Day, September 17, 2015
Personnel Update
Retirements, Resignations, and Terminations
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Lynn Hudson, Professor, Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning, Business
Technology, effective August 15, 2015.
New Employees
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Marie Vercellino, Food Service Instructor, Decatur Correctional Center, effective
August 3, 2015.
Stephen Hardy, Radiography Lab Facilitator, Part-time, Health Professions,
effective August 17, 2015.
Construction Report
Greg Florian provided a report on the construction progress of the Student Success
Center. Construction continues since the 25% local match is available. However, the
site will be secured in the next week or so as those funds are depleted. Once the State
of Illinois adopts the FY16 budget, work will resume. The Fire and Security Extension
System is complete. The Lock Replacement project is complete, and Progress City
USA Expansion is underway and on a very aggressive timeline to be ready for the
Farm Progress Show.
SPECIAL REPORTS
REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT
1. As Richland Community College and other colleges and universities in the State
continue to see declining enrollments, we are working to overcome these obstacles.
A Continuous Improvement Process Team was formed in the spring to research
and recommend new strategies for enrollment growth. The team focused on
Program Optimization, Student Driven Scheduling, and Enhanced Creative
Board of Trustees minutes
August 18, 2015
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Marketing. The recommendations will be considered and action plans deployed, to
move the trend line upward in subsequent semesters.
2. The College continues to explore new grant opportunities. Dr. Doug Brauer is
pursuing a National Science Foundation (NFS) Advanced Technology Education
Grant. The objectives include academic institution and industry partnerships,
professional development; and career pathways and articulation between 2 and 4
year higher education programs for K-12 prospective STEM teachers.
3. The Perkins Grant was funded for $180,000.00. These funds significantly help the
College acquire equipment for specific programs.
4. A new retreat date was set for September 17, 2015 beginning at 4:30 p.m. The
retreat will be held on campus.
5. Convey Health Solutions, Inc. has selected Decatur as the location of its new client
support center. The Company will occupy the former Star Tek facility located next
to Richland’s satellite facility in Fairview Park Plaza. Richland will create and
provide a workforce training curriculum that is unique for Convey. Convey Health
worked closely with the Economic Development Corporation, Richland Community
College, Workforce Investment Solutions, and the City of Decatur to organize a job
fair on August 11th and 12th at Richland Community College.
6. Fall classes began yesterday. First week activities, employee/division meetings,
Richland’s accreditation reaffirmation celebration, and Convocation was held the
week of August 10th in preparation for a successful fall semester.
7. Richland Community College had a significant presence at the Decatur Celebration.
The College provided free ice cold water to Celebration attendees in Central Park
and about 60 employees, families, and students walked in the Razzle Dazzle Good
Times Parade!
8. The Foundation’s annual meeting and awareness event for the Capital Campaign
will occur at the Country Club of Decatur August 19, 2015 beginning at 5:00 p.m.
Please continue to share invitations with your friends and colleagues who may have
an interest in contributing to the campaign.
9. Richland continues its discussion with ADM regarding Skilled Trade Education
Pathways. Staff and faculty from Richland met with ADM human resources and
production supervisors and Brett Hitchings of the Heartland Technical Academy to
review the proposed career and technical education pathways that Heartland
Technical Academy students will have the opportunity to embark on. ADM
personnel toured student laboratories and are very receptive and pleased about the
potential of the career pathways that have been defined.
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August 18, 2015
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10. Dr. Gianina Baker explained how the College has entered into a partnership with
the City of Decatur and the Economic Development Corporation of Decatur and
Macon County to support interactive software called emsi Career Coach. This
project will support local and regional businesses and industries in identifying key
skills and in clarifying for interested prospective employees, the education needed
to fill positions at all levels.
11. We welcomed 65 new Trustee Scholars and their families to Richland Community
College on August 6th. The evening orientation provides students and their families
opportunities to be acclimated prior to the start of the semester.
12. Dr. Gianina Baker gave the annual update on the 2015 College Yearbook and
shared the 2015 Fast Facts brochure.
13. Dr. Denise Crews gave the annual Program Review Report which was submitted to
ICCB on August 1.
14. Darbe Brinkoetter presented the College Spotlight - GO (Girls Only) STEM Camp.
REPORT OF ICCTA
Chairman Campbell announces the upcoming meeting in September.
REPORT OF STUDENT TRUSTEE
Student Trustee Donnie Lewis reported on the upcoming events at Richland Community
College. The activities are listed in the board book.
AGREEMENTS AND CONTRACTS AUTHORIZED BY PRESIDENT SAUNDERS
Dr. Saunders signed the intergovernmental agreement between Richland Community College
and Central A & M High School to provide dual credit courses in Sociology and Psychology as
part of the Richland Transfer Academy.
Dr. Saunders signed a contract between Richland Community College and Economic
Modeling LLC (“emsi”) to provide Career Coach, a web-based tool to assist students in finding
sustainable careers by providing current data on wages, employment, job postings, and
associated education and training for the Richland region.
Dr. Saunders signed the intergovernmental agreement between Richland Community College
and Mt. Zion High School to provide dual credit courses in Sociology, Psychology,
Composition, Accounting, Business, Word Processing, Web Development, and College
Algebra as part of the Richland Transfer Academy.
Board of Trustees minutes
August 18, 2015
EXECUTIVE SESSION
None
CONSENT AGENDA
Full-Time Employment
A recommendation to accept Karl Evans, Full-Time Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
Instructor was proposed for approval to the Board.
Prince moved to approve the consent agenda item as presented. Dr. Osborne
seconded. Roll call vote being all ayes, Chairman Campbell declared the motion
carried.
NEW BUSINESS
It was recommended that the Board of Trustees approve the continuation of the Legal
Representation Agreement between Richland Community College and Samuels, Miller,
Schroeder, Jackson & Sly, LLP, effective August 18, 2015.
Ritter moved to approve the continuation of the Legal Representation Agreement
between Richland Community College and Samuels, Miller, Schroeder, Jackson & Sly,
LLP, effective August 18, 2015. Prince seconded. Roll call vote being all ayes,
Chairman Campbell declared the motion carried.
FINANCIAL REPORT
The July 2015 Treasurer’s Report and Financial Statement were presented to and discussed
with the Board.
A list of bills paid in the amount of $1,082,714.05 for July 2015 was distributed to the Board
prior to the meeting.
Prince moved to ratify the July bills paid and approve the Financial Statement subject
to audit. Lewis seconded. Roll call vote being all ayes, Chairman Campbell declared
the motion carried.
ITEMS FROM THE BOARD
None
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Board of Trustees minutes
August 18, 2015
ADJOURNMENT
Dunning moved and Prince seconded to adjourn the meeting at 7:02 p.m.
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Dr. David Cooprider, Secretary
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