Illinois Eastern Community Colleges’ Board of Trustees approved updates to the 2020-2021 IECC Catalog at their regular meeting held Tuesday, July 21st at Lincoln Trail College in Robinson. The catalog is considered a contract with the IECC student. Catalog revisions approved by the Board throughout the year were reviewed and approved for posting to the IECC website and for publication.
A public hearing was held for the purpose of hearing public comment regarding the
issuance of bonds of the District, not to exceed $2,500,000, for community college purposes.
An existing athletic training services agreement was extended with Crawford Memorial
Hospital for athletic training services to Lincoln Trail College. Each of the colleges are required to provide athletic training services that are consistent with requirements set by the Illinois Athletic Trainers Practice Act.
Trustees approved agreements with Counseling & Information for Sexual Assault/Abuse (CAISA), located in Robinson, Illinois, and with Sexual Assault and Family Emergencies (SAFE) located in Vandalia, Illinois. These agreements allow the District to meet requirements to have confidential advisors available to a student or employee who experiences sexual violence.
Approval was given to revise the Academic Calendar for 2020-2021 and to revise the Employee Holiday List for Calendar Year 2020. The revisions designate Election Day as a day that the District facilities are closed and employees do not report to work. Legislation for this designation was passed by the Illinois General Assembly in June of 2020 as Public Act 101-0642 and requires that District facilities be closed on November 3, 2020 for Election Day.
Easements were approved between the IECC District and Ameren and Frontier Communications. The easement for Ameren will allow replacement of an underground power line to be run under property on the Olney Central College campus. This power line provides electricity to Olney Central College. The easement for Frontier Communications will allow fiber optic cable to be run underground to the Carle property facility along Illinois Route 130 adjacent to Olney Central College.
IECC students continue to be satisfied with services provided by the colleges, according to the latest student satisfaction survey, with survey questions included in the areas of Communication, Student Services, Instruction, Technology and recommending the college to others. Results included:
95% were satisfied with Advisement services.
93% were satisfied with Financial Aid services.
97% were satisfied with Entrata.
96% were satisfied with Help Desk services.
92% were satisfied with the quality of instruction.
97% were satisfied with classroom size.
94% were satisfied with courses available at the times they want or needed them.
The survey was completed by 411 students and the results of the survey are shared with various district-wide committees as well as college committees to work on improving any area that needs attention.
A bid was approved for replacement of the HVAC system that serves the Lincoln Trail College Natatorium. The project bid was approved with Central State Construction, Inc. in the amount of $276,305.00.
The Board approved the Technology Plan for FY 2021 through FY 2023. The three year plan addresses technology needs and expenditures for the District in the areas of administrative systems, academic technology, and technology infrastructure. Budget expenditures for these updates were approved in the amount of $600,00.00 each fiscal year.
Affiliation agreements between the District and two area health care facilities were approved. This allows placement of students for clinical experiences with United Methodist Village for Olney Central and Lincoln Trail’s Basic Nurse Assistant Program, and with St. Vincent Health, Inc. for the District’s Associate Degree in Nursing Program.
Trustees approved several new employments. Andrea McDowell was employed as Director of Human Resources at the District Office, effective August 3; Jamie Henry as Director of Business at Lincoln Trail College, effective July 22; Dr. Lisa Hoipkemier as Physical Therapy Assistant Program Instructor at Wabash Valley College, effective August 13; Luke Scheidecker as Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Wabash Valley College, effective July 23; Sarah Burke as Nursing Instructor at Wabash Valley College, effective August 13; Andrew (Holden) August as Coordinator of Public Information & Marketing at Frontier Community College, effective July 22; Scott Correll as Maintenance/Custodian at Olney Central College, effective July 23; Amy Hohlbaugh as Office Assistant at Frontier Community College, effective August 17; and Jodi Robinson was employed as Administrative Assistant at Frontier Community College, effective July 23.
Approval was given for a change in status for Amanda Nelson, from current TRIO Upward Bound Counselor, located at Olney Central College, to TRIO Upward Bound Coordinator, located at Olney Central College, effective July 22.
Resignation ratifications were approved for Jacy Ghast, Assistant Professor at Olney Central College, effective August 1; for Scott Sparks, Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Lincoln Trail College, effective July 7; for Amy Theriac, Coordinator of Financial Aid at Lincoln Trail College, effective August 8; and for Shannon Waters, Office Assistant at Lincoln Trail College, effective July 11.
A retirement ratification was approved for Sibyl Janello, Director of Registration & Records for Workforce Education, effective August 1.
Next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees will be held at Olney Central College, Olney, Tuesday, August 18, 2020, at 7:00 p.m.