Creston— The Southwestern Community College (SWCC) board of directors met Tuesday, September 11, 2012, at 5:30 p.m. in the Administration Center on the Creston campus.
Tom Lesan, SWCC vice president for economic development, spoke to the board regarding the college’s five-year facilities plan, a requirement put in place two years ago by the Department of Education. Lesan explained the five-year facilities plan as an ever-changing document. He noted, for example, the plan includes upgrades to the classrooms in the Instructional Center spread over several years. According to Lesan, an estimate has been sought for a project that would consolidate several of these upgrades into one initiative at a cost of approximately $1.5 million. Work could begin as early as Spring Break 2013.
Lesan explained to the board that funding for the Instructional Center project will come from three years of Accelerated Career Education (ACE) funds for the health information technology program. Also in regard to the facilities plan, Lesan noted the recoating of the Student Center’s gym floor has been completed. The board voted to approve the five-year facilities plan as presented.
Dr. Barb Crittenden, SWCC president, spoke to the board regarding the Budget and Financial Conditions reports. Crittenden noted the Budgeting and Financial Condition reports are submitted quarterly to the board. Crittenden explained the year-end numbers for the budget are not ready until September; therefore, the report is usually given to the Board at that time. She said the external Financial Condition report is listed as a December report; however, the audit report is not usually ready until January or February. Crittenden said the audit report is not due to the State until March 31. Crittenden suggested the policy be revised to reflect the proposed changes. Following Crittenden’s explanation, the board voted to change the Budgeting and Financial Condition internal reports from August to September and the Financial Condition external report from December to February.
Lesan noted two bids have been received for necessary agriculture and maintenance department equipment. According to Lesan, the requested equipment is the same that has been leased in the past with the exception of a baler. The baler will be purchased for $15,000 rather than leased. This three-year lease is approximately $600 less per month than the previous lease. The board authorized the SWCC administration to enter into a three-year equipment lease with Barker Implement as presented.
During the president’s report, Crittenden asked Lesan to report on tornado recovery at the college. Lesan stated that all of the major repairs in student housing are completed. Glass is being installed in the front of the Technical Center and should be completed by the end of September.
Following Lesan’s report, the board heard from Phil Tyler, Tyler Insurance Services, Inc., concerning the college’s insurance coverage. Tyler told the board the college’s insurance rates will be increasing 15 percent for the coming year. Tyler attributed the increase to the 2 percent annual increase in property values to protect against inflation, as well as the storms that have been experienced in Iowa during the past five years. Tyler noted the college had no gaps or non-existent coverage following the April 14, 2012, tornado.
Lesan also reviewed the 260E Bond Trac report. He noted that on average, the companies SWCC has training agreements with are paying off their 10 year contracts in just less than seven years. He also noted he hopes to have a new issuance to bring to the board for consideration at the November meeting.
Dr. Jane Bradley, SWCC associate vice president of instruction and Beth Kulow, Southwest Iowa Region STEM Hub manager, presented information on the 12 scale-up projects available to the college’s region. The purpose of this organization is to improve science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education, opportunity and advancement across the state of Iowa.
Bradley and Kulow discussed a series of community conversations featuring STEM education and economic development that will take place across the state in September and October. The community conversations are designed seek feedback from Iowans about what priorities the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council should focus on as the STEM initiative continues to build across Iowa. There will be a STEM Community Conversation at SWCC on Wed., Sept. 19, 2012, at 1:30 p.m. in the Instructional Center, room 180. Iowa Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds and President Ben Allen, University of Northern Iowa, will host the Union County STEM Community Conversation.
Dr. Matt Thompson, SWCC’s dean of students, reported that preliminary fall enrollment shows a 5.1 percent decrease in headcount and a 7.1 percent decrease in credit hours. Thompson will give the final enrollment report at the October board of trustees meeting.
Jerry Smith, SWCC board member from Osceola, gave a report on last week’s Iowa Association of Community College Trustees (IACCT) meeting. Smith spoke to the board about a presentation given at the meeting by Rebuilding America’s Middle Class (RAMC), an advocacy group from Indiana. RAMC’s mission is to rebuild America's middle class by enhancing student access and success and by promoting the vital role community colleges play in serving Americans. Following the presentation, Iowa’s community colleges are considering obtaining a membership to RAMC. Smith stated Southwestern’s share of the dues, if they decide to join, would be approximately $2,100. After a short discussion, the board authorized Crittenden to investigate Southwestern’s participation in Rebuilding America’s Middle Class, based on coordination with the American Association of Community College Trustees and participation by the other Iowa community colleges.
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