Creston— The Southwestern Community College (SWCC) board of directors met on Tues., May 12, 2015, at 5:30 p.m. in the SWCC Administration Center for their regular monthly board meeting.
During the meeting, the board held a public hearing for phase three of the Instructional Center Renovation Project, which will include renovation of the classrooms in the 200-bay hallway. Three bids were received for the project. According to Tom Lesan, SWCC vice president of economic development, architects estimated the project cost at $1.375 million. Following review of the bids, the board approved the lowest bid of $841,365 from Camblin Mechanical of Atlantic. Lesan told the board a completion date of September 14, 2015, or sooner is projected.
The board approved a proposal to raise in-state and out-of-state tuition by $4 per credit for the 2015-16 school year. Fees will remain at $12 per credit; therefore, total tuition and fees will be $164 per credit for in-state students and $171 for out-of-state students.
Changes to other fees for the 2015-16 school year, which were approved by the board, include:
• Technology and Lab Fee – $15/credit. Industrial maintenance (IND) courses will now be charged a technology and lab fee due to need for equipment, technology, lab environment, supplies, and safety considerations for the program.
• Computer Hardware Basics (NET 122) - $194 course fee. Fee for first-year information technology systems networking students to cover costs for students’ CompTIA A+ certification exams during this spring semester course.
• CISCO Networking (NET 212) - $150 course fee. Fee for first-year information technology systems networking students to cover costs of students’ CISCO ((ICND 1) certification exams during this spring semester course.
• Fundamentals of Network Security (NET 612) - $302 course fee. Fee for second-year information technology systems networking students to cover costs of students’ CompTIA Security+SY0-401 during this spring semester course.
• Automotive Engine Repair (AUT 163) - $55 course fee. Fee for second-year automotive repair technology students to cover the cost of students’ CPR training during this fall semester course.
• Collision Lab IV (CRR 364) - $55 course fee. Fee for second-year auto collision repair/refinish students to cover cost of students’ CPR training during this spring semester course.
• Industrial Maintenance (ELT 717) - $55 course fee. Fee for second-year industrial maintenance technology students to cover costs of students’ CPR training during this spring semester course.
• Room Only Fee - $25 per day. Fee for non-registered, non-students staying in student housing facilities during summer or winter breaks.
The board next approved a resolution providing for and establishing a self-insurance program for the college, as well as approving a form of insurance agreement and payment of the agreement as presented. Prior to the votes, Randy Cook, SWCC chief financial officer, explained to the board the Operating Equipment Protection Insurance covers maintenance and preventative measures on any type of equipment including software and security both physical and cyber. The annual premium is $250,000 and is managed in partnership with Holmes Murphy & Associates. An annual fee of $27,500 is paid to Holmes Murphy and Creative Risk Solutions to assist in management of policy and third party oversight.
In personnel, the board approved the hiring of Suzanne Carlson as nursing instructor; Micah Elefson as welding instructor; Rena Cheers as nursing instructor, and Deborah Roberts as math instructor.
The board approved the resignation of Wendy Pringle, nursing instructor, effective at the end of her current contract in June. Pringle began with the college in December 2010 as a clinical instructor and moved to her full-time position as nursing instructor in August 2012.
During the president’s report, Dr. Barb Crittenden, SWCC president, informed the board summer commencement will be held on Fri., June 26, 2015, at 7:30 p.m. in the Student Center gymnasium. She also mentioned the athletics department’s Annual Golf Fundraiser will be held May 30 at Crestmoor Golf Club in Creston.
The board members received copies of the college’s Affirmative Action Plan. Crittenden explained approval of the plan will be on the agenda for the June board meeting.
Bill Taylor, SWCC vice president of instruction, and Beth Kulow, SWCC dean of students, gave the board an overview of honors and awards received by SWCC students during the 2014-15 academic year.
Following the president’s report, Jerry Smith, SWCC board member from Osceola and also SWCC’s Iowa Association for Community College Trustees (IACCT) representative, reported on the recent IACCT board meeting. The board was also reminded about the annual IACCT Conference, which will be held July 22-24 in Ottumwa.
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