Creston—The Southwestern Community College (SWCC) board of directors met on Wed., February 10, 2016, at 5:30 p.m. in the Administration Center on the Creston campus.
The board set a public hearing for review and approval of the college’s fiscal year 2017 budget. The public hearing was set for March 8, 2016, at 5:30 p.m., in the board room of the college’s Administration Center.
The board of directors then voted to receipt and file the college’s audit report as presented.
Ken Rech, SWCC board president from Red Oak, noted an online evaluation survey will be utilized once again for the annual evaluation of SWCC President Dr. Barb Crittenden.
Tom Lesan, SWCC vice president of economic development, gave the board a construction update related to the ongoing renovation project in the 200-bay of the Instructional Center. According to Lesan, construction has progressed during the last month and contractors are currently hanging and finishing dry wall. Painting will be the next step. Completion is estimated for the first week of March.
Lesan informed board members that Creston has been selected as an overnight stop for RAGBRAI. Bikers will arrive in town on July 25. Southwestern has been asked to provide campground space on college grounds, as well as rental housing in the residence halls. Lesan said the college should have additional details by next month’s board meeting.
Lesan reported to the board regarding replacement of the college’s computer software system. Lesan said college administration began discussion concerning a software update during the spring of 2014. The system, which was purchased in 1984, has become outdated and, according to Lesan, college reporting requirements and demands continue to increase. Improved software functions and features are becoming necessary. Lesan said the first phase of the plan involved researching software systems and asking for input from other colleges. Phase two was to obtain proposals from companies offering similar systems. Lesan stated two companies, Jenzabar and Ellucian, were selected to make presentations to college employees. Following these presentations, an official proposal will be presented to the board, possibly at the March 2016 board meeting. The computer software system is expected to cost approximately $1 million.
Beth Kulow, SWCC dean of student services, reported to the board that spring 2016 enrollment is at 1,568 students and 15,145 credit hours. This is an increase of 2.2 percent from spring 2015. Credit hours are up 2.5 percent from last spring.
Jerry Smith, SWCC board member from Osceola and Iowa Association of Community College Trustees (IACCT) representative, spoke briefly about the IACCT January meeting.
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