Creston— The Southwestern Community College (SWCC) board of directors met on Tuesday, June 11, 2019, at 5:30 p.m. in the college’s Administration Center for its regular board meeting.
The consent agenda was approved as presented.
In personnel, the board voted to approve the employment of Diogenes Ayala, criminal justice instructor. The board also approved the resignation of Alex Anderson, automotive repair technology instructor, effective June 28, 2019.
Uncollectible account write-offs were approved as presented. According to Tia Samo, SWCC chief financial officer, most of the accounts recommended for write-off were incurred during fiscal years 2015 and 2016 and had been at collections with little or no activity for 18 months or more. Samo explained although the account balances are written-off, students’ transcripts are held and students cannot register for additional classes until the balances are paid. A total of $120,966.30 was written off for uncollectable accounts.
Bill Taylor, SWCC vice president of instruction, reported to the board this is the sixth year of a joint project with Union County Habitat for Humanity. The project is for the high school carpentry and building trades career academy program to construct a home on Habitat for Humanity owned property at 606 S. Elm St. in Creston. The project would allow the college to provide required lab experience for students without incurring the expense and risk associated with building a spec home. The board approved the Building Partnership Contract with Habitat for Humanity as presented.
During the president’s report, Dr. Barb Crittenden, SWCC president, reminded the board the summer commencement will be held 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 28, in the Student Center gymnasium.
Crittenden gave the summer enrollment report. Crittenden reported that summer enrollment is at 544 students and 3,193 credit hours.
Erica Frey, TRIO Educational Talent Search (ETS) director, provided an overview of the services ETS provides to students in grades 6-12 in eight local school districts. Funding for the program is approved through 2021.
Taylor provided a virtual tour of the carpentry and building trades house in Afton. The house is currently being constructed by the college and high school carpentry and building trades programs.
The board was informed about the Iowa Association for Community College Trustees (IACCT) conference, scheduled for July 24-26, in Council Bluffs.
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