2019

Published May 15, 2019 2:53 pm

Creston— The Southwestern Community College (SWCC) board of directors met on Tuesday, May 14, 2019, at 5:30 p.m. in the SWCC Administration Center for its regular monthly board meeting.

The board recessed to hold a Strategy Session from 5:32 p.m. to 5:37 p.m.

When the board reconvened, Tom Lesan, SWCC vice president of economic development, presented bids received for the Ag Addition and the Science Lab Renovation. Lesan reported that all bids came in higher than expected. In a meeting with the construction manager, architect and engineer, it was noted that the cost of materials and labor are up and contracts across the state are coming in higher than anticipated. The projects are scheduled for completion at the end of November 2019.

The board authorized the administration to negotiate a contract with the following low bidders for the Ag Addition and Science Lab Renovation projects:

•     General for the Ag Addition with Grand Construction for an amount not to exceed $1.27 million.
•     Electrical for the Ag Addition with Keul Electric for an amount not to exceed $268,000.
•     Mechanical for the Ag Addition with Camblin Mechanical for an amount not to exceed $296,500.
•     General for the Science Lab Renovation with Grand Construction for an amount not to exceed $760,000.
•     Electrical for the Science Lab Renovation with Keul Electric for an amount not to exceed $246,000.
•     Mechanical for the Science Lab Renovation with Camblin Mechanical for an amount not to exceed $482,300.

The board approved a tuition increase of $6 per credit hour for both in-state and out-of-state residents for the 2019-20 school year. With the increase, total tuition and fees will be $190 per credit hour for in-state students and $197 for out-of-state students.

Changes approved by the board for other fees for the 2019-20 school year include:

•     ADN Nursing Fee RN - $25 increase in the annual fee, charged during the student’s first semester, to cover the cost of supplemental teaching and learning resources that are instrumental in improving student success.
•     PNN Nursing Fee LPN - $25 increase in the annual fee, charged in the student’s first semester, to cover the cost of supplemental teaching and learning resources that are instrumental in improving student success.
•     International Student Processing Fee - $75 increase per application, to cover the increased costs to remain compliant and to provide quality assistance to such individuals.
•     Embedded Content Fees – The ICCOC or SWCC may assess additional fees mid-year based on instructor or course requirements.

In personnel, the board extended the contracts of Bill Taylor, vice president of instruction; Lindsay Stoaks, assistant vice president of instruction; and Dr. Barb Crittenden, president, through June 30, 2020, with a salary increase of 2.5 percent.

The board also appointed Tia Samo as board secretary effective June 1, 2019.

During the president’s report, Dr. Barb Crittenden, SWCC president, reminded the board of the summer commencement ceremony, which will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 28.

MJ Dolan, IACCT executive director, briefed the board on the recent legislative session and distributed informational materials concerning community colleges.

Bill Taylor, SWCC vice president of instruction, shared results with the board from the recent Iowa SkillsUSA competition. Southwestern students placed well with eight state champions, two second-place winners and two third-place winners. The college had 14 students participating in 10 events. The state champions next compete at the National SkillsUSA June 24-28 in Louisville, Kentucky.

Following the president’s report, Jerry Smith, SWCC board member from Osceola and also SWCC’s Iowa Association of Community College Trustees (IACCT) representative, reported on the recent IACCT board meeting.  Smith reminded the board of the summer IACCT Conference, to be held July 24-26 in Council Bluffs.

Dr. Tony Cass, SWCC board president, presented Mary Jo Skarda, board secretary, with a plaque in appreciation of her years of service as board secretary. Skarda has served as board secretary since 1987.

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Published May 6, 2019 11:35 am

NACEP awards accreditation to 26 concurrent enrollment programs for demonstrating high quality and rigorous standards
Seven programs granted initial accreditation for high levels of academic oversight for college courses taught by high school instructors

May 1, 2019, Chapel Hill, North Carolina - The National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP) Accreditation Commission granted accreditation to 26 concurrent enrollment programs at colleges and universities nationwide. This brings the total number of accredited programs across the country to 112, spanning 22 states.

Published April 18, 2019 1:56 pm

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

PROJECT: INSTRUCTIONAL CENTER RNVTN PH 5 AND AG BLD ADDITION BID DATETlME: 1 :00 p.m. local standard time on the 13th day of May, 2019

LOCATION: Board Room in the Administration Center Southwestern Community College
1501 West Townline Street, Creston, Iowa 50801

Notice is hereby given that there are on file with the Board Secretary of the Board of Trustees (the "Board") of Southwestern Community College (SWCC), Creston, Iowa (the "Community College", proposed plans, specifications, form of contract and estimate of costs (the "Contract Documents") for the construction of the Instructional Center Rnvtn Ph 5 and Ag Bid Addition (the "Project").

Sealed bids for the construction the Project will be received on behalf of the Board at the Board Room in the Administration Center at Southwestern Community College, 1501 West Townline Street, Creston, Iowa 50801 before 1 :00 p.m. local standard time on the 13th day of May, 2019. Offers will be opened publicly immediately after the time for receipt of bids at the above location.

The Project consists of, but is not limited to the two phased construction of; Phase 1 Ag Building 5,000 SF Addition to house two classrooms for approximately 30 students, two offices, 400 SF of hardened storm area, 800 SF of document storage and mud room. Phase 2 Science Lab renovation of Chemistry, Physics and Biology as well as office and prep space in the 300 Series Wing of the existing Instructional Building. Both phases include HVAC, lighting, electrical, and fire sprinkler upgrades.

No bidder may withdraw their bid for at least thirty (30) days after the scheduled closing time for the receipt of bids. The right to reject any or all proposals and to waive any irregularities is reserved by SWCC.

By virtue of Statutory Authority, the bidder shall give preference to Iowa Domestic Labor and products produced with the State of Iowa according to the provisions of the 1991 code of Iowa.

DATED AT: Southwestern Community College, this 18th day of April, 2019.
BY ORDER OF: Southwestern Community College.
BY: Tom Lesan, SWCC.