The Southwestern Community College (SWCC) board of trustees held its regular meeting on Tuesday, March 10, 2020, at 5:30 p.m. in the board room of the college’s Administration Center.
The first action item on the agenda was consideration of the fiscal year 2021 budget. A public hearing was held and no oral or written objections or petitions were heard or submitted. The board approved the budget as presented.
Tia Samo, SWCC chief financial officer, spoke to the board regarding recommendations for student housing costs for the 2020-21 academic year. The board approved Samo’s proposal to keep the room and board fees and student housing deposit at the same rates that were in place during the 2019-20 academic year: apartment-style housing rates, $3,830 per semester in Spartan Court, Spartan Hall, and Spartan Suites; traditional-style housing rates, $3,305 per semester in West Hall and Wilson Hall; and the student housing deposit will remain at $150.
The board approved an Industrial New Jobs Training Agreement with Red Oak Fabrication, Inc. in the amount of $120,000. The agreement will create 27 new jobs.
Next, the board heard recommendations for a new lease agreement providing photo copiers at all college locations. Southwestern’s current lease agreement for copiers will expire March 25, 2020. Following the review of six proposals, college administrators recommended a proposal from Access Systems in the amount of $21,011.93 annually. This rate is lower than the $27,489.13 the college is paying under its current agreement.
In personnel, the board approved the resignation of Henry Lemke, industrial technology instructor. Lemke has been in charge of the college’s industrial technology program since February 2013.
Dr. Tony Cass of Creston, board of trustees president, noted that at the request of Dr. Barb Crittenden, SWCC president, the CEO evaluation would be held in closed session.
Tom Lesan, SWCC vice president of economic development, updated the board regarding progress being made on the construction underway at the Agricultural Sciences Center at the SWCC Ag Site. Lesan said furniture and equipment will be moved into the building this week and courses should be moved into the new classrooms when students return from Spring Break on March 23. He said the college plans to host an open house and invite the community to the expanded facility this fall.
During the president’s report, Dr. Barb Crittenden, SWCC president, told the board spring 2020 commencement will be held on Friday, May 8, 2020, at 7:30 p.m., in the Student Center gymnasium.
Crittenden updated the board briefly about college planning that has taken place in preparation for the coronavirus outbreak. She assured the board the college has been monitoring information and guidance from the Iowa Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Crittenden said the college has been communicating this information to students and employees as it becomes available.
Smith reported briefly regarding the March IACCT meeting. He also let the board know the annual IACCT conference will be held in Sioux City from July 22-24.
The board then went into closed session.
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