Tuition rates set for FY 2017
Due to the state of Illinois' budget impasse, resulting in no funding for the current fiscal year and continuing indefinitely, an increase in tuition rates is necessary. The board approved an in-district tuition rate of $110 per credit hour, an increase of $15 per credit hour. The out-of-state and out-of-country rates were set at $200 per credit hour. The out-of-district rate will be set at a later date. These rates will allow the college to remain competitive with its peer group schools and maintain its standing as one of the most affordable community colleges in the state.
Tenure for Jones, Wingo
The board granted tenure to two instructors, effective Feb. 9. They will now have the title of associate professor.
- Emily Jones, Biology Associate Professor - "Emily has proven herself to be a solid, well-rounded instructor who is respected not only in her own division, but also in the Rend Lake College community as a whole," said Andrea Banach, Dean of Math and Sciences. Jones has been instrumental in reworking the life sciences curriculum and was selected as the Phi Theta Kappa Faculty Member of the Year for 2015.
- Charlie Wingo, Mining Technology Associate Professor - Wingo has displayed a willingness to teach not only in the mining curriculum but also in the industrial maintenance area, reports Chris Nielsen, Dean of Applied Science and Technology. Wingo recently was certified to teach the OSHA 10-hour and 30-hour training courses and also is certified to teach the Manufacturing Skills Standards Council's four modules.
Smith takes larger role in Community, Corporate Education
The board approved the transfer of Stephanie Smith from Administrative Assistant to Specialist within the Community and Corporate Education Division. The transfer is necessary to combine job duties while filling a vacancy in the division. Smith has been employed full-time with RLC since July 2014. In a related action, the job description for the specialist position was revised.
Articulation agreement approved with SIUC
The board approved an articulation agreement with Southern Illinois University Carbondale which will allow students to complete an Associate in Arts Degree in Psychology and transfer seamlessly to SIUC's psychology program.
In other business, the board ...
- Approved board policy and procedure addressing discrimination and harassment to include sexual assault, sexual misconduct and relationship violence (second reading).
- Approved several curriculum-related matters and authorized their submission to the Illinois Community College Board for action: curriculum hour change and permanent approval of the Mine Operations certificate; development of a new Health and Illness Concepts hybrid course; and withdrawal of An Introduction to Marine Biology (BIO 1103).
- Approved a change to the Board of Trustees meeting schedule, moving the March meeting from March 8 to March 1.
- Approved the notice of election for the student member of the Board of Trustees.
- Approved revisions to board procedure concerning fees, effective Summer Term 2016.
- Approved revisions to board policy concerning the tenured / tenure-track faculty and staff list (first reading), which is updated each February and October as needed.
- Approved submission of the statements of final construction compliance on excess protection, health and safety projects regarding the replacement of the North Oasis roof and the energy conservation lighting project.
- Granted a one-year probationary period to a medical coding instructor.
Mark your calendars …
- Visiting Artist Series: Blaine Murphy, Jan. 18-April 4, RLC Theatre Lobby.
- Distracted Driving Presentation, 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 18, Rend Lake College Theatre, guest appearance by Miss Illinois 2016 Crystal Davis.
- Collegiate FFA Week, Feb. 22-26, daily activities and canned goods collection.
- Winter Concert, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23, RLC Theatre.
- RLC Homecoming Basketball Games, 5:30 p.m. (women) and 7:30 p.m. (men), Waugh Gymnasium.
- Warrior Series: 5K, 8K and 10K Runs. 5K to be held Feb. 27, 8K on April 2, 10K TBA, all at The Rec on campus.
- Job Search Party, 3-6 p.m. Tuesday, April 5, in partnership with WSIL, Mt. Vernon Holiday Inn.
- RLC Spring Musical Godspell, 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, April 7-9; 2 p.m. Sunday, April 10, RLC Theatre.