Sale & repurchase of RLC MarketPlace garners $5 million for college through bond issuance
The state of Illinois' continuing budget issues have prompted the RLC administration to look at ways to generate additional revenue. To that end, the board approved the sale and immediate repurchase of the RLC MarketPlace in Mt. Vernon. The facility was sold for $5 million and repurchased by the college via an installment purchase agreement. This will be funded by the issuance of $5 million in taxable debt certificates.
RLC President Terry Wilkerson said this move was necessitated by the uncertainty of the state's budget situation. The action gives the college $5 million in available cash reserves. The MarketPlace will remain owned and operated by Rend Lake College, and operations at the facility will not be affected.
Five employees receive expanded job duties
In five employee-related moves effective July 1, the board:
- Expanded the job duties, revised the job description and created the position of Director of Enrollment Services, effective July 1. This action expands the duties of the Director of Institutional Research to include supervision of other departments of enrollment services.
- Expanded the job duties and revised the job description for Director of the Academic Advisement Center. Duties added include serving as coordinator for the Society of Success and Leadership and as advisor to Phi Theta Kappa.
- Expanded the job duties and revised the job description for Academic Advisor Tony Etnier. His duties as an advisor and as head baseball coach were combined into one job description.
- Expanded the job duties, revised the job description and created the position of Coordinator of Data Information Systems. This action expands the duties of current programmer / analyst and ERP coordinator Brian Clark to include supervision of Information Technology staff members.
- Expanded the job duties, revised the job description and created the position of Coordinator of Network Operations and Security. This action expands the duties of current network security specialist Kent McKown to include supervision of Information Technology staff members.
Three new employees join ranks
- Lynne French, Administrative Assistant to the Physical Plant, effective July 13. French has worked part-time in this position for three years. She holds an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Office Systems Technology - Administrative Assistant from RLC, as well as occupational certificates as an office assistant and Microsoft User.
- Elizabeth Oliver, Assistant Director of the RLC Foundation, effective July 25. She holds a Master of Arts Degree in Nonprofit Administration from Lindenwood University and a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Missouri. She most recently was the TRIO Program Director at Illinois Eastern Community Colleges.
- Chelsey Sanders, temporary full-time Lead Child Care Provider for the toddler classroom at the RLC Foundation Children's Center, effective Aug. 15 and lasting through Sept. 9. The appointment is needed to cover the maternity leave of a current employee. Sanders currently works as a part-time assistant teacher in the toddler room.
Resignations from four
The board accepted with regret the resignations of four employees:
- Angela Ellis, Nursing Instructor, effective Aug. 15. She had been with RLC full-time since August 2014. "I want to give my sincere thank you for all the opportunities Rend Lake has given me and for all of the knowledge I have gained here over the past two academic years," Ellis wrote in her resignation letter. "I will be forever grateful for this learning experience and for the kindness of staff and faculty."
- Caitlin Keele, Administrative Assistant for the RLC Foundation, effective July 29. She had been with the Foundation full-time since February 2014. "I wish the Foundation the best in the future and look forward to hearing about the Foundation's forthcoming accomplishments," Keele wrote in her resignation letter.
- Keeli LeVart, Assistant Director of the RLC Foundation, effective July 15. She had been with the Foundation full-time since August 2014. "It has been a pleasure working for the Rend Lake College Foundation over the last two years," LeVart wrote in her resignation letter. "Thank you again for the opportunity to work for such an amazing organization."
- Jason Swann, Recruiter, effective July 21. He had been with RLC full-time since May 2005. "I know that the skills I have acquired, and the lessons I have learned here, will serve me well in the future," Swann wrote in his resignation letter. "I would like to thank the college for graciously granting me the many opportunities to serve the people and district of the institution. Rend Lake College is truly an excellent institution primarily because of the amazing and wonderfully talented people that work there."
In other business, the board ...
- Approved interdistrict cooperative agreements for educational cooperation with John A. Logan College and Southeastern Illinois College. These agreements allow students to take programs at another college if their sending college does not have that program. They do not have to pay charge back and the sending college is able to receive state equalization.
- Approved revisions to and replacement of board policy and procedure addressing discrimination and harassment, including sexual assault, sexual misconduct, sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking (second reading).
- Approved a revised policy concerning the work week (second reading).
- Authorized the destruction of closed session tapes after being held for 18 months, in accordance with the Open Meetings Act.
- Reviewed closed session minutes and decided that minutes from June 2014 to December 2014 would not be released.
- Approved the college's master plan.
- Approved fiscal year 2017 salaries.
- Conducted the annual review and acceptance of the college mission statement.
- Approved board policy and procedure regarding business enterprise for minorities, females, and persons with disabilities (first reading).
- Approved the creation of new stipends and job descriptions for assessment mentors / reviewers and for men's basketball associate head coach.
- Approved revisions to board procedure concerning stipends and to board policy and procedure regarding the organizational chart.
Mark your calendars …
- Warrior Days - New Student Orientation, Friday, July 29, RLC Campus.
- Open House / Ribbon Cutting for RLCF Children's Center Skilled Development Room, 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 11, RLCF Children's Center.
- First Day of Fall Classes, Monday, Aug. 15.
- Fun Fest, Noon-3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14, RLC Campus.
- Illinois Regional College Fair, 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20, Waugh Gymnasium.
By: Chad Copple
