INA, Ill. (July 14, 2020)
Longtime Rend Lake College Head Softball Coach Dave Ellingsworth announced he would retire from the position after 27 years leading the Lady Warriors. The RLC Board of Trustees accepted his resignation with deep regret Tuesday evening. Along with coaching, Ellingsworth was hired as an instructor at RLC in 1977 and spent 43 years coaching and teaching at the college. Read more on Ellingsworth’s extensive career at www.rendlakewarriors.com.
Board approves RLC Fall 2020 Plan
The RLC board officially approved the college's plan for the Fall 2020 semester at Tuesday's meeting. The plan follows the Illinois Department of Public Health, Illinois Community College Board and Illinois Board of Higher Education guidelines. RLC will host a combination of online, remote and hybrid classes during the Fall 2020 semester. Hybrid classes, which include an in-person component, will be available for courses where hands-on instruction is necessary. The plan is subject to change at any time as RLC continues to monitor the current COVID-19 pandemic.
To review RLC’s complete Fall 2020 plan, visit rlc.edu/fall2020.
More dual credit opportunities
RLC and John A. Logan College are teaming up to deliver even more opportunities for area high school students to earn college credit this school year. The agreement, approved by the RLC board Tuesday night, goes into effect Fall 2020.
RLC will accept dual credit courses in entrepreneurship from Du Quoin High School, in architecture from Herrin High School, in architecture and culinary arts from Marion High School, and in architecture and entrepreneurship from West Frankfort High School. Likewise, students taking certain RLC construction management courses at Benton, Christopher or Sesser high schools can have those credits transfer to JALC.
Board OK's first reading of extension for Wilkerson
The board approved a first reading of a new four-year contract for RLC President Terry Wilkerson starting July 1, 2020 and ending June 30, 2024. The extension comes after a formal evaluation and performance review by the Board of Trustees. Wilkerson has been RLC’s President since April 2012 and previously served as an administrator and professor.
Apprenticeship Coordinator position added
The board approved the creation of a new Apprenticeship Coordinator position to oversee apprenticeship processes for Rend Lake College. RLC has been working with local employers to help prepare their workforce by offering paid work experience along with classroom instruction. This new position will serve as the primary contact for individuals looking to become an apprentice. A recent Apprenticeship Expansion Grant awarded to RLC will fund this position 100% for the first year and 50% for the following six months. Continuation of the role will be evaluated at the end of the grant term.
General Education/Mission statements
The board approved an updated version of the college’s General Education Statement to better reflect the current direction of RLC. The proposed new statement reads as follows:
“Our students are expected to demonstrate the competencies outlined in the institution-wide learner outcomes (critical thinking, problem-solving, oral communication, and written communication) as well as demonstrate learning the fundamental vocabulary, concepts, and proficiencies of their specific programs. In addition to the college’s institutional outcomes, three other outcomes articulate the expected general education for all students and are integrated in both the curricular and co-curricular student experience.
Connections - Students will develop personal and resource relationships which lead to professional and personal success.
Multiculturalism - Students will demonstrate the ability to successfully live and work in a multicultural world.
Authenticity - Students will demonstrate a commitment to standards, codes of conduct, and core principles that define successful professionals within their chosen academic field of study or career path.â€
The board also reviewed and accepted the college’s Mission Statement, which reads as follows:
"Rend Lake College provides educational opportunities across cultural and economic boundaries to the diverse student population we serve. We are committed to our students’ success in achieving their educational goals, and to meeting our community-focused program objectives. With Rend Lake College, student journeys start here."
In other business, the board…
- Approved the second reading of a new remote work policy for full-time employees. This would allow RLC employees the opportunity to work from home in certain circumstances.
- Approved a second reading for the hourly pay rates for part-time employees. Tutors and Educational Support Specialists will earn $10 per hour (high school graduates), $15 per hour (associate degree), $18 per hour (bachelor’s) and $20 per hour (master’s). The part-time cook position pay was changed to reflect Illinois’ minimum wage.
- Approved the destruction of closed session tapes from July 10, 2018, through Nov. 2, 2018, in accordance with the Illinois Open Meetings Act.
- Approved the Police Department JCA Compliance Policy Handbook, the Student-Athlete Handbook and the Intercollegiate Club Athletics Handbook for the 2020-2021 year.
- Approved the first reading of policy updates regarding discrimination and harassment.
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