Rend Lake College News

Rend Lake College Board of Trustees -- July 8, 2014, Meeting Highlights

Written by Nathan Wheeler | Jul 9, 2014 5:00:00 AM

2+2 transfer agreement with SIUC receives approval
The board approved a 2 + 2 Agreement for Educational Transfer with Southern Illinois University Tuesday. The agreement allows Rend Lake College students graduating with an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Industrial Electronics & Maintenance Technician to transfer seamlessly as juniors into SIU Carbondale's Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Technology.


Bids to be sought for two projects
The board granted permission to advertise for bids on two projects.

  • Theatre Lighting Upgrade - The existing lighting system in the Theater is more than 25 years old. The existing lighting dimming rack has been failing recently and parts are obsolete. The new system will consist of LED lighting controlled by computer programming. The estimated total cost of this project is $75,000-$80,000 and will be funded by monies donated by Dr. Barbara Luschinger’s Estate.
  • Campus Security Camera System Upgrade - In an effort to increase the safety and security of the Ina campus, this project will add 29 cameras, upgrade servers, upgrade software and provide training. The estimated budget of this project is $62,400, and it will be funded through the Illinois School Security Grant Program, a grant through the Illinois Emergency Management Agency.


Learning Resource Center to get new roof
The board accepted the low bid of $83,165 from Kehrer Brothers Construction of Albers to replace the EPDM roof on the Learning Resource Center. This project will be funded by insurance due to weather damage, except for the college's $5,000 deductible.


Obsolete equipment auction brings $22,982
The annual obsolete equipment auction held June 19 brought proceeds of $22,982. Jimmy Johnson Auctioneering Service received $4,596.40 for their services, and the remaining funds will be put toward student scholarships.


Campus sidewalk upgrades approved as PHS project
The board granted permission to submit a Protection, Health and Safety Project to the Illinois Community College Board for concrete sidewalk replacement throughout campus for approval. Permission to bid the project pending ICCB approval also was granted. The project is not expected to exceed the $50,000 limit set by Illinois Community College Board’s guidelines but the college does plan to advertise for competitive bids. The estimated cost is $26,400 and will be funded with excess PHS Levy funds.


Law Enforcement Mutual Aid agreement receives approval
The board passed a resolution approving the college president to sign, execute and deliver the Law Enforcement Mutual Aid Agreement (LEMAA) between Rend Lake College and Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System (ILEAS) by Intergovernmental Cooperation, effective July 8, 2014. The proposed agreement will establish a general framework of cooperation to plan and implement mutually beneficial aid to the college in the event of emergencies or disasters that exceed the resources, equipment and / or law enforcement personnel of the college. Rend Lake College also agrees to provide mutual aid to other surrounding law enforcement agencies which have entered into this agreement when resources and / or personnel are available.


Three new employees join ranks

  • Marvin Briscoe, Custodial Supervisor, effective July 14. He has served as a senior maintenance technician at Walgreens and as a setup technician at Continental Tire.
  • Felicia Follmer, Adminstrative Assistant to the President, effective July 9. She will receive Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degrees from Rend Lake College in August and currently works as a part-time Records Specialist for RLC. She will report to the Executive Assistant to the President.
  • Stephanie Smith, Administrative Assistant for the Community and Corporate Education Division, effective July 16. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mass Communication from Southeast Missouri State University and Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degrees from Rend Lake College. She recently served as administrative assistant for Women for Health and Wellness, Inc., in Carterville.

Two resignations accepted with regret

  • Cathy DeJarnette, Executive Assistant to the President, effective Sept. 1. "I have grown professionally during my short time at RLC and am very appreciative of the opportunities that I've been given," DeJarnette wrote in her resignation letter to President Terry Wilkerson. "It has been a pleasure to work with you, the board of trustees and my fellow coworkers. I value the time that I have spent under your leadership." RLC President Terry Wilkerson praised DeJarnette for her service, as did Board Chair Eric Black, who applauded her work on behalf of the trustees.
  • Cindy Schott, Assistant Director of the RLC Foundation, effective June 25. "I have gained much knowledge, many friends and many memories" while working at Rend Lake College, Schott wrote in her resignation letter. "As I move forward with new endeavors, I will treasure the rewarding experience I've had with Rend Lake College."

In other business, the board ...

  • Granted permission to eliminate board policy and procedure regarding the Nurse Clinical Stipend (second reading), which is no longer needed due to changes in the industry.
  • Granted permission to eliminate board policy and procedure regarding the Nursing Instructor Tuition Reimbursement Program (first reading), which is no longer needed due to changes in the industry.
  • Authorized destruction of closed session tapes after they have been held for eighteen months, in accordance with and as provided by the Illinois Open Meetings Act. In a related action, the board opted not to release closed session minutes from the months of May 2012 through December 2012.
  • Approved interdistrict cooperative agreements for educational cooperation with Illinois Eastern Community Colleges, John A. Logan College, Shawnee Community 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.
  • Rescinded the appointment of a nursing instructor.
  • Approved a revision to the salary of the Medical Coding / Health Information Technology Instructor, which was reported in error at the June board meeting.

Mark your calendars …

  • RLC Foundation Golf Outing, Thursday, Sept. 18, 12 p.m. shotgun start, Rend Lake Golf Course.
  • Fun Fest, 12-3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24, RLC campus.
  • RLC Car Show / Flea Market, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014, RLC campus.