Rend Lake College Board of Trustees -- June 11, 2013, Meeting Highlights

Trustee Ed Cunningham says farewell to board, Dr. David Asbery takes seat
Ed Cunningham, a member of the RLC Board of Trustees since 2008, announced his resignation from the board during Tuesday's meeting. Cunningham is the former CEO of Crossroads Community Hospital in Mt. Vernon and recently accepted a position as CEO of Gateway Regional Medical Center in Granite City, requiring him to relocate.

Cunningham also served on the RLC Foundation Board of Directors, and was the recipient of the Foundation's Presidential Award in 2009 for service above and beyond.

"I have truly enjoyed my time as a member of the board," Cunningham said. "I enjoy the college. If at any time in the future I can be of assistance, call me. I appreciate the time you have allowed me to serve."

Cunningham was presented with a plaque honoring his years of service and an ornamental gavel for his time as board chair.

Ed Cunningham, LEFT, resigned from the Rend Lake College Board of Trustees at the June meeting held Tuesday evening. His vacated seat was filled by the appointment of Dr. David Asbery, ALSO PICTURED. Cunningham's work as a hospital administrator has relocated him to Granite City. Asbery has a succesful obstetrics and gynecology practice in Mt. Vernon.

Assuming the vacant board seat is Dr. David S. Asbery, who was appointed Tuesday. His obstetrics and gynecology practice, Asbery and Associates, has two offices in Mt. Vernon and one in Nashville. According to the practice's website, Dr. Asbery graduated from the University of Kentucky School of Medicine in 1996, then completed his residency at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, N.C. A former Marine, he and his family relocated from Georgia to Illinois in 2007, and he has been providing care in Mt. Vernon and the surrounding area since.

"I think we've got the best person for the job," Cunningham said of Asbery.

The board also selected a new chair to replace Cunningham, who was named chair at the May meeting. The board voted to reappoint Bryan Drew as chair.

College hears report on Facilities Master Plan, Carlock earns accolades for service
Bob Carlock, Vice President of Finance and Administration, gave a report on the college's Facilities Master Plan, which is intended to help guide the college in the use and development of its facilities. He asked the board to look over the materials and provide their input.

After providing his report, Carlock, who is retiring this month, was recognized for his years of service. He came out of retirement three years ago when the college was in need of a CFO and has helped guide the institution through a tough economic climate. An avid golfer, the board presented Carlock with a new rangefinder, a golf travel bag and several boxes of golf balls.

RLC President Terry Wilkerson said of Carlock, "You have been an anchor out here. I would challenge anybody to, number one, come back, and number two, to come back and keep working hard. It's been a pleasure, Bob, both personally and professionally."

RAMP document approved
Approved the Resource Allocation Management Plan for transmittal to the Illinois Community College Board. The college is required to submit the RAMP document each year. This is a type of "wish list" submitted by higher education institutions throughout the state, which are then combined at the state level and prioritized for possible funding. Projects on RLC's RAMP list include a new Allied Health building, a Student Center addition and an Applied Science Center addition.

Indiana Wesleyan, RLC forge transfer agreement for Bachelor's Degree in Nursing program
Approved a memorandum of understanding with Indiana Wesleyan University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree program. This articulation agreement with IWU will provide qualified Rend Lake College students with an excellent educational opportunity. The agreement allows for maximum transfer of credits from RLC students earning an associate degree and provides for a seamless admission into IWU's post-licensure nursing program.

Parking lots to be sealed, striped
The board accepted separate bids for the sealing and striping of parking lots on the Ina campus and at the MarketPlace in Mt. Vernon. The low bid of $36,191 from Huff Sealing Corp. of Albion was accepted for the Ina campus work, and the low bid of $15,820 from Rooter's American Maintenance Inc. of Beckemeyer was accepted for the MarketPlace project.

Three new employees appointed

• Macey Ellis, Business Office / Human Resources Specialist, effective July 1. Ellis holds an Associate in Applied Science Degree from Rend Lake College and currently works as a part-time assistant in the Business Office.
• Tammi Gulliksen, Business Office Accountant, effective July 1. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from Northern Illinois University and most recently worked as an accountant for Pepsi Mid-America.
• ReAnne Palmer, Public Information Specialist, effective July 1. She holds an Associate of Arts Degree from RLC and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism and English from Northern Illinois University. She most recently worked as a reporter for the Morning Sentinel newspaper in Mt. Vernon.

Student Services to seek First-Year Experience Coordinator
Granted permission to create the position, approve the job description and advertise for a full-time First-Year Experience Coordinator. First-time, full-time degree-seeking students are required to complete New Student Orientation. While this initiative has been in place for more than 10 years, all the work has been done through the Orientation Committee. Research shows that student retention and student success directly correlate to rapport-building and the development of supportive relationships with faculty and staff within the first few weeks of college. A true First-Year Experience program will allow students to meet and connect with other students and learn Rend Lake College procedures and processes.

Schlag becomes permanent employee
Transferred Leah Schlag from a temporary employee to a permanent employee in her position as Records Specialist effective June 12. Schlag has been working as a temporary full-time employee since July 2012, gaining knowledge of both SAS and PowerCAMPUS, the new enterprise resource planning software.

Physical Plant's Trogolo announces retirement
Accepted with regret the retirement resignation of Don Trogolo, Custodial Supervisor, effective Sept. 30. He has been employed full-time with RLC since May 1999. "I will miss my Rend Lake College family, but I am looking forward to my next life chapter," Trogolo wrote in his retirement letter. "I would like to give a special thanks to my workers in the custodial department for being good and loyal employees to Rend Lake College."

Biology Associate Professor Kinser moving on
Accepted with regret the resignation of Abel Kinser, Biological Sciences Associate Professor, effective Aug. 2. "I have enjoyed my experience at the college and am grateful for the opportunity to be part of the Rend Lake team," Kinser wrote in his resignation letter. "My colleagues in the Math and Sciences Department have been a pleasure to work with and I hope the friendships formed during my tenure will last a lifetime."

In other business, the board ...

• Approved a new course, Integrated Reading and Writing, and authorized its submission to the Illinois Community College Board for action.
• Approved an action transferring up to $3.4 million from the Working Cash fund to the Education fund. This was due to the timing of receipts of funds from the state for various grant payments which may be delayed during future periods. The amount will be transferred back to the Working Cash fund when the money comes in from the state. Additionally, the board approved the transfer of $2,481,000 from the Education fund to the Working Cash fund to repay earlier transfers made in anticipation of revenues to be received by the college. The college is legally required to repay this transfer between funds within one year.
• Approved the list of obsolete materials to be sold at auction at 5 p.m. Thursday, June 20, at the 4-H facility on the southwest side of campus.
• Approved revisions to board policy regarding the limit of hours for part-time employees (second reading), insurance (second reading) inventory (first reading) and computation of hourly pay rate for part-time employees (first reading).
• Created board policy and procedure concerning volunteer staff (second reading) and social media (second reading), and approved revisions to board policy and procedure concerning stipends.
• Approved the Prevailing Rate of Hourly Wages resolution as required by the Illinois Prevailing Wage Rate Act.

Mark your calendars …

• GED Graduation, 7 p.m. Thursday, June 13, RLC Theatre.
• LPN Pinning, 7 p.m. Thursday, June 27, RLC Theatre.