Articulation agreement with Central Methodist University receives approval
The board approved a program articulation agreement with Central Methodist University (Fayette, Mo.). The agreement allows students to complete an Associate Degree at Rend Lake College and transfer seamlessly to CMU in good standing so long as they have successfully completed the agreed-upon coursework. RLC programs included in the agreement are Radiologic Technology, Certified Medical Assistant, Health Information Technology, Nursing, Criminal Justice and Early Childhood Education.
Ragland assumes VP position
Lori Ragland, Dean of Community and Corporate Education, was transferred to the position of Vice President of Career Technical Instruction effective July 1. She has proven herself with her work experience and background in career technical programs and industry trainings, and possesses the skills to succeed in the position. The 2003 RLC Foundation Outstanding Staff Award winner has worn many hats since beginning full-time in April 2000, including working with the RLC Foundation before becoming an administrative assistant for the department she now oversees. Ragland holds a Master of Arts in Education Degree from McKendree University and a Bachelor of Science Degree from Greenville College.
Two instructors receive appointments
Two instructors will join the ranks of the Math and Sciences Division faculty this fall:
- Dr. Richard Holland, Physical Science Instructor, effective Aug. 17. He holds a Ph.D. in Physics / Molecular Science, a Master of Science in Physics, and Bachelor of Science degrees in Physics and Zoology, all from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. He most recently served as Physics / Mathematics Instructor at Southeastern Illinois College in Harrisburg, and previously was a physics lecturer for SIUC. He will be involved in the instructor share agreement among RLC, SIC and Shawnee Community College.
- Dr. Vincent Hustad, Biology Instructor, on a temporary full-time basis effective Aug. 17. He holds a Ph.D. in Plant Biology from the University of Illinois as well as Master and Bachelor of Science degrees in Biology from Eastern Illinois University. He served as a graduate assistant and researcher at both of those institutions.
Goloubeva becomes Medical Assistant Program Director
Dr. Nina Goloubeva was appointed Medical Assistant Program Director effective July 1. She most recently was a medical doctor at Siberian State Medical University in Tomsk, Russia. She is certified in medical assisting by the National Healthcareer Association and has experience in the accreditation process for medical assistant programs.
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, with the various lists 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.
Excess PHS levy project to be submitted
The board granted permission to submit to the Illinois Community College Board a Protection, Health and Safety levy project application to replace exterior metal halide lighting with LED lighting and permission to bid, pending ICCB approval.
Veteran VP Kuberski moving on
The resignation of Chris Kuberski, Vice President of Academic Instruction, was accepted and her existing retirement agreement rescinded, effective July 3. She has been employed full-time with the college since August 1989. Kuberski originally came aboard as an adjunct instructor before taking a permanent position teaching English. Nine years later, she was promoted to Division Chair of Arts and Communication, which became the Liberal Arts Division when Social Science was added in 1999. She was appointed to her current position on an interim basis in July 2008, and that position was made permanent in May 2009.
Three retirements approved
The board approved retirements for three long-time employees Tuesday:
- Steve Kennett, Psychology and Philosophy Professor, effective June 30. He has taught full-time at Rend Lake College since August 1994.
- Therese Melena, Art Professor, effective Dec. 31, 2017. A full-time faculty member since January 1994, Melena not only is a fixture in the Art Department but also has been involved in creating sets for the college's plays and musicals over the years.
- Chris Nielsen, Dean of Applied Science and Technology, effective July 1, 2018. Nielsen has been with RLC full-time since August 1992. He started out teaching electrical retraining in the Mining Technology program, then moved to teaching Industrial Electronics and Maintenance. He won the RLC Foundation Faculty Excellence Award in 2010. He became dean, formerly known as a division chair, in June 2012.
In other business, the board ...
- Approved the inactivation of four curricula and the withdrawal of several classes and authorized their submission to the Illinois Community College Board for action. The curricula were the four Associate of Arts in Teaching degrees (Secondary Math, Special Education, Secondary Science, and Early Childhood Education) which have not been offered in recent years. The classes included several Physical Education courses which are no longer offered. In addition, changes to the credit hour totals for two accounting classes and a change to the Architectural Technology occupational certificate were approved and authorized for ICCB submission.
- Created a new stipend and job description for Summer Reading and English Boot Camp Coordinator. The stipend was created in response to the ICCB's promotion of programs which reduce remediation classes for students who test close to cut-off scores.
- Granted permission to advertise for a temporary full-time Administrative Assistant in the Communications and Information Department in order to cover the pending FMLA leave of the current employee.
- Approved the salaries for administrative, administrative support, academic support and office support personnel effective July 1.
- Approved revisions to board policy and procedure regarding the organizational chart.
- Approved the 2015-2016 Culinary Arts, EMT-Paramedic and Cosmetology handbooks.
- Approved revisions to board procedure concerning stipends.
- Approved revisions to board policy concerning community use of facilities (first reading).
- 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 trading in 10 electric golf carts and two gas golf carts and entering a tax-exempt agreement with Battery Specialists and Golf Cars of Mt. Vernon on a five-year municipal lease / purchase agreement for 14 newer electric carts.
- Approved the prevailing rate of hourly wages resolution.
- Approved the corporate banking resolution and credit card resolution needed to establish Peoples National Bank as RLC's depository financial institution for fiscal years 2016-2020.
- Approved a resolution authorizing the college president to act as representative and pledging local funds in order to apply for funding through the Economic Development Administration, which has funding available for workforce development and training support. This would require a 50 percent match from RLC, up to a maximum of $160,000.
Mark your calendars …
- Free Discovery Camp: Health Care Careers, Monday-Tuesday, June 15-16, for grades 7-12. Day One on campus, Day Two at Hamilton County Hospital or Crossroads Community Hospital.
- Blastoff! Summer Kids Camp, Monday-Thursday, July 13-16, 1-4 p.m. daily for grades 4-8, One-Room Schoolhouse on Ina campus.
- Mental Health Workshop for Professional or Personal Development: Shifting Dementia Care from Crisis to Comfort, 8:15 a.m.-4:15 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, RLC Theatre.
- ACCT Annual Leadership Congress, Oct. 14-17, San Diego, Calif.