Pytlinski elected student trustee
Claire Pytlinski of Waltonville has been elected as the student member of the RLC Board of Trustees for the 2015-2016 academic year. Pytlinski is a double major at RLC in Agricultural Production and Management, and Business. The freshman is an active member in the Collegiate FFA as well as the Phi Theta Kappa and Sigma Phi honor societies. Her future plans include transferring to a four-year university to get a degree in Ag Communications or Marketing.
“My ag professor, Kathy Craig, asked me to run, and I’d have to say that was a very proud moment for me. I think it will be very cool to represent the Ag Department and all the Rend Lake College students together. Without my friends, family, and the Ag Department behind me in everything I do, I couldn’t be where I am today. I’m looking forward to this awesome opportunity to be the students’ voice,†said Pytlinski.
Pytlinksi will be seated at the April board meeting. She replaces outgoing student trustee Elijah Liske (Sesser).
Etnier permanently joins Academic Advising staff
Approval was granted to transfer Tony Etnier from Director of the Fitness Center and Hitting Zone to Academic Advisor effective March 10. Etnier was transferred on a temporary basis to address advising needs for athletics in January 2013. This has been a successful transition, and the need has continued to grow beyond solely student athlete advising needs. The move also reflects Etnier's proper tenure-track position.
Tenure for two
Tenure was granted to two staff members: Sandy West, Coordinator of Technical Services and Collection Management in the Learning Resource Center, and Jason Swann, Dean of Admissions and Enrollment Management. Both originally were hired for tenure-track positions in 2003 and 2005, respectively, and while these positions were advertised as tenure-track, the recommendations for tenure were never brought to the board. West and Swann both continue to receive favorable evaluations and this recommendation correctly reflects their tenure status at RLC.
Business Office's Goin moving on, Hunter transfers
The board accepted with regret the resignation of Melissa Goin, Accounts Receivable Specialist, effective March 13. "I've greatly enjoyed and appreciated the opportunities I've had to work in the Business Office, and I've learned a lot, all of which I will take with me throughout my career," Goin wrote in her resignation letter.
In a related action, Kacie Hunter was transferred from the position of Administrative Assistant for the Mining and Industrial Department to the position of Accounts Receivable Specialist effective March 16. Hunter is familiar with the college's Business Office structure and computer system and possesses the necessary skills to be successful.
Track and field, cross-country programs suspended
The board granted permission to suspend the men's and women's track and field and cross-country programs. The suspension is based on a lack of state funding and tuition reimbursement, and the fact that very few Illinois community colleges have these teams, meaning the teams must travel greater distances to compete with four-year colleges. The college will honor any outstanding scholarships already awarded.
In other business, the board ...
- Approved revisions to board policy concerning other leaves (second reading) and the tenured / tenure-track faculty and staff seniority list (second reading). A revision to board procedure concerning other leaves also was approved.
- Approved the 2015-2016 Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook and the 2015-2016 Radiologic Technology Handbook.
- Approved revision to board procedure concerning fees.
- Approved a new course, Practical Nursing Role Development (NURS 1212) and an accompanying $10 lab fee and authorized their submission to the Illinois Community College Board for action.
- Approved revisions to board policy concerning traffic and parking regulations (first reading), vacations (first reading) and tuition waivers (first reading).
- Approved revisions to board policy and procedure concerning community use of college facilities (first reading) and smoking on campus (first reading).
Mark your calendars …
- Phi Theta Kappa Induction, 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 25, RLC Theatre.
- Spring Musical: Les Miserables, RLC Theatre. Performances at 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, April 9-11, and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 12.
- RLC Health & Wellness Fair, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, April 17, RLC Campus.
- RLC Sports Hall of Fame Banquet, 5:30 p.m. Saturday, April 18, Pat Kern Private Dining Area, Student Center.
- Job Fair, 3-6 p.m. Thursday, April 23, Mt. Vernon Holiday Inn.
- Commencement, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, May 16, Waugh Gymnasium.
