Faculty Union contract revisions approved
The board approved revisions to the RLC Faculty Union Agreement, which will be in effect until Aug. 12, 2017, effective immediately. Emphasis was placed on student enrollment, faculty development and institutional growth.
Transfer agreements with SIU receive green light
Three interdistrict "2+2" agreements with Southern Illinois University received approval effective June 1. These agreements allow students to complete Associate Degrees and transfer seamlessly to four-year universities as juniors so long as they have successfully completed the agreed-upon coursework as part of their Associate Degrees. The agreements approved Tuesday were:
- Associate in Science Degree in Business and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting with SIU Carbondale.
- Associate in Science Degree in Business and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business and Administration with SIU Carbondale.
- Associate in Engineering Science Degree and a Bachelor of Science Degree in the appropriate Engineering discipline with SIU Edwardsville. Available disciplines include Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Civil Engineering.
Evrard-Strang earns Pathway to Success bid
The low bid of $193,000 from Evrard-Strang Construction of Marion was accepted for the Administration Building entrance and walkway renovation project. This is part of the Rend Lake College Foundation's "Pathway to Success" project on the Ina campus. It will focus on the walkway to the Dr. Allen Y. Baker Administration Building, which is visited by virtually every student. The area will be renovated to make it more inviting and identifiable, and to provide a testament of the commitment made by supporters of the college and its mission. The project will be paid for through a fund-raising effort by the RLC Foundation. The Foundation will match each dollar raised to establish an endowed scholarship for future RLC students.
Courses, curricula receive approval
A new certificate, several new courses and some minor changes to other curricula items were approved and authorized for submission to the Illinois Community College Board for action.
The new certificate, Home Health Aide, is designed to prepare students to work in the field. Home health aides assist in providing routine care and support services for home-bound disabled, recovering or elderly people in their homes. The program will give students the knowledge and skills necessary to provide routine individualized health care, such as basic nutrition, home sanitation, infection control, first aid, measurement of vital signs, personal hygiene, interpersonal communication skills, supervised home management, emergency recognition and referral and geriatric care, and also will cover legal and ethical responsibilities.
New classes approved and authorized for submission were:
- Introduction to Pharmacology (ALH 1200)
- Anatomy and Physiology Fundamentals (ALH 1201)
- Medical Law and Ethics (ALH 1202)
- Pathophysiology for HIT (HIT 1204)
- Pharmacology for Health Information (HIT 2205)
- Medical Coding (HIT 2206)
- Medical Law and Ethics (HIT 2207)
- Electronic Health Records (HIT 2208)
- Procedural Coding (HIT 2219)
- Health Information Review (HIT 2220)
- Coding Practicum (MEDC 1213)
Also approved were changes to the credit hours for Health Records Systems (HIT 1202) and HIT Practicum (HIT 2202), as well as changes to the Health Information Technology Associate in Applied Science Degree and the Medical Coding occupational certificate.
Kehrer Brothers lands bid for Student Center roof replacement, LRC roof to be let for bids
The low bid of $87,626 from Kehrer Brothers Construction of Albers was accepted for the replacement of the EPDM roof on the Student Center. The project will be paid using Protection, Health and Safety Levy funds. In a related action, the board granted permission to advertise for bids to replace the EPDM roof on the Learning Resource Center. The college's insurance provider has approved to cover the majority of the cost.
Five retirements accepted with regret
- Georgia Lambert, Nursing Associate Professor, effective June 29, 2014. She has been with the college full-time since August 2004. "My time at RLC has been full of opportunities and growth," Lambert wrote in her retirement letter. "I have had the privilege to meet a wonderful array of folks, administration, staff, faculty and mentor hundreds of student nurses who have gone on to be successful RNs."
- Martha McCreery, Computer Networking Professor, effective June 14, 2014. She has been employed full-time at RLC since August 1988. "During my more than three decades having been associated with Rend Lake College, the experiences I have had are, well, truly beyond words," McCreery wrote. "I have gained many lifetime friends and have been provided the opportunity to continue my educational and professional development beyond what many other organizations would or could have offered."
- Paula Myers, Community and Corporate Education Specialist, effective May 31, 2014. "It has been an awesome run working at RLC for almost 26 years. I have worked with fantastic people over the years and am so thankful for the opportunities I was given," Myers wrote in her retirement resignation. She has worked full-time at RLC since August 1988.
- Randall Shively, Director of the Physical Plant, effective July 1, 2016. He has worked full-time at RLC since July 1995. "Rend Lake College has been good to me personally as a student and as a long-term employee. And most importantly, Rend Lake College has been good for my family," Shively wrote. "I wish nothing but the best for Rend Lake College in the future."
- Larry Williams, Zoology Professor, effective May 31, 2014. Williams has been a fixture at RLC, having taught full-time since August 1981. "I have enjoyed teaching at Rend Lake College for the past 33 years," Williams wrote. "It has been an honor to teach at Rend Lake College and I've made many friends and have had many satisfying experiences teaching my students." Williams earned the 2006 RLC Foundation Faculty Excellence Award, and this year was named the Phi Theta Kappa Rho Xi Chapter’s honorary faculty inductee.
Berendson takes reins of Nursing programs
The board granted permission to revise the Director of Nursing job description and transferred Melissa Berendson to the position effective May 13. Berendson currently serves as a Nursing Instructor for RLC. She has the required credentials and experience to fill the position vacated by the retirement of Barb Crouse. Berendson's leadership skills were instrumental in the approval of the new nursing curriculum by the Illinois Community College Board and the Illinois State Nursing Board.
Phillips joins Liberal Arts Division
The board appointed Jessica Phillips as Administrative Assistant for the Liberal Arts Division effective May 30. Phillips holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Organizational Communication from McKendree University, and most recently served as an office assistant for the Department of Children and Family Services.
Two computer techs join ranks
The board appointed two people as computer technicians effective May 16.
- Nathan Burkitt holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management Information Systems from Eastern Illinois University and has been a part-time computer technician for RLC since October 2013.
- Travis Thomason holds an Associate in Applied Science Degree as an IT Systems Specialist from RLC, as well as certificates in CCCENET, NET+, Cisco Routing and Switching, Microsoft Windows and PC Maintenance. He has been a part-time computer technician for RLC since October 2013.
Academic Advisor Schlag moving on
The board accepted with regret the resignation of Leah Schlag, Academic Advisor, effective May 23, 2014. "I am extremely appreciative for the opportunities I have been given at RLC, and in particular for receiving my current position as Academic Advisor. I have gained a valuable wealth of knowledge about higher education and working with individual students. I wish the college nothing but the best in the future," Schlag wrote in her resignation letter.
In other business, the board ...
- Approved revisions to board procedure concerning fees, effective Fall 2014, and job descriptions.
- Approved revisions to board policy concerning meetings of the board (first reading).
- Approved a revision to the amount of coverage needed and the principal party insured under a surety bond for Rend Lake College as required by the state for Fiscal Year 2015. State statutes require the college executes and obtains a surety bond from a recognized agent for the treasurer of the district. The amount required must be for an amount no less than 25 percent of the total of all bonds, notes, mortgages, moneys and effects of which the treasurer is to have custody. After review, it was determined that RLC needs a surety bond in an amount no less than $21,220,000 to meet the legal requirement for the protection of the district's counties and the state.
- Appointed Bryan Drew as board attorney.
- Did not renew the employment contract of a college police officer due to reduction in force for that department.
- Did not renew the employment contract of a Distance Learning and Media Technology Specialist.
Mark your calendars …
- Associate Degree Nursing Pinning Ceremony, 7 p.m. Thursday, May 15, Waugh Gymnasium.
- Commencement, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, May 17, Waugh Gymnasium.
- GED Graduation, 7 p.m. Thursday, May 29, Rend Lake Resort.
- Obsolete Equipment Auction, 5 p.m. Thursday, June 19, 4-H Building.
- LPN Pinning Ceremony, 7 p.m. Thursday, June 26, RLC Theatre.