Quincy Reporter

John Wood Community College Executive Committee met Sept. 14.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

The Executive Committee met on September 14, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. in room C252 Student Administrative Center, president’s area. Attendees were Mr. Bob Rhea, Mr. Andy Sprague (via Zoom), Ms. Paula Hawley, (via Zoom), trustees; Dr. Bryan Renfro, president, and Ms. Leah Benz, executive assistant, note taker.

September Board of Trustees Agenda items:

Consent Agenda

o Regular Board minutes, bills, travel expenditures, financials, and curriculum item

Grant

o Information was provided on the grant application being submitted to AACC for Cyber Skills for All

Personnel

o The position of our new Vice President of Instruction and Academic Affairs and the resignation of our Dean of Financial Aid, Records, Registrar were discussed.

Business Agenda

o Business items on the September agenda were reviewed:

✓ Board Policy 413- Student Conduct -This policy revision was to include unapproved artificial intelligence.

✓ Transfer of Funds – The transfer of $2,211,415.18 will be done from Operating Funds to the Operations and Maintenance Restricted Fund

✓ Bid proposal awards – Three bids are being presented for acceptance.

➢ Ag Driving Simulator with Motion Base

➢ Cyclorama Lightning for the auditorium

➢ Instructor Stations

✓ Bid proposal rejection - This was requested to revise the specifications.

➢ Expansion of WDC furniture

✓ MOU at Southeast Education Center – This memorandum or understanding is with the West Central Illinois Criminal Justice Council

✓ MOU with Quincy Children’s Museum for a Storywalk

Discussion items

Consortium offer - ICCB has shared an opportunity for JWCC to join in two separate state consortiums with other community colleges in the state to apply for federal grant funding. One is with the Department of Education and the second is with the US Department of Labor. This was informational only with no formal approval required at this time.

Public Act Requirement – Community College districts are required to make at lease one wellness kiosk available on each campus under its jurisdiction. It must be located in an area of campus where students can access the during class hours. The Act provides the items and requirements that need to be met.

Orientation to College Operations – Dr. Renfro is offering additional orientation to new employees from areas of the college to provide insight into the operations of each department and the services they provide.

509 Procedure – Benefits – This procedure continues to be discussed. It provides additional credit hours from seven (7) to nine ((9) per academic session on employee tuition waivers. It also states reimbursement for any lower-division undergraduate course must be for a course not offered by JWCC and must be required for a bachelor’s degree award. The procedure was discussed with faculty. CBA addendum will be done.

Caring Campus Grant – Dr. Renfro shared information on a newly announced grant which will start in FY2024 – FY2025. Up to eighteen (18) rural community colleges will be selected for participation to become a Caring Campus which is now has been only in larger campuses in major metropolitan areas. Dr. Brad Phillips, President, CEO of Institute for Evidence – Based Change (IEBC) wishes to bring this to more rural areas. JWCC was recently chosen to be one of the eighteen community colleges. Further information will be released with provided by IEBC.

Board Retreat - The fall Board retreat is scheduled for Monday October 9 starting at 8-30 am.-2:30 pm. Location to be determined.

Foundation/Board – The committee entertained the suggestion to have a joint gathering of both the Foundation and Board meet together in the near future.

Inauguration Date - Dr. Renfro inquired on the date of October 6 to host his inauguration ceremony. Details will be sent following finalization of the date and plans of the day.

Foundation Data -The committee was provided data of foundation holdings/comparisons of other IL institutions.

Board Training - Due to no meeting in August and a tour of the WDC it was decided to have the first board training held in October at 3:30.

https://www.jwcc.edu/about/board-of-trustees/board-agendas-minutes/#executive-committee