SIC Board Meeting Hears Reports on New Grants and Academic Initiatives
The Southeastern Illinois College Board of Trustees met Tuesday, Oct. 21 at 6 p.m. in the Rodney J. Brenner Board Room to approve academic calendars for the next three years and heard reports on new grants and academic initiatives.
Three academic calendars were presented and approved by the Board. Calendars for 2016, 2017 and 2018 include key dates including instructional periods, workshops, office days and holidays.
The Board learned details about a $750,000 federal grant that SIC received to offer on a national scale its biofuels curriculum.
SIC is a member of a higher education consortium including Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville and three other mid-state Illinois community colleges.
“This grant will allow us to continue our initiative to promote domestic energy production education,” said President Dr. Jonah Rice.
A $7,000 Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) dual credit enhancement grant was presented to the Board. The purpose of the grant is to support the development, enhance delivery and evaluation of local dual credit programs and to expand student access to higher education while maintaining high academic standards. The grant funds will be utilized to assist high school students’ transition to college-level coursework by working with high school students and faculty/staff to provide them with resources and information to increase college readiness and enhance academic success.
Board members also learned of a new math “bridge” program to be piloted this summer by Jerri Harbison.
“Details are still being worked out, but the purpose of this class will be to provide students who score at close to college level on the placement test the option of a short review class,” said Dr. Dana Keating, Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs. “At the end of the class, students will then re-test and hopefully score at college level. If students are successful with the placement test after the review course, they will then be able to enroll in college level mathematics in the fall rather than in a semester-long developmental education class.”
The Board also approved a process to accept bids for the sale of a 21-passenger Ford mini-bus. For information, please call Patty Winters in the SIC Business Office at 252-5400 ext. 2510.
The Board voted and swore in a new board member, Blake Bradley of Eldorado, to fill the vacancy left by long-time board member Joanna Lane.
Personnel
The Board accepted the retirement of Terry Lucas, Educational Technology Specialist, and approved the transfer of the current biofuels coordinator to the position of bio-economy curriculum and training director. The board also employed Kathleen Riggs as ABE/GED assistant, approved advisory council members, and employed adjunct faculty.
The next SIC Board meeting is Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. in the Rodney J. Brenner Board Room.
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