SIC CONTINUES TO OUTPACE COMPETITION AMONG PEERS

At Tuesday night’s SIC Board of Trustees meeting, President Jonah Rice informed the board that Southeastern Illinois College continues to rank among the top institutions in its peer group.

Rice noted that federal statistics show that among 29 peer colleges of similar size and composition throughout the Midwest, Southeastern has an overall graduation rate 4% above those peers. For students graduating in a normal time frame, SIC is 13% above those peers. And for students who need to take a little longer to finish their studies, such as part-time students, SIC ranks high as well, with an 11% higher rate for people taking one and a half times the normal time, and a 9% higher rate for those who need to take twice as long to finish a degree.

What’s more, Southeastern has ranked a “Best Buy” among that peer group for four years running, and for 2011-12 (the last academic year for which the statistics were compiled), SIC’s tuition and fees were 11% less expensive than the peer group.

“We often say that we are not just about numbers, but about people,” Rice said. “Having said that, these numbers are indicative of the fact that all of our people – from recruiters to counselors to tutors to our dedicated faculty and staff – remain determined to provide affordable, accountable and accessible education to the students of our district.”

Other News & Events

Rice noted that college officials continue to monitor actions out of Springfield. The general assembly passed a flat budget with no increases, that is waiting on the Governor’s signature. There was also no action on pension reform. Colleges continue to expect payment delays from the state to continue, and quite possibly grow in length. The impact of the Affordable Care Act as well as other fiscal constraints will make for a very challenging budget for FY 14.

The board approved several procedural items, including an amendment of the academic calendar, a banking RFP, a lease agreement for enhanced computer storage, and health insurance renewal.

Personnel

The board accepted five resignations: Kurt Miyashiro as Music Instructor, Tina Kuppart as ABE/GED Assistant to the Coordinator, Kelly Smith as Events Facilitator, Tim Walker as VP of Administration and Business Affairs, and Marsha Humphrey as ABE/GED Coordinator and Data Manager.

A new Music Instructor position description was approved and revisions were made to the Financial Aid Assistant position, including a title change to “Financial Aid Specialist.”

Teri Dudley was approved as a new full-time Associate Degree Nursing Instructor. Several adjunct faculty were also approved.

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