SIC Ranks Top in Region for On-Time Graduation
The Southeastern Illinois College board of trustees heard in the October board meeting that recent federal statistics from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System rate SIC higher in graduation rates than similar colleges in the region. That means more students are reaching their goals of completing degrees or certificates at SIC. The board also learned that SIC boasts a higher rate of on-time graduation than other colleges in the area, according to the same source.
“This is great news. We should be proud of the success of our graduates. Local students have a better chance of graduating on time at SIC than other places,” said Dr. Pat York, chair of the board of trustees and SIC Hall of Fame alumni recipient.
On the downside, the board learned that federal programs could be cut 8.2 percent if Congress doesn’t act before the end of the year. This will affect the student work-study programs, as well as TRIO Student Support Services, which helps at-risk or first-generation college students to succeed and meet those graduation deadlines.
The board also found that the state owes the college about $2.5 million from last year and this year combined. Compared to last year at this time, Southeastern is down nearly $1.5 million in operating revenue because of overdue funding.
“Our college consistently does an outstanding job of working together in challenging times,” said Dr. Frank Barbre, board member from Carmi.
Other News
For the third year in a row, SIC was named to the coveted “Military Friendly Schools” list by GI Jobs. Only the top 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools that serve military service members and their families make the cut. The list will appear in Newsweek next month in a special Veterans’ Day edition.
The GED program is launching online classes this semester and has new face-to-face classes in Saline and White counties starting at the end of this month. Organizers found that enrollment has been up in Saline County, due in part to classes being held at the Harrisburg Library. A new class was also added this semester at Norris City Library.
The board learned that Southeastern ranked 5th among all companies raising funds for the annual American Heart Association Heart Walk. Nearly 100 SIC students, families, faculty and staff participated in the walk, held at John A. Logan College on Sept. 29. SIC raised more than $7,500 for the Heart Association through a variety of campus-wide fundraisers.
A new archery policy was adopted by the board regarding the possession and use of bows and arrows on college property in conjunction with the new SIC archery team led by Archie Blair. The policy states that only students enrolled in the archery program are to be in possession of bows and arrows and stipulates that the weapons only be allowed uncased on the practice range in the gated restricted area east of the main campus with instructors and coaches present. The policy was modeled after the current gun policy in place for SIC’s national champion shotgun team. All local, state and federal laws and regulations regarding transporting weapons apply.
Events
The SIC Fantasy Auction is set for Nov. 17 at 6 p.m. at the SIC Foundation Center in Harrisburg. The theme is Winter Wonderland. This is the Foundation’s premier scholarship fundraising event of the year.
“The Fantasy Auction is a wonderful event that demonstrates the partnership between the college and the SIC Foundation,” said Dr. Jonah Rice, president of SIC. “The college’s Title III federal grant allows for a dollar-for-dollar match of funds raised to help our students — the reason we’re here.”
The annual Heritage Festival held at the college is set during its usual time – the first weekend in November. The vendor space is sold out with a waiting list, and the Heiken Puppets and Harrisburg Middle School Band will be back again for performances this year.
The Evergreen Garden Club of Harrisburg organized volunteers to replant two major beds at the college. Eldorado, Marion and Anna garden clubs, friends and students worked to rebuild landscaping that was damaged by recent storms and drought.
Personnel and Advisory Boards
The board approved a 2.6 percent cost of living increase for all administrative and staff personnel for fiscal year 2013.
Hired for full-time employment, Kelly Smith from Herod joins SIC as the new events facilitator next month. Also approved for part-time employment were Amy Vaughn of Harrisburg as food service assistant and Jordan Lynch of Ridgway as Adult Basic Education/General Education Development (ABE/GED) secretary.
New adjunct instructors approved include Cara Lehman, Shayna Monroe, Jill Mayer and Rebecca Nevitt.
Two new Computer Information Systems and Information Technology Business Advisory Council members were approved by the board: Nathan Williams, media director with Little Chapel Church in Harrisburg, and Dana Pinkston, IT Specialist with Tax Tech Inc. in Harrisburg.
The next board meeting is Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. in the Rodney J. Brenner Board Room at SIC.
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