Board Recognizes Top Teams and Passes Fiscal Actions

The Southeastern Illinois College Board of Trustees met Tuesday, April 19 in the Rodney J. Brenner Board Room to recognize the accomplishments of the competitive teams this past year and also engage more fiscal efficiencies during the state budget impasse.

The board recognized four competitive teams that advanced in competition this year, including the Model Illinois Government Team, the Forensic Falcons Speech Team, the Phi Beta Lambda Business Team, and the Falcon Archery Team.

Team members and coaches all described their successes at regional, state, and national levels as well as thanked the board for the opportunity to represent SIC.

The board also passed actions to improve fiscal efficiencies for the Mary Jo Oldham Center for Child Study.  Based upon employee feedback and comparative studies, the board voted to discontinue the infant room, eliminate one position and release another position upon retirement. 

SIC is the only college among five cohort institutions, as defined by the state, that still operates a child care facility.  Administrators recognized the benefit the center has for staff, students, and the community.

“We hope to appeal to the public to assist with this center as we are planning an endowment drive in the fall,” said President Dr. Jonah Rice.

The board also heard that administration will freeze a current opening in English in the Humanities division.  Additionally, the Nursing Department will freeze one open position but fill the remaining two open positions.

“These frozen positions are a direct result of us having to do everything we can to maintain services and monitor cash flow during the State’s impasse,” said Rice.  “Natural attrition is difficult, but it is a lot easier to reduce expenditures this way than having to send masses home.  We are simply trying to take care of the employees we have when we freeze open spots.”

Until the budget impasse is over and colleges and universities heal from the state’s lack of support, Rice said such measures will continue when possible.

The board heard that as of Dec. 31, the operational fund was down $1.2 million as compared to the previous year due to the state’s failure to pay.  From March 2015 to March 2016, that fund is down by about $2 million.

In other business, the board raised fees on two programs due to increased testing costs.  Programs affected include practical nursing and pharmacy tech.

The board also was informed of restructured hours in the cafeteria in the summer, in part due to protection, health, and safety work on the floor and lighting in the student center.  Changes in summer hours and staffing, including a non-refill part-time position, will remain permanent.

In personnel, the board accepted the resignations of Laura DeVous and Sylvia Moore, approved the retirements of Ed Rose and Dixie Conley, approved the employment of Kenneth Henshaw as a part-time weekend custodian and approved a number of adjunct faculty. 

The next meeting of the Board of Trustees will be Tuesday, May 17, in the Rodney J. Brenner Board Room.

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