Galesburg Reporter

Eastern Iowa Community College District Board of Trustees met Dec. 9.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

The Board of Trustees of the Eastern Iowa Community College District (Merged Area IX) met in Regular Session on December 9, 2019, in the Ellis Vetter Board Room at 101 West Third Street, Davenport, Iowa. President Robert Gallagher called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with the following directors present: Kendra Beck, Dr. Joseph D’Souza, Michelle Garvin, Jim Hayes, Denise Hollonbeck, and Bill Vetter. Absent: Lori Freudenberg, Milton Shaw.

The Board conducted a public hearing on the MCC Strahan Hall Roof Modification project. No one appeared to speak for or against the project, and President Gallagher closed the public hearing at 7:02 p.m.

Minutes from the November 18, 2019, Regular Board meeting had been mailed to the Board members for their review. Director Vetter moved, seconded by Director D’Souza, to approve the minutes as submitted. Ayes: all. Nays: none. Motion carried.

The Board conducted its biennial Organizational Meeting. Secretary Bedell reported on the official canvass of votes for the Regular School Election conducted on November 5, 2019. Directors Joseph D’Souza (III), Robert H. Gallagher (IV), Bill Vetter (V), Kendra Beck (VII) and Michelle Garvin (IX) each ran unopposed and all were elected to the Board.

Director Hayes moved, seconded by Director Hollonbeck, to approve a resolution naming Joseph D’Souza, Robert H. Gallagher, Bill Vetter, Kendra Beck and Michelle Garvin as duly elected directors in Districts III, IV, V, VII and IX, respectively. Ayes: all. Nays: none. Motion carried.

The newly elected directors were presented with Certificates of Election and took the Oath of Office.

President Gallagher surrendered the chair to Secretary Bedell to conduct the election of officers. Secretary Bedell called for nominations for the office of President of the Board.

Director D’Souza nominated Robert H. Gallagher to serve as president. Director Vetter seconded the nomination. There being no further nominations, Secretary Bedell called for the vote. Ayes: all. Nays: none. Director Gallagher was elected president.

Secretary Bedell called for nominations for the office of Vice President of the Board. Director Vetter nominated Kendra Beck to serve as vice president. Director Gallagher seconded the nomination. There being no further nominations, Secretary Bedell called for the vote. Ayes: all. Nays: none. Director Beck was elected vice president.

Secretary Bedell administered the oath of office to President Gallagher and Vice President Beck.

President Gallagher appointed Director Hollonbeck as the Board’s IACCT representative, with Director D’Souza as alternate.

President Gallagher appointed Honey Bedell to serve as secretary and Suteesh Tandon to serve as treasurer and administered the oath of office to Ms. Bedell and Mr. Tandon.

Chancellor Doucette recommended that the Board continue its Regular Meeting time, date and place as 7:00 p.m. on the third Monday of each month in the Ellis Vetter Board Room at 101 West Third Street, Davenport, Iowa, with the exception of January (fourth Monday), March (second Monday), April (at Clinton Community College), May (second Monday), September (at Scott Community College) and October (at Muscatine Community College).

Director Hayes moved, seconded by Director Hollonbeck, to adopt the meeting schedule as recommended. Ayes: all. Nays: none. Motion carried.

The Board returned to Regular Session.

Director Hollonbeck share the IACCT report, noting the joint meeting of the IACCT Board and IACCP last Wednesday and the IACCT Board meeting on Thursday. She announced that Iowa will be involved in ACCT’s rural community college white paper project, that the annual IACCT Student Legislative Seminar is scheduled for January 22, and that she as IACCT Board Chair and Dan Kinney, Jr. as IACCP chair will be meeting with Governor Reynolds this Friday. The ACCT Annual Congress will be in Chicago next fall; early bird registration deadline for the ACCT National Legislative Summit is this Friday; and the IACCT annual conference will be in Sioux City July 22-24. She complimented Suteesh Tandon, Vice Chancellor for Administrative Services, on his presentation to the IACCT Board Leadership Program last month.

Dr. Joan Kindle, Vice Chancellor for Education and Training, and Cheryl Welsch, Dean of Curriculum, presented the staff report, sharing an overview of the 2019 accreditation activities and outcomes. They commented on the full accreditation with no comments or requirements for improvement for all three major processes: National Alliance for Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP), Higher Learning Commission, and the Iowa Department of Education. Three individual programs were also reaccredited: Auto Collision Repair, Health Information Technology, and Radiologic Technology. Cancer Information Management and Dental Assisting will undergo reaccreditation next year. Director Beck applauded Dr. Kindle, Ms. Welsch and EICC faculty and staff for their outstanding work, noting she is proud to be associated with the college.

President Gallagher introduced a resolution honoring Dr. Karen Vickers, CCC President and EICC Vice Chancellor for Student Development, who is retiring this month:

RESOLUTION OF COMMENDATION Dr. Karen J. Vickers

WHEREAS Dr. Karen J. Vickers has served Eastern Iowa Community Colleges with distinction for more than 35 years, including 23 years as President of Clinton Community College, 17 years as EICC Vice Chancellor for Student Development and 6 years as EICC Vice Chancellor for Academic Leadership; and

WHEREAS Dr. Vickers, through her core beliefs, leadership and example, has created a college environment of care and high standards where both students and employees thrive, as evidenced by the success of CCC graduates and the recognition of CCC as a Top Work Place in Iowa for eight years running; and

WHEREAS Karen has served as a shining example of servant leadership throughout EICC, focused always on making decisions that are in the best interests of our students and seeking ways to support faculty and staff in doing their best work; and

WHEREAS Karen is recognized and respected as the “Face of Clinton Community College” in Clinton and the surrounding communities and has built relationships with community leaders, companies and organizations that have resulted in the mutual benefit of all;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, on the occasion of her retirement, the Eastern Iowa Community Colleges Board of Trustees expresses its admiration and respect for Dr. Vickers and her work, its gratitude for her dedication to the colleges, and its best wishes for a happy and healthy retirement, surrounded by her family, friends, and good books, and full of joyful adventures wherever her travels take her.

Director Beck seconded the resolution. Ayes: all. Nays: none. Motion passed. President Gallagher presented the framed resolution to Dr. Vickers, who thanked the Board for their support of the college and the important role they play.

A list of personnel items was presented for Board approval. Director D’Souza moved, seconded by Director Hayes, to approve the personnel list as submitted. Ayes: all. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Dr. Ellen Bluth, vice chancellor for economic and workforce development, presented seven Chapter 260F/WTED retraining agreements: Custom-Pak Inc. in the amount of $5,315; GTI USA in the amount of $5,291; Linwood Mining & Materials Corp. in the amount of $4,500; Norfolk Iron & Metal Co. in the amount of $2,930; River Cities Engineering in the amount of $13,000; Seaberg Industries Inc. in the amount of $13,000; and Tyson Fresh Meats Inc. in the amount of $15,600.

Director Hollonbeck moved, seconded by Director D’Souza, to approve the Chapter 260F/WTED retraining agreement. Ayes: all. Nays: none. Motion carried.

The Board was asked to approve two contractual agreements: a new agreement with Muscatine Power & Water for communications services to students in MCC residence halls; and a second amendment to the Belmont communications tower lease with SprintCom.

Director Hayes moved, seconded by Director D’Souza, to approve the contractual agreements. Ayes: all. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Bids had been received for the MCC Strahan Hall Roof Modification. It was recommended that the Board award the contract to Sterling Commercial Roofing with the low bid of $14,628.

Director Vetter moved, seconded by Director Beck, to approve. Ayes: all. Nays: none. Motion carried.

The Board was asked to approve a resolution authorizing Chancellor Doucette and Honey Bedell to represent EICC’s interests to state government.

Director Hayes moved, seconded by Director D’Souza, to adopt the resolution. Ayes: all. Nays: none. Motion carried.

An academic calendar for 2020-2021 was presented and recommended for Board approval.

Director Hollonbeck moved, seconded by Director D’Souza, to adopt the proposed 2020- 2021 academic calendar. Ayes: all. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Chancellor Doucette presented a recommendation to remove EICC’s Electroneurodiagnostic Technology program, due to lack of job opportunities in the region. The program has been in abeyance for two years and has no current students or faculty.

Director D’Souza moved, seconded by Director Hollonbeck, to remove the END program. Ayes: all. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Financial reports for the month ending November 30, 2019, were presented. It was recommended that receipt of the reports be acknowledged and the reports placed on file.

Director Hayes moved, seconded by Director Vetter, to acknowledge receipt of the reports and to place them on file. Ayes: all. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Copies of the bills had been mailed to the Board members for their review. Board members were asked to approve payment of the bills as submitted.

Director Beck moved, seconded by Director Hollonbeck, to approve payment of the bills as submitted. Ayes: all. Nays: none. Motion carried.

During Trustee Comments, Director Hollonbeck asked for EICC coffee mugs to share with the IACCT office.

During Chancellor’s Comments, Chancellor Doucette noted there is so much to be proud of at EICC at this time and he thanked the Board, staff and faculty for their service. He shared a student success story that will be included in an upcoming issue of TCC Magazine.

The next Regular Board meeting is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on January 27, 2020, in the Ellis Vetter Board Room at 101 West Third Street, Davenport, Iowa.

President Gallagher adjourned the meeting at 8:00 p.m.

https://www.eicc.edu/about-eicc/board-of-trustees/2019/minutes-12-09-19.pdf