Month: June 2015

Children Can Experience Pioneer Life at July 22 Camp

June 30, 2015 | Campus News

Children age eight to 15 can experience what life was like in the 1800s at Pioneer Life Camp later this month.

The East Central College Community Education Office is partnering with Luxenhaus Farm north of Marthasville to offer this unique opportunity. Camp will be held Wednesday, July 22 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the farm (site of the annual Deutsch Country Days) located at 18055 State Hwy O.

Campers will spend the day learning about home building, farm tasks, rope and candle making and other skills that the pioneers had to possess to function. Campers should bring along a sack lunch and bottle of water.

The cost is $25 per child. Adults are encouraged to accompany children for an additional $5 fee. Children who will not be accompanied by an adult will need to be dropped off and picked up at the farm.

To register call 636-584-6528 or email: ce@eastcentral.edu.

ECC Summer Musical July 16-19

June 30, 2015 | Campus News

Tickets are still available for East Central College’s summer musical, The 1940’s Radio Hour.

John Anglin directs the Walton Jones production for four performances at ECC July 16-19.

Full of 1940s music, dancing and old-time sound effects, the musical portrays the final 1942 holiday broadcast of the Mutual Manhattan Variety Cavalcade on New York radio station WOV. Classic songs featured in the show include That Old Black Magic, Our Love is Here to Stay, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, Ain’t She Sweet, Blue Moon, I’ll Be Seeing You and many more.

The stage audience becomes the studio audience as the broadcast is sent to troops overseas. The spirit of that bygone era when the world was at war is accurately captured as the harassed producer copes with a drunk lead singer, the delivery boy who wants a chance in front of the mike, the second banana who dreams of singing a ballad, and the trumpet playing sound effects man who chooses a fighter plane over Glenn Miller.

Cast members include George Meyer as Clifton Feddington, Tim Sexton as Johnny Cantone, Kelly Biser as Ann Collier, Vickie Danley as Geneva Lee Browne, Jacob Schmit as Neal Tilden; Joe Schimsa as B.J. Gibson, Ellie Schmidt as Connie Miller, and Rebecca Brinker as Ginger Brooks.

Rounding out the cast are Erich Eastman as Wally Ferguson, Darrell Herron as Lou Cohn, Scott Mirly as Pops Bailey, and Alex Kammer as Stanley.

John Phillips is the band director and plays the part of band leader Zoot Doublemann. Paula Nolley is music director for the production and is featured as pianist Kate “Keys” Cavanaugh. Jordan Palmer is cast as trumpet player Biff Baker. They are part of a16-piece band that also includes Alesia White, MJ Orf, Brandi Beanblossom, and Dylan Pich on saxophone; Derek Limback, and Adam Phillips on trumpet; Brandon Yenzer, Jason Stone, and Aaron Bounds on trombone; and a rhythm section that includes Matt Sokeland, Chris Johnson, and Chad Haley.

Joining Anglin on the crew are Bethany Herron, assistant director and choreographer; Chris Swanson, technical director; Vince Niehaus, set designer; and Josh Turk, lighting designer. Greg Nuckolls is stage manager, Deb and Rich Carron are Foley designers and costumers are Elaine Hutson, Carol Buescher and Patty Kellmann.

Based on an idea by Jones and Carol Lees, The 1940’s Radio Hour will be presented Thursday through Saturday, July 16 through 18, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, July 19, at 2 p.m. Tickets will go on sale at the door one hour prior to each performance. They may be purchased online at www.eastcentral.edu/tickets, by calling 636-584-6693 or by stopping at the ECC Cashier’s Office located on the first floor of Buescher Hall weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Please Note: THIS PRODUCTION RUNS 1 HOUR, 55 MINUTES WITH NO INTERMISSION

Budget, NEA Agreement and Leases Approved by Trustees

June 17, 2015 | Campus News

East Central College trustees approved an $18.3 million general operating budget for the new fiscal year that begins July 1. That represents a decrease of 2.84 percent in the general fund over the 2015 budget.

In presenting the budget to board members at their June 15 meeting, Phil Pena, vice president of finance and administration, noted that the development of the budget for fiscal year 2016 required balancing the needs of students and the community versus revenue growth.

The college derives over 98 percent of its revenue from three sources: tuition and fees, state aid, and local tax revenue. “In putting together this budget we assume an increase in state aid, but little to no growth in local tax revenues and tuition and fee revenue to be down,” Pena stated. “In addition, enrollment trends indicate no growth for the coming academic year.”

Tuition and fees account for 34 percent of the total budget.

Most students at East Central College will not see a tuition increase for the coming year following the implementation of a two-tier tuition model approved by trustees in April. Students in four career-technical programs at East Central College will pay more tuition this fall, due to the higher cost of operating those programs.

Tier 1 is the same tuition structure currently in place: $76 per credit hour for in-district students; $111 per credit hour for out-of-district students; $168 per credit hour for out-of-state students; and $181 per credit hour for international students.

Tier 2 is a higher tuition for precision machining, industrial engineering technology, nursing and culinary arts classes. Tier 2 courses will cost $95 per credit hour for in-district students and $139 per credit hour for out-of-district students. Out-of-state students will pay $210 per credit hour with the rate for international students set at $226. The tier 2 tuition only applies to classes in the programs; students would still pay the base, or Tier 1, rate for general education courses.

Pena noted that despite the additional money generated from tuition for the higher tier classes, a projected four percent drop in enrollment will limit the amount of new revenue available in the general fund.

State aid accounts for 30.2 percent of the total operating revenue for ECC. Pena stated that the 2016 budget projects a three percent increase in state aid. This year state aid accounted for more than 28 percent of ECC’s total operating revenues.

Little or no growth is planned for local tax revenue. The 2015 assessed valuation increased 3.1 percent over 2014, keeping the rate ceiling at the maximum authorized levy of $0.37. Local revenue represents the largest source of revenue for the college at 34.4 percent which is up slightly from the current fiscal year.

The college has 200 full-time employees. All of them will receive a 2.75 percent salary increase.

For the fourth consecutive year the state retirement system will not raise the mandatory contribution rate. Contribution rates still stand at 14.5 percent for faculty and salaried staff and 6.86 percent for support staff.

Salaries and benefits account for the largest share of expenses for the college, totaling 76 percent of general fund spending in the upcoming fiscal year. The 2016 budget also projects utility costs to increase 2.8 percent and a five percent hike in medical insurance costs.

In addition to the general operating fund, the college has four other funds necessary for college operations which brings the total working budget to $39 million. The college restricted programs fund has expected revenue of over $1.3 million for next fiscal year. It contains money from credit hour fees that are used exclusively for the purpose for which they were generated. Another fund is used exclusively to retire the college’s long-term debt and the revenues generated from local property tax collection and is set at $1.5 million. The auxiliary services fund supports college operations such as the cafeteria and bookstore and projects more than $2.4 million in revenue for the upcoming year. Government restricted programs which include students grants and loans total over $15.3 million for fiscal year 2016.

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Governor Signs Bill Authorizing Funds for Capital Improvements

June 6, 2015 | Campus News

Governor Jay Nixon has signed a bill that will authorize up to $200 million in bonds for capital improvement projects at colleges and universities across the state.

Nixon signed the bill in Springfield June 5, following approval by the Missouri Legislature last month. ECC will receive approximately $1.8 million.

“We are looking forward to getting started on repairs and renovations in several buildings,” said Dr. Jon Bauer, ECC president. “With this funding we will be able to complete some projects that we wouldn’t have been able to accomplish for a number of years.”

Renovations to Hansen Hall will be the top priority at ECC. Constructed in three stages beginning in 1978, improvements to Hansen Hall would include replacement of a wheelchair lift for improved accessibility for individuals with disabilities; renovation of classrooms and offices; rigging replacement and other safety-related measures in the theater; tuckpointing; renovation of the information technology department, roof repairs; restroom upgrades, and replacement of some flooring.

The second oldest building, Shook Student Center, would also be in line for renovations. Upgrades to that facility, which was completed in 1973, will include ceiling and lighting replacement, upgrades to student study areas and classroom renovations.

A portion of the bond funds would also be used to repair the roof on the Regional Training Center which is 15 years old. Bauer noted that most of the work will be done in 2016.

Bauer noted that most projects would be done in 2016.

Governor Nixon visited the Union campus last December to view some of the areas that would be upgraded.

ECC Receives Accreditation from National Association of Schools of Art and Design

June 5, 2015 | Campus News

East Central College recently earned accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.

“NASAD accreditation represents another huge step forward as the college continues to enhance our programs and seek external recognition of the quality that we provide,” stated Dr. Jon Bauer, ECC president.

Founded in 1944, NASAD is an organization of schools, colleges and universities. It has approximately 322 accredited institutional members. It establishes national standards for undergraduate and graduate degrees and other credentials.

East Central becomes the eighth institution in Missouri to earn NASAD accreditation and just the third Missouri community college to receive the distinction. NASAD accreditation has been granted to just 72 of the two-year private proprietary schools and 1,200 public community colleges in the nation.

Jean McCann, vice president of instruction at ECC, congratulated the faculty, specifically Adam Watkins, Jennifer Higerd and Sean Barton, “for designing a curriculum and facilities we can all be very proud of.”

She noted that accreditation means that the ECC art and design departments provide the educational quality which meets the standards and guidelines set by NASAD.

“Accreditations always benefit our students,” stated McCann. “We have program to program articulation agreements in place with several four year universities, and NASAD accreditation is another way that East Central assists its graduates.”

A meticulous application process began more than three years ago and included a self-study, onsite review and a panel review by the NASAD Commission of Accreditation. “The application for accreditation process helped us to make important decisions regarding curriculum and facilities as we strive to improve and advance our program,” McCann said. “While the process was long and exacting, the college is thrilled to add this accreditation to its growing list of credentials and achievements.”

For students planning to pursue a bachelor’s degree, ECC offers two transfer options: the Associate of Arts degree in Studio Art and the Associate of Fine Arts degree. Students wanting to enter the workforce sooner can pursue an Associate of Applied Science degree in Graphic Design or Multimedia Design.

Literacy Program Seeking Tutors

June 3, 2015 | Campus News

For people who cannot read, life is full of road blocks. According to a 2013 study conducted by the U.S. Department of Education and the National Institute of Literacy, 32 million adults – 14 percent of the U.S. population – can’t read, and 21 percent of adults in this country read below a fifth grade level.

To assist individuals who lack basic reading, writing, and computation skills, East Central College and the South Central Missouri Literacy Council are partnering to offer literacy tutor training in June.

No special academic degrees are required to be a tutor. People who can read and write, are willing to be trained, have patience, and are interested in helping others qualify to tutor.

“As a volunteer tutor with our program, people will have the opportunity to work with adults on reading, math, writing or high school equivalency test preparation,” noted Alice Whalen, director of adult education and literacy at ECC. “Volunteers will be given orientation and training locally. Then, all it takes is a commitment of several hours a week to tutor someone.”

Whalen stated that tutors do more than help others. “You can open doors for yourself, too. Volunteering in an educational program is one of the most rewarding and gratifying experiences you’ll ever have,” she said.

“We have people in our communities who cannot read a street sign, a product label, a warning sign or a bedtime story to their children,” Whalen said. “They cannot fill out a simple form, complete a job application or write a letter to their family.”

The program is seeking literacy volunteers to work with individuals in Cuba, Rolla and St. James as well as English as a Second Language tutors in Rolla.

“For the English as a Second Language program we need to prepare tutors to work with adults who are learning and developing the language skills necessary for living and working in the community, stated Diane Crowder, literacy council board member and tutor trainer. “Tutors will work one-on-one with individuals who either desire to acquire English language skills or prepare to take the test to earn citizenship. ESL tutors need to be fluent in English and sensitive to cultural differences.”

Two tutor training sessions have been scheduled at the Phelps County Courthouse located at 200 N. Main Street in Rolla. The first is set for Tuesday, June 23, from 9 a.m. until noon in the University of Missouri Extension office on the first floor of the Courthouse. Individuals who cannot make it during the day can attend an evening session which will be held Thursday, June 25, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room, Suite 149 at the Courthouse.

To reserve a seat at either training session call 573-719-1323 or email ael@eastcentral.edu by June 16. Volunteers must provide a criminal background check. That cost is $12 and must be paid by the volunteer. Background check forms will be available at the tutor training sessions.