Month: December 2015

Spring Semester Begins January 13

December 21, 2015 | Campus News

ECC’s 2016 spring semester begins Wednesday, January 13.

Registration is still underway for new and returning students.

The spring schedule includes classes held at the main campus in Union and satellite sites in Rolla, Sullivan and Washington. Prospective students will also find a variety of classes offered online for those who need more flexibility with their schedule.

Student Services staff are available Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. to assist new and returning students.

Due to recent flooding in the area, the tuition and fee payment deadline has been extended to May 6. ECC encourages students to apply for financial aid for the spring semester even though they will not receive authorization until after classes get underway.

ECC offers a range of classes — from basic to transfer-level. Classes are available in math and English which are designed to meet the needs of new students no matter what their skill level. Students can work their way up from the basic skills through transfer classes which can be applied toward a degree at a four-year school.

Career and technical education courses are available for students seeking employable skills with a certificate or degree from ECC in fields such as computer information systems, culinary arts, industrial engineering technology, nursing, and precision machining.

In-district students pay just $95 per credit hour for tuition and general fees. The rate for out-of-district students is $130 per credit hour. Some courses also have additional lab and technology fees.

For enrollment and assessment information, students can contact the college at 636-584-6588 or admissions@eastcentral.edu.

Two Falcons Named Second Team Scholar All-Americans

December 18, 2015 | Campus News

Two members of the ECC soccer team have been named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America 2015 Scholar All-American Second Team for their dual accomplishments on the field and in the classroom.

Goalkeeper Zeke Little and midfielder Matt Hampton were two of the 11 students named to the Second Team. To be named to a Scholar All-America Team, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.30 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) throughout his career; start more than 50 percent of all games; be a significant contributor to the team; and be nominated by an institution that is a current NSCAA College Services member.

Little achieved a 3.6 GPA and Hampton achieved a 3.4 GPA.

The academic honors come on the heels of recognition for accomplishments on the pitch this season.

Freshman defender Darren Hamilton was an NJCAA All-American Third Team selection, becoming the sixth soccer NJCAA All-American in program history.

Hamilton anchored one of the stingiest defenses in ECC history. The Falcons didn’t give up many goals as they marched to a 16-4-1 season record and finished runners-up in Region 16 for the second straight year. Hamilton was also named First Team All-Region 16 and First Team All-Conference.

Other First Team All-Region selections were Alejandro Garcia and Archibald Darko-Boateng, while Second Team All-Region selections included Hampton and Jacob Moore. Falcons on the Missouri Community College Athletic Conference First Team include Hamilton, Hampton, and Boateng. Named to the Second Team were Garcia, Moore and Joseph Drake.

Trustees Approve Facilities Master Plan

December 10, 2015 | Campus News

A guide used in planning and implementing campus improvements over the next 10 years was approved by East Central College trustees at their December 7 meeting. Representatives from Lawrence Group, the architectural firm for the college, presented a detailed master plan to trustees earlier this fall.

“As with any plan, this document is intended to be flexible and dynamic,” noted Dr. Jon Bauer, ECC president. “Needs and priorities will change over time but this plan is a critical tool as we work to ensure that our students, employees, and other stakeholders have the best environment in which to learn, teach, and work.”

Lawrence Group staff worked with college personnel over the past eight months to identify immediate needs, as well as short, mid, and long term improvements to the main campus in Union as well as ECC facilities in Rolla.

College officials will now prioritize the immediate needs. Some of the work can be funded through the $1.8 million in capital improvement bond funds ECC is receiving from the state. Renovations to Hansen Hall would include the replacement of a wheelchair lift to improve accessibility for individuals with disabilities along with the replacement of the rigging and fire curtain in the theater.

Renovations to Shook Student Center would include replacing gym lighting with more energy-efficient fixtures.

Replacing the fire alarm systems, non-compliant water coolers, exit/egress, and emergency lighting in Hansen Hall and Shook Student Center are also listed as immediate priorities.

The roof of the Regional Training Center was replaced this fall.

In another facilities-related matter, trustees approved a proposal from Cochran Engineering for additional expenses related to the renovation of the former Gala Center. The additional fee of $49,600 includes the cost to design a 3,180 square foot expansion of the facility not included in the original proposal from Cochran, as well as a facilities move plan that will coordinate the relocation of equipment and machinery to the renovated space.

ECC purchased the Gala Center in April. Renovations will begin this winter. When completed the facility will allow the college to expand its technical education programs in Industrial Engineering Technology and Precision Machining which are currently housed at Four Rivers Career Center in Washington. The Heating/Ventilation/Air Conditioning program will be relocated from the main campus to the renovated space. The Center for Workforce Development, as well as labs and classrooms dedicated to workforce training, are also planned for the renovated facility.

Software Purchase and Policy Approved

In another action at their December meeting, ECC trustees approved the purchase of the student planning module in the Colleague system at a cost of $39,949. The software will assist staff and faculty advisors in the advising and registration process.

Federal guidelines state that colleges and universities cannot award federal financial aid to students for classes that are not identified as part of the degree, certificate or other recognized credential students pursue. Marcia Bailey, ECC registrar, noted that the student planning module will improve the advising process and ensure that students take classes within their program and graduate in a timely manner.

The college will pilot the software in the fall of 2016 and have it fully implemented by March 2017.

Trustees also gave the authorization to create a new policy regarding the financial aid code of conduct which formalizes the expectations and requirements of college employees who work with financial aid programs. The new procedures detail conflict of interest, award notifications, consumer information, and disclosure.

Delta Dental will be the new provider of dental insurance for full-time college employees. The rate for 2016 will be $33.60 per month, with that premium paid by the college. Employees are able to add spouses and/or children at an additional cost.

Last month trustees approved providers of medical, vision and life/accidental death and dismemberment coverage for 2016.

Retirement & School District Partnerships Approved

December 10, 2015 | Campus News

Board members approved a number of personnel matters at the December 7 meeting.

Trustees accepted the retirement of Jean McCann, current vice president of instruction.

McCann will retire on June 30, 2016, after 24 years with the college. In 1992 she was hired as a full-time instructor in the math department. Since August of 2000, she has served as ECC’s chief academic officer.

McCann has been an educator for more than 30 years. Prior to joining the faculty at East Central, she was a full-time math instructor at Harris-Stowe State University. She was also an adjunct instructor at Jefferson College and Washington University.

She received a bachelor’s degree in math from Webster University and went on to Saint Louis University where she earned a Master of Arts degree in math.

“Jean has devoted immeasurable time and energy to East Central College,” stated College President Jon Bauer. “First as a faculty member, and for the past 15 years as an administrator, she has worked to make the institution the best it can be. We wish to thank Jean for her service to the college and wish her well in retirement.”

Plans for a search process will begin immediately, with a goal of having a new chief academic officer on board by July 1.

Trustees approved the hiring of Lisa Hanneken as an accounting/business instructor for the upcoming spring semester. Hanneken earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Webster University and a master’s degree in business with an accounting emphasis from Maryville University.

Since 2001 Hanneken has been employed as a utility regulatory auditor at the Missouri Public Service Commission. Prior to that she worked at Bucklick Creek, Inc. and was a summer auditing intern at the Internal Revenue Service in 2000.

Board members approved requests for unpaid leave for three faculty members: Laura Roselli for the 2016 spring semester; Jessica VanLeer from January 24 through March 17, 2016; and Russell Henderson from November 30 through December 15, 2015.

Partnership Agreements with Area School Districts Approved

East Central College trustees approved the renewal of a consortium agreement with the School District of Washington which will cover the arrangements for program delivery, cost-sharing, and other terms necessary for the delivery of coursework and cooperative joint programming. Renewal of the agreement was approved by the Washington school board in November.

ECC and the school district have partnered for many years to offer joint programming for both secondary and post-secondary students at Four Rivers Career Center. The partnership has given many students access to certificate and degree options in automotive technology, building construction, precision machining (machine tool), and welding.

Board members also gave approval to the development of a joint program in Early Childhood Education with the Rolla School District. In November the Rolla school board approved the programming and the desire to move forward with the application to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

The program will provide a pathway for high school seniors to participate in dual credit coursework. Participating students would be able to acquire both college credit and the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential while completing high school.

ECC will be able to offer coursework at Rolla Technical Center for traditional college students utilizing shared faculty.

Jean McCann, vice president of instruction at ECC, noted that college staff and officials with the Rolla School District will begin the process of developing a partnership agreement. “We will model this after the early childhood education program put in place last year with the School District of Washington,” McCann said. “That program has been very successful.”

Preliminary plans outline morning and afternoon sessions with 22 slots for students from ECC and RTC’s sending schools.

Audit

East Central College has again received a clean opinion on the annual audit of the financial statements for the year that ended June 30, 2015.

The audit was conducted by the firm of KPM, CPAs of Springfield, Mo., which gave the college an “unqualified opinion.” The financial statements of the ECC Foundation, which is considered a component unit of the college, were also audited for the year that ended December 31, 2014. The foundation also received an unqualified opinion.

“We are very pleased to once again receive an unqualified “clean” opinion on the audit that showed no significant deficiencies or material weaknesses,” said college president Jon Bauer.

The college has total assets of almost $55 million, down more than $534,000 from last year. Property and equipment constitute $40 million of the total. Total liabilities were down $2 million for the year and now total $33.1 million.

More than $12.9 million in federal monies passed through the college throughout the year, the majority in the form of Pell and SEOG grants, work-study, and federal student loans.

Student Services Center to be Named for Long Time Employee

December 10, 2015 | Campus News

The East Central College board of trustees unanimously resolved at their December 7 meeting to name the Student Service Center in Buescher Hall after Karen S. Wieda. She faithfully served the institution for 44 years, the longest tenure of any ECC employee.

A naming policy instituted in 2009 states that the board may consider naming honors for an individual who had a significant, lasting and measurable impact on the college. Board president Jim Perry noted that it’s appropriate to honor Wieda in this manner based on her decades of commitment and service to the college.

Wieda started working at the college in 1969 before the first classes were held. Her first position was faculty secretary, but she was soon promoted to registrar – the job she held until her retirement in June 2013.

As registrar she took innovative steps to improve student services and in 2006 she was recognized by the Missouri Community College Association with the Technology Innovation Award for adopting an electronic document imaging system. She devoted many hours to redesigning student services into the one stop model in place today.

“I am very pleased the board took this step which allows the college to permanently honor Karen’s dedication to ECC,” stated College President Jon Bauer. “Through her tireless dedication and positive spirit, thousands of students benefitted from the education they received and the credentials they earned.” Bauer noted that numerous employees hired and mentored by Wieda followed her lead by completing lengthy tenures with the college.

Jim Perry, president of the ECC board, noted that Wieda truly represents the best of East Central College. “Karen led by example through her quiet grace, poise, and vast knowledge,” he said. “With the Student Service Center on the Union campus bearing her name, all who enter will know about the positive impact she had upon the college.”

Prior to her retirement, fellow employees and the ECC Alumni Association established the Karen S. Wieda Scholarship through the ECC Foundation. Contributions can be made to that scholarship by calling 636-584-6506 or online.

A ceremony will be held in the spring to honor Wieda and formally name the area. The student service center houses admissions, registration, advising/counseling and financial aid.

Intersession Classes Begin December 16

December 4, 2015 | Campus News

Individuals will have the opportunity to earn college credit over the holiday break by enrolling in one of the online courses that East Central College is offering.

These short-term online classes will allow any student to acquire three hours of college credit over a four-week period between the fall and spring semesters.

Intersession dates are December 16, 2015, through January 12, 2016.

“We are pleased to be able to offer several general education courses during our Intersession,” said Shelli Allen, ECC vice president of student development. “The expansion of our efforts in online education and filling a need for students with these month-long, intersession offerings is exciting.”

Courses on the Intersession schedule include Intro to Life Science, Oral Communications, English Composition I and U.S. Government.

“Whether students attend ECC or another college or university, taking an Intersession class could allow them to have a lighter course schedule in a future semester and gives them an opportunity to improve their grade point average,” Allen noted. “We have students who need to regain or maintain eligibility for Missouri’s A+ scholarship program, so focusing on doing well in one course gives them that chance.”

To be eligible to enroll in an Intersession class, students must have completed nine credit hours with a minimum GPA of 2.5. Interested students from other colleges should consult with their home institution, which will determine course equivalency credit. Some prerequisite courses may be required.

In-district students pay just $330 for class tuition and fees. The rate for out-of-district students is $435 per class. There is an additional charge for books.

For more information about Intersession courses visit the website, call 636-584-6547 or email rachel.howard@eastcentral.edu.

Supervisory Leadership Program Completed at CG Power Systems

December 4, 2015 | Campus News

The East Central College Center for Workforce Development completed its first supervisory leadership certificate program in November with CG Power Systems in Washington.

The 12 month program was designed by ECC’s Center for Workforce Development to provide the group of CG Power employees with the opportunity to discuss and learn a variety of fundamental leadership concepts.

“The leadership program provides management and leadership skills for supervisors within the company”, said Melinda Nielson, human resources manager for CG Power. “We feel the program provided our employees with a better understanding of developing their inter-personal and communications skills with their team.”

According to Mardy Leathers, executive director of ECC’s Center for Workforce Development, the program was designed to address a major dilemma facing today’s manufacturing firms. “The wave of retirement and resulting skills and leadership gaps at companies is a growing trend. We developed this program to help area businesses develop leaders and managers within their companies to keep them competitive,” noted Leathers.

The program is currently being taught at several manufacturing companies in the area. For information about the leadership program, call 636-239-0598 or email cwd@eastcentral.edu.