Month: April 2016

Summer Camp Registration Underway

April 29, 2016 | Campus News

With the end of the school year approaching, it’s time for parents to think about summer camp opportunities offered at East Central College.

Offerings include everything from photography to wizardry, robotics to archery, and many other interesting topics. Almost 20 different topics will be covered this summer with all sessions scheduled at the ECC campus in Union.

Children can participate in camps involving art, drama, videography and photography. Career exploration sessions are planned in fields related to nursing, robotics, journalism and mass media. A week-long youth leadership academy is also planned for 10 to 16 year olds.

Even the very young can be involved this summer with Kindermusik sessions set for June 13 – 16.

American Red Cross babysitter training course for children ages 11 to 14 will be offered on three dates: June 14 and 21, and August 10. Cost to attend that session is $105. This training provides potential babysitters with the knowledge and skills necessary to safely and responsibly care for infants and children. This hands-on class includes role-plays, activities, a video and discussion. Participants receive a handbook to take home. The class meets from 8 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. so participants should bring a sack lunch.

ECC will also offer the Missouri Hunter Education Skills Session. Early sign up is encouraged since space is limited in that there is no charge for the August 5 event, but registration must be completed at least seven days prior to the start of class.

The complete list of camps can be viewed online. For more information and to register, call 636-584-6528 or email ce@eastcentral.edu.

Registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis with total fee payment due at the time of registration.

Nixon Signs Higher Education Budget

April 28, 2016 | Campus News

Governor Jay Nixon visited East Central College Thursday, April 28, to sign House Bill 2003, the Fiscal Year 2017 budget for higher education, which will freeze tuition for Missouri undergraduate students. The budget provides an additional $71.3 million for higher education in Missouri, including scholarships and institutional operating funds.

“Today, I am very proud to mark another milestone for higher education in Missouri and our shared commitment to putting a quality, affordable college degree within reach for more Missouri families,” said Nixon. “Making higher education better and more affordable was one of the five principal goals I laid out when I first took office in 2009 and today we continue to deliver on that commitment with significant investments in our higher education campuses and another tuition freeze for Missouri undergraduates.”

Last September, Gov. Nixon was joined by leaders of the state’s public higher education institutions to announce an agreement to freeze tuition for Missouri undergraduates for the 2016-2017 school year. In addition to a tuition freeze for Missouri undergraduates, the FY2017 budget also answers the Governor’s call to increase funding for Missouri’s scholarship programs, including an additional $4 million for Access Missouri, an additional $2.5 million for the A+ scholarship program, and $500,000 for Bright Flight.

Nixon has made higher education quality and affordability a priority of his administration. In 2010, Gov. Nixon convened a Higher Education Summit and called on higher education leaders to adopt an agenda focused on four key areas: affordability and attainment; quality and effectiveness; collaboration; and performance funding. Over the last five years, significant progress has been achieved in all four areas.

This is the fourth tuition freeze Gov. Nixon has secured since taking office in 2009. According to the most recent data available from the College Board, tuition and required fees at Missouri’s public universities increased by just 9 percent between 2008-09 and 2015-2016, the smallest increase in the nation. By comparison, the average increase nationally over the same period was 33.5 percent.

Last year, Gov. Nixon worked with the General Assembly to pass a $200 million Building Affordability initiative that will help higher institutions hold down college costs. In addition, programs like Caring for Missourians, Training for Tomorrow, and MoSTEMWINS have prepared thousands for careers in high-demand fields.

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon signs House Bill 2003 — *Missouri Governor Jay Nixon signed House Bill 2003 during a visit to East Central College Thursday, April 28, 2016.*

Answering the Governor’s call to make higher education more efficient and effective, higher education institutions voluntarily eliminated 118 non-productive degrees and redesigned several large undergraduate courses to make them more efficient and effective.

Gov. Nixon has also made funding available for 50/50 projects to provide new-and-improved facilities, laboratories, and infrastructure at colleges and universities throughout the state. His Innovation Campus initiative has been nationally recognized for creating partnerships to offer accelerated, high-impact degrees at a reduced cost. The goal of the Innovation Campus program is to train students for career opportunities in high-demand fields while cutting the time it takes to earn a college degree and reducing student debt.

Nixon successfully implemented performance funding for higher education. Funding for colleges and universities is now awarded based on specific performance measures including student retention, graduation rates, student achievement, and efficiency.

Softball Team Loses in Region 16 Game

April 28, 2016 | Campus News

The softball season ended Saturday (May 7) when the Falcons fell to St. Louis Community College 9-1 in the Region 16 tournament at ECC. The teams were playing for a chance to advance to the tourney championship to face Mineral Area College.

The Lady Cardinals from Mineral Area defeated St. Louis 4-1 in the championship game to claim the Region 16 crown. They will host Heartland College (Ill.) in a best-of-three district playoff series beginning Friday (May 13). The winner advances to the NJCAA national tournament in Mississippi later this month.

The Falcons started the tournament Friday afternoon in fine fashion against the SLCC Archers. They provided pitcher Shelby Friend with the early 6-1 lead, but St. Louis battled back to make it 6-4 heading to the bottom of the fifth inning. ECC had the bases loaded in the bottom of that inning, but could only push one run across the plate. The score was knotted at 8-8 after seven innings. The Archers scored again in the eighth and held on for the 9-8 win.

Coach Brad Wallach’s team had to turn around and face Cottey College. Behind the pitching of Eden Henry the Falcons cruised to a 8-1 win and the opportunity to play again on Saturday.

ECC ended the season with a record of 28-22.

Student Service Center Dedication May 7

April 27, 2016 | Campus News

East Central College will honor former registrar Karen Wieda, the longest serving employee in the 48 year history of the college, by naming the Student Service Center on the Union campus in her honor.

The Karen Sue Wieda Student Service Center will be dedicated Saturday, May 7, at 2 p.m. in the lobby of Buescher Hall. Dr. Terry Zanin, a retired ECC administrator who worked with Wieda for many years, will be the featured speaker.

The event is open to the public. A reception will follow the ceremony.

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. Her 44 years of service is the longest tenure of any ECC employee.

As registrar she took innovative steps to improve student services. In 2006, she was recognized by the Missouri Community College Association with the Technology Innovation Award for adopting an electronic document imaging system. Wieda later devoted many hours to converting student services to the one-stop model now in place. The Student Service Center was designed to facilitate this innovative model of service.

“Through her tireless dedication and positive spirit, thousands of students benefitted from the education they received and the credentials they earned,” stated Dr. Jon Bauer, ECC president. “She led by example through her quiet grace, poise, and vast knowledge. Many employees hired and mentored by Karen followed her example and served the college for many years.”

After completing high school Wieda enrolled at Jefferson College. She earned an associate degree in 1966 as a member of that institution’s first graduating class.

ECC instituted a facilities naming policy in 2009. It states that the board may consider naming honors for an individual who had a lasting and measurable impact on the college. Bauer noted that Wieda fits that description. Trustees unanimously voted at their December meeting to name the Student Service Center in her honor.

Online Intersession Classes

April 14, 2016 | Campus News

The opportunity to earn college credit in just four weeks will be available to individuals enrolling in one of the online courses that East Central College will offer in May.

These short-term online classes will allow any student to acquire three hours of college credit over a four-week period between the end of spring semester and the start of the summer session.

Intersession dates are May 9 through June 5.

“Once again we are excited to be able to offer several general education courses during our Intersession,” said Jean McCann, ECC vice president of instruction. “We are thrilled to expand our efforts in online education and fill a need for students with these month long, intersession offerings.”

Courses on the Intersession schedule include Intro to Business, Oral Communications, and Fiction.

“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,” McCann 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 one of the Intersession classes, 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. Intersession students must also meet the prerequisite of being ready for English Composition I.

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

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

New Trustees Sworn Into Office

April 12, 2016 | Campus News

Two new members were sworn into office at the April 11 meeting of the East Central College board of trustees.

Cookie Hartbauer Hays of Union and Dr. Eric Park of Washington were the winners in the April 5 election for two open seats on the board from Sub-district Three. They defeated challengers Dan Leslie of Labadie and John Witt of Washington.

Hays was the top voter getter with 5,680 votes. Park received 4,606. Leslie collected 4,077 votes and 2,936 ballots were cast for Witt.

The April 5 election was for two open seats from Sub-district Three, the area that includes all of the Washington School District, excluding that portion located in Boeuf and Lyon Townships. Trustees Jim Perry and Tom Dill did not file for re-election.

The ECC board consists of six trustees, two each from three sub-districts of the college district. Though trustees are elected at large, a board member must be a resident of the sub-district he or she represents.

Ann Hartley and Prudence Fink Johnson of Union currently represent Sub-district Two which includes the school districts of Lonedell R-14, St. Clair R-13, and Union R-11, excluding the Lyon and Boone Township portion of Union R-II and that portion located in the Beaufort-Union precinct.

Dr. Joe Stroetker of Sullivan and Don Kappelmann of New Haven represent Sub-district One. That sub-district includes the school districts of Bourbon R-I, Sullivan C-2, Strain-Japan R-16, Spring Bluff R-15, Franklin County R-2, New Haven, and the portions of Lyon and Boone Townships as well as the Beaufort-Union precinct in the Union R-11 School District. The portions of the Boeuf and Lyon Townships in the Washington School District are also included in Sub-district One.

The board of trustees is the sole statutory legislative governing body responsible for the control and operation of East Central College. Neither state statutes nor district policy limits the number of terms a member may serve.

New Board Officers

After the new board members were sworn in, trustees elected Hartley board president. Stroetker will serve as vice president. Kappelmann was elected secretary, and Fink Johnson will continue to serve as board treasurer. Hays and Park will serve as directors. Bonnie Gardner, executive assistant to the president, was re-appointed recording secretary.

Board officers are elected to two-year terms.

The results of the April 5 election as certified by the county clerks are as follows:

County	Cookie Hays	John Witt	Eric Park	Dan Leslie	Write In
Crawford	219	247	211	217	–
Franklin	5,147	2,531	4,141	3,647	74
Gasconade	4	5	5	2
St. Charles	65	31	45	38	1
Warren	211	101	178	155	–
Washington	34	21	26	18	3
TOTALS	5,680	2,936	4,606	4,077	78

ECC Celebrates Earth Day

April 12, 2016 | Campus News

Many hands-on activities for children will highlight the Earth Day celebration at East Central College on Saturday, April 30. The free event will be held from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the Donald D. Shook Student Center at the college campus in Union.

Children will have the opportunity to plant samplings, learn about recycling and repurposing and also learn about animals and their habitats. There will be a variety of games focused on protecting the earth’s natural resources.

Exhibitors confirmed thus far include the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Regional Stream Team, HALO Animal Shelter, Endangered Wolf Center, Miramiguoa Chapter of the Missouri Master Naturalists, Stuart Farms, Ned’s Nesting Boxes, Labadie Environmental Organization, Hillermann’s Nursery, and several other groups. In addition, several ECC student groups will have demonstrations and activities promoting environmental awareness and recycling.

Several groups will be collecting items at Earth Day. People can also bring their old electronics in for recycling, based on the one man handling rule. Any size flat panel TV or monitor, as well as printers that can be carried by an individual will be accepted. Each person is allowed to bring one CRT computer monitor. A total of 3 CRT TV’s (32” or less) can be dropped off. No large household appliances such as microwaves, refrigerators, or stoves can be donated. Used cell phones will be accepted for ALIVE; used crayons can be brought in for the Crayon Initiative; and used blankets, pet toys, and pet food will be accepted for HALO animal rescue.

Dr. Parvadha Govindaswamy, ECC associate professor of biology and event coordinator, noted that that the college hopes families can visit the campus April 30 to learn what they can do to conserve and protect the environment, and also be exposed to the educational and career opportunities in environment and science related careers. “We want children to have fun with science,” said Govindaswamy.

For more information about Earth Day activities at ECC call 636-584-6627.

Applications Being Accepted for Summer Academy

April 11, 2016 | Campus News

May 2 is the deadline to apply for the STEM Scholars Academy that will be offered at East Central College this summer.

STEM Scholars Academy is designed to help current high school students who might be interested in pursuing a science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) career prepare for college-level courses. Students who will be sophomores or juniors in the fall of 2016 are eligible to apply and must commit to completing the entire summer session and continue to meet with mentors throughout the 2016-17 school year. Students selected for the Academy will receive one credit hour of Independent Study from ECC. The cost is $95.

STEM Scholars Academy will be held Monday through Friday, June 20 to 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at ECC in Union.

Students will spend time with various ECC science instructors participating in activities that will expand their experience and knowledge of STEM subjects. Topics will include: lab safety, biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, physics, engineering, and robotics. During the Academy, students will work with an ECC instructor to identify a direction they would like to further investigate. At the conclusion, each student will choose an ECC faculty mentor who he or she will continue to work with on a STEM related topic during the upcoming school year.

“Last summer was the first time we offered the STEM Scholars Academy,” noted Dr. Fatemeh Nichols, chair of ECC’s science and engineering division. “We had nine great students participate and they commented that the activities we completed really opened their eyes to the world of science and mathematics.”

Interested students should complete the application available online and submit a high school transcript along with a one page typed essay on their interests and goals in the STEM field. Those three items should be mailed to ECC’s Science & Engineering Division at 1964 Prairie Dell Road, Union, MO 63084. Students selected to participate will be notified after May 6.

High school students with questions about the STEM Scholars Academy should contact Nichols at 636-584-6626 or Sarah Havens, biology/health science instructor, at 636-584-6630. Students may also email fatemeh.nichols@eastcentral.edu.

Organizational Changes Approved by College Trustees

April 6, 2016 | Campus News

Full-Time Faculty & Administrators Re-Employed

The re-employment of 73 full-time faculty members was one of the personnel items approved by East Central College trustees at their April 11 meeting.

Three administrators were reappointed for the 2017 fiscal year. They include Shelli Allen, vice president of student development; Joel Doepker, vice president of external relations; and Phil Pena, vice president of finance and administration. Jean McCann, current vice president of instruction, plans to retire June 30. Three candidates for that position recently interviewed on campus.

Related to the upcoming change in leadership of the instructional division, trustees approved two organizational changes that take effect immediately. Administration of the Learning Center will be transferred to the vice president of student development, while administration of ECC sites in Rolla and Sullivan will be transferred back to the president’s office.

“As we work to finalize the staffing and budget plans that will be presented to the board in May, making these changes now will allow us to better serve our students and plan for the future,” stated Dr. Jon Bauer, ECC president. “The appropriate administrators will also have input on decisions prior to adoption,”

“Student Development already works closely with the Learning Center on matters related to placement testing before a student is even enrolled,” Bauer noted. “This change will provide a comprehensive focus on student development throughout a student’s experience at ECC.”

Bauer said that moving the administration of off-campus sites back to the President’s office will help ensure comprehensive management of those facilities on matters related to instruction, student development, finance and administration, and external relations. “The director of the Rolla and Sullivan sites will also join the president’s cabinet, which will allow us to better consider the implications of institutional decisions regarding the students and employees at those off-campus sites,” he said.

No Changes to Tuition and Fees Schedule

Tuition rates will not increase for the upcoming academic year. Trustees Monday night reaffirmed the two-tier tuition model put in place last year.

The Tier 1 rate remains at $76 per credit hour for in-district students. Out-of-district students pay $111 per credit hour. Tuition for out-of-state students is $168 per credit hour, while the tuition rate for international students remains at $181 per credit hour.

The Tier 2 rate applies to classes in culinary arts, industrial engineering technology, nursing and precision machining. That tuition rate is $95 per credit hour for in-district students and $139 per credit hour for out-of-district students. Out-of-state students pay $210 per credit hour with the rate for international students set at $226.

Bauer noted that charging a higher rate of tuition for classes in those four career/tech majors acknowledges the fact that there are vastly different costs associated with some academic programs.

Effective for the 2016 fall semester, general fees will total $23 per credit hour and cover student activities, support services, technology, facilities, and security.

Change Order and Bid Approved

Trustees also approved a $143,423 change order to replace the metal roof and parapet cap flashing on the Business and Industry Center currently being renovated.

A visual inspection performed last March before the college purchased the building didn’t reveal evidence of any leakage. However, strong rains in recent months resulted in water coming in near the gutter. That leak was repaired, but as interior demolition got underway five additional leaks were uncovered. Architect for the project is Cochran Engineering. They advised that additional roof repairs would likely take place over the next several years until the college reached a point where there would be no choice but to replace the roof.

Andrea Lohmeyer, interior architect with Cochran, told trustees that replacing the current screw down roofing system with a new standing seam metal roof would be a substantial upgrade to what is there now. “This is an opportune time to make this upgrade,” noted Lohmeyer. “The standing seam roof has a 20-year warranty, but has a longevity of 30 plus years. You wouldn’t have to worry about maintenance for a long time.”

“The $3,050,000 bid for this project that we accepted last month was almost $400,000 less than we expected,” stated Dr. Jon Bauer, college president. “I’m confident that we have funds in the contingency to cover this upgrade to the building.”

In other action, ECC board members approved the purchase of informer reporting software from Entrinsik, Inc. Funds from the information technology budget will cover the $28,072 cost.

The software will allow employers to create and run reports from ECC’s student information system database without assistance from IT staff.

Partnership Agreement with School District of Washington Renewed

College trustees approved renewal of an agreement with the School District of Washington to partner in providing programming in early childhood development at the district’s Early Learning Center. The agreement approved April 11 is for the upcoming 2016-17 academic year.

Renewal of the agreement will now go to the SDOW board of education for their approval later this month.

The early childhood education program provides a pathway for approved high school seniors from Washington High School and area sending schools to participate in dual credit coursework. Participating students are able to acquire both college credit and the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential while completing high school.

For decades ECC and the school district have partnered 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.

“This partnership is unique across the state and valuable to our early childhood community partners,” stated Mary Beth Huxel, teacher education coordinator at ECC. “Students who have been trained can be employed at our area childcare centers while attending college. This continues our mission to have quality early childhood experiences in our community.”

Policy Approved

In other action, trustees approved a new board policy regarding the Campus Free Expression Act.

The act prohibits state institutions of higher education from instituting specific free speech zones and makes the outdoor areas of college campuses public forums where activities such as peaceful assembly, protests, speeches, distribution of literature, carrying signs and circulating petitions may occur freely as long as they are not unlawful or disruptive to the function on the institution.

The new policy provides guidance on the time and manner in which such activities can occur and includes provisions for large groups.

Trustees were presented with proposed revisions to existing board policies and associated procedures related to solicitation and fundraising, facilities use, and political activities. Adoption of the updated policies is slated for their next meeting May 9.

Scholarship Opportunity for Area High School Students This Summer

April 6, 2016 | Campus News

This summer East Central College will offer current high school sophomores and juniors in the college service region a unique opportunity to earn college credit at a reduced tuition rate.

Current sophomores (class of 2018) and juniors (class of 2017) can enroll as Summer Scholars and take ECC summer session classes at a reduced tuition rate of just $60 per credit hour. To be eligible for this institutional scholarship, students must be attending a public or private high school in the ECC service region. Interested high school students need to apply for admission to ECC. They may also need to provide ACT scores and transcripts of any previous college credit or be required to complete a placement exam before registering for classes.

Students will attend classes in ECC classrooms and labs at locations in Union and Rolla or online. Summer classes begin Monday, June 6.

“We instituted the Summer Scholars program in 2014 and we’re excited to provide this opportunity to high school students who’ve shown an interest in college coursework,” said Nathaniel Mitchell, ECC’s director of admissions. “The program also highlights our dual credit program and how beneficial it is for students to begin their college career while they are still in high school.”

The class offerings include anthropology, art, biology, business, chemistry, communications, computer information systems, education, English, environmental science, history, math, music, philosophy, psychology, and sociology.

Those interested in the program can apply online or contact the Student Service Center at 636-584-6588 or admissions@eastcentral.edu.