Month: February 2017

Cutting Costs by Going Green

February 7, 2017 | Campus News

At the February Board of Trustees meeting, East Central College moved toward a greener, more environmentally friendly campus. A contract was awarded to Johnson Controls, Inc. to provide nearly $1.25 million in upgrades to campus infrastructure.

“This project will upgrade all lighting fixtures with LED high efficiency/performance lighting for both interior and exterior equipment,” said East Central College President Dr. Jon Bauer. “The improvements to the lights will lower the energy consumption and increase the amount of light on our parking lots which enhances our campus safety and security initiatives.”

The upgrade will deliver a guaranteed energy savings of more than $72,000 in the first year. “If the savings realized by the college are less than the guaranteed amount, Johnson Controls will pay East Central the difference,” said Dr. Bauer. “We will always achieve our target energy savings annually.”

The project will also include water fixture optimization, which will lessen the amount of leakage in current water fixtures. To increase the efficiency of heating, ventilating and air conditioning infrastructure, an upgraded control system will be incorporated to provide better regulation of campus buildings. According to Johnson Controls, local contractors will be utilized for the projects.

“All of these cost savings improvements are part of the College Master Plan,” said Dr. Bauer. That plan was approved in December 2015 by the Board of Trustees.

Also at the February meeting, the Board of Trustees approved a retirement incentive for full-time employees who are, or will become, eligible for state retirement in 2017. There are currently 23 employees who meet the stipulation. Eligible employees who participate in the incentive would receive a payment equivalent to one percent of base salary for every year of service at East Central, up to a maximum of 25 percent. Retirees would also receive the cash equivalent of one year of medical, vision and dental insurance.

If all eligible employees would participate, the net cost in year one would be approximately $50,000. In the second year, the savings to the institution is estimated to be $300,000.

Community Colleges Vital to State’s Economy

February 3, 2017 | Campus News

Missouri finds itself at a critical moment. The decline in state revenue and growth in expenses leaves state decision makers with a budget gap that is estimated at $700 million. Those of us at community colleges understand the difficult decisions the Governor has to make and the difficult situation the state is in.

We recognize that the decline in state revenue is real. And we believe that the only way to change the trajectory of Missouri is to grow our state’s economy.

East Central College and the other community colleges in Missouri have a vital role to play in this important work. Moreover, we believe it is important to recognize what cuts to higher education mean to our long term economic health and social wellbeing.

Restricting the ability to fulfill our mission means Missouri will not produce the workforce that our state’s businesses need. We cannot grow the economy without a skilled workforce. As I talk with employers, large and small, they share a common concern: they are worried about having the workforce to do the jobs they need done. This is the number one issue in economic development. Cutting higher education is cutting a skilled workforce, and it’s the very worst thing we can do for our economy.

Even more important is the need for thoughtful, educated, creative, and talented individuals who share in a commitment to improving our state. These individuals are our students, our graduates.

Like the state, a community college has to live within its means. A reduction in revenue means more than belt tightening. It is likely to mean reduced services and increased costs for students.

I worry about the effect on those who will find it harder to afford college. I worry about the individual who will not be able to attend. I worry about the communities who will not benefit from the contributions these individuals would otherwise provide.

For nearly 50 years, East Central has served this region. We will continue to do so, even in challenging budgetary times. But a reduction in resources comes at a cost. We look forward to working with decision makers to develop a new plan for the state, one which values education, the individuals who are looking for an upward path, and the many stakeholders who depend on a well-educated and expertly trained citizenry.

We can do this. We can show a better path forward. We are, after all, Missourians.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jon Bauer
President
East Central College

A Simple Game About a Serious Subject – NCADA Visits ECC Campus

February 2, 2017 | Campus News

Ping pong balls, candy and root beer – an odd trio of tools to bring awareness to drugs and alcohol. However, it was just that combination that brought dozens of students to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (NCADA) booth in the ECC Cafe at the end of January.

Julie Hook, a prevention specialist for the NCADA, came to campus to spread knowledge about the importance of prevention and awareness with drugs and alcohol in honor of National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week.

Students were invited to take a brief quiz testing their knowledge on drugs and alcohol, and with the points they earned from the quiz, they got to try their hand at “Root Beer Pong.” After Hook revealed the correct answer, she also gave supplemental information in regard to each question.

“Some of the topics covered included the safe disposal of pharmaceutical drugs, Missouri alcohol and tobacco laws, alcohol misuse and opioid addiction,” said Coordinator of Student Activities Courtney Henrichsen.

While the game was there to draw the students’ attention, the real goal was to provide participants with knowledge about the importance of prevention and awareness concerning alcohol and drug use.

“That old saying about an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure is absolutely true,” Hook said. “Early intervention is key for preventing addiction. If someone has early warning signs of something going on, we’re more likely to get them the help they need.”

East Central College student Bobbi Francis decided to try her luck at the game. She managed to get ninety percent of the quiz questions correct. She says it’s knowledge that has been with her for a while.

“Two of my uncles have been in and out of jail because they struggle with addiction,” said Francis. “I grew up knowing a lot about their situations and what caused them.”

Francis is currently working on a degree in psychology and social work. She hopes to have a practice of her own in the children’s division.

Along with the game, Hook also brought information and brochures about the services NCADA offers, including free counseling for young adults and adolescents in Franklin County and a free educational program called Youth Mental Health First Aid.

“If we can train people to recognize a mental health disorder or if we all know the red flags and the words to say and the actions to take, we can get them the help they need,” Hook said.

East Central College understands being a college student presents many challenges, and sometimes those challenges can be overwhelming. That’s why we set up ECC Cares – a resource for students and staff to help protect the health and safety of our community. At East Central College, we know maintaining a safe, welcoming environment allows students to focus on their education and get the most out of their time at the college.

Find out more about ECC Cares.