Organizational Changes Approved by College Trustees

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.