Record enrollments for Fall Tenth Day, Summer

Enrollment figures reported Tuesday night for Rend Lake College are at an all-time high. According to the official Fall Tenth Day Report which must be submitted to the state, headcount is up 8.87% over a year ago (3,192-2,932) and credit hours generated are up 6.0% (30,806-29,071). The increases are especially impressive considering last year’s enrollment represents the previous best in the college’s 36-year history. Summer Term totals, which also count toward Fiscal Year 2004 enrollment, far outdistance any previous numbers. Summer headcount was 2,417 -- a 25.62% increase -- while credit hours amounted to 7,534 -- up 31.76%. Administrators attribute the increases to a variety of reasons, from the economy to staff and retention efforts, dual enrollment, program changes, etc.

Balanced FY04 budget approved at $14.5 million

Approved a balanced budget for FY2004 of just under $14.5 million in the Operating Fund (Education and Operations/Maintenance). The total represents an increase between 3%-4% over last year’s budget. Approximately half of the estimated revenue will come from the state ($7,264,548), with $5,217,810 anticipated from student tuition and fees, $1,530,762 from local government sources and $470,000 from other sources. Salaries and employee benefits will account for 65.74% of budgeted expenses.

Union contract approved; salary increases 3%

Approved changes in the Rend Lake College Faculty Union Agreement which will be in effect until August 10, 2004. Included: a 3% salary raise and increase in the college’s portion of employee group health insurance. The changes have been approved by faculty. Revisions to Administrative Procedures re: Office Support and Physical Plant salary schedules likewise were adopted using the 3% figure and salaries for administrative and academic support personnel were based on the same percentage, plus health insurance benefits. Raises are retroactive to July 1.

Auxiliary Fund gets $1.9M from Working Cash

Approved the transfer of $1.9 million from the Working Cash Fund to the Auxiliary Fund. According to the administrative rationale provided, "In FY2002, Rend Lake College issued $2,050,000 in Working Cash Bonds in order to assist in the payment of expenses related to the renovation of the Rend Lake College MarketPlace. Proceeds of these bonds were deposited into the Working Cash Fund of the college. The transfer is needed in order to pay expenses in the Auxiliary Fund that are related to the remodeling cost. College administrators intend to repay these funds to the Working Cash Funds in future fiscal years from rental fees from various state and retail sources."

Transfer of $450,000 in bond interest approved

Approved the transfer of $450,000 from the Bond and Interest Fund to the Operating Fund. These funds represent savings received from bond refinancing transactions in recent years and accumulated interest. The transfer was done at this time to help alleviate cash flow concerns due to delays in state and local funding.

Revised tax levy will not affect amounts

Adopted a revised 2002 tax levy (payable 2003) that was originally adopted at the November 2002 Board meeting. This was necessitated by recent changes in accounting and auditing requirements, but the levy amounts will not change, nor will any local taxing body be affected.

PHS projects completed, new ones started

Approved submission of the Statement of Final Construction Compliance on Protection, Health and Safety Projects for the Theatre Floor Replacement, Sidewalk Replacement, HVAC Equipment Replacement and Energy Conservation projects as required by the ICCB. Also, granted permission to submit three PHS projects to ICCB for approval and permission to bid -- Emergency Power Distribution System Improvements ($46,000 est. cost), Site Lighting Improvements ($45,000), and Theatre Roof Replacement ($68,000).

Faculty Emeritus Position lets Sidwell return

Appointed Larry Sidwell as an Accounting Instructor as provided under a newly established Faculty Emeritus Position created by the union contract just approved. Sidwell officially retired in May 2002 but has been teaching part-time. Sidwell was hired "due to our need for an Accounting instructor and his excellent reputation as a teacher," according to administrative rationale.

Shaw hired as Developmental Math Instructor

Appointed Kay Shaw as a full-time, tenure-track Developmental Math instructor, effective September 16. The position was created due to an increase in credit hours in the Mathematics Division. Shaw has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mathematics from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. She has been a part-time instructor, tutor and Mt. Vernon Community Coordinator for Rend Lake College since 1987. Prior to that, she was a Math Instructor at both Proviso West and Mt. Vernon Township high schools and later was a substitute teacher at MVTHS from 1985-89.

Bilderbeck gets Office Systems Instructor post

Employed Sarah Bilderbeck as a full-time, tenure-track Office Systems Technology Instructor, effective January 12. A Rend Lake College graduate, Bilderbeck has been Assistant to the Dean of Instruction since May 2001. She also boasts experience as an Office Assistant for two McLeansboro businesses, Little & Associates, Ltd. and Katrina S. Roberson Tax and Accounting Service.

Copple named Director of Public Information

Named Chad Copple Director of Public Information on a 50-week, nontenure-track contract, effective October 1. Copple is a Rend Lake College graduate who went on to earn his Bachelor’s Degree in English from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. He has been a General Assignment Reporter for the Mt. Vernon-based Morning Sentinel for the past five years; he also served in a similar capacity for the Salem Times-Commoner previously.

RLC grad Craig hired as MarketPlace Assistant

Appointed Kathy Craig as the Rend Lake College MarketPlace Assistant, a 50-week, nontenure-track position, effective September 17. She is a graduate of both Rend Lake College (Associate in Applied Science Degree) and Southern Illinois University-Carbondale (Bachelor of Science Degree). Work experience includes three-plus years at Twin County Service Company and, most recently, almost four years as Office Supervisor for Bethel Elevator.

Resignations accepted from Ford, Yucus

Accepted with regret resignations of two employees . . .

* Mark Ford, Truck Driver Training Associate Professor, effective September 10.

* Robin Yucus, Learning Resource Center Training and Testing Specialist, effective September 12.

Other personnel changes announced

Learned of the hiring earlier this month of Arvella Waugh as Learning Resource Center Administrative Assistant.

Also were informed of the transfer of three Office Support Staff members to Academic Support positions . . .

* Kim Rogers, from Administrative Assistant at the RLC MarketPlace and Business Office to Payroll/Financial Accountant in the Business Office.

* Sandra West, from LRC Administrative Assistant to Coordinator of Technical Services / Collection Management.

* Paula Morgan, from Child Care Resource and Referral Subsidy Assistant to Subsidy Assistant to Quality Counts Program Specialist for CCRR.

In other action . . .

* Approved a new Microsoft User Certificate curriculum and authorized its submission to ICCB for action.

* Approved the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook for 2003-2004.