CLC to begin construction of four master plan projects this spring
Planning is underway for groundbreaking ceremonies to mark the start of construction this spring on four projects included in the College of Lake County's Sustainable Campus Master Plan, David Agazzi, vice president for administrative affairs, reported at the Feb. 24 monthly Board of Trustees meeting.
Though dates are still being firmed up, four events are planned from March through May to mark the start of work on the projects, Agazzi said.
The projects include one on the Southlake Campus in Vernon Hills and three on the Grayslake campus:
A $1.7 million expansion to create a new chemistry lab at the Southlake Campus in Vernon Hills.
A $28.3 million new science building and space renovations on the Grayslake campus for programs in engineering, photonics, chemistry, anatomy and physiology.
A $6.8 million geothermal system on the Grayslake campus that will heat and cool four buildings on the Grayslake campus, resulting in a projected 58 percent savings in energy costs.
The start of a $48 million renovation of the A and B wings on the Grayslake campus to create a one-stop enrollment and student services center. The first component of the project will be a light-filled new café overlooking Willow Lake on the Grayslake campus, which will replace a 40-year-old basement structure.
The overall cost of the Sustainable Campus Master Plan, which will be constructed over three years, is $163 million. A major expansion of the Lakeshore Campus in Waukegan also is a major feature of the plan.
"We are looking forward to seeing our master plan projects become a reality," Board Chairman Amanda Howland said after the meeting. "They will greatly enhance the educational experience we offer our students, and we are proud to be able to build them without going to taxpayers for a referendum."
New high school partnership formed
CLC President Jerry Weber reported on a meeting held this week on the Grayslake campus to form an alliance of high school superintendents representing schools that provide the majority of incoming traditional-age freshmen attending CLC.
The college approached the superintendents with the idea of creating a collaborative group that could combine the resources of CLC and the high schools to find solutions to issues ranging from college readiness of incoming students to creating more opportunities for high school students to earn college credits while still in high school.
"The superintendents were all very enthusiastic about creating a group of top leaders to address issues that affect all of us," President Weber said after the meeting.
Actions on board policies
The trustees revised the college's invoice payment policy to allow the college administration to pay bills for amounts under $5,000, presenting the bills for ratification at the following month's board meeting. Bills in amounts over $5,000 will require board approval before payment. To ensure transparency, vendor payments will be posted on the college's website within 10 days of payment.
Other policy actions included:
Approving a new policy on the employment of SURS (State University Retirement System) annuitants. The new policy limits the employment of retirees to avoid placing the college at risk for penalties under the new SURS rules.
Revisions to post-retirement service award policies for non-bargaining classified and specialist employee groups. These incentives will sunset on June 30, 2018.
Revisions to the Family Medical Leave policy to protect the privacy of employees seeking this benefit while ensuring board oversight. The changes also provide an additional nine months of unpaid leave to eligible employees after paid benefits are exhausted.
Purchasing
The board approved a contract, not to exceed $95,000, with PPM Associates LLC, of Annapolis, Md., to provide a third-party audit and curriculum review to meet requirements of a federal TAA grant awarded to the Illinois Green Economy Network (IGEN), a consortium of Illinois community colleges working to advance green job creation. CLC is the fiscal agent for the grant.
Contracts and grants
Continuing an ongoing partnership, the trustees approved an intergovernmental agreement with the Lake County Forest Preserve District that funds a 32-week paid internship for a CLC student at the Rollins Savanna Forest Preserve in the Native Seed Nursery.
Course fees and joint agreements approved
Agreements with Elgin Community College, Gateway Technical College, Harper College, McHenry County College, Oakton Community College, Kankakee Community College and Triton College were approved to allow students to enroll at courses not offered at their own institutions, paying in-district rates.
Course fees will remain unchanged for 548 credit courses for 2015-16. A facility fee of $2 per ticket to offset equipment and facility replacement will continue for events held in the James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts in Fiscal Year 2016.
Academic calendar
The academic calendar for the 2016-17 year was approved. Fall Semester classes will begin Aug. 22, 2016; Spring Semester, Jan. 17, 2017; and Summer Session, June 5, 2017.
Human resources actions
The board granted tenure to faculty members Rebecca Hawarny, Marsha Hay and Christina Melnytschuk (Biological and Health Sciences); Lorri Scott and William Vena (Business); Jenny Lee, Michele Nelson and Kathryne Starzec (Communication Arts, Humanities and Fine Arts), Alaide Mata Lozano (Counseling, Advising and Transfer Center); William Kellerhals, Jeffrey Mudrock and Christopher Wyniawskyj (Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences); and Evan Finer, Stefan Mullinax and Tonitta White (Social Sciences).