First phase of CLC construction projects comes online
The College of Lake County Board of Trustees received good news at its Aug. 23 meeting about progress on Campus Master Plan projects.
"We started and funded this plan in 2012, so it is great to see the first major projects being completed and students and staff using the new spaces," Board Chair Dr. William M. Griffin said.
Facilities Director Mike Welch gave an update on 12 Master Plan construction projects that have been completed or will be finished by the end of 2017.
The new science building on the Grayslake Campus, an Illinois Capital Development Board-funded project, is expected to be ready later this fall.
"The college is planning a ribbon cutting for the science building in October, where we will thank our legislators for their support in helping to release the state funding for this project," said President Jerry Weber.
Grayslake projects completed this summer include a geothermal heating and cooling system, Café Willow addition, LancerZone Campus Store, Welcome and One Stop Center, parking lot 6 repairs and parking lot 7 construction. The Southlake Campus chemistry lab addition in Vernon Hills was completed in March 2016, and lighting, merchandising and paint updates were made to the campus bookstore.
B Wing renovations are expected to be complete in December 2016. Renovations planned for the E Building to house the CLC Police Department are scheduled for completion in December 2016. A Wing renovations will be completed in fall 2017.
In addition to these Master Plan projects, the college is in the process of updating and beautifying exteriors at the Lakeshore Campus in Waukegan, according to Vice President for Administrative Affairs Ken Gotsch.
The projects include signage, streetscape beautification and security enhancements to the college-owned parking garage on Sheridan Road such as fencing, a garage door, security cameras and enhanced lighting. The CLC Police will have a presence in a remodeled storefront at 128 Madison St. The Madison Street courtyard between two CLC buildings on Genesee Street is undergoing landscaping renovations, updates to the second floor connecting bridge and increased lighting to improve safety and visibility. These projects are expected to be complete by this November.
Work on a new building for the Lakeshore Campus in Waukegan, a Capital Development Board-funded project, is currently on hold due to state funding issues. Gotsch thanked the board for putting on hold $17 million worth of Master Plan-approved projects at the June board meeting in order to continue funding the science building project. He will ask the board at its Sept. 27 meeting to transfer back the money to the Lakeshore Campus expansion project to restart the architectural planning with Legat Architects.
International exchange activities
Board Chair Dr. William M. Griffin reported that eight students from Xi'an International University in China spent three weeks at CLC this summer, taking classes and visiting sites in the Chicago area and Wisconsin. He and Vice Chair Dr. Philip Carrigan participated in a graduation reception for the students on Aug. 4 along with President Jerry Weber and Provost Rich Haney.
"We have been sending CLC students to Xi'an for eight years, so it was exciting to welcome their students here for the first time," Dr. Griffin said. "Four CLC students, along with four students from Oakton and Parkland community colleges and one CLC faculty member, Dr. Tim Murphy, left Tuesday for a semester-long exchange to Xi'an, so all the students will be able to re-connect. The eight outbound students will take a full load of classes at Xi'an International University, participate in several excursions and serve as ambassadors at the American Culture Center throughout the Fall Semester."
In addition, nine students and one staff member from Ehime University in Japan will participate in an exchange program at CLC from Sept. 4-24, according to Dr. Griffin.
Contracts and grants
The board accepted three major grants that provide funding for college preparation services, adult education and career/technical education.
A five-year grant of $1,987,200 from the U.S. Department of Education to continue funding the successful Educational Talent Search program. It provides disadvantaged youth with connections to high-quality tutoring and counseling services to improve financial aid literacy and planning for postsecondary education. CLC offers free college-planning services to 828 students attending high schools in North Chicago, Round Lake, Waukegan and Zion. The program's staff provide academic advising, coaching, mentoring, tutoring, college visits, career shadowing and workshops on ACT/SAT Prep, study skills, time management, freshman transition, career exploration, career success skills, federal/state student aid options and financial literacy
A $622,349 grant from the Illinois Community College Board will provide the state's portion of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Grant for Fiscal Year 2016 and half of Fiscal Year 2017. The federal funding portion of the grant was accepted by the CLC Board of Trustees at its January 2016 meeting. Grant monies funding the operation of Adult Basic Education, English as a Second Language, General Education Development, Public Assistance and Literacy programs. CLC provides 25 percent matching funds for the program.
A $370,850 Illinois Community College Board's Career and Technical Education Perkins Postsecondary Program grant for Fiscal Year 2017. The grant is used to improve student skill attainment and program performance for career and vocational students, including special populations.
Student trustee report
Bernard Kondenar, student trustee, reported that up to 15 students, faculty and staff will be trained as deputy registrars for the November election. They will participate in events sponsored by the Student Government Association and various clubs and can register voters on campus.
Board policies
The board approved a change to Disadvantaged Business Enterprises section of Procurement Policy 712 that strengthens the college's commitment to promote the economic development of businesses owned by minorities, females and persons with disabilities and complies with the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Females and Persons with Disabilities Act, 30 ILCS 575/0.01 and the Business Enterprise Council for Minorities, Females and Persons with Disabilities. The college will increase its outreach, including targeted advertising of contracts and supplies to media focused on the needs of businesses owned by minorities, females, veterans and persons with disabilities; increase training for key staff; file an annual compliance plan with the Council; appoint a liaison to the council and comply with the law's other provisions.
The board approved revisions to Policy 909, Responsible Use of Technology. The revised policy clarifies that when faculty and staff use CLC-provided information technology they will abide by all applicable federal, state and college policies.
Human resources
The board approved the contracts and compensation for five administrative, three professional and 15 specialist full time staff members for Fiscal Year 2017 who received promotions, were part of grant renewals or received pay adjustments.
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Mike Welch was promoted from project manager, construction management, to director of facilities. In a reorganization in educational affairs, Tanya Woltmann assumed additional responsibility, and her new title of dean of library, testing and academic success reflects this reorganization. Eric Tammes was promoted from manager of coaching for academic success to director of academic success.
Dr. Griffin and President Jerry Weber introduced Anne O'Connell, APR to the board as director of public relations and marketing, a position she started July 5. O'Connell has held similar positions at Woodlands Academy in Lake Forest, Lake Forest Hospital and Lake County government. Eric Tammes served as interim director since January 2016 after
A new science building on the College of Lake County Grayslake Campus is under construction and will be completed later this fall. Path Construction is the general contractor, and Legat Architects designed the building.