CLC trustees vote to restart $47.9 million Lakeshore Campus expansion
The College of Lake County Board of Trustees Feb. 27 approved an intergovernmental agreement with the Illinois Capital Development Board (CDB) to restart the $47.9 million Waukegan (Lakeshore) Campus renovation and expansion project.
The Lakeshore project, which will include 50,390 square feet of new construction and 4,665 square feet of existing building renovation, is designed to provide students with a full-service campus experience. Besides student services, the campus will include an enrollment center, career placement, child care center, adult education and food service. Additionally, the campus will have an academic focus on healthcare careers, including dental hygiene, medical office assisting, phlebotomy and certified nursing assistant. The project, originally approved in 2012 by the board as part of CLC's Master Plan, was stopped by the State of Illinois July 1, 2015 due to the state's fiscal crisis.
"More than one-third of CLC students live in the northeastern part of Lake County, with close access to the Lakeshore Campus," said Board Chair Richard A. Anderson. "We want a first-class facility, with a full range of student services, in Waukegan. The college is thrilled that Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham supports our efforts."
Increase in tuition, reduction in comprehensive fees
In other news, the board voted to raise in-district tuition from $115 to $119 per credit hour, effective Fall Semester 2018, citing the college's increased operating costs. Additionally, the board voted to reduce comprehensive fees from $23 per credit hour to $22. The combined in-district tuition and fees for 2018-19 will be $141 per credit hour. Hansel Lopez, student trustee, told the board that CLC students understand the reasons for the tuition increase.
Vending machine commissions for student scholarships
The board authorized using a portion of sales from CLC's 83 vending machines to finance student textbook scholarships, an amount estimated at $50,000 per year.
Through a competitive bidding process, the college recently increased its portion of sales from Pepsi Cola General Bottling, Inc. on beverage vending by an additional 17 percent. Additionally, the college increased the commission rates on food and snack vending by 10 percent in a new contract with Compass Group USA, Inc. Vending machine prices remained consistent with those under previous contracts, said Pat Argoudelis, director of auxiliary services. The higher commission will finance CLC's Give Back Textbook Scholarship Fund.
"In keeping with the scholarship's name, CLC is giving back a portion of the commissions that are generated by vending machine purchases made by students, faculty and staff," Argoudelis said. "In fiscal year 2019, the scholarships will cover the cost of textbooks and other required course materials for more than 100 students, most of whom may not be currently receiving financial aid."
Academic program news
Regarding degree programs, the board approved, effective Aug. 15, adding a new 60-61 credit hour Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in computer information technology. The degree provides three specialty options-computer forensics, network administration and security as well as web programming-to replace separate A.A.S. degrees for each.
"This focused approach will increase student enrollment and degree completions," said Jeff Stomper, Business and Social Sciences division dean. "The restructuring is the result of a year-long review, and the idea has been well received by the program's advisory board as well as faculty and students."
The board also approved, effective Aug. 15, removing the Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree and certificate in architectural technology, due to low program enrollment and declining labor market data.
The trustees also received an update on the success of CLC's health and wellness promotion program from Dr. Joana Pabedinskas, department chair. CLC's certificate in wellness coaching, as well as the A.A.S. degree in health and wellness promotion, with wellness coaching emphasis, is the first program to receive certification from the National Board of Medical Examiners, which licenses U.S. physicians. CLC's program also is certified by the International Consortium for Health and Wellness Coaches. Additionally, students from CLC's health and wellness promotion program have helped assess the fitness levels of Chicago Blackhawks' players during training camps since 2011. No other college is involved with the Blackhawks in this way, said Dr. Francis Ardito, professor of health and wellness promotion.
Finalist for national safety award
The board learned that CLC has been named a finalist for a 2018 Award of Excellence for community college safety and planning by the American Association of Community Colleges. The winner will be announced at the AACC's annual convention April 28 to May 1 in Dallas.