Southeastern board declares it is interested in expanding athletics if the resources are available
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[The SIC Board of Trustees handled several items during its regular meeting Tuesday.
Board President Krystal Tison talked about short-term and long-term plans for athletics, indicating Southeastern Illinois College has a planning process that takes into account both the need for the sport and finances.
The board is interested in expanding athletics if resources are available, Tison said, according to the news release.
While supporting the current programs, the board is interested in offering additional sports and encouraging increased local student participation, the news release read.
The board looks forward to receiving proposals for improvement and growth of athletics while recognizing that there must be a consideration of costs. The board is hopeful outside resources may be available to help with finances, according to the news release.
The news release indicated the board appreciates and encourages the Booster Club, whose efforts have had a positive impact on athletics.
The board learned a grant application is being prepared for a Community-Based Job Training Grant, which could provide a hybrid practical nursing program with a support center for students. Such a program would provide improved access for those who have difficulty attending a traditional nurse training program. This program could serve those needs and do so in a career field experiencing a severe shortage of workers, according to the news release.
More exploration is being done on alternative scheduling, which could allow students to attend class fewer days per week. Division chairmen have developed draft schedules, which are being used to draft mock student schedules.
The board learned the SIC competitive shooting team did well in the National Sporting Clays Association 2008 national championship during the week of October 27. SIC results from the competition included Brad Cearlock, second place, National Champion A Class; Ian Hurd, fifth place, Junior AA Class; Sam Leatherman, fourth place, Junior C Class; Wes Cummins, 23rd place, C Class; and Cassie Roberts, ninth in Lady D Class and 4th in Junior Lady D Class.
The members of the five-person team also officiated the main event, along with 15 other representatives from the SIC squad.
During the meeting:
-- Legislative rulings have amended the Illinois Public Community College Act to raise the minimum threshold for bidding for the purchase of supplies and materials from $10,000 to $25,000.
-- Angel Course Management System was approved as the new on-line course delivery and management system, at a cost of $35,000. This will replace WebCT, which will no longer be supported as of January 2009.
-- A waiver of board bid policy was approved for the purchase of a PediaSIM ECS simulator from Medical Education Technologies. The simulator is designed to build skills and confidence of students in the nursing field, in regard to providing safe and effective pediatric care. The total cost of $64,360 will be covered by a Delta Regional Authority grant.
-- A wireless Internet service agreement was reached with MY CHOICE Network to provide campus-wide broadband Internet access. SIC's free-access areas will include the main campus, adjacent student housing and SIC instructional activities at the SIC Foundation Center in Harrisburg. Equipment for the service will be installed on SIC water tower.
-- Bond funds of $49,199 were approved for a new phone system by CTS Technology in the Robert I. Gregg building.
-- A request to waive bidding was approved to allow installation of a fire alarm system by Southern Electronics and Telephone of Harrisburg. Of the $46,000 total expense, 67 percent of the money will come from Life Safety Bond funds, with the remainder coming from General Obligation Bond funds.
-- The board accepted the resignations of Darrell Dunn, part-time weekend custodian, and Pamela Jones, Golconda Job Corps instructor.
-- The board approved the employment of Rueben Adatorwovor as director of the Student Success Center and math instructor