Board Minutes - September 11, 2023 - Western Iowa Tech Community College

Date: September 11, 2023
Time: 4:00 pm
Location: WITCC Center - 25 5th Ave NW, Le Mars, Iowa
3:00 - Community Event

WITCC Mission

We elevate our diverse learners and strengthen our communities through inclusive and innovative education.

Board Members

Absent: Tricia Sutherland, Bill Anderson, Blanca Martinez

Brenda Wright, Board Secretary

Administration: Terry Murrell, College President | Juline Albert, VP of Learning | Troy Jasman, VP of Finance and Administrative Services | Darin Moeller, Executive Dean of Instruction | Jackie Plendl, Dean of Human Resources | Tawnya Beermann, Dean of Students | Christina Brandon, Dean of Outreach and Information Technology | Revathi Vongsiprasom, Dean of Opportunity and Engagement | Erin Volk, Dean of Quality

Presenters: Carmen Wilson, Associate Dean – Corporate College | Dr. Darla Struck, Director of Cherokee Campus and Northern Services Area | Pam Woolridge, Director of Adult Education and Literacy | Erick Cortes Rodriguez, Student

Item

Meeting was called to order by Russell Wray at 4:00 pm

Brenda Wright took the roll call of Directors

There were no Oral Communications brought forward.

Russell reviewed the Written Communications to the Board.

Russell Wray asked for any questions regarding the Consent Items. Terry Murrell asked for a moment to bring attention to the announcement in the Consent Items of Dr. Juline Albert’s retirement. He thanked her for her many years of service. She attended WIT as a student and came back as an adjunct, then administrator, and moved up to the Vice President. She has had a huge impact on the college and so many students.
Jeremy Ogle made a motion to approve the consent items and it was seconded by Micah Lang. All were in favor and motion was carried.

Erin Volk introduced Darla Struck, Pam Woolridge, and Erick Cortes Rodriguez. Darla reviewed the happenings on the Cherokee Campus. The Nursing program has a full roster for this fall. The Cherokee Promise has had a huge impact on the Cherokee community. It has funded $267,000 since 2018.

Pam Woolridge gave an update on the Le Mars Center. The Adult Literacy Program has been at WIT since the beginning, 1966. It has been in Le Mars since 2015.

Erick Cortes Rodriguez, a student in the ELL program, spoke about his experiences in this program. He works for Seaboard Triumph Foods. He Love the program and appreciates all of the time and support that he gets from his teachers. He takes classes every day in person and via Zoom. Because of his English skills, he received a promotion at work.

Tawnya and Christina presented the Fall Semester Enrollment Report. New Student Enrollment was up 10.4%. There’s a new energy on campus due to athletics. Racial and Ethnic diversity is also up.

Christina and Troy asked for approval for Funding for WITCC Scholarship Programs 2024-2025. Linnea Fletcher made a motion to approve and it was seconded by Jeremy Ogle. All were in favor and motion was carried.

Troy Jasman presented the FY24 Open Purchase Orders. This list is very similar to previous years. Jeremy Ogle made a motion to approve and it was seconded by Micah Lang. All were in favor and the motion was carried.

Troy Jasman also presented the ISCAP Solvency Ratio. The state gives us a target, but the auditors challenged us to stay at 12%. We are currently at 16.82%. This amount of money gives us a cushion for those months when we do not have money coming into the college.

Troy presented Change Order #1 for the WITCC Center for Inclusive Excellence project. Due to an issue with a wall, we need to increase $1710. Micah Lang made a motion to approved and it was seconded by Erin Muck. All were in favor and the motion was carried.

Troy also brought forward the Bookstore Relocation Project Closeout. This project has been completed according to our architects. Students and the public are loving the new location of the bookstore and the new products in the bookstore. Jeremy Ogle made a motion to approve and it was seconded by Linnea Fletcher. All were in favor and the motion was carried. Motion Needed

Juline Albert made a Request to purchase a bus. We have had an increase in requests in needing larger vehicles for sports, lifelong learning, and international students’ travel. This is a 2015 bus that seats 33 people. Jeremy Ogle made a motion to approve and it was seconded by Linnea Fletcher. All were in favor and the motion was carried.

Darin Moeller and Carmen Wilson presented the 260E Preliminary Agreement for Knife River Midwest, LLC This agreement would allow training for new position. They plan to add 20-30 employees. Micah Lang made a motion to approve and it was seconded by Erin Muck. All were in favor and the motion was carried.

Darin and Carmen also presented the 260E Preliminary Agreement for Cold Link Logistics Sioux City, LLC. Jeremy Ogle made a motion to approve and it was seconded by Linnea Fletcher. All were in favor and motion was carried.

Terry Murrell requested to nominate a Voting Delegate for the ACCT Leadership Congress and Alternate. Jeremy made a motion o nominate Russ Wray and it was seconded by Erin Muck. All were in favor and motion was carried.

Terry also presented a 2nd reading for Update Board Policy 102 – Educational Objectives, Philosophy, and Mission. The changes were to update the Mission statement. Erin Muck made a motion to approve and it was seconded by Linnea Fletcher. All were in favor and motion was carried.

Terry also gave an update to the last Community Colleges for Iowa meeting. The August meeting was an organizational meeting. Many new members. Tricia was appointed to the Executive Committee.

Terry Murrell gave a President’s Report. It’s fun to have the student energy back on campus and can see the added energy of having athletics.

Linnea Fletcher made a motion to adjourn and it was seconded by Jeremy Ogle. All were in favor and meeting was adjourned at 4:48 pm.