SCCC/ATS Trustees Meet

Following a video conference with Bartlett & West Architect One, who are developing a long-range land use and facility plan, the Seward County Community College/Area Technical School Board of Trustees met Monday, Feb. 7, for its regular board meeting.
Bartlett and West have been developing a land use and facility plan for the college by analyzing land, floor plans and programs and developing phasing priorities to create a multi-year master plan for expansion and renovation.
Among the items discussed are relocating programs in the Humanities Building, moving allied health to campus, expanding the bookstore and student union, adding both a north and south addition to the activities building, relocating the truck-driving course, expanding the area technical school to accommodate new and existing programs, relocating the maintenance building, adding new tennis courts and a soccer field, adding parking, expanding the administrative office area, relocating the automotive program, improving student housing, adding a baseball and softball practice facility, and creating a better flow between the main campus and the Area Technical School.
Bartlett & West will submit the next presentation of a master plan in March that will include a number of phases that can be implemented independently.
The board approved a new program request for the Corrosion Technology program, including a certificate in Cathodic Protection, a certificate in Atmospheric Corrosion, and an associate in applied science degree in Corrosion Technology. This is the first program to be implemented as part of the five-year Title V Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions grant. Following approval, the documents will be submitted to the Kansas Board of Regents for its approval.
The board had the opportunity to hear an overview of three areas of the Strategic Plan, including Diversity: Economic Development, Employee Development: Teaching Scholars; and Technology: Website Evaluation.
In addition to degree- and certificate-seeking individuals at the college, Dale Reed, associate dean of educational services, gave an overview of direct training through Business and Industry to a diverse nontraditional student population.
The newest non-credit program is the natural gas Compressor Technician program that began this spring. Reed said the program was developed as a direct result of an industry request. Industry not only helped develop the program but donated equipment as well.
The college served 991 people through business & Industry development training, with the greatest numbers served through the Gas Compressor Institute, the Measurement & Pipeline Institute and the NACE (National Association of Cathodic Engineers) Rectifier Schools. The college did specialized training with such businesses as Lathem Water Service, Panhandle Steel, Clingan Tires and Pioneer Natural Gas.
Reed said that such classes as Certified Nurses Aide and Certified Medication Aide continue to be popular classes offered through Business & Industry.
Cynthia Rapp, dean of instruction, said the college has not been able to continue its teaching scholars program that provided faculty stipends with an emphasis in online instruction due to budget restrictions; however she is proposing that the program be re-instated in the 2011-12 budget.
Two-thirds of the college faculty, however, are offering some type of alternative instruction in their classes. Some classes are taught completely online or through interactive video, while some hybrid classes offer both online and on-campus instruction.
Rapp said that to improve enrollment, the college works with other community colleges to offer combined instruction. She said the college is finalizing plans to collaborate with Hutchinson Community College through both the Health Information Management and Medical Laboratory Technician programs. The college already has cooperative programs with Garden City, Dodge City and Neosho County community colleges and Manhattan Area Technical College.
The college is also cooperating with Garden City and Dodge City community colleges to offer the General Educational Development or GED tests in Ulysses, Reed said.
Tommy Williams, dean of administrative services, gave an overview of the 2008-09 PEI projects that are designed to improve the college facilities.
As part of the 2008 series Postsecondary Educational Institute (PEI) bonds that are designed to improve the infrastructure on college campuses, the college has now replaced its boilers and chillers and will transfer the remainder of the money to the Air Quality Management program that is now 70 percent complete. Other 2008 PEI projects that are now complete include breaker-panel replacement, fire-alarm upgrade, wash-rack addition to the agriculture building and sidewalk and brick replacement or repair.
As part of the PEI 2009 bonds, the parking lot project at the Area Technical School is near completion and the college will transfer the additional funds to other projects. Other projects include addition fire alarm upgrades, a welding exhaust system, emergency lighting and a greenhouse addition. Other completed projects include exterior entrance doors and restroom and plumbing repairs.
Williams also explained that the college will continue collaboration with USD 480 in the joint purchase of white paper for both institutions.
In other action, the board
1. Approved the employment of William Worley as the Corrosion Technology program specialist/instructor;
2. Accepted the resignation of Tom Williams, dean of administrative services, effective June 30, 2011;
3. Approved the early retirement of Betty Glenn, cashier, and Melody Ratzlaff, assistant registrar;
4. Recognized and approved Dr. Suzanne Campbell, Mindy Holder and George McNitt as faculty representatives to the Professional Welfare/Interim Faculty-Board Committee;
5. Adopted a statement of support for the National Guard and National Reserves and authorized the posting of the statement in the administrative offices;
6. Approved rates for campus housing costs for the 2011-12 school year, which will remain at the current 2010-11 rate; and
A Sunday brunch and entertainment will be Sunday, Feb. 13 from 11:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m., in the cafeteria and student union.
Senior citizens can enroll in short courses at SCCC/ATS through the University of Kansas Osher Institute. Words of War: The Rhetoric of Adolf Hitler and Winston Churchill will be offered from 7-9 p.m., Feb. 10, 17 and 24 in AA137, SCCC/ATS Hobble Academic Building. Amber Waves: The Migration of the German Russian Settlers to the Kansas Prairies will be offered from 2-4 p.m., Feb. 16 and 23 and March 2 in AA137, SCCC/ATS Hobble Academic Building.
The annual meeting of the SCCC/ATS Foundation is Wednesday, Feb. 23, in SW 229 C/D.
The next regular board meeting will be Wednesday, March 2 in the board room. The June board will meet Monday, June 27, to close the 2010-11 school year and the July Board meeting will be Monday, July 18 to review and publish the 2011-12 budget.