Oil, Natural Gas Technician degree, certificate approved, sent to ICCB for action

The board approved the Oil and Natural Gas Technician Associate in Applied Science Degree, an accompanying occupational certificate and 10 associated courses and authorized their submission to the Illinois Community College Board for action.

Plans for this degree began last summer in response to new legislation. Rend Lake College and Southeastern Illinois College signed a cooperative agreement to provide an array of training opportunities for the emerging oil and natural gas industry. Combined, the two districts have more acreage under lease to the industry than anywhere else in the state.

“This is another example of a community college alliance that reaches across district boundaries and works to provide industry and residents of our region the training they need,” said RLC President Terry Wilkerson.

Officials said that as the industry takes root, workforce needs will have to be met.  Workers will need custom training, as well as other possible credentials, including certificate and degree programs.

In the same action item, the board also approved the Windows certificate under the IT Systems Specialist curriculum and a change in the total credit hours required for the Associate in Engineering Science Degree (to 68 from 65). These too will be sent to the ICCB for action.

RLC Foundation’s Pathway to Success project to be let for bids

Permission was granted to advertise for bids for the Rend Lake College Foundation’s “Pathway to Success” entryway project on the Ina campus. The estimated cost of the project is $225,000, and it will focus on the walkway to the Dr. Allen Y. Baker Administration Building, which is visited by virtually every student. The area will be renovated to make it more inviting and identifiable, and to provide a testament of the commitment made by supporters of the college and its mission. The project will be funded through a fund-raising effort by the RLC Foundation. The Foundation will match each dollar raised to establish an endowed scholarship for future RLC students.

Tuition rate approved

The board approved an in-district tuition rate of $95 per credit hour beginning with the Summer 2014 term, which is not an increase over the current rate. This decision was made in light of the fact that the technology fee was increase from $3 per credit hour to $5 per credit hour. Out-of-district tuition will be set at a later date. Out-of-state and out-of-country tuition was set at $150 per credit hour.

Tenure for five

The board granted tenure to five instructors effective Aug. 18. Each will now have the title of Associate Professor.

Melisa Berendson, Nursing Associate Professor. Kim Robert, Dean of Allied Health, described Berendson as a leader among the nursing faculty. She has made a significant contribution of time and effort in moving the program into the new concept-based curriculum, Robert said. Berendson encourages students to think and analyze critical situations which could arise in the field.

Jeff Fairbanks, Culinary Arts Associate Professor. Fairbanks has taken the lead on assessment of the Culinary Arts program, according to his supervisor, Lori Ragland, Dean of Community and Corporate Education. In addition, he has taken part in recruitment, advisement and registration activities, works with area restaurants and businesses to establish cooperative education activities and job opportunities for students, and has taken an active role in participating in events for the college, the Foundation and the Culinary Arts program. Fairbanks is a graduate of the program in which he now teaches.

Nicole Haney, Nursing Associate Professor. Robert said Haney has worked closely with students to ensure they are provided the essential skills and knowledge needed for their continued success. Haney is active in organizing both the Practical Nursing Endowment Scholarship program and the Practical Nurse pinning ceremony. She also serves on the Franklin-Williamson Bi-County Health Department’s emergency preparedness and responder program.

Ashley Marthaler, Certified Nurse Assistant Associate Professor. According to Robert, Marthaler is a positive asset to the college and the division who goes above and beyond in assisting students with preparation for their nursing careers. She demonstrates a genuine interest in all of her students, working with them before and after classes if needed.

Robert Wilson, Culinary Arts Associate Professor. Wilson’s vast array of industry experience has been valuable for his students, Ragland said. In addition to working with students, he also has been instrumental with the Culinary Arts Club and has taken an active role in college and community events. He has updated the Culinary Arts curriculum and has supported faculty development to align with the requirements of the American Culinary Federation, and currently is working on an articulation agreement with Southern Illinois University’s Hospitality Management program.

Keele joins RLC Foundation

Appointed Caitlin Keele as Administrative Assistant for the RLC Foundation effective Feb. 12. Keele formerly was a student worker for the Foundation and has been working part-time there. She holds four associate degrees from RLC: Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, Associate in Fine Arts – Instrumental Performance, and Associate in Applied Science in Agriculture Business.

Two positions created

Two new positions were created by the board Tuesday:

Title III Instructional Designer. This position is needed as part of the college’s Title III grant work. In addition, the board approved the job description and transferred Shari Carpenter to fill the position. Carpenter previously served as a Computer Science Professor and filled a role as the college’s Instructional Designer. She holds a Master’s Degree in Human Resources Education with a concentration in E-Learning, and has more than 10 years of practical experience with integrating technology in the classroom and mentoring faculty with implementation of online curricula.

Health Information Technology Program Director, a position necessary to fulfill the needs of the CAHIIM accreditation requirements. The Health Information Technology program is currently offered through the Southern Illinois Collegiate Common Market. However, CAHIIM will no longer accredit consortia and HIT programs must be accredited by the individual institutions. RLC has opted to offer this program on campus. The accompanying job description also was approved and permission was granted to advertise to fill the position.

Adams transfers to accountant

Approved the transfer of Lana Adams from Accounts Receivable Specialist to Business Office Accountant effective Feb. 17.

Two retirements accepted

Accepted with regret the retirement resignations of two employees:

Barb Crouse, Director of Nursing and Nursing Faculty member, effective May 17. She has been with Rend Lake College full-time since August 1994. “I thank the Rend Lake College family for all the great opportunities that have helped me to grow both personally and professionally,” Crouse wrote in her retirement letter. “It has been a blessing to spend so many of my working years with this group of dedicated people.”

Larry Thuilliez, Academic Computer Technician, effective May 31. He has been with RLC full-time since December 1999. “I have enjoyed my 15 years at the college and will miss my many coworkers and friends,” Thuilliez wrote in his retirement letter.

In other business, the board …

Approved revisions to board policy concerning leaves (second reading) and the tenured / tenure-track faculty and staff seniority list (first reading).

Approved revisions to board policy and procedure concerning reimbursement of miscellaneous department expenses (second reading), travel reimbursement (second reading) and the alcohol and drug policy (first reading).

Approved revisions to board procedure concerning fees.

Approved the notice of election for the student trustee in accordance with the Illinois Public Community College Act.

Approved submission of the statement of final construction compliance on the Protection, Health and Safety project for the re-roofing of the RLCF Children’s Center and the RLC MarketPlace HVAC controls upgrade, and the Excess Protection, Health and Safety Funds project for parking lot lighting replacement.

Accepted the resignation of Tammi Gullikson, Business Office Accountant, effective Jan. 23.

Granted a one-year probationary contract for a Culinary Arts instructor.

Did not renew the employment contract of a Radiologic Technology instructor.

Mark your calendars …

Visiting Artist Series: Wheat Elder, Jan. 17-Feb. 28, RLC Theatre Lobby.

WYSE Competition, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12.

Family Career & Community Leaders of America Section 18 Spring Meeting, 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, RLC Theatre.

Art Demonstration: Jerome Wisehart, 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, RLC Theatre.

Rend Lake College Board of Trustees Retreat, 12-5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 11, Pat Kern Private Dining Area.

Student Recital, 7 p.m. Thursday, March 20, RLC Theatre.

Student Art Show, March 27-May 2, Reception 6-8 p.m. March 27, RLC Theatre and Theatre Lobby.

Job Fair, 3-6 p.m. Tuesday, April 1, Mt. Vernon Holiday Inn.

Phi Theta Kappa Induction, 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 9, RLC Theatre.