June 24, 2008

Cowley to continue working with Winfield Economic Group

Providing an update on Economic Development during Monday night’s monthly Board Meeting, Cowley College president Dr. Patrick J. McAtee told members of the college’s Board of Trustees that the college will continue to be active in business and industry and work with the Winfield Economic Group.

Dr. McAtee recently met with several business and industry entities to discuss an economic development plan. Although Dr. McAtee said he was open to do what is in everybody’s best interest, he did not feel everybody was on board with the proposed plan.

Board member Mark Paton echoed those sentiments as he stated it was clear Cowley First, Cowley County's economic development partnership, was not fully united in the direction the college wanted to go.

In other matters, the Board:

1. Heard an update from Cowley College president Dr. Patrick J. McAtee on the sessions held during the KACCT/COP Retreat in Hutchinson. He informed the Board that the funding formula for new allocation has been tabled. Also at the Retreat, there was discussion to form a committee to find a replacement for KACCT executive director Sheila Frahm.
2. Tony Crouch, executive vice president of business services, provided an update on construction of the new dorm. Exterior brick veneer is complete as is the permanent hookup for the electricity. Painting is scheduled to be complete by the end of the week, and carpet work should begin before the end of the month. Conco has started cleaning up the site so they can concentrate on grade work. The completion date remains Aug. 4.
3. Received an instructional report from Slade Griffiths, vice president of academic affairs.
4. Heard from Liz Shepard, director of Upward Bound, and a student in the program about what the program is doing this summer. Shepard also provided members of the Board with a handout showing the benefits of students taking part in Upward Bound.
5. Viewed a summer enrollment report that indicates the full-time equivalency was 640, which is slightly down from this time last year. Viewed a fall enrollment report that indicates full-time equivalency is 1,356, which is slightly down from June 10, 2007.
6. Submitted five policies for first reading. The policies are: Pets/Animals and College Facility Policy, College Vehicles, Refund of Tuition and Fees, Varsity Athletics, and Substance Abuse policy for Intercollegiate Athletics.
7. Margaret Neal, Golden Tigers program coordinator, provided an annual report on the 2007-08 activities offered and trips during the past year. The program continues to be a vital part of continuing education and provides activities to over 300 participants each year.
8. Accepted the resignation of Tom Mason as humanities instructor/director of communications, effective May 21; Accepted the resignation of Tim Walton as automotive instructor, effective June 2; Accepted the resignation of Heather Munson as ESL instructor, effective June 1.
9. Approved the employment of Bethany Stewart as computer/business instructor, effective Aug. 1; Approved the employment of Lacey Rowe as admissions specialist, effective June 17; Approved the employment of James Milton-Sawyer as security officer, effective July 1; Approved the employment of Jeff Simundic as assistant athletic trainer/dorm manager, effective Aug. 1; Approved the employment of Thomas Miller as Mechatronics instructor, effective July 1; Approved Amy McWhirt's move from a staff position to classification C faculty employment and that she continue in the director of academic preparedness position.
10. Approved compensation for full-time instructors teaching summer 2008 for the first four-week and eight-week session.
11. The next regular meeting for the Board of Trustees will be the organizational meeting for 2008-2009. Mark Paton will chair the committee to determine Board organization.
12. Held an executive session to discuss non-elected personnel.