Minutes provided for Crowder College Board of Trustees meeting

GENERAL WORK SESSION MINUTES OF THE

BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT

OF NEWTON-McDONALD COUNTIES, MISSOURI

March 15, 2017

The general work session of the Crowder College Board of Trustees of the Community College District of Newton-McDonald Counties, Missouri, was called to order by Board Chair Mr. Andy Wood, at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 15, 2017, in the Newton Hall Conference Room on the Neosho campus.

Members present for the meeting were:

                Andy Wood, Chair

                Vickie Barnes, Treasurer

                Rick Butler, Vice Chair

                Al Chapman, Secretary

                Larry Vancuren, Member

                Diane Andris, Member

Also attending the meeting were:

                Jennifer Methvin, President

Glenn Coltharp, Vice President of Academic Affairs

Amy Rand, Vice President of Finance

Tiffany Slinkard, Vice President of Student Affairs

I.                   Pre-Budget Discussions

In preparation for financial planning for the 2017-18 fiscal year, the Board heard a number of reports. VP Rand presented a report on the Missouri Debt Offset Program, which Crowder implemented in June 2016. To date, $75,498.28 has been recovered on past-due billing. Dr. Coltharp presented extensive information about the course fee structure at Crowder College, and VP Slinkard shared information about testing fees. Board members reviewed and discussed the FY18 tuition and fee recommendation, which would be formally presented for the Board’s first reading on March 20. Dr. Coltharp provided an overview of the current DHE program review, and Dr. Methvin shared a brief overview of a recent state budget conference call that Missouri presidents participated in with the Missouri Department of Higher Education.

General discussion was held about potential impacts for Crowder’s FY18 budget.

II.            Grant Proposals In-Process

In preparation for Board action at the March 20 meeting, Dr. Methvin provided an overview of Crowder’s recently completed Title III application, noting that Crowder will be applying for both Part A funding of approximately $2.5 M over five years and Part F funding for $3M over five years. Dr. Methvin specifically reviewed how the Title III proposed project entitled “Connect” will provide Crowder with resources to advance the strategic goal of increasing persistence, retention, and graduation rates at Crowder while we decrease the time students take to complete a degree.

The vice presidents also shared brief overviews of additional grant applications in progress.

III.           Other

Finally, Dr. Methvin provided an update on the “attendance taking” versus “non-attendance taking” item discussed at the February Board meeting. An action team has been formed, led by Financial Aid Director Stephanie Ferguson, and they have determined that Crowder should move toward being an attendance taking institution next academic year. An expanded team of faculty and staff are currently working to implements procedures and prepare for the transition.