MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
SPECIAL MEETING
Southwestern Community College

October 28, 2003, 6:00 P.M. - SCC Campus

Attending:

The Board of Trustees of Southwestern Community College met for its regular quarterly meeting, with dinner preceding the meeting at 6:00 p.m. on October 28, 2003.

Preceding dinner, Dr. Groves introduced new employees, Mary Bradley, Peter Buck, Barrie Rogers, Tamra Sommers, Sherry Tilson and Philip Weast.

Vice Chairman Harvey Hyatt called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.

Mr. Penland made a motion to approve the minutes of the quarterly meeting of July 22, 2003 and the special meeting of August 26, 2003 as mailed. Mr. Holt seconded the motion which carried.

REPORTS OF OFFICERS:

President - Cecil Groves
Dr. Groves introduced Delos Monteith, Institutional Research and Planning Officer. He commended Mr. Monteith for the outstanding job he performs for the college in the area of planning and research. Mr. Monteith gave a brief overview of the various survey instruments used by the college and distributed a packet of sample surveys. He noted that some surveys are designed to provide feedback in order to meet North Carolina Community College System requirements; but, all surveys administered by the college are designed to give feedback in order to improve its services and programs.

Business Services - Janet Burnette
No report.

Continuing Education - Dwight Wiggins
No report.

Instructional Services - Gene Couch
Vice President Couch reported two external site visits were recently conducted for the Cisco Technology and Massage Therapy programs. The Health Sciences division hosted a leadership program for approximately 200 students on October 16. As a result of the Noel-Levitz consultations and planning workshops conducted last year, college retention efforts were intensified and a college-wide enrollment and retention plan was implemented. A recent report has shown those efforts are producing an increase in the percentage of student retention.

Student/Institutional Development - Connie Haire
No report.

Technology/Telecommunications - Jim Campbell
Vice President Campbell gave an update on the status of the BalsamWest FiberNET project and showed samples of the conduit being installed. The project is progressing well and fiber is currently in place between the college and Western Carolina University and the college and Hwy 441 to the Drake building. Construction will be underway next week to link the Drake building to the SCC Public Safety Training building in the Macon County Industrial Park.

CURRICULUM AND STUDENT SERVICES COMMITTEE

Vice President Wiggins reviewed the Summer Term 2003 Continuing Education Enrollment Report (V A 1-a). Enrollment is up significantly over last summer.

Vice President Couch presented the Fall 2003 Distance Learning Report (V B l-a) and gave a synopsis of the distance learning courses offered at the college. There has been significant growth in the number of courses offered via distance learning and enrollment in the courses continues to increase.

Dr. Couch gave an update on the status of three new program initiatives which debuted this fall - Surveying, Practical Nursing and Evening/Weekend Nursing.

Vice President Haire provided a quarterly update on activities and highlights for the Student and Institutional Development area (V C 1-a). Dr. Haire presented the new college viewbook, folder, and Student Support Services Handbook.

FINANCE AND CAMPUS IMPROVEMENTS COMMITTEE

Vice President Burnette reviewed the Local Revenue Analysis (VI A-1) and State Current Expenditures (VI A-2) for the period ending September 30, 2003.

Ms. Burnette reviewed the Purchasing Changes (VI A-3). This change to the college purchasing procedure was necessary in order to reflect current costs.

Ms. Burnette presented the Budget Transfers/Amendments (VI B-1). Mr. Unger made a motion that the Budget Transfers/ Amendments be approved. Mr. Penland seconded the motion which carried.

Ms. Burnette presented the Budget Request (VI B-2) for approval. Mr. Sutton made a motion that the Budget Request be approved. Mr. Penland seconded the motion which carried.

Ms. Burnette presented the Budget Resolution (VI B-3) for approval. Mr. Holt made a motion that the Budget Request be approved. Mr. Sutton seconded the motion which carried.

Dr. Groves presented the Leave/Absences Policy (VI B-4)for approval. Dr. Neslen made a motion that the Leave/Absences Policy be approved with the stipulation that the approval is for one year only and the policy would be reviewed after one year. Mr. Holt seconded the motion which carried.

Mr. Reece presented the North Carolina National College Savings Program (VI B-5) for approval. Mr. Unger made a motion that the North Carolina National College Savings Program be approved. Mr. Penland seconded the motion which carried.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

George Stanley provided an update on property acquisition and building projects. An alternative site for the Cashiers Center has recently become available. College administration is currently evaluating the property at the request of the Jackson County manager. The site may be more suitable for the center than the site considered previously

Plans for the new Macon County campus are proceeding well. Mr. Stanley reviewed diagrams of the proposed cut and fill for the site and design layout. Representatives from Bowers, Ellis & Watson Architects, PA recently met with college personnel to solicit input on design of the building. They also accompanied college administrators on a recent visit to Columbia, SC to tour a similar facility at Midlands Tech. The college has been very impressed with Bowers, Ellis & Watson thus far and Dr. Groves expressed his appreciation to the Board of Trustees for their selection of the firm.

Mr. Sutton made a motion that the additions to the Full-Time Employee List (VII B-l) be approved. Mr. Penland seconded the motion which carried.

Ms. Welch made a motion that Additions to the Part-Time Employee List (VII B-2) be approved. Mr. Sutton seconded the motion which carried.

 Dr. Groves presented the North Carolina Department of Transportation Resolution (VII B-3) for approval. Mr. Unger made a motion that the North Carolina Department of Transportation Resolution be approved. Ms. Letts seconded the motion which carried. Mr. Holt abstained from the vote.

Mr. Stanley presented the Utility Right of Way for approval. Mr. Holt made a motion that the Utility Right of Way be approved. Mr. Hooper seconded the motion which carried.

Chairman Earl Hooper presented the slate of proposed officers of the Southwestern Community College Board of Trustees for 2004 from the Nominating Committee consisting of Terry Bell, Earl Hooper, and Kate Welch. The committee recommended Conrad Burrell for Chairman, Pete Penland for Vice Chairman, and Cecil Groves for Secretary. No nominations were received from the floor.

Mr. Holt made a motion that the nominations be closed. Mr. Sutton seconded the motion which carried.

Mr. Holt made a motion that the recommended slate of officers be approved. Dr. Neslen seconded the motion which carried.

Dr. Groves reported that Jeffrey Postell will be the featured speaker at the NCACCT Seminar Opening Luncheon on October 30 in Raleigh. Trustees Terry Bell and Ed Madden will be attending the event. Dr. Haire announced that Jeffrey has made application and plans to attend Southwestern to further his education.

Dr. Groves reminded the Trustees of the SCC Foundation 30th Anniversary dinner on October 30. Next year the college will celebrate its 40th anniversary and Dr. Groves asked the Trustees to give consideration to a possible name change for the college. Discussion will be held on this possibility at the next quarterly Board of Trustees meeting in January.

Ms. Welch gave a report on the highlights of the ACCT 2003 Annual Convention held during September in Denver, Colorado. Ms. Welch noted the convention was very worthwhile. Dr. Groves and Chairman Burrell also attended the event.

Mr. Holt made a motion that the Board enter Executive Session at 8:32 p.m. for the purpose of discussing real property acquisition in accord with G.S. 143-318.11(a)(5). Mr. Hooper seconded the motion which carried.

The Board returned from Executive Session at 8:50 p.m.

Dr. Neslen made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Hooper seconded the motion which carried.

The next quarterly Board of Trustees meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 27, 2004.

The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

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