MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
Southwestern Community College

July 23, 2002, 5:30 P.M. - Public Safety Training Center

Attending:

The Board of Trustees of Southwestern Community College met for its regular quarterly meeting, with a demonstration of the completed Defensive Driving Training Range and barbecue dinner preceding the meeting at 5:30 p.m., on July 23, 2002.

Chairman Conrad Burrell called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. He welcomed back Mr. Penland who has been recovering from illness.

Sharon Grasty administered the oath of office to reappointed trustee, Quayle Neslen.

Mr. Holt made a motion to approve the minutes of the quarterly meeting of April 23, 2002.
Dr. Neslen seconded the motion which carried.

REPORTS OF OFFICERS:

President - Cecil Groves

Dr. Groves extended his thanks to the staff at the Public Safety Training Center for their efforts in making the celebration of the completion of the driving training range a success. Dr. Groves introduced Faculty Senate President, Dr. Allen Grant.

Business Services - George Stanley

Vice President Stanley reported on the situation with the college's liability insurance policy which provides coverage in addition to the State $500,000 limit. The college was able to secure liability insurance and is currently insured.

The North Carolina Financial Statement Audit has been completed. The auditors will conduct an exit interview on Friday. It is Mr. Stanley's understanding that no exceptions of note will be reported.
Continuing Education - Dwight Wiggins

The demonstration of the new defensive driving training facility consisted Vice President Wiggins' report.

Instructional Services - Gene Couch

Vice President Couch drew the Trustees' attention to the photo display in the main lobby of the Balsam Center. Utilizing funding secured from the SCC Foundation, incoming freshmen were provided disposable cameras to document their first year learning experience at Southwestern. The photos were then compiled to document the learning experience from a student perspective.

Student/Institutional Development - Connie Haire

No report.

Technology/Telecommunications - Jim Campbell

Vice President Campbell provided an update on the status of the college's telecommunication projects. With the help of a grant from the Janirve Foundation, the college is installing fiber to link its infrastructure with Smoky Mountain High School and Swain West Elementary. The eventual goal is to have a community-based infrastructure in place to connect all the schools in the three county area with the college. Dr. Groves noted that Mr. Campbell is considered one of the experts in the state regarding telecommunications and expressed his appreciation for all his efforts for the college. Dr. Groves also reported that staff member Laura Pennington and several members of the Appalachian Access project team are currently visiting Washington D.C. to try to secure further funding for the college's connectivity project.

CURRICULUM AND STUDENT SERVICES COMMITTEE

Vice President Wiggins reviewed the Continuing Education Enrollment Report for Spring 2002. He recently received a complimentary phone call from the System Office commending Joan Moulton and the HRD staff on the excellent job they are doing.

Vice President Couch reviewed Summer Enrollment for 1999-2002.

Dr. Couch gave a brief overview of the Learning Assistance Center (LAC) which was developed to provide assistance with skill development to SCC students.

Dr. Couch distributed copies of the latest edition of the college literary magazine, The Milestone, which features the writings and artwork of students and staff. A grant from the SCC Foundation funded the cost of this year's edition.

Dr. Couch reported on a student success story - Alexis Bell, a May 2002 SCC graduate, recently received a $27,000 scholarship to attend Cornell University.

Vice President Haire provided a quarterly update on activities and highlights for the Student and Institutional Development area.

FINANCE AND CAMPUS IMPROVEMENTS COMMITTEE

Vice President Stanley reviewed the Local Revenue Analysis and State Current Expenditures for the period ending June 30, 2002.

Mr. Stanley presented the Budget Transfers, Budget Increases and/or Budget Decreases for approval. Mr. Holt made a motion that the Budget Transfers, Budget Increases and/or Budget Decreases be approved. Mr. Bell seconded the motion which carried.

Mr. Reece reviewed Policy and Procedure Revisions. Procedure 3.39.1, OC Aerosol Spray will be removed. After discussion with the college's insurance company regarding the college's liability in the usage of pepper spray, the college has decided that security officers will not utilize the spray. Mr. Holt made a motion that the Policy and Procedure Revisions be approved. Mr. Madden seconded the motion which carried.

Mr. Reece presented the Educational Leave Request for Thom Brooks.
Mr. Holt made a motion that the Educational Leave Request for Thom Brooks be approved.
Dr. Neslen seconded the motion which carried.

Mr. Reece presented a resolution in appreciation of Zickgraf Hardwood Company's gift of hardwood flooring for the renovated Business Office complex. Mr. Holt made a motion that the resolution in appreciation of Zickgraf Hardwood Company's gift be approved. Dr. Neslen seconded the motion which carried. Mr. Stanley reported that Zickgraf also plans to donate flooring for the administrative office area.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Dr. Groves provided a brief update on the status of the State budget situation and its effect on the college's budget for the upcoming fiscal/academic year. The college continues to aggressively pursue grant funding in order to cover some of the shortfall in expense monies.

Dr. Groves and Mr. Stanley provided an update on the status of college facility and property acquisition projects. Dr. Groves reported on a recent informal discussion held with a key Cashiers landowner interested in a possible collaboration with the college on a library/performing arts center project.

Dr. Groves presented the findings from the audit conducted by the System Office Program Audit Services staff on the maintenance of records and reporting of student membership hours for Spring Semester 2000 through Spring Semester 2001. No audit exceptions or concerns were identified for the period covered by the audit.

Mr. Bell made a motion that the additions to the Full-Time Employee List, additions to the Part-Time Employee List, 2002-2003 Faculty/Staff Reappointments, and 2002-2003 Potential Part-time Employees be approved. Mr. Holt seconded the motion which carried.

Dr. Groves presented the Revision of College Goals for approval.
Mr. Penland made a motion that the Revision of College Goals be approved. Mr. Madden seconded the motion which carried.

Dr. Groves reported a resolution has been prepared in honor of former president Edward E. Bryson and will be presented to his family members at the October quarterly Board of Trustees meeting.

Chairman Burrell expressed his appreciation to Dr. Groves for his dedication to his job during his recent illness. He also commended Mr. Wiggins and the Public Safety Training Center staff for doing an excellent job with the evening's open house and demonstrations.

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

The next quarterly Board of Trustees meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 22, 2002.

The meeting adjourned at 7:58 p.m.

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