MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
Southwestern Community College

October 22, 2002, 5:30 P.M. - SCC Campus

The Board of Trustees of Southwestern Community College met for its regular quarterly meeting, with dinner preceding the meeting at 5:30 p.m. on October 22, 2002.

Following dinner, the family of founding president, Edward E. Bryson was presented a framed copy of a resolution honoring Mr. Bryson for his services to the institution. Dr. Groves and Mr. Burrell also presented appreciation plaques to outgoing trustees, Carolyn Blanton and George Hooper. Judge Bradley Letts administered the oath of office to new trustees, Leon Jones, Mary Jane Letts and Vanessa Whidden.

After adjournment to the Slagle Board Room, Dr. Groves introduced John Sheetz, a consultant with Riverside Wellness Associates. Riverside Wellness Associates was recently engaged by a joint task force comprised of Jackson County, Southwestern Community College and Westcare Health System to evaluate the feasibility of a community wellness and fitness center. Mr. Sheetz gave a PowerPoint presentation on the findings of the feasibility study.

Following the presentation, Chairman Conrad Burrell called the meeting to order at 7:20 p.m. He welcomed the three new trustees, Chief Jones, Ms. Letts and Ms. Whidden.

Mr. Holt made a motion to approve the minutes of the quarterly meeting of July 22, 2002 as mailed.
Mr. Sutton seconded the motion which carried.

REPORTS OF OFFICERS:

President - Cecil Groves
No report.

Business Services - Janet Burnette
No report

Continuing Education - Dwight Wiggins
Vice President Wiggins called upon Hank Shuler. Ms. Shuler gave a brief update on continuing education online course initiatives. The college has been paying a fee for the use of online courses but plans to develop and market its own courses this year. The National Park Service training course will be updated and marketed nationwide. Procedures are also being developed to enable students to use credit cards to pay their on-line course registration and fees.

Instructional Services - Gene Couch
Data from the latest New Student Survey, conducted each fall at the college, indicates that the percentage of students attending a four-year college in the year immediately prior to enrolling at Southwestern has increased significantly from 3.6 percent in 1998 to 14.29 percent in 2002.

Student/Institutional Development - Connie Haire
No report.

Technology/Telecommunications - Jim Campbell
Vice President Campbell provided an update on the status of the college's connectivity efforts. Mr. Campbell reviewed charts detailing the infrastructure currently in place and the proposed linkages. The eventual goal is to have a community-based infrastructure in place. This can be accomplished by working through partnerships developed with local public and private entities. Mr. Campbell discussed the benefits and objectives of this collection of partnerships, the Smoky Mountain Knowledge Network.

Mr. Campbell demonstrated the features of the Tandberg videoconference system. The college has purchased 14 Tandberg videoconferencing units which will be placed in the middle and elementary schools currently linked to the college through the fiber infrastructure.

Dr. Groves noted that the college is in the process of installing web cameras on campus. The internet-based system will provide added security while allowing an on-line view of the campus.

CURRICULUM AND STUDENT SERVICES COMMITTEE
Vice President Wiggins reviewed the Continuing Education Enrollment Report for Summer 2002
Vice President Couch reviewed the Curriculum Enrollment Report for Fall 2002

Dr. Couch provided an update on the status of two new programs, Therapeutic Massage and Early Childhood/Teacher Associate.

Dr. Couch presented the Automotive Technology Live Project Fees for approval. Mr. Sutton made a motion that the Automotive Technology Live Project Fees be approved. Mr. Holt seconded the motion which carried.

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 Burnette reviewed the Local Revenue Analysis and State Current Expenditures for the period ending September 30, 2002.

Ms. Burnette 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. Unger seconded the motion which carried.

Ms. Burnette presented the Budget Request and Budget Resolution for approval. The college will be reserving eight percent of its budget in anticipation of budget reversions. Due to the lack of funds, employees will not receive a salary increase this year. However, the college has opted to give full-time employees a prorated ten days of bonus leave. Mr. Holt made a motion that the Budget Request and Budget Resolution be approved. Mr. Sutton seconded the motion which carried.

Ms. Burnette distributed copies of the college's State of North Carolina Financial Statement Audit Report for the year ended June 30, 2001. No audit exceptions were noted.

Mr. Reece presented the Swain Center Renovations Contract Award for approval. Mr. Holt made a motion that the Swain Center construction contract be awarded to H & M Constructors, with the contractor to be instructed to proceed immediately in anticipation that the project will be completed in 120 days. Mr. Hooper seconded the motion which carried.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Dr. Neslen made a motion that the additions to the Full-Time Employee List and additions to the Part-Time Employee List be approved. Mr. Bell seconded the motion which carried.

Dr. Groves gave a PowerPoint presentation on the status of college facility and property acquisition projects. He provided an overview of proposed improvements and developments for the main campus site and off-campus centers. Dr. Groves reported that informal discussions are continuing with key members of the Cashiers community regarding a possible collaboration with the college and Jackson County on a library/performing arts center project in Cashiers. He also noted that the college will be the first entity in Jackson County to have natural gas.

Chairman Earl Hooper presented the slate of proposed officers of the Southwestern Community College Board of Trustees for 2003 from the Nominating Committee consisting of Terry Bell, Earl Hooper, and Kate Welch. The committee recommended Conrad Burrell for Chairman, Harvey Hyatt 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 and the recommended slate of officers be approved. Mr. Sutton seconded the motion which carried.

The North Carolina Board of Ethics has notified the college that their findings indicate no conflict of interest or potential for conflict of interest for trustee Mary Jane Letts.

Mr. Holt made a motion that the Board enter Executive Session at 8:28 p.m. for the purpose of discussing real property acquisition in accord with G.S. 143-318.11(a)(5). Mr. Sutton seconded the motion which carried.

The Board returned from Executive Session at 8:40 p.m.

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

The next quarterly Board of Trustees meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 28, 2003.

The meeting adjourned at 8:42 p.m.

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