Tuesday, October 12, 2004 11:07 AM CDT
Lake Land College assets grow for '04
By HERB MEEKER, Staff Writer
MATTOON -- An audit review Monday night showed that Lake Land College District funds are sound, and it was announced the Lake Land Center for Business and Industry has been awarded a $361,038 federal grant for the Manufacturing Skills Training Laboratory.
The 2004 Fiscal Year Audit was accepted Monday by the Lake Land College Board of Trustees. The audit, prepared by West & Company LLC Certified Public Accountants of Mattoon, showed $1.5 million in net assets for the college district, which amounts to a 4-percent increase from the previous year.
According to the audit report, the college district ended FY 2004 on June 30 with total operating revenues of $9,359,622 and total operating expenses of $49,021,899, which resulted in a loss, but the net non-operating revenue of $41,160,285 offset that loss and produced an overall increase in net assets of $1,498,008.
Non-operating revenue included local property taxes of $8,963,907; state appropriations of $21,898,957; federal grants and local contracts of $10,259,381; and other net miscellaneous revenue of $38,040.
In other business, Rob Westcott, dean for the Center for Business and Industry, informed the board that Lake Land is one of five Illinois colleges chosen to participate in the U.S. Department Labor grant program "Retraining America's Workers for 21st Century Advance Manufacturing Jobs," in association with Illinois State University. A total of nine community colleges in the Midwest were selected for the effort to help workers improve their skills in the manufacturing sector.
Westcott said the grant will finance the purchase of equipment for the training lab. That equipment is expected to arrive early next year, he said. He praised CBI employee Terry Smith for his work to help secure the grant.
Westcott said several years ago the college took a chance on funding the CBI to help produce better-trained workers for area manufacturers. Since that time, grants and other funding have matched that investment, which demonstrates the success of the program, he noted.
Also Monday, college board members approved four health safety projects for submittal to the Illinois Community College Board for possible funding. The projects include:
-- Eliminating electrical problems that are causing many disruptions in classrooms on the campus -- estimated cost: $278,000.
-- Improving deteriorating roadways and drainage areas on campus, especially areas with standing water after rainfall and icy conditions during the winter -- $162,000.
-- Making the ball field pedestrian walkways more accessible and safe, especially in relation to disabled parking spaces -- $48,000.
-- Updating the accessibility and infrastructure, including many plumbing changes, in the college field house -- $435,000.
Board policies changes were approved regarding new standards for naming buildings, classrooms or grounds on the campuses; penalties for not returning rented textbooks on time; and a requirement on academic probation, suspension and dismissal.
The policy on naming of facilities is designed to create a set procedure with final approval by the board of trustees, based on periodic recommendations by an advisory committee. For example, no building, room or physical component within the district will be named for individuals currently employed by the college or state government. There will also be prohibitions on naming buildings for a religious or political organization, and honors for corporate benefactors will be limited to 10 years. A building name might be changed if the individual it is named for faces criminal charges or brings shame upon the college district.
The change in policy on academic probation or suspension will require students returning from academic suspension to be placed on academic probation and be required to complete developmental reading courses.
The action on the textbook rental policy sets a standard time for returning books during finals week and places the burden on replacement of unreturned books on the students. Defaced or damaged books will be paid for by the renter at current retail price.
This policy has been in practice for some time and board members Mike Sullivan and Kent Metzger questioned why it was not brought before the board some time ago.
The board postponed action to strengthen a policy regarding electronic communication devices in classrooms. Cell phones and other electronic devices are causing class disruptions and concerns about academic integrity.
The board also scheduled a special meeting for 7 p.m. Sunday for a session with representatives of the North Central Association assessment team. The meeting will be held mostly in closed session because it concerns self-evaluation and procedures of professional ethics. The meeting convenes in the Southeast Building, Room 081.
Contact Herb Meeker at hmeeker@jg-tc.com or 238-6869.
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