Cameron Carrara

The Board discussed the rotation of their executive committee for the upcoming academic year and determined a schedule for quarterly Committee of the Whole meetings. Additional discussion topics included the potential restructuring of meeting procedures such as the inclusion of a Land Acknowledgement and the Pledge of Allegiance. Furthermore, the Board addressed a request from the Classified Staff Association regarding a Day of Civic Action, ultimately declining the request due to recent college closures, and explored strategies to increase Board representation within the community.

The Board meeting included discussions on budget highlights for FY 2027, the authorization to schedule a budget hearing, and approval of various purchase authorizations, including contracts for Wi-Fi access, wellness kiosks, athletics website hosting, and library and printing services. Additionally, the Board authorized the hiring of tenure-track faculty, reviewed policy revisions, accepted grant awards, and performed its annual board reorganization. The meeting also included reports from the president, educational foundation liaison, pathways to opportunity liaison, HLC accreditation, ICCTA liaison, and the student trustee.

This strategic plan outlines a vision for 'Building Just and Thriving Communities' by 2030, focusing on key performance metrics to achieve its objectives. The plan's priorities include increasing student matriculation, enrollment in credit coursework, and completion rates for gateway English, gateway math, and overall credentials. It also aims to improve fall-to-fall persistence, transfer rates, and bachelor's degree completion among transfer students. Furthermore, the plan seeks to enhance graduate employment rates, expand workforce and community partnerships, and increase workplace learning opportunities, with an overarching goal to improve campus climate.

This Master Plan Update outlines a physical improvement roadmap for Oakton College's Des Plaines and Ray Harstein Campuses, guiding the institution's development over the next five-year Capital Improvement Plan and beyond. The plan focuses on eight key areas: reimagining Learning Commons, enhancing Student Success pathways, developing Partnership Hall, optimizing Adjacencies and Workplace environments, improving Fitness and Wellbeing facilities, upgrading Classrooms, enhancing Site and Landscape, and addressing Deferred Maintenance. The overall objective is to maximize efficiency, improve competitive advantage for recruitment and retention, and foster an accessible, equitable, and inclusive campus experience.

This Capital Improvement Plan for Oakton College covers fiscal years 2026-2027, detailing infrastructure projects and capital improvements that operationalize the FY2023-FY2027 Master Plan. Key priorities include life, health, and safety projects, critical deferred maintenance, addressing overcrowding and enhancing educational programming, and improving common gathering areas. The plan aims to improve learning environments, promote sustainability, extend facility lifespan, and support student success, with a total projected funding of $36.8 million.