Jennifer Billingsley

The Board meeting included committee reports on legislative matters, foundation initiatives, and student government activities, alongside a presentation of the President's financial and operational updates. Key business items included the review of quarterly investments, an annual assessment report, and updates on science lab facilities and data visualization tools. Formal actions taken by the Board included the naming of the Nursing Simulation Lab in honor of HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital, the acceptance of multiple grants for adult education and motor vehicle operator training, the approval of financial statements, the setting of the 2026 meeting schedule, and revisions to several Board policies regarding naming rights and protected leaves. The Board also approved course fee updates for the upcoming academic semester, the transfer of funds for insurance purposes, the faculty seniority listing, and the appointment of a new Director of Strategic Initiatives following a closed session discussion.

The board discussed key operational and strategic initiatives, including legislative updates regarding Workforce Pell grants, foundation reports on scholarship and giving campaigns, and student government activity reports. Presentations covered the college's 60th-anniversary celebration plans, growth in criminal justice programs, strategic plan ideation, and the conversion to Ellucian SaaS. Administrative actions included approving the Coles County Enterprise Zone participation, DCEO grant opportunities, and revisions to board policies on student conduct and travel. Furthermore, the board authorized tuition waivers for high school sporting events, approved the naming of the new main entrance plaza as Sullivan Plaza, and authorized equipment purchases for the nursing program. Other actions included the declaration of surplus items, approval of planned retirements, academic calendar revisions, and the selection of an audit firm.

The agenda for the Regular Meeting No. 711 included several routine consent items, such as the approval of the Agenda and Bills for Payment, and the destruction of a tape recording from a prior closed session. Committee reports were scheduled for ICCTA/Legislative, Finance, Foundation, and Student Report, among others. Business items slated for discussion without immediate action included updates on the Dental Hygiene Program, enrollment goals for Fall 2026, consideration of new Board Meeting Software, and the College's 60th Anniversary Celebration Plans. Action items included approving participation in the Coles County Enterprise Zone, setting tuition and fees rates for upcoming terms (with a recommended 3.25% increase), approving revisions to Board Policy 07.28.01 (Student Code of Conduct) and Policy 10.34 (Travel), acceptance of grants and financial statements, approval of academic calendars, faculty tenure recommendations, insurance renewal, and awards recipients. The agenda also included a closed session to discuss personnel matters.

Key discussions and action items for the meeting included the College's 60th Anniversary Celebration Plans, proposed resolution approving participation in the Coles County Enterprise Zone, growth of Criminal Justice Programs, updates on Tableau Data Visualization Tools, presentation on converting to Ellucian SaaS, the Spring Census Enrollment Report, and review of grant opportunities. Action items involved approval of Special Event Tuition Waivers, approval of the recommendation for the Clem Phipps Exemplary Trustee Award and naming of the Main Entrance Plaza after Mike Sullivan, approval of a purchase for a Manikin Simulator for the Nursing Program, acceptance of grants and financial statements, declaration of surplus items, approval of annual board meeting schedule, approval of course fees, and approval of necessary policy revisions concerning Military Leave, Additional Protected Leave Policies, and academic requirements (Degrees and Awards, General Education, Graduation Requirements). An action item also addressed the approval of a bid for an Electric Vehicle Charger Station at the Effingham Technology Center, and personnel matters were handled following a closed session, including the appointment of a Director of Strategic Initiatives and approval of the Human Resources Report.

The primary meeting discussed includes routine items, committee reports, and business items. Key action items for the January 12, 2026, Regular Meeting include the approval of the agenda, payment of bills, acceptance of grants from ICCB for mental health support and trade pathways, financial statement acceptance (November 2025), declaration of surplus items (including a 2020 Ford Escape), policy revisions concerning the Freedom of Information Act and Grade Exclusion, approval of a resolution to abate tax for debt service on General Obligation Refunding Bonds, authorization for the tentative budget preparation for FY 2027, approval of the Certificate of Tax Levy for 2025, approval of a new student organization (Epsilon Sigma Alpha), approval of a major contract upgrade with Ellucian for SaaS software, and approval of professional services for the SaaS conversion. Non-action items include the Quarterly Investment Report, Annual Assessment Report, updates on lab renovations, data visualization tools, and a recommendation for posthumously naming the new main entrance plaza after Mike Sullivan. The document also references the minutes from the December 8, 2025, Regular Meeting and the January 8, 2026, Special Board of Trustees Meeting.