Laura Ryan

The Board of Trustees meeting included the recognition of newly tenured faculty members and recipients of the Outstanding Faculty Awards. Key business items addressed were the approval of contract awards for building renovations and services, authorization of architectural and construction management services for the L Building, and the solicitation of bids for campus carpeting. The Board also reviewed and approved financial reports, short-term investments, and bill summaries. Additionally, the Board approved a resolution honoring a retiree, discussed administrative updates regarding grant funding and disaster recovery, and approved personnel and employment matters, including salary increases for the upcoming fiscal year, during a closed session.

The meeting included the appointment of a new trustee to fill a vacancy, the election of board officers, and the reorganization of the board term of office. Key actions included the approval of tuition and travel reimbursements, acceptance of various grant awards, and the awarding of bids for athletic facility renovations, building air conditioning, and cybersecurity software. The board also revised course fees for the upcoming fiscal year, approved athletic letters of intent and tuition waivers, and authorized various investments and financial reports. Additionally, the board reviewed and approved numerous personnel and employment matters, including student employment, instructor pay scales, and business partnership contracts.

The meeting included a moment of silence for a deceased board member. The Board approved the acceptance of grant awards for mental health support and authorized the solicitation of bids for various campus services and software. Tuition and fee rates for the upcoming fiscal year were set. The Board awarded a bid for a patio lighting project and received updates on enrollment, campus construction progress, and upcoming retirements. Additionally, the Board reviewed and accepted financial and cash reports, authorized payments for bills and travel, and approved various employment, student employment, and faculty tenure matters following a closed session.

The agenda focuses on faculty recognitions and various administrative and financial approvals. Key discussion items include bidding for building renovations and equipment, such as air conditioners and athletic locker rooms, as well as architectural and construction management services for L Building renovations. The board will also review financial items including short-term investments, financial reports, and bill summaries. Additionally, the session includes a closed session to discuss personnel matters and pending litigation.

The Board of Trustees meeting included a presentation by the Director of Athletics regarding the Annual Cash Bash event. Key actions taken included the approval of tuition/course reimbursements for three staff members, acceptance of a grant award from the Illinois Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program amounting to $957,820, and the approval and adoption of the Board of Trustees Policy Manual, effective January 20, 2026. The Board also approved travel reimbursement rates for calendar year 2026 and authorized the purchase of computers from Apple and Dell Direct, not to exceed $265,000. Furthermore, approval was granted to proceed with architectural services for Athletic Locker Room Renovations and to solicit bids for North Patio Lights. The modernization of the L-Building East Elevator was approved. A significant action involved the transfer of $6,000,000 in operating funds to the Operations and Maintenance Restricted fund. Financial reports, including the Reconciled Cash Report for November 30, 2025, and the Investment and Financial Summary Report for December 31, 2025, were accepted subject to audit, and bills totaling $1,031,939.34 were approved. The Board convened briefly into closed session to discuss personnel matters and probable/pending litigation before approving related consent agenda items.