Highland Community College

The strategic plan focuses on several key areas: achieving a 7% increase in reimbursable credit hours by Fall 2023, meeting HLC accreditation criteria, improving the college's culture of trust and accountability, and ensuring financial health with sustainable fund balances. It emphasizes an exceptional student experience, academic innovation and quality, an exceptional employee experience, and creating a bold future through investments in innovation and growth.

The board is considering an increase in the in-district tuition rate from $129.00 per credit hour to $141.00 per credit hour, and an increase in the senior citizen rate from $97.00 to $106.00 per credit hour, both effective Fall semester of 2017. The formulas for figuring out-of-district and out-of-state tuition remain unchanged. The recommendation is due to the continued Illinois budget stalemate, which has resulted in significant state funding reductions. The increase in tuition may require the College to evaluate additional revenue increases and/or expense reductions and adopt a deficit budget in FY18.

The Board of Trustees is considering the appointment of Dr. Brendan Dutmer as Associate Dean of Natural Science and Mathematics, starting July 1, 2017. Dr. Dutmer's interim appointment, which was approved on June 1, 2016, will conclude on June 30, 2017. The recommendation highlights Dr. Dutmer's demonstrated leadership skills and dedication during his interim role, which have led to the proposal to remove the interim title.

The meeting discussed the recommendation to increase the in-district tuition rate from $129.00 per credit hour to $141.00 per credit hour, effective Fall semester of 2017. Additionally, it was recommended to increase the senior citizen rate from $97.00 to $106.00 per credit hour, also effective Fall semester 2017. The formulas for calculating out-of-district and out-of-state tuition rates remain unchanged. The proposed tuition increase is in response to significant reductions in state funding and the need to maintain the college's financial stability.

The board discussed and considered an agreement with MNJ Technologies for professional services related to a campus emergency call box and telephone system. The goal is to replace the current system, which has unclear instructions and functions, causes interruption of the campus security radio system, and has components that are no longer functional. The new system will use Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) and SIP trunking for redundancy and lower operating costs. Phone handsets will be installed in classrooms and conference center rooms pre-programmed with emergency phone numbers. The emergency call box replacement is planned to be functional by the start of Fall semester 2017, with the remaining campus telephone system replacement expected to occur during the Fall semester 2017.