Cowley College’s Board of Trustees hear of increase in enrollment
by Rama Peroo, Cowley County College Director of Institutional Communications — Cowley College’s Board of Trustees had an opportunity to hear of the college’s increase in enrollment during the annual monthly meeting held Monday at Cowley College’s Winfield Center in Winfield, KS.
Enrollment currently stands at 2,534 compared to 2,452 on this date one year ago. Enrollment is also up from this date two years ago (2,488).
Cowley College president Dr. Dennis C. Rittle also discussed the ribbon cutting ceremonies that were recently held at the Sumner Campus Technology and Innovation Center. Dr. Rittle said more than 250 people attended the event and more than 60 people attended the donors’ luncheon. Several federal and state legislators were among those that attended the event and toured the facility.
“It was a tremendous day on so many levels,” Dr. Rittle said.
Dr. Rittle mentioned enrollment for the Technology and Innovation Center is comparable to what the college is seeing at the Mulvane Technical Education Center.
“Enrollment at the Technology and Innovation Center is better than what I had hoped for at this juncture because the Short Center is still under construction,” Dr. Rittle said.
The Sumner Campus Short General Education Center is expected to be completed in the spring of 2019 and will begin offering general education classes in the fall of 2019.
The Winfield Center, which is home to the Emergency Medical Services Program and the
Allied Health Program.
Programs offered at the Winfield Center are, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Paramedic (MICT), Critical Care Emergency Medical Transport Program (CCEMTP), CNA/CMA, Pre-Nursing, Phlebotomy, Long Term Adult Care, Medical Transcription, and Athletic Training.
Chris Cannon, Health and Human Services Department Chair, shared additional information about the Winfield Center with the Board.
“The facility looks better now than at any time since I have been here starting in 1996,” Cannon said.
Also, during the meeting, Cowley College’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved the 2018-2019 operating budget for the College. The 2018-2019 budget has a projected operating budget mill levy of 19.060.
The college’s total budget for 2018-2019 is $23,691,628 after adjusting for a 1% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) plus $1,000 for all full time staff and regular part time staff.
In other matters:
•Cowley College president Dr. Rittle provided a College update. Dr. Rittle thanked the staff for its work with the Dorm Storm event on Saturday, August 11, and also for its work during the New Student Orientation events on Monday, August 13. Dr. Rittle also thanked Brake Ruyle for the homemade treats he and his family provided the Board during the meeting. The college recently purchased an Angus steer from Ruyle during the Cowley County Fair 4-H/FFA Market Livestock Auction.
•Dr. Rittle filled in for Jessica Lucas, Government Affairs Liaison, to provide the Board with a legislative update regarding the results of the recent primary election.
•Resolved that the 2018-19 state appropriation budget for Cowley College, officially published in the CourierTraveler, is hereby adopted, and the fiscal officers of the Board of Trustees are authorized to encumber and expend such funds according to the statutes of the state of Kansas and policies and procedures of the Board of Trustees.
•The Cowley College Board of Trustees are invited to attend the City of Winfield’s work session on August 16 at 4 p.m. in the Community Council Room of City Hall located at 200 E. 9th to review the Interlocal Agreement adopting the City of Winfield’s Neighborhood Revitalization Plan.
•Approved the purchase of two public safety vehicles from the Kansas Highway Patrol at a cost of $23,250 and $24,250 each, for a total cost of $47,500.
•Approved the purchase of the product bundle from National Instruments for a cost of $40,055.12.
•Dr. Gloria Walker, vice president of finance and administration, provided the Board with an update on the construction of the Sumner Campus. Classes begin on August 14th.
•Dr. Harold Arnett, vice president of academic affairs, mentioned the eight new hires in academics. Dr. Arnett also thanked Tina Grillot and the CTE faculty that helped make the ribbon-cutting at the Sumner Campus Innovation and Technology Center a success. After three years on the job, Dr. Arnett’s last day at the college will be September 7th.
“I have great respect for the faculty and staff and appreciate the opportunity to work at the college,” Dr. Arnett said. “I have some wonderful memories I will carry with me.”
•Dr. Kori Gregg, vice president of institutional advancement, informed the Board that the Donors that attended the luncheon at the Sumner Campus were impressed with the spaces and appreciate what has been done at the facility.
Dr. Gregg also mentioned the new Tiger Spirit Award that will be given quarterly to a business that supports Cowley College. “This is a way for us to say thank you for helping us as a college,” Dr. Gregg said.
•Bryan McChesney, systems administrator, filled in for Paul Erdmann, vice president of information technology. McChesney provided a Student Information System update and discussed the work that has been done at the Cowley College Sumner Campus. He also said network speed upgrades have been completed at several Cowley Centers.
•Debbie Phelps, executive director of institutional effectiveness, filled in for Kristi Shaw, executive director of enrollment management, to provide an enrollment update. Full-time equivalency is up 67.40 from this date last year.
Debbie Phelps, executive director of institutional effectiveness, informed the Board that annual yearly Kansas Board of Regents collection opened on July 1, while the integrated postsecondary education data system federal reporting will open later this month with the standard confirmation of institutional information.
•Jason O’Toole, executive director of student affairs, provided a housing update. O’Toole said the dorms are at full capacity. He also mentioned there were over 425 students at just one of the New Student Orientations held earlier in the day. The students have several exciting events planned during the first week of the fall semester.
•Jan Grace, Sumner Campus Operations Officer, mentioned the work being done at the Sumner Campus. She said the Technology and Innovation Center is ready for the first day of classes on August 14.
“It took a lot of people to get us to this point,” Grace said.
Grace also said the Sumner Campus is working to establish a Veteran’s program.
•Deborah Layton, faculty liaison, informed the Board that math instructor Brooke Istas attended the 25th annual Adults Learning Mathematics Conference in London July 8-13. Also, the Humanities Department had a special in-service for concurrent and adjunct instructors on August 9.
“We are gearing up for a busy but fun semester,” Layton said.
•Shane Larson, athletic director, let the Board know that August 1 marked the first day of official practice for soccer, cross country, and volleyball. Also, the Tiger Booster Club Blitz Drive fundraiser was held on August 8 and expects to bring in close to $70,000 in pledges.
Larson also mentioned Cowley will host the Battle of the Badges Dodgeball Tournament on Saturday, August 18 inside W.S. Scott Auditorium.
Lastly, Larson said there are openings for individuals to take part in the Cowley College Foster program. For more information, contact 620-441-5246.
•Approved the 2018-19 Master Agreement between the Cowley College Education Association and the Board of Trustees.
•Accepted a letter of resignation from Seth Moore as assistant tennis coach, effective July 31; accepted a letter of resignation from Adriana Somerville as Alumni Relations/Golden Tigers Coordinator, effective August 17; accepted a letter of resignation from Lea Newman as Health Services Coordinator, effective August 29; accepted a letter of resignation from Gary Downs as staff accountant, effective September 4; accepted a letter of resignation from Dr. Harold W. Arnett as vice president of academic affairs, effective September 7.
•Approved the employment of Bryan Faber as Mechatronics Instructor, effective August 14; approved the employment of Meredith Mahoney as Ethics/Philosophy Instructor, effective August 14; approved the employment of Lisa Gott as public safety officer, effective August 14; approved the employment of Janet Gottschalk as administrative assistant to the vice president of academic affairs, effective August 14; approved the employment of Brent Hilliard as assistant tennis coach, effective August 20; approved the employment of Holly Harper as director of accounting, effective September 10.
•Held a pair of executive sessions totaling 20 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel, regarding cabinet member succession planning, pursuant to the exception for non-elected personnel.
