M I N U T E S
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
May 27, 2008
Call to Order:
The West Georgia Technical College (WGTC) Board of Directors
met in regular session on Tuesday, May 27, 2008, at 3:00 p.m. in the Center for
Integrated Manufacturing in Building D of West Georgia Technical College with
the following board members present: Mr.
Matthew Avant, Mr. Jerry Fulks, Mr. Ed Smith, and Mr. Bill Stump. Absent were:
Mr.
Call to Order:
Chairman Fulks
called the meeting to order.
Approval of Minutes:
Upon a motion by Mr. Stump and second by Mr. Avant, board members approved the minutes of the previous meeting, April 29, 2008.
Committee Reports:
Academic Affairs:
Dr. Darryl Harrison stated that six new college level general education courses submitted to the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) were approved for public offering. These include: World History I and II, U. S. History I and II, American Government, and English Literature.
Dr. Harrison announced that WGTC will offer two “mini-mester” accelerated class formats for students seeking to earn college credit before fall semester begins.
Dr. Harrison said that faculty members are developing additional courses to be offered in “hybrid” and online formats. He explained the hybrid classes are those that meet one day per week with the remainder of class work completed online.
Dr. Harrison commented that the number of articulation agreements with four-year colleges continues to grow with several area colleges actively pursuing WGTC graduates including Brewton Parker College, Troy University, and LaGrange College.
Administrative Services:
Mr. Tony Jones stated
that the budgets for FY2009 are being finalized and will be available for
review at next month’s meeting.
Mr. Jones gave a
detailed Budget Comparison Report and Local Revenue Report for the period
ending April 30, 2008, representing 83% of the fiscal year. With a motion from Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr.
Avant, board members voted unanimously to approve the Budget Comparison Report
and Local Revenue Report for the period ending April 30, 2008 as presented.
Economic Development:
Ms. Linda Jones stated that a partnership is being formed with Falcon Air Services to provide pilot training for 18 year olds.
Ms. Jones noted that a contract for credit and non-credit training with the City of Atlanta was finalized and there are 18 students that will enroll in credit programs and 37 will get non-credit training.
Ms. Jones stated that Southeastern Freight is working with WGTC to train all Southeastern Trucking drivers over a nine-state area. She added that this regional training program is the first in the nation.
Ms. Jones reported that the Work Ready initiative administered the WorkKeys assessment to all of the high school students. The results were that the students all scored in the gold or silver category which is above the median.
Ms. Jones commented on the student picnic held for Greenville High School students at the Workforce Development Center in Greenville as a successful event.
Institutional
Advancement:
Mr. Kevin Cain stated that WGTC hosted a successful career expo.
Mr. Cain commented that LaGrange Daily News printed a souvenir insert for high school graduates and WGTC placed some ads in the circular.
Mr. Cain reported that the Donor Wall is about to go into production.
Mr. Cain said that the process for selecting the WGTC Teacher of Excellence has narrowed the candidates down to three of which this year’s recipient will be announced at commencement exercises on June 20.
Mr. Cain announced that WGTC will host the State Board of TCSG next Wednesday.
Mr. Cain said WGTC and LaGrange Art Museum are forming a partnership to display art pieces throughout West Campus.
Mr. Cain announced that a community open house for the West Campus will be on August 14.
Student Affairs:
Mr. Perrin Alford announced that 634 are pre-registered for summer quarter. He added that testing over the past year has seen a 100% increase due to the implementation of WorkKeys testing of high school students and 150 WGTC students.
Mr. Alford stated that Student Affairs is preparing to move to West Campus in July.
President’s Report:
Dr. Daryl Gilley invited the board members to attend the State Board Committee of the Whole meeting at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 4. He also asked how many plan to attend the dinner given in honor of the State Board at Callaway Gardens on the evening of June 4. Dr. Gilley proposed that the dinner meeting event serve as a makeup meeting for the one cancelled in February due to lack of a quorum.
Dr. Gilley commented briefly on a plan to reduce HOPE dollars by approving the transfer option.
Dr. Gilley referred to an article entitled “America’s Most Overrated Product: the Bachelor’s Degree” published in The Chronicle of Higher Education. He noted that WGTC is offering a technical problem-solving service with a presence by Quick Start, Georgia Tech, and Auburn University to be located on our campus.
Dr. Gilley announced that the Adult Education program in West Point is ceasing effective June 1 at the request of the City of West Point due to a new tenant locating in the Workforce Development Center.
A tour and demonstration of the Center for Integrated Manufacturing complete with half a million dollars worth of donated equipment was conducted by Industrial Technology faculty members Jim McNair, Jim Biagi, Mike Twomey, and John Ward.
Adjournment:
With no further business to be discussed, Chairman Fulks adjourned the board meeting at 3:45 p.m.