by
Nate Miller
News editor
The Seward County Community College Board of Trustees met March
1 to discuss enrollment, a new equipment/vehicle building, a
new off-campus building and increased course fees for the 2004-2005
school year.
The board directed Dr. James Tangeman to submit a letter to
the city of Liberal requesting a traffic light to be installed
on Kansas Avenue at the entrance to SCCC.
Their reasoning was that with commercial growth in the vicinity
of the college, the traffic on Kansas Avenue has increased.
Several new businesses are also being constructed on the opposite
side of Kansas Avenue which could cause traffic to increase
even more.
Dr. Gerald Harris, SCCC dean of student services, discussed
enrollment for the spring 2004 semester. Enrollment showed a
6 percent increase in head count, with more students attending
but taking fewer hours.
EduKan online enrollment showed a 93 percent increase over
spring 2003, while Seward Online enrollment showed a 62 percent
increase.
Other statistics showed 34.3 percent of the SCCC of the student
body is 18-21years old, and they generate 54.9 percent of the
credit hours. On the other hand, 30.4 percent of the student
body is 35 and older and they generate 13.8 percent of the credit
hours.
W.R. Duncan, director of buildings and grounds, researched
the construction of a 120- x 40-foot metal building to house
equipment, including tractors, mowers, cars, buses and vans.
The building would cost between $13 to $15 per square foot for
the 96,000 square foot facility.
The board directed the administration to continue to develop
plans to house this equipment so they can consider a covered
building at a later date.
Associate dean of educational services, Dale Reed, informed
the board that the Big Bow school facility was closing, and
he would like to investigate that facility for use by the college
for evening off-campus classes. The cost of utilities for that
facility is at a minimal cost per month.
The board approved changes in proposed applied course fees
for the 2004-05 school year. This is to cover increases primarily
for those courses that have had increased computer and printer
use. The administration, however, does not recommend a tuition
and fee increase.
A revised policy on "Release of Employee Information" that
indicates what information should be contained in the employee
personnel files was approved. A resolution naming Tina Call
as assistant treasurer was also adopted.
Mid-term grades are due March 12, and spring break is the week
of March 15-21. Classes will not be in session that week, but
administrative offices will be open.
