Three Rivers college moves on after shake-ups in its board, administration

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Ideas are flowing more freely between faculty, board and administration at Three Rivers Community College, officials say, with trustees participating on various college committees. But even with this new platform in place as a result of a decision made last month, college officials are trying to reach an agreement as to what kind of changes will be financially plausible in the near future.

More than once during a board meeting Tuesday, chairman Steve Cookson raised the question, "Who are we here for?"

"We're here for the [students]," said trustee Marion Tibbs, "but we must take care of the taxpaying public and make sure we're good stewards of their money."

Cookson suggested the college fund a tuition-paid education the same as A+ districts for all the high schools in the college's four-county taxing district. He said he has had talks with the college foundation to make it work.

Meanwhile Tibbs, liaison for the salary, benefits and welfare committee, reported that more than a dozen ideas were presented to the administration intended to raise the morale of faculty, most notably increasing the base rate salary for employees so the college can better keep up with inflation.

Other possibilities that were opened for discussion by both trustees were to eliminate the five-year experience limit on the pay scale for employees and to raise the health care deductible paid out by the college from $600 to $1,000, assuming the faculty member fills out a health survey.

The recommendations will each be considered as college officials propose a final budget for the coming fiscal year later this summer.

Accreditation concerns

The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association Accrediting Agency expressed some concerns about Three Rivers' lack of effort in the past to have a coherent integrated plan for the college and its students.

Steve Lewis, who coordinated the college's self-study, stated that strategic planning and an assessment of student learning will need to be implemented in order to renew accreditation once again in 2017-2018.

While the college received some praise from the accrediting agency, according to Lewis, the commission must conduct a focus visit in five years to make sure the concerns are being resolved.

"It's not necessarily a slap in the face to the institution, but it's certainly a red light," said Lewis, also Three Rivers' chair of humanities and performing arts.

Lewis said that the news is not a surprise to the college as the same observations were made during the 1997-1998 accreditation process, yet little was done under the previous leadership. He assured the board, "these will not be difficult issues to be addressed."

CAMPUS MASTER PLAN

An aspect of the strategic planning is to develop an overall aim for the campus design. Cookson revealed that Three Rivers last master plan was completed in 1993 and he recommended the board hire an architect to develop a new plan to match the college's growth in recent years.

"Strategic planning makes sense instead of just going off willy-nilly in certain directions," said Cookson.

Trustee James Grassham said the bookstore ought to be relocated so students "don't have to climb the mountain" to get there. "It will increase enrollment and increase merchandise sales," said Grassham.

The long-time trustee called the campus an "obstacle course" and said it can be "a drag," especially for those who are handicapped.

In other business, the board:

? Unanimously approved that Joe Rozman remains interim president of Three Rivers until the position is filled.

? Unanimously approved implementing employees' criminal background checks starting in July for all full-time new hires upon employment and for all other employees having regular or periodic contact with minor students in the public or private schools. Dr. Larry Kimbrow, vice president for academic affairs, said he located a company, Validity Screening Solutions, to provide the screenings at $35 per employee. The college has about 25 new hires each year, according to Kimbrow, and administrators used to only conduct reference checks on them. "We've been fortunate nothing has happened," he said, "but we're hanging out to dry right now."

? Unanimously approved to locate an area physician and clinic and select a specific primary and alternative physician for college workers' compensation claims, as recommended by Missouri United School Insurance Council, the college's insurance carrier. Previously an employee who suffered an injury on the job was directed by the human resources department to see any doctor other than their regular physician.

? Unanimously approved to adopt the current year's operating budget as the upcoming fiscal year's preliminary budget. Since it's difficult to anticipate all amendments to the budget, trustee Randy Winston asked that the business department present to the board changes "as needed," about once every three months.

? Unanimously approved to pay the annual renewal of the lease for River Ridge Apartments, the main campus' student housing. It was noted that rent revenue is on the decline at the present time, but administration will look into what they have to do to get more occupants.

? Unanimously approved the presidents' advisory committee of about 70 business leaders and school officials to be representative of the college's taxing district for the upcoming year. The groups will meet two times a year, and the board trustees from that particular taxing district will attend.

? Unanimously approved upward to 20 advisory committees consisting of industry professionals who will share their expertise with various department heads at Three Rivers.

? Accepted the resignation of James Dixon, a custodian.

? Hired Debra Avery as instructor of nursing and Candace Starr Ransom as instructor of business.

? Heard the announcement that Autuam Hager, Kennett Center facilitator, has become Kimbrow's executive secretary in light of Mary Brown's retirement.

? Heard Robbie Myers, vice president for administration and governmental affairs, report he has met with the Poplar Bluff Police Department to increase campus security. He said he has bids out for cameras that he will present to the board at a future meeting. He mentioned that the college will have to appoint a security task force.

? Heard Rozman report that the technology committee has tried some pilot programs to provide students with e-mail and decided it will use its own server. Students will be able to begin using the system by fall semester and it will be official by spring, according to Rozman. He noted that faculty will be able to have access to their accounts from home so they can send and receive emails. Rozman added that he believes the college will be able to recover the cost within a couple years from saving money on postage.

? Heard Kimbrow report that after doing a pilot program last year to change summer classes to a four-day school week instead of five, this year it became a regular policy. He cited that compressing the schedule but lengthening the classes saves a whole day of travel and allows students to have an extra day to work or spend with family. The concept has gained national attention in recent weeks because of the burden rising gas prices have put on commuters and Kimbrow said the college is going to implement an option of a four-day week on a trial basis for the fall semester in addition to the regular class week. "The original idea came from the students themselves last year," said Kimbrow.