By GREGORY HORNER, Staff Reporter.
The Delta College Board of Trustees voted to approve a private tour agreement and heard speakers from programs at the college at its Feb. 17 meeting.
During the dinner meeting, Delta’s Corporate Services director, Jennifer Carroll, hosted a presentation about the Corporate Services department. Corporate Services works with local businesses and Michigan Works! to offer job training in trade and organizational skills through Delta College.
“We have an opportunity to educate people and promote all of Delta College,” said Carroll. “Our connection to the community is strong”
Corporate Services, located in the H-wing, offers career training 24 hours a day on campus or at the client’s site. They provide services to a variety of local businesses and institutions including Dow Chemical, the city of Midland, Accenture and Carrollton schools.
During the general meeting the board voted to approve a private tour agreement for a South American study trip with Go Ahead Tours totaling $167,184. The trip is planned for May 19-June 2. Christine Coleman and Susan Montesi of the Humanities department will lead 31 participants on an educational tour of the region.
The tour is mostly designed for people above age 50 as a part of Delta’s 50+ program. Academic credit is available for independent study; the program’s main educational objectives are to expand knowledge of the region, foster interaction with the local people and provide education through an international experience.
During the meeting’s public comment, representatives from Wigen Tincknell Meyer and Associates, and the construction firm Spence Brothers presented Delta with an award from the Construction Association of Michigan. CAM Magazine recognized the renovations done to Delta’s F-wing as one of the 12 best projects in the state.
The Board then heard stories of student success from Jim Gleason and Jeff VandeZande regarding students in media. The two talked about the success of Electronic Media and Broadcasting and spoke of the possibilities of a digital film degree.
“We’ve been around in some shape or form since Delta’s beginning,” said Gleason. “And in the past 10 years 169 students have graduated from our EMB program.”
Earlier in the day the Board Audit Committee held a special meeting in regards to services with Andrews Hooper Pavlik PLC and the yearly audit on June 30, 2015. The college’s deal with the accounting firm is up for review and the board is deciding how to proceed.
Other topics in the meeting included:
- Deb Lutz presented the Treasurer’s Report, and shared information about the Governor’s proposal to increase community college funding by 1.3 percent.
- Discussion was held regarding falling enrollment rates and the loss of revenue due to changes in the Personal Property Tax
- President Jean Goodnow discussed the upcoming roads ballot proposal, and its importance to community college funding
- Goodnow shared information about a recent trip to D.C. for the Association of Community College Trustees, and expressed her reluctance to accept current proposals for a community college ranking system.