By Kaitlyn Skrzypczak, Editor-in-Chief.
The Delta College Board of Trustees approved changes to its bylaws, the rules that govern the board. At their meeting, Tuesday, Dec. 9 they approved the changes in an 8-1 vote; R. Earl Selby, Saginaw board member, voted against the changes.
The first is to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) procedures. President Jean Goodnow will now receive and respond to FOIA appeals. The second change is to the procedure to call meetings. The Board clarified that “special meeting[s] shall be scheduled within a reasonable time period based on the purpose of the meeting,” according to Article VI of the Bylaws. The third change is adding committee meetings to the rules regulating how to add items to the agenda. The fourth change is how to fill vacancies on the board. The fifth change is inserting the word “open” into Article VI of the Bylaws so that board members participating telephonically can only do so if it is an open meeting.
The Board voted unanimously to approve Senate Policy changes. “I think as you all are very aware we added the support staff to our system of shared governance,” said Drew Colenbrander, Associate Professor in the English division.
The Board voted unanimously to approve a project that would upgrade emergency lighting and essential power to the A, C, D and E wings. The project is estimated to cost $267,936.
The Board voted unanimously to approve a project to renovate the West parking lot of the main campus. The project is estimated to cost $2,629,500. According to Larry Ramseyer, Director of Facilities Management, the project will begin in May and should be completed by August 15.
R. Earl Selby, who is a part of the nominating committee, recommended to the board that Michael Rowley hold the position of Chair of the Board and Michael Nash hold the position of Vice Chair of the Board for the next two years. He also recommended that both Debra Lutz, Treasurer, and Andrea Ursuy, Secretary, keep their positions on the Board. A vote will be held at an organizational meeting this January.
Other topics at the Dec. 9 dinner and board meetings include:
- An update on the new Saginaw Center campus presented by Doug Kozma of SmithGroupJJR and Larry Ramseyer.
- A presentation on the success of the STEM Mind Trekkers event was made by Cynthia Drake, Associate Professor in the Science division.
- Approval of the Board of Trustees 2015 regular meeting schedule.
- Robert Stafford and Jack Mackenzie served at their last board meeting, and were thanked by other members for their service to the school.
