SSCC accepts trustee resignation, votes on tuition increase
By
Caitlin Forsha-crforsha@gmail.com
With “regrets,” the Southern State Community College Board of Trustees accepted the resignation of trustee Don Gephart at Wednesday night’s board meeting held at the central campus.
Gephart, who was appointed by Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, served from July 2008 until his resignation, submitted to the college earlier this month. Gephart cited re-occurring health issues for his resignation.
SSCC President Dr. Kevin Boys praised Mr. Gephart’s service to the college. “We certainly wish Don all the best toward his improved health,” Boys said.
“We have enjoyed having Don on the board,” said SSCC Board Chair Kay Ayres. “He made a real contribution to the board. Hopefully, he can re-join us in the future. We accept his resignation — with regrets.”
“Don’s passion for higher education is as strong as anyone’s I have ever met,” said board member Paul Hall. “I really got a chance to know Don when we traveled to South Carolina (during the recent presidential search), and he was someone who felt very strongly about higher education.
“Don has had serious health issues before, and he has battled through them. We are confident he has the determination to battle through this.”
Mr. Gephart recently submitted a letter of resignation to the college.
“It is with heartfelt regret that I must resign my position as trustee for Southern State Community College,” Mr. Gephart said. “Re-occurring personal health issues prevent me from continuing my service. It has been a great honor for me to be part of this dedicated, goal-oriented, success driven group of individuals. I will surely miss working with each and every one of them.”
Boys said he is working with the board and the governor’s office concerning an appointment to replace Mr. Gephart, as well as for the three upcoming vacancies on the board. Boys said the college has expressed a strong concern for a second trustee from Adams County.
• In other board action, after a report from the finance committee for consideration of a tuition increase, the board voted, 5-0, for a 3.5-percent increase effective at the start of the 2010 spring term. However, the board also voted to waive the implementation of the increase at this time.
“We’re not broke like a lot of folks,” Hall said. “But we are looking at possibly a 5-percent need, and this gives us an option down the road.”
Vice President of Business and Finance Jim Buck said, “This preserves the opportunity for a future rate increase. No student will have an increase this spring.” According to Buck, if the proposed increase would be implemented, it would raise tuition by approximately $119 per year, per student.
“Southern State is at the bottom in tuition across the state,” Hall said. “We are the lowest community college in tuition that does not have a levy. We are giving great education at a great price.”
“We could increase tuition by 5.3-percent and still be the lowest in the state,” Buck said.
Board member Rory Ryan questioned whether the implementation of the increase would take additional action by the board.
According to Hall, before the 3.5-percent increase could be implemented, the board would have to have an additional vote. At that point, trustees voted to approve the 3.5-percent increase but waive the implementation of the increase.
Board members Kay Ayres, Ralph Shell, Patty Griffiths, Paul Hall, and Rory Ryan were in attendance at Wednesday’s meeting. Board members Jim Ward, Dr. Vickie Wilson, and Dr. Ben Houser were absent.
• The board heard a presentation from Dennis Bothel, director of advising and retention, regarding his office’s services.
Bothel provided an overview of the program, which began in November 2009. Since its implementation, the office has met with more than 300 students and written more than 300 letters inviting students to success workshops.
The workshops focus on: time management, stress management, study skills, and resolution of warning/probation issues.
The workshops initially target students who have been placed on warning or probation with an emphasis on changing behavior that is not conducive to student success. Rhonda Fannin and Joy Gilmore have moved under the umbrella of advising and retention services, according to Dr. Boys.
• In his president’s report, Dr. Boys noted that the Patri-Tots facility at the Wilmington campus received a 100-percent compliance rating during a state inspection conducted on Feb. 3. “This is quite rare throughout the state and represents a wonderful accomplishment,” Boys said.
“Southern State now has two child-care centers that have received a 100-percent compliance rating within the past year. The staffs at both centers are to be commended for this accomplishment,” Boys said. (For more on the Patri-Tots’ recognition, please see attached link.)
• In his vice president’s report, Jim Buck advised the trustees that audits are coming up for bid and the board needs to decide on a firm. Trustee Ralph Shell advised that Buck should collect information from all state-approved audit firms that are interested and report back to the board.
• The board also appointed trustee Ben Houser to chair its audit committee.
The board agreed to meet again on April 14 at 6 p.m.[[In-content Ad]]
Gephart, who was appointed by Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, served from July 2008 until his resignation, submitted to the college earlier this month. Gephart cited re-occurring health issues for his resignation.
SSCC President Dr. Kevin Boys praised Mr. Gephart’s service to the college. “We certainly wish Don all the best toward his improved health,” Boys said.
“We have enjoyed having Don on the board,” said SSCC Board Chair Kay Ayres. “He made a real contribution to the board. Hopefully, he can re-join us in the future. We accept his resignation — with regrets.”
“Don’s passion for higher education is as strong as anyone’s I have ever met,” said board member Paul Hall. “I really got a chance to know Don when we traveled to South Carolina (during the recent presidential search), and he was someone who felt very strongly about higher education.
“Don has had serious health issues before, and he has battled through them. We are confident he has the determination to battle through this.”
Mr. Gephart recently submitted a letter of resignation to the college.
“It is with heartfelt regret that I must resign my position as trustee for Southern State Community College,” Mr. Gephart said. “Re-occurring personal health issues prevent me from continuing my service. It has been a great honor for me to be part of this dedicated, goal-oriented, success driven group of individuals. I will surely miss working with each and every one of them.”
Boys said he is working with the board and the governor’s office concerning an appointment to replace Mr. Gephart, as well as for the three upcoming vacancies on the board. Boys said the college has expressed a strong concern for a second trustee from Adams County.
• In other board action, after a report from the finance committee for consideration of a tuition increase, the board voted, 5-0, for a 3.5-percent increase effective at the start of the 2010 spring term. However, the board also voted to waive the implementation of the increase at this time.
“We’re not broke like a lot of folks,” Hall said. “But we are looking at possibly a 5-percent need, and this gives us an option down the road.”
Vice President of Business and Finance Jim Buck said, “This preserves the opportunity for a future rate increase. No student will have an increase this spring.” According to Buck, if the proposed increase would be implemented, it would raise tuition by approximately $119 per year, per student.
“Southern State is at the bottom in tuition across the state,” Hall said. “We are the lowest community college in tuition that does not have a levy. We are giving great education at a great price.”
“We could increase tuition by 5.3-percent and still be the lowest in the state,” Buck said.
Board member Rory Ryan questioned whether the implementation of the increase would take additional action by the board.
According to Hall, before the 3.5-percent increase could be implemented, the board would have to have an additional vote. At that point, trustees voted to approve the 3.5-percent increase but waive the implementation of the increase.
Board members Kay Ayres, Ralph Shell, Patty Griffiths, Paul Hall, and Rory Ryan were in attendance at Wednesday’s meeting. Board members Jim Ward, Dr. Vickie Wilson, and Dr. Ben Houser were absent.
• The board heard a presentation from Dennis Bothel, director of advising and retention, regarding his office’s services.
Bothel provided an overview of the program, which began in November 2009. Since its implementation, the office has met with more than 300 students and written more than 300 letters inviting students to success workshops.
The workshops focus on: time management, stress management, study skills, and resolution of warning/probation issues.
The workshops initially target students who have been placed on warning or probation with an emphasis on changing behavior that is not conducive to student success. Rhonda Fannin and Joy Gilmore have moved under the umbrella of advising and retention services, according to Dr. Boys.
• In his president’s report, Dr. Boys noted that the Patri-Tots facility at the Wilmington campus received a 100-percent compliance rating during a state inspection conducted on Feb. 3. “This is quite rare throughout the state and represents a wonderful accomplishment,” Boys said.
“Southern State now has two child-care centers that have received a 100-percent compliance rating within the past year. The staffs at both centers are to be commended for this accomplishment,” Boys said. (For more on the Patri-Tots’ recognition, please see attached link.)
• In his vice president’s report, Jim Buck advised the trustees that audits are coming up for bid and the board needs to decide on a firm. Trustee Ralph Shell advised that Buck should collect information from all state-approved audit firms that are interested and report back to the board.
• The board also appointed trustee Ben Houser to chair its audit committee.
The board agreed to meet again on April 14 at 6 p.m.[[In-content Ad]]