College considers 'hotline' between North Platte, McCook

Wednesday, April 23, 2003

North Platte -- The creation of a dedicated Distance Learning fiber-link "hotline" system between North Platte and McCook, along with instructor and administration hires, contract approvals, personnel searches and board policy revisions will be the main centers of attention at Wednesday night's Mid-Plains Community College Board of Governors regularly scheduled monthly meeting.

The meeting will be held in the Wigwam Student Union on the McCook Community College campus beginning at 6 p.m.

Besides conducting normal "housekeeping" duties, the board will recognize their Nebraska Community College Association Alumni of the Year-Dr. John Batty, a retired physician from McCook. He was honored "in absence" at this year's NCCA's annual Congressional retreat held this past February in Lincoln.

The administration will ask the board to consider purchasing the necessary equipment to create a dedicated fiber link between McCook and North Platte, thus establishing a dedicated "hot-line" for shared classes between the two campuses.

Board members are expected to consider contracts to repair McCook's Barnett Hall roof; approve purchasing materials for underground sprinklers on North Platte's McDonald-Belton campus; hire a consultant from Association of Community College Trustees for an upcoming Board retreat; approve a maintenance contract with Jenzabar-the institution's integrated management information system provider and direct Alley-Poyner Architects to prepare cost estimates for several additional remodeling projects.

The board is also expected to hear from the Ad Hoc College Marketing Committee about the institutional "branding" process and their recommendation in the selection of a vendor to help in creating and implementing the new concepts.

The board will also decide about hiring a new political science instructor for North Platte, authorize a search for the vice-president's position which will become vacant when Dr. Mike Chipps assumes the MPCC president's role, as well as a search for a full-time advisor's position in North Platte. Two part-time employees are currently filling the advisor's position. The board also will consider the hiring of a new Enrollment Management Director. This area position will serve in a leadership role in the areas of institutional recruitment, admissions, registration, orientation, advising, "early-alert" on academic progress and retention activities.

The board is expected to consider "first readings" on changes in its Board Policy concerning Faculty Suspensions, Administrators-Reduction in Force, Contract Expiration/Termination, Suspension and Classified Staff-Reduction in Force, Contract Expiration/Termination, and Suspension policies.

The board will also hear a budget update from Ryan Purdy and campus reports from Dr. Williams, Dr. Chipps, and Dr. Tubbs.

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