NOTES FROM THE Oct. 26 2016, MEETING OF THE CF DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES

By Board Report

The meeting was held at the Ocala Campus.

Recognition

The District Board of Trustees recognized student leaders. Dr. Lisa Smith, director of Student Support Services, introduced Brandon Stone-Gordon, who started his CF career in the SSS Summer Bridge program. Stone-Gordon was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Oct. 26 and is pursuing a career in dentistry. Director of Student Life Marjorie McGee introduced members of the Ocala Campus Student Activities Board, who hosted a mock DUI event the morning of the DBOT meeting.

Talent Center at the College of Central Florida

Rusty Skinner, CEO of CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion, provided an update on the Talent Center at CF. The Talent Center provides a new level of service for employers seeking professionals, and highly skilled technical talent recruitment services targeting recent college graduates. Students receive individualized career counseling and coaching, job leads and referrals, resume assistance and interview preparation, invitations to job fairs and hiring events, skills and aptitude assessments, resources and other employability services.

In Other Business, the Board:

  • Ratified approval of a professional services agreement with Moore Solutions Inc., which will provide the Perkins Professional Development Institute with training workshops on computer software. Moore will also revise the PDI website.
  • Approved a professional services agreement with Digital Savvy LLC to provide management and consulting services for the college’s digital marketing campaign.
  • Approved an amendment to the agreement with Credentials Inc. to streamline the process for electronic transcript requests. There will be no additional fees for students as well as cost savings to the college.
  • Approved a professional services agreement with Strategic Learning Solutions LLC, which provides the Perkins Professional Development Institute with a project manager.
  • Approved write-offs in the amount of $57,233 for fiscal year 2016-2017. Students are still responsible for the debts.
  • Reaffirmed its commitment to the Mission (Vision) of the college, Policy 1.00, and the college’s core values.
  • Received the Monthly Fiscal Summary Report and List of Warrants.
  • Acknowledged an agreement for services with Barnes and Noble College for five years with one five-year renewal option. The board previously authorized the president to negotiate and sign a contract with the company to operate the CF Bookstore.
  • Received the 2016-2017 grants report. Jillian Ramsammy thanked the grants team of Matt Matthews, Christy Jergens and Norma Tellez for a productive year. Twenty-one new and continuing grants totaling $3,191,735 were awarded, representing a 17 percent increase from 2014-2015.
  • Received information on 2017 health insurance program renewal. The program is compliant under the Affordable Healthcare Act and there will be a 4.65 percent increase in rates for employee and dependent coverage. CF will continue to cover 100 percent of the cost for full-time employees.
  • Received the 2015-2016 College Effectiveness Scorecard, which reports on progress made in implementing the 2013-2018 Strategic Plan. Highlights include an increase in the percentage of students who transferred to upper level programs at Florida College System institutions and implementation of strategies to improve retention rates.
  • Received information on the redesigned CF website, which focuses on mobile responsiveness and accessibility. Board members commented on the outstanding work. Ramsammy thanked Manager of Communications and Web Design Kathy Morse and the IT team for a job well done.

President’s Report

  • The Citrus Campus hosted the Citrus Chronicle Political Candidate Forum Oct. 17 with candidates for sheriff and Citrus County Commission. Approximately 300 guests attended.
  • The Visual and Performing Arts department hosted a transfer fair and recruitment event in partnership with Marion County Public Schools Sept. 28, featuring representatives from the limited admission Visual and Performing Arts programs of 10 state universities and three private universities. Approximately 250 prospective and current CF students learned more about the 2 + 2 Pathway from CF to these schools. Thirty-seven arts educators from MCPS attended as part of their in-service professional development.
  • The college held its annual planning day Oct. 4. Professional development activities included emergency response training for faculty and staff, training and development sessions on student services, as well as a live active shooter training exercise with first responders on campus.
  • On Oct. 21, Dr. Henningsen and administrators attended the FUSE signing ceremony with six other colleges and the University of South Florida. The USF FUSE partnership will provide guaranteed admission for our associate graduates who desire to attend USF. Anticipated start date for our students is fall 2017.
  • Students from CF Theatre and West Port High School’s Marion County Center for the Arts celebrated the opening of the new Art Park by the City of Ocala at the historic Train Depot and the 100th birthday of Tuscawilla Park. They performed historical scenes on site in costume for an audience of 300. Led by CF Theatre faculty Andrew Crusse and Kirsten Kennedy (Kennedy is also education director for Ocala Civic Theatre), the students performed scenes from historical research about the park’s origins.
  • The Patriot Press placed fourth at the Florida College System Publications Association Awards Banquet Oct. 14 in Orlando. CF placed among the top three in seven individual categories, including two first place and two second place awards. Mark Anderson, current managing editor, placed first in Humor Writing and second in Editorial for his article on “Gun Control on Campus.” Taylor Champion, last spring’s co-editor-in-chief, placed third in General Column and Editorial Cartoon. Ashleigh McVey, also last spring’s co-editor-in-chief, placed first in Comic Strip. CF placed second in Sports Column and second in Arts Review. Thanks to Associate Professor Rob Marino for his work with these students.
  • The Marketing and Public Relations team hosted a successful Shop Talk breast cancer education event in partnership with the Ocala Royal Dames and Ocala Health Oct. 10. More than 130 individuals visited with 35 vendors and participated in small group discussions with three generations of breast cancer survivors at the Breast Health and Wellness Expo. The new format, which deviated from the typical panel discussion, was well received by attendees.
  • In CF Foundation news, the President’s Community Council fall meeting will be held Nov. 18 at 8:30 a.m. at the Hampton Center. The CF Alumni Association will host MEGA Monday Oct. 31 with alums Jeremy Applegate ’96, CPA and Partner with Duggan, Joiner and Co.; Emily Cummins ’11, founder of Emily B. Cummins Strategic Planning & Development Co.; and Mike Fallon ’06, director, Webster University Ocala Campus. Sabal Trails Inc. is contributing $50,000 for at least a hundred $500 completion scholarships. Twenty-five of the 41 current Friends of the Foundation volunteers attended the annual kickoff breakfast Sept. 22, and they have volunteered to cover 100 positions for 13 college and foundation events.
  • In Appleton Museum of Art news, the museum was awarded $3,000 from the Marion Cultural Alliance during “Applause for the Arts” Sept. 22; the grant will support redesign of the African Gallery. On Sept. 24 more than 75 visitors participated in Museum Day Live! Attendees of the Florida Council for Resource Development Conference, hosted by the CF Foundation and the Grants department, enjoyed dinner and a tour of the museum Sept. 27. More than 100 people attended the opening celebration and awards of the Mobile Photography Exhibition 11; many thanks to Phil Rosenberg for sponsoring the awards on behalf of the foundation. Visit AppletonMuseum.org for information on current and upcoming exhibitions.
  • In Athletic news, the Lady Patriots Volleyball team has won its sixth Mid-Florida Conference Championship in its six years of existence under the guidance of Coach Flavia Siqueira; the State/District Championship will be held in Bradenton Nov. 4-6. The Men’s Basketball season begins Nov. 2 in the Patriot Gym at 7:30 p.m. Women’s Basketball opens the season Nov. 8. Baseball and Softball wrap up the fall scrimmage season Nov. 15.

The next meeting will be held Wednesday, Dec. 7, at 3 p.m. at the Appleton Museum of Art.