Sasha Saliba
In Motion Staff Writer
The Board of Trustees meeting for the month of February was held on February 25. To kick start the meeting, Austin Albro, President of the Student Government Association, was given the Clark Maxwell Scholar Award for outstanding service to Daytona State College and its student body by college President Thomas Lobasso.
The performance measures update was presented by Amy Locklear, Vice President of Academic Affairs, and Ken Mathews, Associate Vice President of Enrollment Services. Locklear talked about the importance of the “Managing your Success” course (SLS 1122), a required 3 credit class for the Associate of Arts degree. A study was conducted to find the percentage of students who did and did not take the class, and how many from each group persisted in their college education (persisted meaning how many students came back for Spring of 2016 from Fall of 2015).
“We found that 81% of students who took the class in Fall 2015 came back for Spring 2016, and 76% who did not take the class came back. We are very encouraged to see this, and we will continue to analyze the data,” said Locklear. Fall of 2015 was the first time the study was conducted, and the main point was to see how much further help and resources can be given to “at-risk” students. “At-risk” students are identified as those who receive grades of D’s and F’s and have issues with attendance and assignments. The professors are responsible for reporting their “at-risk” students.
“Starting this Spring semester we are going to double the number of times we are going to ask our faculty to tell us about these students,” said Matthews. This way the college can better monitor and sooner help these students.
Next, President Thomas Lobasso had a list of project approvals for the Board: the final completion/payment for the New Smyrna Beach-Edgewater campus, the contractor selection and contract approval for the New Smyrna Beach-Edgewater campus roof repair, and the approval to remodel and relocate the ceramics classes “out of the Theater Center,” said Lobasso. All were approved by the Board.
At the end of the Information Technology portion of the meeting, a video was shown starring SGA President Austin Albro showcasing the new online learning system for students that will launch when it’s time for students to apply for Fall 2016. The college will continue to send email updates about the new system.
Locklear took to the stage again with two academic requests. The first one concerning the Associate of Science degree in Photographic Technology, where they would like to have “more of an emphasis on digital photography,” said Locklear. Along with that they would add and delete courses here and there in the program. The second request was that of a new program, Advanced Technical Certification in Project Management. It can be added to the BAS degree in Project Management, or can be received as a stand-alone certificate with an Associates degree. Taking this program will give the student eight different industry certifications. Both requests were approved by the Board.
Richard Vollaro, representing the Faculty Senate, handed out the Faculty of the Month award to Trent Berning, Assistant Professor of Ceramic Arts. He has taught all levels of ceramics and art appreciation.
“Trent has coordinated the reconstruction of the ceramics studio, developed two new ceramic courses and an online art appreciation course. He is the founder and adviser for the DSC Art Club and co-director of the News Journal Center gallery,” said Vollaro. Berning is also completing a ceramic textbook.
Austin Albro represented Student Government Association as he updated the Board on activities around the college. He brought up the outstanding performance by the Lady Falcons Basketball team, who were undefeated this season and are second in the nation with a 28-1 record. The Tabletop Gaming Club held the college’s first annual gaming convention at the News Jounal Center, “Falcon Con,” where Chess, card games and video games were featured.
“DSC truly offers something for everyone,” said Albro. And lastly Albro talked about the SGA’s trip to the annual Florida College System Conference in Tallahassee where they met with local delegations and interacted with other college students. It was an experience they enjoyed and were grateful for.
To end the meeting the Foundation Update talked about the Gala that will take place on Tuesday, September 13. It will honor Brian Kelley, one of the members of the band “Florida Georgia Line” who graduated from Daytona State College in 2007 and was on the baseball team. Prior to the Gala he will meet with students in the athletic and music departments. The event will honor his athletic and music career.