Cynde Puckett
In Motion Staff Writer
Improving education and lowering costs for education and students were all of utmost importance at September Daytona State College Board of Trustees meeting. Legislative priorities for 2016 opened the discussion, with several trustees emphasizing the need to consider lobbying for non-monetary issues.
Trustee Garry Lubi pointed out the rising cost of textbooks should be a concern. He said, “This is ridiculous that we are allowing textbook cost to almost rival what it costs to go to class. It’s become extremely excessive and I think we’ve got to make sure we’re hitting home on those things.”
Vice-chair Stanley Escudero, speaking of the need to move forward with plans for the Beer and Wine Institute, stressed the timing is right with craft beer operations opening across the county, as well as the state of Florida.
Vice-President of Academic Affairs Amy Locklear and Interim Vice-President of Student Development, Dr. Richard Pastor, gave an update of different initiatives regarding performance measures, such as approving the hiring of three new advisers and an Assistant Director of Career Services. Pastor also provided information about a college-wide effort that resulted in first-time-in-college or FTIC students increasing credit hours to 12 or more from 54 percent to 67 percent. In his Student Development report Pastor stated that dual-enrollment has increased 25 percent, with 12 high schools in Volusia and Flagler counties participating.
A land purchase was pulled from the agenda to allow for more negotiations with the landowner. Motions were approved for: final completion and final payment of the Flagler/Palm Coast Building 1 Amphitheater Renovation Project; Building 2 Renovation/Remodel Project; Building 3 Project; Mechanical Contractor and Contract; Building 314 Central Energy Plant Modifications; and Schildecker Science Hall Exhaust Recovery System Replacement.
Isalene Montgomery, Vice-President and Chief Business Officer of Finance, gave a monthly report for July and August, a comparison of revenue and expenses. She said, “We are on target as it relates to expenses.”
Special thanks were given to Director of Campus Safety, Chief Bill Tillard, the Campus Safety team and the building and grounds staff for their work during the recent Welcome Back. Director of Campus Safety in New Smyrna, Clarence McCloud, said, “Though these staff members are not student service employees, they are usually the first Daytona State employees to be approached by students regarding information and directions. Their actions exemplify the ‘we are all in’ spirit here at our college.”
Others receiving recognition at the meeting included Neil Clemons and Dr. Joy Lewis. Dr. Thomas LoBasso, President and CEO of Daytona State College, recognized Clemons as the new director of the Deltona and Deland campuses.
“Neil is most recently working on the both the Deland and Deltona campus as a manager of our Adult Education program, so he is very familiar with those campuses and the surrounding areas,” LoBasso said.
Recognizing Dr. Joy Lewis as faculty of the month, Faculty Senate President, Richard Vollaro said, “Dr. Joy Lewis has served in many roles throughout her 15 years in education. Her past work includes classroom teaching and administration within various public schools. She has presented at over 20 international, national and statewide conferences discussing teaching effectiveness and has recently published her ninth article regarding best practices in reading education. On campus Lewis has served as facilitator within the LEAD Academy. She is currently serving as an associate professor for the College of Education.”
Vollaro also explained that the Faculty Senate voted on a plan to implement more consistent policies in how professors enforce academic integrity and held discussions about withdrawals and how they may be used to help struggling students.
Shannon Murdock, with the Career Employees Association, announced Oct. as the date of Track for Treats and the association’s ability to award three students with $650 scholarships. Also handing out scholarships was the Professional Council. President Mary Rhodes said, “We had $1000 that we decided we were going to give to four students.”
Student Government President Austin Albro shared SGA’s desire to explore new ways to promote use of the Academic Support Center and Fitness Center. He gave details for the Fall Festival, an upcoming event on the Daytona Beach campus to be held in Echo Plaza, Oct. 15, from 5 to 7:00 p.m. The event is sponsored by the Career Employees Association, SGA, Administrator’s Council, Alumni Association and the Professional Council.
In an Academic Affairs update, Amy Locklear revealed nominations for the Chancellor’s Office Best Practice Award submissions. “Assessment Days,” an annual meeting with all faculty and administration within departments to assess progress and “The English Studio,” a one-credit voluntary developmental education option to engage students in discussion about writing assignments and struggles. She described the institution of a 24/7 help desk that allows students to receive help from a Desire-to-Learn specialist between the hours of 5 p.m. and 8 a.m. and the new Faculty Innovation Center located in the library building, headed by the Chair of Online Studies, Dr. Andrea Reese, a two-room space with collaborative work areas, to be used for training and more.
Locklear said, “We’re working on a new faculty created content repository which will preclude having to buy textbooks in some classes. We’re really trying to find new ways that we can provide free materials for students.”
Board members thanked Forough Hosseini for stepping up to serve as board chair. LoBasso commented on attending the Commissioner of Education’s Summit and said, “Gov. Scott did recognize what we did here at the College with the 2 percent decrease in tuition. He was very appreciative of our ability to make education affordable.”