Trustees review CARES funding usage

The Butler Community College Board of Trustees met at 4:30 p.m. Nov. 10 in person and via Zoom. Trustees approved pulling items from the consent agenda for discussion. They also conducted a 30 minutes executive session for consultation with legal counsel on the topic of real estate. There were no public comments. 

Standing Reports  

Standing reports were provided by the Student Government Association, Operational Staff, Faculty, Finance Committee and President’s Office. President Kim Krull, Ph.D., highlighted the fact that the fall semester finishes Nov. 24, but offices will remain open until December 22. She also stated COVID numbers are increasing and the Critical Incident Management Team continues to meet regularly. Right now, the spring semester will begin Jan. 25 and will follow all safety protocols as established for the Fall semester.  

Strategic Discussion  

Trustees heard an update on the college’s use of the federal CARES Funding, and the use of county Spark funds in relation to the impact of COVID.  

Dr. Krull explained revenue losses for some items were not approved for reimbursement like athletic gate receipts, room rentals, concessions, bookstore purchases, and childcare revenue from the EduCare Center when the college was 100% remote and campuses were closed. Some of the expenses also included costs for technology such as hotspots for internet access for students, faculty and staff who were not initially set up with internet access at home. Some of these expenses will also carry over into next semester as students and employees will still need to quarantine and additional technology will be needed for access.  

“We’re doing what we can to provide hotspots for students, faculty and staff who needed that access to complete their classes or perform their roles,” said Bill Young, Chief Information Officer. “Remote access is a challenge, and we have a significant number of students who need access.” 

The hotspots are covered by stimulus funds not operational funds. The use of laptops was also discussed. The college grew its number of laptops as it replaced desktop computers and is incorporating them into the normal computer replacement plan for the long term.  

Board Action Items  

Information Services requested approval of a software solution that enables students to run Butler software applications from any device that supports a web browser. Total cost for the project is $69,920. The project is designed to improve the technical accessibility to coursework. The need was impacted by COVID and will be paid for with CARES Funding. 

Trustee Smith was concerned about taking on additional costs for the long term, but the technology will allow for an extended life of the computer and allow IT to absorb the costs from equipment replacement because using the virtual desktop infrastructure allows for less computers to be replaced each year. Trustees approved it unanimously.  

Trustees also unanimously approved the purchase of a chatbot. The artificial intelligence system will be programmed with questions and answers so that visitors to the colleges website can get answers when they need them. This technology will enhance the customer experience and allow student services staff to focus on more Indepth questions. 

Trustees also unanimously approved the Consent Agenda with Bills and Warrants for October 2020 totaling $4,114,068.65 which includes the expenditures of $1,409,497.18 and payroll of $2,704,571.47. 

Division Report 

Heather Rinkenbaugh, Dean of Online, High School and Community Learning, and Donnie Featherston, Associate Dean of the Early College Academy, gave a division report to the board. They highlighted the fact that two years ago there were 51 courses online, and that when the college went remote 73 more courses were added online. The completion of these courses solidified 18 new degree options to the online listings.  

In addition, outreach sites like McConnell Airforce Base and the Rock Road Service Center, along with the Marion and Council Grove sites in the Flint Hills, were reviewed. McConnell brings in $2 million dollars to the operations and in the Flint Hills, Amy Kjellin, site director, when Butler was 100% remote was able to ensure that student’s in the allied health programs were able to complete clinical training without the use of simulation. The use of technology in the Flint Hills has also aided in the ability to connect students at various locations with one instructor, and Butler meets its mission of providing access to higher education.   

COVID certainly impacted the high school landscape and Butler continues to work closely with all the high schools in the area as they navigate the pandemic and the learning needs of students. Processes have been digitized and barriers removed for placement testing and enrollment.  

The Early College Academy produced 83 graduates this past spring, a class that was awarded a record $1.3 million dollars in scholarships as they prepared to transfer to their university programs. 

Kerry Fahnestock, biology professor, provided a review of her sabbatical in which she completed educational research to fulfill her obligations for the National Science Foundation (NSF) funded program Community College Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Scholars Initiative. In her research she studied the online tool, Cerego, for Anatomy and Physiology I & II courses, and its ability to enhance retention of material in relation to comprehensive finals at the community college level. 

Recognitions 

Under Recognitions, President Krull thanked Rusty Eck Ford and Foley Tractor for their partnership and donations to the Auto Technology Program. Rusty Eck Ford donated a vehicle and Foley Tractor donated a diesel engine. 

The Nursing Department was recognized for the success of its Spring 2020 class. Nursing graduates had a first-time pass rate of 94% on the NCLEX exam. The Kansas average was 84%. To date, this is the highest pass rate of any Butler class and they finished their semester online due to COVID. This is a tribute to the quality instruction of the program.  

College Relations and Marketing was recognized for receiving regional awards through the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations (NCMPR), an association tailored to the two-year community college and technical college sector.   

Dr. Esam Mohammad, director of institutional research, was recognized for his paper and presentation for creating program viability model at the two-year sector.  

Following adjournment of the regular monthly board meeting, Trustees held a budget work session.