Executive Council Minutes
October 10, 2008
Present: Alan Scheibmeir, Giles Brown, David Foster, Jeanie Hardin, Gary
Paikowski, and Wendell Williams.
Absent: Roy Renfro
Recorder: Shelle Cassell
Agenda Items
Board Presentations
Dr. Scheibmeir asked for input on agenda items for the October 21, 2008 Board of
Trustees meeting. Suggestions included a construction update that includes recent Viking
Residence Hall improvements, a proclamation recognizing the 2008 National
Championship of the Viking Baseball Team, Business Office and quarterly investment
reports, policy approval relating to employee use of campus email, and NIMS training
update. Ideas for future meetings included an accountability presentation by Jeanie
Hardin, Faculty Association goals and update (November meeting), a report on SBDC
activities, and the use of technology in improving the college’s planning process.
Action/Motion: No action necessary.
Email / Computer Use Policy Proposal
Gary Paikowski presented an updated computer use policy that better details appropriate
use of campus email as a way of distributing important messages and to increase the
professional image of the college to outside entities. Members asked for clarification on
the terminology of ‘faculty and staff’ and determined that it meant all full-time and parttime personnel, and that requests for email addresses should be directed to the
Information Technology department. Jeanie Hardin asked that the new policy, after
approved by the Board, be distributed to all personnel and specifically to those who
maintain the Faculty and Adjunct Faculty Handbooks.
Action/Motion: The Council unanimously approved the motion by Wendell Williams,
second by Jeanie Hardin, to accept the proposed updates and to recommend approval to
the Board of Trustees. Shelle Cassell will work with those who maintain Policy and
Procedures Handbooks to ensure that the updated policy is included.
Dual Credit Payment Process
Wendell Williams is working to further refine the process for the new high school dual
credit tuition waiver program. He recommends that the college set a deadline for
requesting the waiver and/or reimbursement as the 12th class day of each semester. His
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staff will work with the area counselors to communicate the deadline, which will become
effective with the Spring 2009 semester.
Action/Motion: The Council unanimously approved the motion by Giles Brown, second
by Jeanie Hardin, that any requests for tuition exemptions related to high school dual
credit must be submitted before the 12th class day.
Employee Tuition Assistance
Council members discussed the possibility of providing tuition assistance for GCC
courses to employees and/or their families. There are two sources that could fund this
benefit: the Foundation or Auxiliary enterprises. Currently, employees receive a
bookstore discount and have access through the Foundation to an employee scholarship
and textbook fund. Dr. Scheibmeir asked Giles Brown to look at the college’s nonrestricted revenue accounts to determine their capacity to fund the assistance. If this
moves forward members would need to define who is eligible and what courses would be
acceptable.
Action/Motion: Giles Brown will return in two meetings with appropriate financial data
for further discussion.
Table Top Exercise – Emergency Management Planning
Council members and others recently participated in a National Incident Management
Systems training session followed by a practical application session called a Table Top
Exercise. Dr. Scheibmeir would like for other administrative leaders and faculty to
receive the training, and would like for the college to explore the idea of conducting
regular Table Top exercises to keep emergency management techniques on our mind.
Action/Motion: Wendell Williams will work with Tim Green to arrange a one-day
training session for at least 15 additional college employees. Wendell and Tim will also
prepare a schedule for additional Table Top exercises.
Use of Podcast Lectures is Increasing
As an information item, Gary Paikowski reported that the college’s use of Podcast
lectures, primarily in the Health Sciences, were very popular. More than 720 viewers had
looked at what we offered, with 100 of those downloading a lecture. He commended the
Nursing faculty for taking the initiative to make their lectures available through this
technology.
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