Administrators, Supervisors, and Professionals Council (ASP)-Northwest Florida State College
Meeting Minutes-10/20/11
The meeting was called to order by Pat Bennett at 2:03.
Members Present: Pat Bennett, Sylvia Bryan, Terry Comeau, Julie Cotton, Penny Cox, Shari Forfa, Janice
Henderson, Wanjiku Jackson, Renee Johnson, Dedria Lunderman, Sharon Marsh, Delores Merrill, Carla
Reinlie, John Rickard, Brian Shonk, Greg Tulenko, Laurie VonKaenel, Ron Walls, and Aimee Watts
Campus Safety Discussion
Aimee Watts brought up ongoing dialogue about campus safety in light of the recent Red Bull campaign.
Red Bull staff snuck on campuses all over the country and hid Red Bull drinks in many areas. NWFSC was
one of the targeted campuses. No one here knows how they got on campus and into the places where
they left drinks. Students and staff expressed concern.
Brian Shonk stated that we have private security in the day time. At night from 11 PM to 7 AM, the
night crew is all the security we have. John Rickard stated that their job is to ensure buildings are
secure-locked and unlocked at the appropriate times and are available to walk people to cars if
requested. The day security is hired only to write tickets during the day and to check doors. They are
not hired to provide campus security.
The college does not have any real security. Most students say that they feel safe. We’re a public
institution with open campuses. Dr. Handy advised all staff to call 911 if they see strange activity. Staff
can ask someone seen wandering around if they need help.
The college does have a Safety and Critical Incident Committee that addresses any concerns. Brian will
resend the emergency procedures handout that was developed by this committee.
Ron Walls asked about the college’s “guns on campus” policy in light of recent state legislation. The
Board of Trustees policy is that guns are not allowed on campus. Everyone has to be vigilant. Recently
we had an incident of a gun on campus. Within 3 minutes the police were here, including the chief of
police.
Wanjiku Jackson expressed concern that when the staff of the Career Resource Center is testing at night,
they have seen some individuals hanging around who have made them nervous. It was reinforced that
staff can call the night crew anytime to come walk them to their cars.
Sylvia Bryan requested that employees begin to wearing their name badges at all times. This will help
identification of staff to assist students and visitors. She also requests that adjuncts wear name badges
at night. She requests that this be mandatory.
Discussion of this issue:
Laurie VonKaenel stated that she thought staff badges should look different from students’ badges to
better help identify staff.
Janice Henderson stated that some individuals might not want to be identified and would prefer not to
“stand out”
Dr. Handy is hesitant to require. Staff should be encouraged to wear badges.
Pat Bennett commented that our council is the most diverse council. We can encourage people to wear
name badges and setting an example.
Brain Shonk stated that he and his group are always working behind the scenes to ensure safety on
campus. We have received some grants to enhance safety: the voice system and yellow boxes on
campus. Electronic door locks at the South Walton Campus will be coming next. We will continue to
seek grants to increase security.
Sylvia Bryan asked if Dr. Handy sees any changes within the next 3 years. Dr. Handy said that budget
will determine changes we can make. It would cost about $120,000 to have a full-time security person.
Brian is on all list serves and receives many articles on campus safety. It is a nation-wide issue that all
colleges are trying to address.
We do hire security on other campuses as needed. We also have a good relationship with local law
enforcement.
Right now the procedures that should be followed for safety concerns and first responders are:
Call 911
Contact the President’s office or Brian’s office that you have called 911
Contact Physical Plant that you have called 911
Have Physical Plant or one of your staff members go to the front of the campus to help direct first
responders to the correct building
Campus security numbers: 582-5119 or 729-5339
Sylvia Bryan suggested that we have a CERT person assigned to each building. Laurie VonKaenel spoke
about providing CERT training for students.
Laurie VonKaenel asked about swipe cards for doors. Dr. Handy’s response was that the initial cost of
a door is $3,500 and then about $1,000 per door afterwards. They didn’t work well at his last school.
Dr. Handy’s Remarks
Report from the Board of Trustees meeting:
1. The Board of Trustees approved the recommendation to award a food services contract to
Aladdin Food Services. This contract will start with the opening of the new building. There
were 4 proposals received for the contract. Only Aladdin was for full-service. The other 3 were
just to supply a food services manager. Our food services have always lost money. We were a
small business and couldn’t buy volume to get discounts. Aladdin is part of a larger group and
can get food discounts. The company will bring a professional appearance, varied menu and
probably a bit better pricing. There was a committee of NWFSC staff who met, reviewed
proposals and decided to contract out the services. Originally, most were against the thought,
but changed their minds after meeting with Aladdin. Some features of the new service will be a
“grab and go” set up of pre-made items like sandwiches, etc.
All employees will rehired by Aladdin with no loss in salary. Some will receive more benefits as
30 hour employees are considered full-time.
We are guaranteed a 5% profit on the first $500,000 in sales. Increases to 7% and 9% as the
profit grows. We are estimated to break even on the costs this year because we are paying the
difference for part-time employees in their current salary and the salary they would have
received as new employees of Aladdin. This cost is estimated at $20,000- $25,000 next year.
We will also pay the sick leave buy out for 3 full-time employees moving to Aladdin. The Board
of Trustees has agreed to pay the sick leave of these employees at $ .50 on the dollar. Cost of
this will be about $16,000. The move to Aladdin is good for employees since they have the
ability to advance in the company. One of the main items for the committee was concern for
employees. They will still keep their NWFSC perks—ID cards, gym membership, symphony
tickets, etc.
The strongest thing in the contract is that we have a 90 exit clause. This means that with 90 day
notice, we can terminate out contract if we are not pleased. They must give a 120 day notice if
they decide to leave. Aladdin would entertain a coffee shop, but it would cost us, as coffee
shops do not make money. They would also entertain staying open beyond 2 PM if the need
arises.
Aladdin is estimating making $45,000 per year which is not a huge profit. They are trying to
move into this area and get other contracts, so they are using us as their first market.
2. Free Speech Zones
This was voted down by the Board of Trustees. Both times this was an agenda item it sparked
much debate. This time the debate was centered on the philosophy of free speech. Now if we
ask someone to stop protesting or disrupting, the only recourse we have is to call the police and
have them arrested.
3. IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) report was shared with the Board
of Trustees. IPEDS gives comparison data for what it considers our peer institutions. Dr. Handy
disagrees with the IPEDS comparison because most of the institutions we are compared with are
twice our size. He thinks our graduation rate is higher than was reported. Our Institutional
Research department went back and did a comparison with our 5 sister institutions in Florida.
Our loan rate and graduation rate is better than all of those schools. Dr. Handy praised the work
of our new Institutional Research Department for their work getting accurate data.
Other Business and Around the Table
Minutes from the last meetings were approved
Laurie VonKaenel reported that the AmeriCorps team is collecting glasses. This is a state-wide
collaborative effort among higher ed. supporting students with disabilities. Glasses will be
refurbished and given to those in need.
Wanjiku Jackson reported that Workforce Development will sponsor Career Quest and Career
Fest. Career Quest is designed for students with special needs and will be held on Thursday,
October 27. Career Fest will be held in DeFuniak at the Chautauqua campus on Thurs.,
November 6 for high school students in Walton County.
Aimee Watts reported that Fall Fling was a big success. Meet the Raiders night will be Tues.,
October 25th at 6 PM. The new mascot will be unveiled that night.
Terry Comeau described the Bucks for Ducks fund raiser for AFC. Ducks are $3 and an additional
$2 to enter in the race on November 9th. There are 136 ducks for sale. There will be 8 heats for
the duck races.
Greg Tulenko reported that two new people have been hired in IT for web design and
management.
Ron Walls reported that in the reorganization, L Tech has moved to IT.
Sylvia Bryan reported that we will receive attached to the News for You a static schedule of noninstructional events on campus. There is a new military services flyer out and ready to give out
in the community.
Julie Cotton stated that there will be a series of activities surrounding the opening of the new
building in January. The Grand Opening is scheduled for January 31st and will be a barbecue for
the entire campus. February 2nd from 5-7 PM the Chambers of Commerce will be hosted.
Saturday, February 4th will be a community Open House campus-wide. All departments are
asked to have staff available for that day. The annual Foundation dinner will be held on
February 10th. Julie also reported that the fall schedule of non-credit training is on-going.
The next ASP Council meeting will be on Thursday, November 17 at 2:00 in LRC 128.
Motion to adjourn was made at 3:25.
Submitted by recorder, Penny Cox 10/26/11