By Staff
Southwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees adjusted tuition rates, reviewed a presentation about employer input into occupational curricula, approved appointments to the museum advisory committee, awarded service pins, accepted gifts, grants and donations to the Museum at SMC and conducted other business at its regular October meeting Tuesday evening on the Dowagiac campus.
Trustees approved a 40 cents per credit hour increase for the upcoming winter semester.
According to SMC Board of Trustees Chairman Dr. Fred L. Mathews, this increase is approximately half of one percent, and will mean an increase of less than $5 per semester total for a full-time student taking 12 credit hours.
Chairman Mathews noted that, "Because the Legislature and governor have placed artificial controls on tuition, it is important that SMC stay within the prescribed limits.
Mathews noted that state aid to SMC totaled $7 million in 2001-2002 but has declined to the point where state aid this year will be less than $6.2 million.
Trustees reviewed a presentation by Stephanie Butzbach, dean of advanced technologies, and Randy Jacobsen, chairman of the School of Technology about employer input into occupational curricula using SMC's welding program as an example.
Over the past two years, SMC combined its School of Technology, Business Development and Corporate Services Division and the Michigan Technical Education Center into one Advanced Technologies Division.
Two goals of the consolidation have been to increase efficiency and to strengthen academic programs by aligning curricula with business and industry.
One exemplary result of this coordination of effort has been the transformation in the college's welding program.
Enrollment in the welding program had been disappointing while area jobs in welding were plentiful. It was determined that the welding program needed to be redeveloped to better meet the needs of local employers.
A new and more active advisory committee was created using area employers.
Academic courses were changed to be outcomes-based. These outcomes were defined by local employers and external credentialing agencies.
A ladder curriculum was created that makes students employable in identified skill positions at various points in the curriculum, but which also allows students to continue their education to earn a certificate or associate degree.
According to SMC President Dr. David Mathews, "Input from area employers was key in curriculum revision as well as providing students with the academic program that would lead to almost immediate job opportunities upon exit from the program.
The board approved appointments to the Museum at Southwestern Michigan College's advisory committee. The Museum Advisory Committee was established in 1983 by the SMC Board of Trustees to advise the museum director in the broad planning of the museum's activities.
Committee members represent a cross section of the citizens of the college's service area and are selected on the basis of their interest in and knowledge of the history of southwestern Michigan and their dedication to the museum.
The following community members were appointed to the museum advisory committee: Candace Azevedo, Dowagiac; John Clement, Cassopolis; Barbara Wood Cook, Niles; Judge Susan Dobrich, Dowagiac; Terry Harris, Dowagiac; Kenneth Hartman, Dowagiac; Larry Lyons, Dowagiac; Carolyn Kelly, Vandalia; Pam Proctor, Niles; Chuck Timmons, Dowagiac; and William Westrate, Cassopolis.
Eileen Crouse, executive director of community services, and Ann Thompson, museum director, will also serve on the advisory committee representing SMC administration.
Trustees also accepted $1,935 in gifts and grants with a resolution of thanks for these gifts:
Dr. and Mrs. David Mathews, $1,000; Dr. and Mrs. Paul Kitchen, $500; Helen Marhanka, Dowagiac, $335; and Mr. and Mrs. Lester Skibbe, Dowagiac, $100.
Trustees also accepted the following donations to the museum:
From Tom Cox, Vandalia, papers related to Cass County schools circa the late 1800s and early 1900s.
From Mary Friske, Dowagiac, a photograph of a Cassopolis blacksmith shop, circa the early 1900s
From Iola Holtz, Cassopolis, a booklet for Jessup Door Co., egg scales, a corn husking peg and Future Farmers of America ribbons circa the 1930s.
From Ann Biek, Dowagiac, a Dowagiac Navy Mothers Club, World War II certificate, Dowagiac school diplomas and other papers circa the 1910s.
In his president's report Dr. David Mathews updated the board on
college events.
SMC hosted a sold out performance of the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra on
October 8.
SMC's School of Nursing and Human Services will host an open house on
October 13 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Tours of the new classrooms and
information about new training equipment will be offered.
An exhibit featuring the work of Andrews University professor Steve
Hansen will be featured in the SMC art gallery through October 24.
Hansen creates ceramic vessels which are both sculptural and
functional. The SMC art gallery is located in room 108 of the Dale A.
Lyons Building. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 11:00 a.m. to
2:00 p.m. and Tuesday and Wednesday, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
SMC will host a forum to meet state and local candidates on October 20
at 7:00 p.m. in the Fred L. Mathews Conference Center West on the
college's Dowagiac campus. The forum is sponsored by the Cass County
Republican Women's Club and the public is invited to attend.
Southwestern Michigan College's fine and performing arts program will
present The Diary of Anne Frank October 21 through 24 in the theatre of
the Dale A. Lyons Building on the college's Dowagiac campus. The play
is the true story of Anne Frank, a Jewish teenager who was forced to go
into hiding with her family during the Holocaust. Tickets are $7, $5
for seniors and student, and free admission for ages 18 and younger and
are available at the door or by calling the SMC box office at (269)
782-1280 or (269) 687-1600, extension 1280.
An exhibit featuring the work of nationally known aviation artist and
Dowagiac native Rick Herter will be featured in the SMC art gallery
November 1 through November 28. An artist's reception is scheduled for
November 10 at 12:30 p.m. in the art gallery. Herter's paintings are
included in a host of public and private collections including the
Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. The SMC art gallery is located in
room 108 of the Dale A. Lyons Building. Gallery hours are Monday
through Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and Tuesday and Wednesday, 6:30
to 8:30 p.m.
SMC's fine and performing arts program will present a fall band concert
on November 5 at 7:30 p.m. in the theatre of the Dale A. Lyons Building
on the college's Dowagiac campus. The concert features SMC's symphonic
band, brass band and jazz ensemble. In celebration of John Philip
Sousa's 150th birthday, SMC band director Dr. Jonathan Korzun will
conduct the brass band dressed as Sousa. Tickets are $7, $5 for
seniors and student, and free admission for ages 18 and younger and are
available at the door or by calling the SMC box office at (269)
782-1280 or (269) 687-1600, extension 1280.
The Trustees awarded a pin for 15 years of service to Margaret
Counselor for Developmental Education. In 2000 she was named Director
of Student Support Projects and in 2003 she was named Dean of Students
and Academic Support. Hay has a bachelor of science degree and a
master of science degree from Indiana University South Bend. Prior to
joining SMC she served as Counselor for Career Planning and Placement
Coordinator at Ivy Tech State College in South Bend.
The Board also awarded a pin for five years of service to Rob Wirt of
Elkhart. Wirt joined SMC in 1999 as Financial Aid and Academic
Advisor. He was named Director of Financial Aid in 2001. Wirt has a
bachelor of science degree and a master of arts degree from Ball State
University. Prior to coming to SMC, Wirt served as Financial Aid
Customer Service Specialist at Indiana University South Bend and as a
Financial Aid Coordinator at Ivy Tech State College in Elkhart.