MAC fundraising program exceeds expectations

PARK HILLS – The results of a successful Mineral Area College fundraising program were shared with the school’s board of trustees at its regular meeting held on campus Thursday afternoon.

Julia Dill, director of Development and Alumni Relations, told trustees the program had exceeded all expectations.

“Our goal was to raise $10,000 from 100 donors,” Dill said. “We ended up with 167 donors and raised a total of $14,480, exceeding last year’s total by $5,000. When you add the match, the contributions have a purchasing power of $91,732.”

Gayle Simmons, an alumnus of the school’s predecessor, Flat River Junior College, matched contributions of up to $90 to the college’s foundation. The campaign was part of the foundation’s annual Enhancement Grant offered by the state, which matches each dollar 3 to 1. A $90 donation to the Foundation resulted in $720 with the help of the Enhancement Grant.

The program was reserved for individuals, one per household, and ran 90 days, from June 9 – Sept. 9. Benefiting from this year’s funds will be MAC business, law enforcement and Allied Health programs. Donations below $90 received a 10 percent match and the first 90 donations of $90 or greater received a $90 match.

In other action by the board of trustees:

• The school is preparing for its Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP) review process, taking place Sept. 26-28. AQIP supports continuous performance improvement in higher education. It provides an alternative process for colleges and universities to maintain their regional accreditation.

By sharing both their process improvements and performance results, organizations participating in AQIP provide the Higher Learning Commission with the evidence to make public quality assurance judgments and nudge them to excel in the distinctive higher education mission each has identified. To accomplish these goals, AQIP continuously works to deploy and improve an innovative array of cost-effective, high-tech processes.

Details about action projects, strategy forums, systems portfolios and appraisals, checkup visits, and reaffirmation of accreditation are available on the AQUIP website. AQIP also provides avenues for individuals to expand their understanding of quality and systematic improvement by participating as peer reviewers in its processes and other services.

• The consent agenda was approved. This included approval of minutes and bills; acceptance of the investment of funds report; approval of purchase orders and requisitions totaling more than $10,000; and approval of next month’s Oct. 11 meeting date.

• In his report to trustees, MAC president Dr. Steve Kurtz said the state had contacted the school to announce that the community college’s tax rate was being increased from 47.20 to 47.53 per $100 assessed value.

• It was learned that this month’s Fourth Friday luncheon will host a debate between 115th District State House of Representative candidates Elaine Gannon and Rich McCane. It will take place from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sept. 28. The Oct. 26 program will begin at 10 a.m. and feature a debate between 3rd District State Senate candidates.

• New MAC employees were introduced.

• Pam Watkins presented an update on the College for Kids Program. She told trustees that the program had been extended from Monday through Thursday to Monday through Friday. This year’s enrollment was 144 kids, compared to 120 last summer. The total revenue raised by this year’s program was $14,000.

• A library update was given by Melissa Hopkins. She told trustees that the library had seen a “dramatic” increase in circulation with more students, faculty and members of the community using the facility. She also noted that the library’s participation in MOBIUS, a catalogue program linking Missouri libraries, had resulted in a marked increase in borrowing.

As the building project proceeds, Hopkins said she was “excited” about the renovations that will soon be taking place in the library. In preparation for those renovations, the library has already begun boxing items for its temporary move to trailers.

• Wendell Johnson presented the Classified Staff report.

• Diana Stuart presented the Faculty Forum report.

• Rusty Straughan gave an update on the campus construction project. He said work crews are running approximately a month ahead of schedule.

• Overload and adjunct recommendation lists were approved.

• Changes to College Park policies were approved.

• MAC’s participation in a reverse transfer agreement was approved. A reverse transfer agreement allows students transferring from one community college to another to have their previous course work accepted by their new school.

Kevin R. Jenkins is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 573-431-2010, ext. 114 or at kjenkins@dailyjournalonline.com.