GCC Trustees Hold April 2009 Board Meeting

IRONWOOD TOWNSHIP, MI - Tuesday, April 28, 2009 - Program reviews topped the agenda of last night’s meeting of the Gogebic Community College Board of Trustees. The Cosmetology Program was presented by Director Rita Klotter and Instructor Nicole Hocking. The program includes the 1500 of instruction and lab work that qualifies students to register for the state board examinations. The college also offers additional hours of training for requirements in other states. New since the last program review, a 400 hour manicuring course has been added as well as a teacher’s training course. The salon laboratory has been remodeled and updated with new equipment. The Board approved the program continuation and will conduct the next review as part of the normal cycle.

The Computer Information Technology (CIT) Program was also presented for review by Instructor Jim Halverson. This Associate degree program is designed for students who seek employment in a variety of computer technology fields such as network administrators or technicians, or computer support technicians, to name a few. The greatest strength of the Computer Information Technology program is the high level of job placement success of the graduates. However, local demand is low. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics summery, the average hourly wage for a Computer Support Specialist in the US is just under $20 per hour. In the Duluth-Superior area, the average wage is $18.76 per hour.

The Board approved the CIT program continuation and placed it in the next review cycle.

In other action, the Board approved:

  • the retirement request of Delaine “Dee Dee” Maki with regret and expressed its appreciation for her 23 ½ years of service. She has served most recently as a part-time secretarial support staff member for the TRIO Grant Program and has also worked in Student Services, Computer Services and the GCC Bookstore.
  • the final reading for the official ballot of the millage renewal for the college, which will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2009.
  • An Identity Theft Prevention program, which is mandated by the Federal Trade Commission.
  • the sale of the 2008-09 Construction Technology/Building Trades Project Home to Claire Mesich of Hartland, WI.
  • the purchase of a 2005 Artic Cat ATV for Mt. Zion from Northwoods Rental of Hurley.