GCC Board of Trustees Holds May Meeting

IRONWOOD TOWNSHIP, MI - Tuesday, May 26, 2009 - Students at Gogebic Community College will see a slight increase in tuition and fees next year. In-district tuition will increase by $5 per credit hour from $81 to $86 per credit hour; $7 out-of-district and Wisconsin Reciprocity tuition from $102 to $109 per credit hour; out-of-state tuition will increase by $7 from $128 to $135 per credit hour; and international tuition will increase by $10 from $200 to $210 per credit hour.

“Gogebic Community College continues to offer a competitive tuition rate compared to other colleges and universities,” said Steve Wesselhoft, Dean of Students. “The entire college faculty and staff have worked diligently to contain expenses for the current year to enable us to keep our tuition increase as low as possible.”

The gross impact of the proposed increase for the average full-time student expense would be $75 per semester for in-district Gogebic County students and $105 per semester for other Michigan and Wisconsin reciprocity area students which includes Iron County, Wisconsin.

The Practical and Associate Degree Nursing Program Review was presented to the board. GCC offers a one year certificate program and an associate degree nursing program for students desiring to become registered nurses. Both programs have strong curriculums governed by the Michigan State Board of Nursing and the National League of Nursing. Students who wish to transfer to seek a bachelor degree in nursing have that option as well. Interest and enrollments in the programs remain strong, both on the Ironwood campus and on the Copper Country site. The board accepted the review as presented and scheduled the next formal review in the normal cycle of five years.

After nearly 45 years of service to Gogebic Community College, Instructor Patrick O’Neill has given notice of his intent to retire effective the end of the 2009 calendar year. Mr. O’Neill began his career in February of 1965. Throughout the years, he has been a student-centered, dependable, and talented instructor, who makes times to assist students in their studies. His assignments have included English Composition, Honors English Composition, creative writing, literature and poetry, and other related courses. He is a well-regarded writer, having published several books of poetry and short stories.

Mr. O’Neill’s commitment to students and the mission of Gogebic Community College is legendary. The Board approved O’Neill’s retirement with regret and expressed its appreciation for his many years of service.

In other action, the Board:

• Approved the maintenance contract for the yearly service agreement on the college’s phone system by Morgan Birge & Associates of Chicago in the amount of $6300.

• Approved the performance contract with Technical Performance Energy Group of Byron Center, MI, for major energy efficient mechanical upgrades at a cost of $1,042,000. The college will bond these costs, which will be paid back with a guaranteed savings of $104,000 in utility costs and an estimated $32,000 in annual savings in repairs and maintenance.

• Approved renovations to improve the air quality in the Technical Building and the temporary relocation of the Student Services Department to the Lindquist Student Center during the renovations.

• Appointed Laura Grow as a full time English Instructor to replace Faye Korpi, who retired at the end of this academic year. Grow, of Mt. Pleasant, MI, attended Muskegon Community College, holds a Bachelor of Arts and Secondary Teaching Certification from Grand Valley State University, and a Master of Arts in English Language and Literature from Central Michigan University. She has taught at Mid Michigan Community College, Central Michigan, and various other colleges.