A drug testing policy for athletes, personnel and reports highlighted the meeting of the North Central Missouri College Board of Trustees on Tuesday night.
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Members of the board reviewed a proposed random drug testing procedure for athletes, which NCMC President Dr. Neil Nuttall referred to as a “deterrent” to issues involving the use of alcohol and recreational drugs such as marijuana. The testing would be for members of the basketball, softball and baseball teams, which according to Dr. Nuttall would involve around 100 students.
Under the proposed policy, athletes would randomly be chosen to undergo testing at various times during the school year. An agreement with Wright Memorial Hospital to do the testing was included with the information provided to the trustees, with Mid-Continent Services of Overland Park, KS doing the reading of the test results. The cost to the college would be $30 for the test with additional charges for reviewing the drug tests and expediting results.
Dr. Nuttall noted the selection process for testing is still being worked out. He anticipates around 50 screenings to be done during the school year.
Should an athlete test positive, consequences include suspension from athletic programs for a six-week period (first offense) along with weekly-testing during the suspension period at the expense of the student. Drug assistance and counseling will also be provided. A second offense in any two consecutive years would result in suspension from all athletic programs for the remainder of the semester, but could extend into the next semester if the suspension occurs during the last six weeks. A full-semester suspension would result in the forfeit of any athletic scholarship the student may be receiving. Additional testing at the expense of the athlete would also be required.
The policy also outlines appeals procedures as well as voluntary testing.
Trustees will take action on the policy at the August board meeting.
Trustees accepted the resignations of Kristi Weldon as advising counselor and Jason Hayes as residence life coordinator/assistant baseball coach. The board hired Kimberly Meeker of Laredo as a full-time financial aid representative.
The board voted to establish a new AMP position of Ketcham Community Center Facilities Coordinator, which would assist KCC Facilities Manger Steve Ockenfels with duties at the KCC. The position was created by combining several part-time jobs at the KCC, which would now have the facilities coordinator, four part-time workers and one work study person. The facilities coordinator would also have duties as the assistant softball coach. Dr. Nuttall anticipated a salary of around $25,000 for this position.
NCMC Dean of Students Dr. Kristen Alley reported on work being done to develop a reverse transfer program with Missouri Western State University at St. Joseph while Vice President of Administrative Services Sharon Barnett reviewed student debt services used by the college. In her report, Mrs. Barnett noted that the college has had recent success in collecting unpaid accounts, but that the college would like to see those amounts decrease even more.
Dr. Alley also talked about the need for student housing within the community. It was noted that the dorms on campus are full for the upcoming semester with a waiting list. Students looking for housing off-campus are in need of what she referred to as “reasonable and move-in ready” places to live. While she has yet to see this trend, Dr. Alley indicated that if housing is not available, some students may decide to attend school somewhere else.
Vice President of Instruction/Student Services Dr. James Gardner announced that in-service for NCMC faculty would be held on Thursday, Aug. 16 and Friday, Aug. 17 in anticipation of the start of classes the following week. Dr. Nuttall said a breakfast is to be held for faculty members prior to the session on Thursday and invited trustees to attend.
Dr. Nuttall presented information on several topics, including the use of data collected by institutional researcher Tara Noah that was used in a performance-based review of the college. It showed that NCMC met four of five criteria being looked at to include in performance-based information that is being considered in determining higher education funding. He said that McKinstry will be making a return visit to campus for a review of energy savings strategies for the college. A representative from TRANE is also to be on campus to develop an energy savings report as well. TRANE was the company used by the college to install heating and air conditioning units at Cross Hall and the KCC.
Dr. Nuttall also reported that college personnel are revisiting a report developed several years ago concerning renovation of Geyer Hall in hopes of updating that plan and moving forward with that project. He also talked about a feasibility review by Ellison-Auxier of the “B” Building in regard to locating the bookstore there. He said the cost made that move impractical and said alternatives for future relocation of the bookstore, ARC and Student Support Services would be considered. He also said a review the city’s downtown revitalization program would also be looked at in regard to any future campus improvements.
Dr. Nuttall also presented the annual “year in review” report for the 2011-2012 year, which lists actions taken by the board of trustees as well reports received. The list was compiled by Vicki Weaver, administrative assistant to the president and director of public relations.
Foundation Director Teresa Cross updated the board on her activities and reported that the NCMC Foundation would be holding its quarterly meeting on Aug. 16. A golf tournament is scheduled on Aug. 30 with the focus of raising scholarship funds. She said it is her plan to have students involved in the golf tournament as well as at the annual gala, set for Oct. 13.
The board declared a list of Head Start items as surplus, with a sale of those items to take place from 8 to 11 a.m. on Aug. 10 at the Head Start building. It was also reported a meeting with representatives from the office of Head Start-Region VII was held on June 20 with the local Head Start office and NCMC representatives, which is the first step prior to the continued funding for the program. Discussion centered on strengths, potential challenges and the upcoming triennial review scheduled between Oct. 1 of this year and Sept. 30, 2013.
Following the board meeting, an executive session was held for personnel, real estate and legal matters. No announcement was made.
The next board meeting will be on Tuesday, Aug. 28. The annual tax levy hearing will be at 5:15 p.m., with the regular meeting to follow at 5:30 p.m.