While a decrease in enrollment at North Central Missouri College is disappointing, it was not unexpected and shouldn’t affect revenue projections, according to information presented to college trustees at a meeting held on Tuesday evening.
Fall enrollment numbers show a decrease in head count of 4.8 percent and a decrease in credit hours of 3.6 percent. NCMC President Dr. Klaver, who said credit hours are what generate revenue, indicated that credit hours generated through on-line enrollment is up 5.3 percent, mirroring the decrease in what he termed “in-seat” enrollment. Other figures released include a 12.6 percent increase in returning students, a 67-student decrease in new freshmen, a 34-student decrease in transfer students and a 1.1 percent increase in non-traditional students.
Dr. Klaver listed several factors that have resulted in the decrease, including an increased presence of Hillyard Technical School and Metropolitan Community College in St. Joseph, the largest graduating class in history in the spring of 2016 and declining demographics in the region, state and midwest. He noted that the good news is that despite the declines, revenue projections should be largely on target due to on-line enrollment, nursing students and an uptick in some of the customized training programs. As he has said in the past, Dr. Klaver told trustees that if the college is going to continue its recent growth, an emphasis will need to be placed on new academic programs, new co-curricular (tied to an academic program) and extra-curricular programs, new residence halls, a new student center and looking at a new recruiting strategy for international students.
Dr. Klaver also presented a preliminary campus master plan concept and summary. Phase I would include construction of a new residence hall facility and two new student parking lots, including one south of Geyer Hall. Phase II would include demolition of the Main Street buildings and the current Selby Hall residence hall, as well as construction of a new dining hall, student commons and campus store. Phase III would include the demolition of Ellsworth Residence Hall and the construction of a new residence hall facility. Phase IV would include an addition to the Ketcham Community Center that would house an auxiliary gym and new locker rooms, while Phase V would include the demolition of the existing Frey Administrative Center and Alexander Student Services building and the construction of a new administrative and student services building.
Trustees were introduced to five international students, all hailing from Curacao. The students told about their country and said the reason they chose North Central Missouri College is because of the opportunities for scholarships and jobs on the campus as well as its affordability. All five are members of the college’s baseball team. The college has an International Student Club and Jamee Cunningham serves as the recruiter and international student advisor. It was noted that the government of Curacao pays the tuition for the students, which is the college’s highest tuition rate.
The board voted to allow Board President Don Dalrymple to appoint a lay committee to review and suggest possible changes to the existing policies for recognition of donors/naming opportunities. Trustees Chris Hoffman and Diane Lowrey were named to the committee as well as Gary Black, who will represent the NCMC Foundation Board of Directors. Hoffman, who is a member of the board of trustees and the foundation board, will serve as chairman of the committee.
Board members heard reports from Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Tristan Londre and Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Kristen Alley. Dr. Londre discussed two new financial aid programs, one for current students and one for former students who could receive incentives to return to school to complete their degree. He also said the college will begin a livestock judging team in the fall 2020 semester. Dr. Alley introduced two new employees, Merribeth Copeland, financial aid representative, and Brandon Gossett, residence life coordinator and assistant men’s basketball coach. She also told trustees that the college disbursed $2,453,029 in scholarships for the fall semester.
In other business, trustees:
• approved the employment of Suzanne Hommertzheim as an exempt, adjunct instructor for IT courses beginning this semester.
• approved the Green Hills Head Start certificate of compensation cap, wage comparability study and the certificate of cost allocation plan. Also approved was the employment of Tiffany Rhoden as a cook at the Brookfield “A” Head Start Center. She began her duties Aug. 29. Trustees also learned from Head Start directors Janet Gott and Susan Ewigman that ground has been broken on the new Trenton Head Start facility. The GHHS program is administered through the college.
• held an executive session to discuss personnel, real estate and legal matters, with no action taken.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 22 in the Frey Administrative Center.
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