Gogebic Community College to expand Copper Country campus

IRONWOOD - The Gogebic Community College Board of Trustees met on Tuesday night to a approve Copper Country Campus expansion plans.

Chairman John Lupino said the board had quite a bit of discussion on the expansion plans prior to the board meeting.

The new plan features a front entrance in the Copper Country Mall, as well as three classrooms and many offices. One of the large classrooms can also be divided into two smaller rooms as needed.

"This can allow us to generate more income up there," said Tim Kolesar.

Lorenson also told the board about two grants the college has recently received.

One grant, for $12,500, will be used to help with student retention and learning, in order to help the committees. They also received an $8,500 grant.

The board also heard comments from Kolesar about the welding program.

He said, "That's really being developed into a very, very, very good program. I'm really impressed every time I go down (to the welding shop)."

He said the kids in the welding program will be able to go wherever they wish to once they complete the program.

Kolesar said this is good for the students involved and for GCC.

In other business, the board:

-heard short reports on the workplace satisfaction survey from Lorenson. He said at a $1,000 cost, they were looking into working with Noel-Levitz Higher Education Consulting.

-heard a brief presentation from Lorenson about Interact Communications and an assessment of how the college is spending it's money.

-chose Xerox Corporation of Marquette, to be the supplier and servicer of a new, leased copier for $296 per month, for 60 months. Of the four bids received, Xerox was the lowest and did not require separate maintenance agreement charges.

-approved BR Bleachers of Woodstock, Ill., to handle the "immediate repair of the separation curtain in the gymnasium, backboard cables, safety straps and the installation of a railing on both bleachers for safety" for a total cost of $13,986. The safety hand rails should be completed this week, said Lorenson.

-hired Jennifer Nasi, the current Payroll Specialist, to fill the position of Assistant to the Admissions Director, under a MESPA contract. She will be moved to full-time in order to train 30 percent of her time in the new position. She will continue to fill the payroll position 70 percent of the time until a replacement is found.

-heard a financial report from Dean of Business Services, Erik Guenard. In his report, he said the college is in a comparable position to last year for overall balances, but "tuition and fees are down considerably from the projected budget."