GCC hears about Xcel grant projects

By MEGAN HUGHES

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Ironwood — The Gogebic Community College Board of Trustees met on Tuesday for their monthly meeting. The board listened to the Xcel Energy Grant student project presentations, and held their first reading of policy updates 601-607 regarding faculty employment.

The board heard about several projects that were performed under the grant’s funding, including continued research on arachnids, work with miniaturized computer systems called Raspberry Pi, and studies in microbiology, amongst others.

Biology instructor Chenin Limback was one of these presenters, and expressed how pleased that she was of the outcome of the studies, and the work that both the faculty and the students had put into their research projects.

“We have met the goals of the grant, with faculty-student interaction in all cases being very rewarding for all of us,” said Limback, “We appreciate and are grateful for the opportunity to have this grant and keep working with them for years to come.”

Presenters confirmed for the board that the school has been awarded another year under the grant, and that there are plans to revisit some of the research projects, and expand upon them in the coming year.

“It just amazes me what students do,” said David Darrow, vice president of Academic Services, “It is just wonderful what you are doing and what you guys are getting done with this grant. ... I greatly appreciate everyone, faculty and students, who take part in this each year, it has been a very rewarding experience.”

The board heard an in-person report from Anthony Schwass of the Houghton campus of GCC. He was excited to show the board before and after photos of the renovation work that had been done to the Samson Stand, a former food stand at the Copper Country Mall, and has had new life breathed into it, as a student resource stand.

“We are going to start using it for orientation,” said Schwass, “It is going to be a student work study and student worker office.” He said that the location of the stand allows it to be centrally located in their space, which makes it functional as both a resource for students and information location for those looking for more information about the offerings at the school.

Room 108 at the Copper Country center will be undergoing a Zoom Room update, according to Schwass, and three additional rooms will be undergoing more minor updates.

He said that there is a meeting scheduled for next week with the Copper Island Academy leadership to discuss future engagement opportunities.

Schwass plans to attend Houghton’s annual Bridgefest on June 14-15.

The board held their first reading of faculty updates that had not been revisited since the early 2000s, as this was the first reading, the board took no formal action on the policies. The revisions, as presented, were read through by several members of the board at the meeting itself, allowing them to raise some initial questions.

Chairman Susan Beal raised some concern on lack of clarity regarding the board’s role in terminations as worded in the policy updates. “If you and I are having a difference of interpretation here, then the language needs to be revisited,” she said, “It needs to be black and white.”

The policy regarding terminations will be revisited, and clarified for future readings.

In other news, the board:

—Bid a farewell to Darrow, who has resigned due to health issues. The board wished him well, and thanked him for his time with them.

—Heard the open positions update.

—Heard an update on the strategic plan, including enrollment management and program development.

—Heard an update from GCC President Chris Patritto. He praised all of the work that had gone into the Law Enforcement Peace Memorial and the GCC commencement ceremony. Patritto said that earlier in the day he had toured a few of Finlandia’s facilities, thinking they could become a more permanent home for the Copper Country Center in the future. Patritto said that he did not feel that the location was not the right fit as there was a lot of work that would need to be done. The school continues to look for a suitable home. “It didn’t hurt to look,” he said.

—Were introduced to new employee Catherine Webster.

—Approved the financial reports as presented.

—Approved the accounts receivable write-offs as presented.

—Approved the 2024 millages at 1.484 mils for the 20 year millage and 1.299 for the operating millage as presented. The rates remain the same as the previous year.

—Approved the 80/20 medical insurance contribution as presented.

—Discussed the CDL Lot Proposal, and voted to approve the proposal by Ruotsala for $25,000 for the year.

—Heard the personnel updates for the month of May. There are currently four open positions at the college, including the Dual Enrollment and Early College Coordinator, and teacher education faculty.

The next meeting of the GCC Board of Trustees will be on June 25, in room B22 of the Jacob Solin Center for Business Education.