The Neosho County Community College Board of Trustees met on Thursday, Feb. 20, an approved tuition, fee and housing increases for next school year.
Each year, trustees must set tuition and fee rates for the upcoming academic year. On recommendation from President Brian Inbody, trustees approved a $2 increase in tuition and a $1 increase in incidental fees per credit hour, as well as a $90 increase in housing cost per semester for the 2025-26 academic year.
Tuition and fees were increased in line with the rate of inflation, and housing increases related mostly to anticipated food cost increases.
A 40 cent increase in the transcript fee was also approved, increasing the fee to $7.90.
President’s report
Dr. Inbody reported on the efforts of the Kansas Association of Community Colleges (KACC) during the current legislative session. In the approved House budget, the main funding formula has been fully funded, along with the Excel in C.T.E., Business and Industry Training, deferred maintenance and capital improvement funds. Prior funding for cybersecurity support was not renewed, along with a 40% cut in Student Success funds.
“We are expecting a net loss in state funding due to the loss of the cybersecurity support funds, but there is a long way to go until the session ends in April,” Inbody said.
A working group for “The First 15” met last week to discuss the proposed initiative. Members of the public expressed concerns with balancing the request with other issues. Inbody spoke about the current successes with concurrent credit programs at Chanute High School and Ottawa High School. There was not a clear path forward at the end of the meeting.
An agreement was reached with USD 413 to allow the NCCC Art Department to use the kiln at Chanute High School. Code requirements for the installation of a permanent kiln on the Chanute campus are being explored, but this agreement will allow NCCC to offer pottery classes as soon as the summer semester.
Inbody also provided updates on several facilities projects.
The Panther Power Lab is awaiting the delivery and installation of foam insulation and various electrical components, as well as the completion of the fire code footprint review by the state fire marshal.
The Student Union Plaza is nearing completion. There is gas line work yet to be completed, and two lighting implements will be installed in March. Security camera installation is expected to be completed this week. The project is expected to be completed by spring break.
Work has been mostly completed to repair drainage issues at the Panther Softball Complex. Concrete will be poured to cover the work when it is warmer. Work on the north side is expected to be completed ahead of the team’s next home game on Tuesday, Feb. 25.
NeoKan Residence Hall is awaiting the delivery and installation of an ice machine in response to requests made by residents and Student Housing staff.
Preparations for the Mih Family Fine Arts Center project are moving along as planned.
See NCCC, Page 8.
DLR, the architectural firm, is working on a request for proposal for GeoTech work on the site, which is expected within the next two weeks. Bartlett & West, the civil engineering firm, was on campus last week to mark utilities and update their plans. Administration and involved faculty continue to regularly meet with both firms to keep the project on track.
Inbody also reported an increase in enrollment of 2.35% yearoveryear, and an increase of 3.19% for the spring semester. Enrollment remains up, even after dropping students for nonpayment.
Technology report
Trustees heard a report on the Technology Division from Chief Information Officer Phillip Chaney.
Based on responses from the employee satisfaction survey, Chaney reported an increase in satisfaction with technology infrastructure from a score of 6.3 to 8.3 over the last two years. Student satisfaction has also increased, with answers of “satisfied” and “somewhat satisfied” increasing from under 50% to over 68% in the same period.
Efforts to increase satisfaction have included the deployment of new wireless internet access points, upgrades to the network firewall and upgrades to the switches. Support tickets have reduced 14%, which Chaney attributed mostly to the upgrades to the wireless network.
These upgrades have also increased network security against attacks and has granted the Technology Division the ability to remotely monitor systems 24/7.
Chaney also presented plans to migrate to the cloud. Currently, the network is hosted locally and needs upgraded. Instead of paying for the upgrades, a decision was made to outsource hosting to an industry standard cloudhosting service.
Faculty Senate report
Trustees heard a Faculty Senate report from Faculty Senate president Paul Walcher.
All students within the education program have been placed in USD 413 classrooms for practicum.
The honors program welcomed several new students this semester, and those students are currently working with their instructors to write new contracts.
History Club hosted a dinner and movie night, complete with chili and “Gladiator II.”
The Quiz Bowl team signed several new members last week.
The #Adulting Club held a planning luncheon for several upcoming projects. The club is currently accepting donations of button up shirts to create dignity bibs for local nursing homes.
Level I Nursing Program students practiced IV insertion and tracheostomy care last week.
Auditions were recently held for the Theatre Department’s spring production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” The cast has already begun rehearsals, and production design is underway.
Mathematics and English faculty have submitted new support courses for approval by the Curriculum Committee, with plans to present them to trustees in March. Details of the new Math Pathways placement strategy were shared with faculty last week to facilitate program updates and advising for the fall.
Service award
Ragan Vogel, advising and testing specialist, was selected as the January 2025 Service Award winner.
“Ragan is a great adviser to students and an excellent resource at NCCC,” one anonymous nomination read. “She is willing to go the extra mile to help students succeed. She is compassionate, kind, and NCCC is very lucky to have her.”
Vogel will be recognized with a framed certificate and a $500 prize.
“Ragan has continuously and consistently helped me with every issue, problem, or question I’ve had in regard to my duties in my position, even though she isn’t a part of my department or team,” another anonymous nomination read. “Her positive attitude, demeanor, kindness, humility, patience and knowledge resonate not only with me, but with every student, faculty member, and community member she assists. The amount of work and effort she puts in each day is recognized by me and I commend her greatly for it.”
The next NCCC Board of Trustees meeting is scheduled for March 12 at 9 a.m. in the Student Union Boardroom on the Chanute campus.
In other business, trustees: —Approved the minutes from the Jan. 8 meeting.
—Heard a treasurer’s report from Chief Financial Officer Sandi Solander and approved claims for disbursement for the month of January.
—Held a first reading for an update to the workman’s compensation policy.
—Approved the following course inventory revisions: Changing the name of Math 133 to Math Essentials; and replacing MFGT 112 with CMCT 105 in the Welding Program pathway.
—Held a first reading for a renewal of the Neighborhood Revitalization Interlocal Agreement with the Board of Commissioners of Neosho County. A public hearing for the agreement will be held during the March 2025 Board of Trustees meeting.
—Accepted a bid proposal from Jarred, Gilmore & Phillips, PA for annual auditing services in the amount of $30,000 for FYE 2025, FYE 2026 and FYE 2027.
—Approved the requested retirement of Sally Sudja, teaching & learning center specialist. Her last day will be June 30.
—Approved the hiring of: Fatimah Bader, adult basic education instructor at Fort Scott, for a start date of Feb. 13; Joel Denison, part time financial aid specialist, with a start date of Feb. 13; Wendy Rossman, director of Ottawa campus, with a start date of Feb. 13; and Deedra Woodbury, assistant volleyball coach, with a start date of April 1.
