JALC B.O.T. FOLLOWS ITS USUAL M.O.

On November 28, the John A. Logan College Board of Trustees voted to extend Ron House's contract through August 2019, with the option to extend it an additional year.  His salary will be $173,587.00.  There was only one 'no' vote, that of Becky Borgsmiller. 

In October 2015, the Board estimated that they would have a permanent President in place, in nine months.  That was 26 months ago.  Apparently, with no national (or even local or regional) search, they've determined House is their man. 

Since bringing on House, the College has been reorganized and has run roughshod over faculty and the concept of tenure.  The search process has come to be seen as, well, out of fashion.  It will be interesting to observe, if a national search is conducted to permanently fill the position of vice president of instruction.  Or, the rumors may be true and the Board may just be waiting for Acting VP Melanie Pecord to finish her Ph.d., so they can simply erase the word "acting". 

....In other news:  It's hard to ignore the events in the wider world, the last couple of weeks.  We noticed the following quote. 

"I am pondering if this concept might ever make it to the southern Illinois region: sexually inappropriate behavior in the workplace. It reminds me of a certain community college vice-President, then different college President, then vice-President again at original college. I wonder if karma is ever going to get around to that disgusting loser? We are seeing all these brave women come forward and report harassment, abuse, and assault...what will it take for you to stand up for yourself, or if you aren’t strong enough to do that, prevent it from happening to someone else? I think it is time to wise up and woman up."

We'll just leave that right there. 

RECALL OF NEARLY ALL REMAINING FACULTY

You wouldn't know it from the news coverage, but the JALC Board of Trustees approved the recall of nearly all the remaining faculty, who had been laid off, despite tenure, in March 2016.  You had to catch it in the Marion Daily Republican to read about it (or dig down in the Board Agenda to item XII.A.2.b.(2)); apparently the Southern Illinoisan has lost interest in the Board meetings.  We say "nearly all" because JALC still can't seem to take into account that these are people they are affecting.  Three instructors were called back, but Jane Beyler, a psychology professor, was not.  How would you like to be the one left out in the cold?

The good news is that David Cochran, Nikki Borrenpohl and Cheryl Barrall are being called back to teach in the departments of History, English and Education, respectively.  This is a switch for Barrall, who had been teaching developmental English until the lay offs.  Cochran's return was advocated for, at a BOT meeting earlier this year, by revered and retired History professor Helen Nall. 

Again, it's good news...  no, it is great news that these three will be teaching this fall, and that they are getting some semblance of their lives back.  It's maddening that it took this long.  There has never been a rhyme or reason, that the public could see, as to how the decisions were made as to who was to be laid off, in the first place, and who was to be recalled, and in what order.  While, excepting Beyler, this appears to bring the matter to a close, it only brings the staff's lives back to a new order.  Not all laid off staff were recalled.  Some retired rather than fight the year and a half battle.  Some lost out contractually.  Some were laid off immediately prior to their tenure being finalized.  Some, in frustration, left the teaching profession forever.  None will view tenure as a guarantee of security anymore.  Issues are still outstanding.  So are lawsuits.  If the layoffs were unjustified, for the reasons stated, will back pay be in order?  With interest?  What about retirement/pensions?  Where does one stand with seniority, service years etc.?  And what of Ms. Beyler? 

Faculty are returning to a changed college.  Their former departments no longer exist.  Their former chairs have been overthrown.  Their physical work spaces have probably been moved. 

But, this is a leap forward in the right direction.  There are still more steps to go. 

SOME GOOD, SOME BAD AND SOME UGLY

There's been a lot to think about lately, and we've taken a little break.  Hopefully, our readers are having a good summer.  Our institutions, for the most part, are not. 

Herrin City government is making strides toward transparency.  Mayor Steve Fratinni says the city council will no longer meet in executive session.  All committees and council sessions will be open to the public.  Those issues that have been discussed in closed sessions, due to privacy issues, such as personnel, will be handled at the departmental level.  This might be a good model for the John A. Logan College Board of Trustees to follow.  It would get the Board out of the hiring and firing of individual faculty, administrators and staff and would shine a light on all Board activity. 

Speaking of Logan, three laid off faculty have recently been recalled for the coming Fall term: Molly Alter, in Art; Dave Evans in English and Jennifer Watkins in Math.  That leaves a handful still hanging out to dry.  Board Chair Bill Kilquist and President Ron House said they want to bring all of the remaining people back, but, that is what they have always said.  Hopefully, the General Assembly will pass a budget, the governor will sign it, the State will cut loose with some education funding and Logan's administration will keep their promise. 

In our last post, we noted that Logan Board member Glenn Poshard had resigned his new position as President of Morthland College. His stated reason was that Morthland had financial problems he had not been informed about prior to his hire.  Morthland attempted to dispute that but recent events show they are struggling financially.  The college has eliminated its athletic program.  That's problematic, considering that 90% of their students are athletes.  Their solution, for a financially strapped institution, is interesting.  They are waiving 100% of tuition and fees for all returning students, through the students' individual graduation dates.  This is being paid for through a scholarship fund totaling $320,000, according to Executive Vice President Emily Hayes. 

Over at SIU, President Randy Dunn will once again do double duty as Acting Chancellor of the Carbondale campus.  The SIU Board of Trustees have gotten deeply involved in the search, insisting on two more candidates in the finalist pool and directly interviewing the candidates.  Given the sluggish search and the state of higher education in Illinois, only two finalists are willing to take the job:  Brad Colwell, who has been serving as interim chancellor and Carlo Montemagno, of the University of Alberta.  Colwell's contract as interim chancellor expired June 30 and the Board will not make a hiring decision between Montemagno and him until their July 13 meeting.  Until then, Dunn fills in again.  No word on what happens if they fail to pick a candidate.  This is not out of the realm of possibility.  They have come full circle.

SIU Interim Provost Susan Ford retired last Friday.  She had held the position since the removal of John Nicklow from the position, in 2014.  Ford said she didn't want people to think she was retiring "because of the university ‘being in trouble.’”  One has to think the chaos regarding the chancellor search was a factor.  She's seen this movie before.  In 2015, she was one of two chancellor candidates left standing.  Oregon State Provost Sabah Randhawa then withdrew and the Board announced that they were suspending the search because their "preferred candidate" had withdrawn.  Ford continued on as interim provost for two more years, until last week.  Provost duties are now being jointly handled by associate provosts Lizette Chevalier and David Dillala. 

As we type this, in the Illinois General Assembly, the House of Representatives has apparently voted to raise taxes and sent a budget bill to the Senate.  The Governor has announced he will veto it. 

Congress's only accomplishment so far has been to abolish protections for consumers against the schemes of bankers.  The President spends his time playing with his phone and watching cable television. 

It's ugly. 

SOMEBODY HAS SOME EXPLAINING TO DO

Multiple local media outlets are reporting that former SIU President and current John A. Logan College Trustee, Glenn Poshard, has resigned his position as President of Morthland College.  The Southern Illinoisan reports there are two different versions of his reason for resignation.  Poshard released a statement that read,

“I believe strongly in the vision and the mission of Morthland College and the opportunity it provides in offering students a faith-based, Christian education, however there are serious issues — both personnel and financial — of which I was not notified when I began as president, and which, I concluded, could only be resolved by an authority other than myself.”

A spokeman for Morthand College said Poshard gave them another reason.

“He resigned for health reasons, that is what he told us,”  

These statements lead one to two very different conclusions.  Poshard's statement implies that there are unspecified problems at Morthland.  Perhaps financial instability or malfeasance.  

The quote differs from the Southern's site to that of WSIL.  The Southern reports, "... issues — both personnel and financial ".  WSIL reports the quote as,

I believe strongly in the vision and mission of Morthland College and the opportunity it provides in offering students a faith-based Christian education. However, there are serious issues, both personal and financial, of which I was not notified when I began as president, and which, I concluded, could only be resolved by an authority other than myself. 

 Note that The Southern uses the word, "personnel" and that WSIL reports the wording as "personal".  If WSIL is correct, that invites speculation as to who has personal issues.  What type are they?  Are they related to the financial issues?  The Southern's quote sounds more like there was merely a human resource problem.

On the other hand, Morthland's PR person says the resignation is on Poshard; that he has health reasons.  This is disturbing because someone is not telling the truth, or at least not the whole truth. 

MEET THE NEW BOSS...

Longtime JALC Board member, and chair, Don Brewer took the occasion of his last Board meeting to defend the Board's actions last year regarding faculty and staff layoffs, criticized attendees who may have given a little too much truth to the Higher Learning Commission visit team and claimed that enrollment is hunky dory. 

Newly elected members Becky Borgsmiller and Mandy Little were seated and temporary presiding officer Ron House called on Glenn Poshard to report on the nominating committee.  Apparently, the outgoing Board does the nominating and the new one votes.  Seems like the new Board, including the new members, would nominate officers, but...  The nominees, for chair, were Ray Hancock and Bill Kilquist.  It quickly became clear what the new voting blocs will be.  Voting for Hancock were Hancock, Borgsmiller and Little.  Electing Bill Kilquist were Rendleman, Kilquist, Poshard and Graff.  The news of the night was that Graff and Poshard have clearly thrown their lot in with the Old Guard. 

This became apparent during the regular meeting, that followed the organizational meeting, when Borgsmiller questioned the way so much business is conducted in small committees, away from the public eye.  Poshard didn't see the lack of transparency as an issue. 

The change, it had to come
We knew it all along
We were liberated from the fold, that's all
And the world looks just the same
And history ain't changed
'Cause the banners, they are flown in the next war...

 

...Then I'll get on my knees and pray
We don't get fooled again

 

Meet the new boss
Same as the old boss

 

PETER TOWNSHEND

© Spirit Music Group

LOGAN BOT SEATS NEW MEMBERS TOMORROW NIGHT

The John A. Logan College Board of Trustees has two meetings, tomorrow night.  The first, at 6:30, will seat the two newly elected Board members, Mandy Little and Becky Borgsmiller.  There will then be an election of Board officers.  The second meeting, the regular monthly meeting, will begin at 7pm.  Both are open to the public and both have public comment periods on the agenda.

This will be an opportunity for current, retired and laid off faculty and staff, as well as students and community members to see their new board representatives sworn in (at the 6:30 meeting) and for those new Board members to see what interest the Logan community takes in the governance of their college (the 7pm meeting). 

ELECTION NIGHT!

UPDATE at 10:15pm

Franklin County has one holdout precinct.  We guestimate about 261 votes, or one percent of the total district vote.  This thing is over.  Congratulations to the two new John A. Logan College Board members!  The new trustees will be Mandy Little and Becky Borgsmiller.  We are hopeful that they will usher in a new era of transparency, integrity and good will at the College.  Good night all!

	Borgsmiller	Ellis	Little	Orrill	percent in
Jackson	2,810	1,219	1,599	1,247	100.00%
Williamson	2,798	1,549	2,027	1,362	100.00%
Franklin	386	862	849	251	90.00%
Perry	661	378	476	377	100.00%
Randolph	51	41	41	28	100.00%
	6,706	4,049	4,992	3,265	99.35%

Borgsmiller	6,706	35.3%
Ellis	4,049	21.3%
Little	4,992	26.3%
Orrill	3,265	17.2%

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UPDATE at 9:54m

With only 2% of the vote outstanding, about 496 votes, Becky Borgsmiller and Mandy Little have insurmountable leads, in our unofficial tally. 

Borgsmiller	6,479	35.05%
Ellis	3,993	21.60%
Little	4,835	26.15%
Orrill	3,179	17.20%

Two Jackson and one Franklin County precincts are still to be counted. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UPDATE at 9:27pm

	Borgsmiller	Ellis	Little	Orrill	percent in
Jackson	2,583	1,163	1,442	1,161	96.43%
Williamson	2,798	1,549	2,027	1,362	100.00%
Franklin	386	862	849	251	90.00%
Perry	661	378	476	377	100.00%
Randloph	51	41	41	28	100.00%
	6,479	3,993	4,835	3,179	98.05%

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------


UPDATE at 9:17pm

	Borgsmiller	Ellis	Little	Orrill	percent in
Jackson	2,188	958	1,183	973	82.14%
Williamson	2,798	1,549	2,027	1,362	100.00%
Franklin	386	862	849	251	90.00%
Perry	302	180	211	188	68.42%
Randloph	51	41	41	28	100.00%
	5,725	3,590	4,311	2,802	88.96%

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UPDATE at 9:04pm: 

	Borgsmiller	Ellis	Little	Orrill	percent in
Jackson	2,188	958	1,183	973	82.14%
Williamson	2,798	1,549	2,027	1,362	100.00%
Franklin	133	309	324	85	30.00%
Perry	302	180	211	188	68.42%
Randloph	51	41	41	28	100.00%
	5,472	3,037	3,786	2,636	85.06%

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As we've done in the past, we will attempt to live blog election results.  These are a combination of tabulations from news sites, such as WSIL and the Southern Illinoisan and the various county websites, in the district.  Polls closed at 7pm. Results are now coming in. 

	Borgsmiller	Ellis	Little	Orrill	total vote so far
Jackson	512	225	214	215	1,166
Williamson	0	0	0	0	0
Franklin	133	309	324	85	851
Perry	302	180	211	188	881
Randloph	0	0	0	0	0
	947	714	749	488	2,898

	Borgsmiller	Ellis	Little	Orrill	percent in
Jackson	512	225	214	215	17.54%
Williamson	0	0	0	0	0.00%
Franklin	133	309	324	85	30.00%
Perry	302	180	211	188	68.42%
Randloph	0	0	0	0	0.00%
	947	714	749	488	14.61%

AMNESIA

The John A. Logan College Board of Trustees met last night.  To observe the meeting, or to read the Southern Illinoisan article about it, you would think few, if any, in the Logan community have a sense of history.  Last night was the last meeting for student trustee Christina Lipe.  It was one year ago that then student trustee Brandi Husch, at her last board meeting, exposed the Board as cowards and sneaks.  As readers may recall, Ms. Husch was cut off by Board chair Don Brewer when reading her farewell statement.  In that statement, she attempted to charge that a Board member, in closed session, had attempted to intimidate her with a dossier of incidents in her pre-student life.  The video, if you've forgotten or not seen it, is here.  It has been viewed over 9,600 times on various platforms.  No mention of the incident, or Ms. Husch, was made last night. 

Absent were Board members Bill Kilquist and Jake Rendleman.  Absent also was any sense of outrage on the part of the unions, given that the massacre of staff took place just 12 months ago.  The representatives of the full time faculty, part time faculty and operational staff all seemed to fall all over themselves making nice with the Board. 

The Southern Illinoisan apparently had a reporter present as they reported on a (single) item from the meeting, the bond issue.  No article appeared after the previous meeting, when former history professor Helen Nall made a plea for the reinstatement of history professor David Cochran.  That meeting also saw former psychology professor Gary Caldwell read a letter from 13 retired faculty expressing their lack of confidence in President Ron House and the Board of Trustees.  It was met with silence from the region's major news sources. 

Last night, Mr. Caldwell spoke again.  He asked several questions regarding the upcoming Higher Learning Commission visit.  Among them:  Will there be an opportunity for the public, faculty and students to address the visiting HLC team?  Caldwell finally managed to extract a 'yes'.  Will the date, time and place be posted, in adequate time?  This answer was fuzzy.  Vice President Melanie Pecord repeatedly said, "It's on Announce.  ...It will be on Announce."  Announce is apparently a listserv for faculty and staff, a wholly inadequate means of communicating with students or the public. The consensus, eventually, was that it will be on the Board website. 

Caldwell also took the opportunity to point out that Shawnee College is advertising for two full time history professors.  He found it ironic that such a small school could hire two, while John A. Logan has no full time history teachers.  Chairman Brewer's response was that he found it ironic that Shawnee, with 80% part time faculty, could afford to hire full time teachers.  He ignored any reference to the College, for which he is Board chair, and the fact that his school now has zero full time history teachers. 

We will close with a quote from the school's press release.  It assumes you have no access to a newspaper or the internet. 

Brewer noted that last year was a difficult time with layoffs within the College, but, he said, most community colleges in Illinois had to layoff more employees than JALC did because of the state’s budget statement. “No one wants layoffs, but when there is no other choice, you want those layoffs to be as limited as possible,” Brewer said. “We survived very well compared to other colleges.”

FOR THOSE HAVING DIFFICULTY LEAVING COMMENTS

A reader has pointed out that many may be unable to post comments, at least when using Safari.  We've done a little research at several websites and it turns out this Safari/Blogger issue has been a problem for years.   

We've tested four browsers tonight:  Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Google Chrome and Mobile Safari.  We tried Firefox, IE and Chrome all on a PC.  One can successfully post comments, in Blogger, from each of these.  Our understanding is that mobile device users, using a browser other than Safari and/or accessing our blog from a website rather than mobile app should not have problems. However, we were as unsuccessful as anyone else, when using Safari on a mobile Apple device. 

With further research, and some more testing, we discovered a solution, though you won't like it (we don't either!).  We don't understand the technical issue, so we won't attempt to explain it.  Here's what you can do on your iPhone or iPad:  Go to

• Settings
• Safari
• Privacy & Security
• Block Cookies
• Change the setting to Never

Most of you probably have 'Block Cookies' set to "From third parties and advertisers".  Blocking third party cookies prevents the script from running that allows the comment to post (as near as we understand).  Changing the setting to "Never" will allow you to post comments to Blogger.  Assuming you won't be constantly posting comments to this blog, or others, you can then set Safari back to blocking cookies from third parties and advertisers.  Told you you wouldn't like the solution!

WHEN CAN WE SEE THEM?

Bluntly, where are the Spring numbers?  Enrollment counts are called "tenth day numbers" for a reason.  The snapshot is taken at the tenth day of classes.  Tomorrow starts the ninth week of the term, at John A. Logan College.  How hard is this?

As you may remember, Muddy Williamson took the College to task for their claims of increased enrollment and their methods of comparison after they released Fall 2016 numbers.  Maybe they realize their Spring 2017 report will make no more sense.  Maybe enrollment will not be the improvement they claimed would result from the reorganization. 

Hey, that reminds us!  Let's talk about the layoffs and the fact that administration hasn't brought all needed full time faculty back.  In searching the JALC website, looking for the Spring 2017 enrollment count, we stumbled across a press release regarding the Quiz Bowl team.  The team went to nationals!  It is coached by Sociology assistant professor Tom Chandler.  Mr. Chandler was one of the full time faculty the current BOT booted out, last March.  Fortunately, Chandler was one of those called back.  This is an example of the good teaching, and service, the students, College and district get when excellent faculty are recalled. 

Recall 'em all!  ...And release those numbers. 

AND IF YOU WANT MORE OF THE SAME

The Old Guard has shown its hand.  Just in time for St. Patrick's Day, John A. Logan College Board of Trustees member, Jake Rendleman, has a letter published in yesterday's Southern Illinoisan.  Rendleman endorses Orrill, Ellis and Poshard.  This tells us all we need to know:  the old guard thinks they can "work" with these three.  That means the good old boys club thinks these three will be most in line with their anti-reform, union busting, faculty firing ways.  If they are endorsing those three, it confirms our belief that Becky Borgsmiller and Mandy Little are the best two candidates, of the five.

BOT CANDIDATE FORUM 2017

The League of Women Voters sponsored a candidate forum for candidates standing for election to  the John A. Logan College Board of Trustees, Tuesday evening, March 7, in the Conference Center, on the college campus.  There are three vacancies.  Vying for two of the seats are Becky Borgsmiller,
Mandy Little, William Orrill and Bob Ellis.  Glenn Poshard, who was appointed to temporarily fill the late Bill Alstadt's position, is running unopposed for the third seat. 

There  has been scant news coverage of the forum and there appeared to be scant attendance by current faculty of the college.  The Marion Daily Republican and the DuQuoin Evening Call each ran a story by Chandra Green, but the Southern Illinoisan and the TV stations all ignored it. 

Absent, also, was candidate William Orrill.  Ms. Green reported he had a "prior commitment".  That's not good.  The forum was at 5:30, so it's doubtful it was a doctor's appointment.  Rumor is that it was work related.  If so, that could be a recurring problem.  If the voters are to elect him, his time must be ours. How will he guarantee attendance at Board meetings?  What about committee meetings?  Will he be available to meet with students during regular hours?  Bosses cannot legally ask some personal questions of job candidates, such as those directly related to family status etc.  However, they may state the job requirements, time commitments, hours of business and then ask, "is there any reason you cannot fulfill the duties as described?"; "is there any reason you cannot work the times and days described".  Right now Mr. Orrill is a blank slate to most of us in the community college district.  Tuesday night was the one opportunity for the public to see the candidates, hear them and compare them to each other.  He was a no show. 

Candidate forums in the last couple of elections have provided some sparks, some tension and some entertainment.  This one offered none of the above, with only four candidates attending and only three of those running for the same seats.  There was little disagreement, no animosity and little humor.  On the other hand it was civil and candidate answers were usually concise, perhaps a testament to the no nonsense demeanor of moderator Dr. Mary Pohlman of the League of Women Voters.  We say usually, because Dr. Poshard ran long, even after the "red card" was held up a couple of times. 

Full time faculty

One thread ran through the evening's discussion and that was full time faculty vs. part time.  The College has been replacing full time faculty with part timers.  The general consensus was that this is bad and must not happen again.  Mandy Little offered that faculty need to be invested in the college and that while part time faculty would be OK for "specialty classes", there was a need for full timers to teach required courses.  Glenn Poshard wandered on this issue, saying, "I'm on the finance committee.  I have access to the governor.  I'm in contact...  " and wound up essentially saying, 'there's no money'.  Becky Borgsmiller said, regarding the full time faculty (or lack thereof) issue, that "there are HLC guidelines" and that the college must work with faculty on creative ideas to solve budget problems.  As an example, she mentioned, but stressed she was not advocating for, larger class sizes. 

How to cut the budget

What strategies should the college use if further budget cuts are required?  Raise tuition?  Cut MAP funding?  Cut sports programs?  Cut funding for the Historical Village?  Cut administrative positions?  Cut faculty?  Poshard said no to tuition hike, keep MAP, would not replace full time with part time, that he knew little about the Historical Village's finances and no to cutting sports.  He said he would use his experience at SIU.  " We cut travel.  Attempted furloughs...  " 

Borgsmiller said the Board needs reliable data to make decisions. They must be creative; state funding is not coming back.  She pointed out that dual credit students do not pay and bring no revenue to the college.  Logan does, however, claim their credit hours and these students appear in the headcount. 

Ellis strongly stated that tenured faculty are the backbone of education.  He would "never" raise tuition and would not replace full time faculty with part timers.  Then he kind of got lost trying to not insult part timers.  Little would cut some unnamed areas of the college not making money. 

What ideas to enhance experience and increase retention?
Borgsmiller said the answer is simple.  "Have good full time faculty.  Give students a good classroom teacher and they will remember that teacher. They won't remember board members or even the college president, but they will remember a good teacher."

Ellis good naturedly acknowledged that Borgsmiller's answer was a hard one to follow and that he wished he could have given it.  Then he diverted into saying he'd recruit "not the little guys with the crew cuts and sweaters, but the old retired people". 

Little said that, "Becky described my experience" as a student.  Faculty made her experience and it's why she and others spread the word about Logan. 

Poshard said there is a need to track students and fund remedial programs.  There needs to be early intervention and that the "most at risk are developmental students".

What to do to work with and interact with SIU?

Ellis said that SIU was coming out to Logan for the first time in 50 years.  Mandy Little pointed out that there had been a 2 + 2 program with SIU for many years, and explained how it worked for seamless transition.  Poshard pointed out that SIU has had an office, at Logan, for several years.  He thought SIU should be encouraged to offer research programs at Logan.  Borgsmiller also thought Logan should work toward student's seamless transition when tranferring, but pointed out that Logan should not be tied exclusively to SIU. 

Should JALC continue to support athletics?  Should they fund scholarships for out of district athletes?

Little said sports has to be looked at.  She pointed out that when Logan gives a scholarship to an out of district athlete, the student's room and board must also be paid.  She was for recruiting local athletes. 

Poshard was rah rah for sports, but didn't speak to the out of district issue.  He did say that Logan should promote intramural sports and that sports was no different than other extra curricular activities. 

Borgsmiller said the priority has to be academic programs. Athletics is a cost that may not be supportable at this time.  Ellis said it is necessary for recruitment and was absolutely opposed to eliminating athletics. 

How is the CHEC building a benefit to the far flung residents of the district?

Poshard said Marion has the Hub and Carbondale has the SIU Recreation Center.  If the CHEC only serves locals, that's OK. 

Borgsmiller said the CHEC has a positive impact on so many, especially the elderly.  She could say nothing negative about it.  Ellis said it was finally getting viable and was a source of pride.  Little suggested discounts for those who live far away. 

Former President Mike Drieth was paid a $290,000.00 contract buyout.  Was he forced out?

Borgsmiller said it was a firing.  The troubles started when he was pushed.  Ellis said he had no direct knowledge of the matter. 

Little said all three students involved in the hiring process were for hiring Mike Drieth.  "Was he forced to leave?  Absolutely!"  It was a huge loss for the college. 

Poshard said, "I don't have the knowledge.  Don't agree with severance pay for voluntary departure.  I don't know what happened there." 

What do they think?

Bob Ellis thinks faculty and staff should be sent out into the community to solicit ideas and advice.  Mandy Little believes it is not the Board's job to meddle in day to day operations or reorganization.  The current Board has created fear in the faculty.  It has lowered student morale by their treatment of their teachers. 

Poshard said he had seen no intimidation in the three months he has been on the Board.  He pointed out many community service projects Logan helps with and took the opportunity to tie himself to the college and promote the Poshard Foundation. 

Borgsmiller said the biggest issue at Logan is instability.  The huge RIF hurt the school.  She said the reorganization was a failure.  The number one priority is stability. 

What to think of them?

This was a well behaved bunch who seemed to have no animosity toward each other.  For the most part, they stuck to the questions they were asked and two of them seemed like they would bring needed change to the Board.  Glenn Poshard is running unopposed for the seat that was held by the late Bill Alstat, prior to Poshard's appointment.  We will focus on the race for the other two seats.

Bob Ellis describes himself as a journalist, master editor, writer, former mayor of West Frankfort.  He said he got into the race because "many have said JALC could use your expertise".  He thought West Frankfort should be represented.  Mr. Ellis seems like a conscientious candidate, but his expertise is not in higher education.  This was apparent in his answers throughout the night.  This isn't a good fit.  The current situation calls for new Board members who are familiar with higher education, have an intimate knowledge of John A. Logan and a clear understanding of the events that have take place there in the last couple years.  Anyone else is going to have the wool pulled over their eyes by the dark forces of nepotism, retribution and "reorganization". 

Mandy Little says she wants to serve because she remembers what it's like to be a student and wants to bring that perspective.  She is concerned that this board has not offered respect to the student trustee.  She also remembers what it's like to be one of those.  While we were not impressed with Ms. Little the last time she ran for the Board, things (and she) have changed.  Then, she seemed enthralled to the older board members, with whom she'd served while a student.  It was hard, then, to picture her saying 'no' to power.  This a different candidate.  She gets it.  She knows how the place works, knows what's happened and is calling B.S.  The firing of Mike Drieth obviously was a shock.  Her sense of outrage was evident, when the candidates discussed whether he was pushed or jumped.  Hers was the voice of someone who's been betrayed, knows it and is now clear eyed. 

Becky Borgsmiller says she has 40 years' association with the College and wants to bring that experience to bear.  Her focus is on needed stability.  She points out she has many years banking experience, a couple decades experience working at Logan and previously served a stint on the Board.  She says, "I feel an obligation to serve, given the situation."

Mr. Orrill is the job candidate who couldn't come to the interview.  This employer (the voting public) has a deadline to hire.  The election cannot be delayed and their will be no more League forums for these candidates.  Voters can't base decisions on yard signs. 

Based on the one opportunity the public has had to view these candidates, it's clear to us that the two open seats should be filled by the two candidates who will most assuredly be agents for change, have institutional experience and love the College.  Those two candidates are Mandy Little and Becky Borgsmiller. 

EMERITUS FACULTY STATEMENT TO JALC BOT

Former John A. Logan College psychology professor Gary Caldwell made a statement and read a letter to the Logan Board of Trustees, at the last Board meeting.  The letter was signed by 13 retired faculty members and expressed their lack of confidence in President Ron House and in some Board members.  Video of Professor Caldwell's statement can be found here. 

CELEBRITY AND ANNONIMITY

Before we dig into the candidacies for the John A. Logan College Board of Trustees, let's devote a couple more short posts to the last Board meeting.  As we pointed out yesterday, former professors Gary Caldwell and Helen Nall each spoke during the public comment period.  To read the news release, on the College web site, you would think they merely seconded the stated concerns of Board members Glenn Poshard and Ray Hancock that state finances are a mess and adversely affect the College. 

While acknowledging that Ms. Nall "spoke out about the layoff of a full-time history instructor " and that she said, “This breaks my heart”, the release focuses on Poshard, who the article headlines and who is mentioned six times. 

A Muddy Williamson reader has provided a link to video of Helen Nall's comments to the Board.  They are powerful, they are specific, they are damning.  And, they name, and make the case for the reinstatement of the full time history instructor:  Dr. David Cochran.  The video is here. 

What Poshard said is trued, but it's nothing different than what every citizen of Illinois is saying around the kitchen table.  What the retired professors spoke to was specific to John A. Logan College.  We will post a link to video of Professor Gary Caldwell's statement as soon as we get it. 

A YEAR DOWN A HARD ROAD

We will post about the JALC candidate forum in the next couple days.  In the meantime, it should be noted that it is March 7.  A year has gone by since the firings at the College. 

Larry Peterson has gone. His reorganization is still in place.  Those who gained promotions remain in place.  Interim president Ron House has become President House.  Those who lost chairmanships, or offices, remain without.  Those who lost jobs fall into two categories, the lost and the traumatized.  Some are both.

Some faculty and staff took retirement.  They lost their plans for the future; Logan lost them for good.  Some faculty were called back.  They have jobs, but not security.  Who, once granted tenure, and then fired, would feel secure after being called back?  It's the stability of a the yo-yo.  (Yes, we said 'fired'.  We, here at Muddy Williamson do not use the term Reduction In Force, or RIF. It's too much a safe and antiseptic euphemism, like "enhanced interrogation" rather than "torture")

And then there are those faculty who were fired and not called back.  The college limps along with three full time English teachers and zero full time History teachers.  This issue was highlighted at the most recent Board meeting by presentations from two retired faculty members.  Former Psychology professor Gary Caldwell read a letter, signed by 13 former Logan professors and department chairs, expressing a lack of confidence in the Board and current President.  Former History professor Helen Nall decried the lack of any full time History teachers.  There is video of both speeches floating around Facebook.  If whoever shot the video would post it to YouTube, and let us know in the Comments section, we'd be happy to post the link. 

And now MW will go to bed and dream about new JALC Board members. 

PAY ATTENTION! JALC BOARD ELECTION IS COMING!

The League of Women Voters is sponsoring a candidate forum for candidates for the John A. Logan College Board of Trustees.  The event is

• tonight, Tuesday, March 7, in the
• Carterville Room
• F118 Conference Center
• John A. Logan College

SMOKE AND MIRRORS? OR APPLES AND ORANGES?

As we watch the cold mist out our windows, this MLK weekend, lets review a few things that happened in 2016 at our favorite subject, John A. Logan College.  The big events were

• the firing of 55 employees
• the promise to bring them back
• the failure to do so
• the Larry Peterson reorganization plan that was to revitalize enrollment

The focus of this post will be the difficulty of determining the success, or lack thereof, of the last point.  At the March 2016 BOT meeting, the layoffs occurred, including of tenured faculty.  No explanation has ever been given of the criteria used to identify who was to be terminated.  Then Interim President Ron House stated that this was only a budgetary measure and that the intention was to bring these people back.  Months have gone by.  His interim status has changed to permanent.  Some, who have allowed themselves to acquiesce to the new regime, have been promoted to vice presidencies and deanships.  The new regime includes meeker faculty (grateful to have been called back or no longer trusting their tenure) and part time teachers attempting to fill the shoes of long time staff who are putting houses on the market, seeking jobs out of state, starting over in their 50s and those leaving higher education all together.  ...Sorry!  We will return to this subject many times.  It's just important to remind ourselves as the new year starts, that everything is not OK for everybody.  ...On to today's subject:  enrollment counts. 

In the next month, JALC will be reporting Spring 2017 enrollment.  Before that happens, let's review the gibberish that was given the Southern Illinoisan on September 11, 2016, regarding this Fall's enrollment.  Seriously.  Follow the link to see what was provided to the Southern.  The press, public and governing boards are always interested in one thing, each term.  Is enrollment up or down?  The only way to determine this is to compare a given term to the same term of the preceding year or years.  Comparisons must be exact.  Apples to apples.  Inexact, or changing, methods, lead to errors, mistrust and accusations. 

Director of Institutional Research, Eric Pulley, reported to the Board of Trustees, August 30, that Fall 2016 enrollment was up 16.3% (552 students) over Fall 2015.  This includes, for Fall 2016, 3,948 credit seeking students.  For Fall 2015, it includes 3,921 credit seeking students minus a made up number of 784 plus a made up number of 259, for a total of 3,396.  The 3,396 was subtracted from 3,948 to come up with a supposed increase of 552 (or 16.3%). 

Confused?  You should be.  This is an attempt to compare apples to oranges.

JALC apparently did not conduct a purge Fall 2015.  However, to arrive at these numbers, they claim to have taken an average percentage of registrations that are usually purged, arrived at a number (759) and subtracted it from the original 3,921.  They then added back an estimated number of people they thought would have re-registered if they'd been registered in the first place, got purged and then decided they really wanted to come.  This number was 259.  So, 3921 - 784 + 259 = 3396.  This is the number they subtracted from 3,948 to get their 552 student increase.  ...The problem is two fold.  First, they literally made up numbers for Fall 2015 and, second, they failed to subtract real people from the Fall 2016 count that they subtracted by guestimate from the Fall 2015 count. 

This makes a difference two ways.  The lower 2015 numbers appear to be, the better 2016 enrollment will look.  Failing to subtract the purged 2016 students inflates the 2016 number and, again, makes Fall 2016 enrollment look better. 

This may not be nefarious, but it also fails to give the Board, ICCB, the press or the public an accurate picture of the College's enrollment.  Changing procedures makes comparisons difficult.  Deciding not to conduct a traditional procedure, such as the purge, will make longitudinal studies impossible. The institution should accurately report the results, take the one time PR hit that the lower numbers would cause and move on.  Headcounts should be made at the same time, in the same manner, each year, comparing like terms (fall to fall; and spring to spring, not fall to spring).  Some of the confusion may be due to unfamiliarity with new reporting tools.  The term 'Higher Reach students' is used in both the information given to the Southern, and in the report given to the BOT on August 30.  This seems not to be a class of students, but, we suspect, Jenzebar student information system vocabulary. 

Let's review the numbers and then compare apples to apples and see what we get.  We've made a chart, below.  Using Mr. Pulley's numbers to subtract the non-credit courses from each year, we agree with his counts of credit seeking students enrolled in advance of the purge (3948 - 3921 = 27, an increase of 0.7%).  Then we diverge.

The Southern quotes Matt Berry, of the Illinois Community College Board as saying, " The fall enrollment reporting will include everyone who is enrolled in credit bearing courses...  If a CPR course leads to a certification and provides college credit, the student would be counted in fall numbers.  If the purge occurred before data was reported, but within the reporting time frame and the student was no longer enrolled due to the purge they would not be counted in the enrollment numbers as they are no longer enrolled at the college."  We interpret this to mean that if a student was enrolled Fall 2015, at the time of the count, they should be included.  If there was no purge that year, they were enrolled and should be counted.  Conversely, we interpret it to mean if students were purged, as 249 were in Fall 2016, they may not be included.  For Fall 2016, 3,948 were registered.  Those students minus the 249 purged leaves 3,699 enrolled for Fall 2016.  That 3699 - 3921 registered for Fall 2015 is -222, a loss of 5.7% from the previous year. 

If we use the guestimates for Fall 2015, giving us the 3,396 number, we must subtract the purge for Fall 2016.  Again, that's 3,699.  The difference, 3699 - 3396 = 303, an increase of 8.9% over Fall 2015.  Respectable, but not the 16.3% increase. 

So, there it is.  They are down 222, or up 303, but they are not up 552.  That, even by their methods, would be apples and oranges. 

		Fall 2015		Fall 2016		diff.		% diff.
Credit and non credit enrollment		4313		4406		93		2.2%
Non credit (Continuing Ed and Center for Business and Industry		392		458		66		16.8%
Headcount of enrolled credit seeking students prior to purge		3921		3948		27		0.7%
Number of students purged		0		249		249
Actual headcount, after purge		3921		3699		-222		-5.7%
Guestimated FL 15 purge		784		249		-535		-68.2%
Headcount, after guestimated '15 purge		3137		3699		562		17.9%
Guestimated returned after purge		259		0		-259
Headcount, after guestimated '15 purge plus returnees		3396		3699		303		8.9%