Did I Miss Anything?: Money, Politics, and Aviation

It seems that Parkland College has been in the news quite a bit over the past two weeks. First, the state released $24.6MM in capital funds (actually, it was $22.6MM as we have received $2MM a few months back) toward the construction of the Applied Technology Center and the Student Services Center.

As you likely know already, these two structures have been in the works for decades, working their way up the list of state-supported projects for many years, and then just as they made it to the top of the list, no capital projects were approved for another twelve years.

The result is that we are now able to begin looking at projects that were included in Phase III of our 2007 plan; Art and Theater expansions, biology lab renovations, and a handful of smaller but still significant other projects.

Staging and ordering the construction projects (who and what needs to be where and when so as not to conflict, diminish services, or interfere with our daily operations and class schedules) is no small task.

On the heels of this good news came a visit from Lt. Governor Sheila Simon. She visited Parkland College to learn how changes in freshmen orientation (First Year Experience) and academic support (Center for Academic Success) help more of our students earn degrees and certificates.

Deans Marietta Turner and Pam Lau showcased our completion and retention initiative, First Year Experience (FYE), an “intrusive” and centralized advising program which interacts with first-time, degree-seeking students from the time they submit an application throughout their first year at Parkland.

Simon announced earlier this year that Illinois leaders want to increase the proportion of working-age adults with college degrees or certificates to 60 percent, from 41 percent, by 2025. As the Governor’s point person on education reform, she is touring the state’s 48 community colleges to see completion efforts at each campus, while also compiling ideas to overcome barriers to the state goal.

As part of FYE, students are required to attend an on-campus orientation prior to the start of school and are encouraged to access websites and how-to videos for additional information about financial aid, academic advising and placement tests. The students continue to receive developmental guidance, including mandatory pre-registration meetings with an academic advisor, until they earn 30 credit hours.

The Lt. Governor spent much of her tour in the Center for Academic Success, hearing about our very positive results since its unveiling five years ago.

Students who visit the CAS five times or more pass developmental math classes at a consistently higher rate than those who did not use the center. In spring 2011, the average pass rate for students in Math 094 was 46 percent. For students visiting the CAS five or more times, the pass rate was 82 percent.

The visit concluded across the hall in the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, where an number of faculty, staff, and administrators showcased initiatives, programs, and services that assist students throughout their college careers, from dual credit to business and industry partnerships, to name a very few.

My thanks to each of you that participated in, set-up, or planned the event. It was a wonderful showcase of the work that happens here everyday.

Finally, today was a little bit unusual in terms of media attention. You may have noticed that the News Gazette headline today featured a story about potential Parkland interest in the Institute for Aviation at UIUC.

Tomorrow, the University Trustees are scheduled to consider the closure of the 65 year-old Institute. One of the potential outcomes of this action may lead to a role for Parkland College.

Across the country, there are many community colleges that operate flight schools (leading to both private pilot and commercial pilot licenses) as well as related programs in aviation maintenance, airport operations, and the like.

My point is that there are community college models to guide consideration.

If (and I stress the word “if”) the U of I Trustees vote to close the institute, and if the University decides to engage us in the conversation, we are ready to listen and evaluate the opportunity.

Our intention would be to evaluate this program(s) as we do any other – assessing the enrollment potential, the job market, and financial viability.

Of course, my postings inevitably contain construction picture and progress reports, so this one won’t be any different.

You can get a live look at both the Applied Technology Center and Fitness Center construction sites at anytime (even on your smart phone) by going to http://livecams.parkland.edu.

Construction Update – July 2011

Applied Technology Center (ATC) – This new construction is approximately 64,000 SF and is being partially funded by the State of Illinois through the Capital Development Board. The facility will house the comprehensive Automotive Programs, Ford Asset, Collision Repair, Industrial Technology, and Welding. Precast concrete walls have been erected, and structural steel and metal insulated roof decking are currently being installed. The Geothermal wells have been bored, electrical conduit for the main electrical feeds are being trenched in, and site work grading is continuing. The intent is to have the facility ready for classes in fall 2012.

Looking Southwest

Steel Erection East Side Entryway

Geothermal Well Drilling

Electrical Transformer Pad and Conduit

Wing Remodeling –Work on the X Wing 2nd and 3rd floors is continuing with carpet installation and woodwork remodeling.

2nd Floor X Wing Study Area

2nd Floor X Wing demolition

Master Plan Phase II

Student Services Center – This project is approximately 96,000 SF of new space that will house all student service functions, including additional student lounge and food service space. Architects Perkins and Will are currently working on Construction Plans and Documents, which should be completed by late summer. The project should be released for bids in the early fall. Construction should begin in late fall pending Board approval. The intent is to have the facility completed in fall of 2013 or spring of 2014.

Fitness Center – This project is an addition to the existing Dodds Athletic Center. The completion of this project would give the College a new "state of the art" athletic facility with space for Kinesiology, dance and aerobics, strength training, an indoor walking track, new locker rooms and team rooms, and coach’s offices. Included in this project would be the remodeling of the lower level of the gymnasium. The first phase of construction has started with the demolition and reconstruction of the locker rooms and site work for the new addition. Completion of the project is scheduled for August of 2012.

Shower room reconstruction

Site work, looking south

PHS Drainage Improvements Phase XII - Phase XII of the Campus Drainage Improvements is focused on the areas adjacent to the Tony Noel Agricultural Technology Center and the new Applied Technology Center. The existing parking lot will be reconstructed and enlarged, resulting in improved storm water drainage, additional walkways and adding 100 parking spaces. On the west side of the Tony Noel facility, storm water drainage will be improved and concrete access pads will be installed. The project is currently on schedule to open the second week of August.