FORT SCOTT COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Minutes of the Board of Trustees Training October 19, 2020
PRESENT: John Bartelsmeyer, Jim Fewins, Dave Elliott, Kirk Hart, Bill Meyer, and Robert Nelson
ALSO PRESENT: Alysia Johnston, President, Juley McDaniel, Board Clerk, faculty, staff, students, and community members.
Chairman Bartelsmeyer called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm. The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIR: Chairman Bartelsmeyer thanked all who are working so diligently to minimize the COVID risk and spread on campus and in the community.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC:
Abby Humble spoke to the Board about concerns regarding how her President’s Ambassadors scholarship was applied to her student account.
Josie Allen spoke to the Board about concerns regarding how her Academic Excellence scholarship was applied to her student account.
Jorden Willard spoke to the Board about concerns regarding how scholarship funds were applied to her student account.
CONSENT AGENDA: A motion was made by Fewins, seconded by Elliott, and carried by unanimous vote to approve the consent agenda.
ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS:
A. A motion was made by Nelson, seconded by Hart, and carried by unanimous vote to approve the purchase of TRIO student laptops from Lenovo laptops for $18,800.
ITEMS FOR REVIEW:
The Board reviewed letters of appreciation/correspondence.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: A motion was made by Nelson, seconded by Meyer, and carried by unanimous vote to adjourn to executive session at 6:00 pm for 45 minutes to discuss matters relating to actions adversely or favorably affecting a person as a student, patient, or resident of a public institution, except that any such person shall have the right to a public hearing if requested by the person. At 6:45 pm, a motion was made by Meyer, seconded by Fewins, and carried by unanimous vote to return to regular session.
Chairman Bartelsmeyer read the following statement as
prepared by the Board:
Fort Scott Community College prides itself on meeting student and community needs. We certainly appreciate and respect the ability of students to assume responsibility for items impacting their education. It shows great courage to take the initiative and advocate for what students feel is right. It also presents a learning opportunity for FSCC and the student(s), which is central to the mission of Fort Scott Community College.
As we continue to strive for quality improvement, we are always willing to learn from our mistakes. It is refreshing for students to be an integral part of their education and paving the path for future students at FSCC. The Board of Trustees determined that FSCC needs to more clearly and concisely communicate to students receiving the Academic Excellence Scholarship (or other applicable scholarship) which only covers the remaining balance after
outside scholarships and the Federal PELL grant has been applied to the student account.
The following statement will be added to the scholarship section on the fortscott.edu website:
• This scholarship will pay the remaining balance of tuition and books up to the number of credit hours
on your given scholarship. External scholarships and federal financial aid are applied prior to activity or
institutional scholarships. Institutional scholarships typically do not exceed overall cost of attendance.
In addition, the Scholarship Agreement form will be modified to include:
• **External scholarships and federal financial aid are applied prior to activity or
institutional scholarships. Scholarships typically do not exceed overall cost of attendance.
After reviewing all documentation provided, the board believes that in this situation, students received conflicting communication regarding how institutional scholarships were applied. Due to the discrepancies and lack of timeliness in the email communication with students, the college will adjust the award and apply full credit based on the student’s scholarship.
FSCC believes in responsible stewardship of local taxpayer dollars, maintaining our vision of “Students first, community always,” and the mission of an affordable education to all students. FSCC has always and continues to apply external and endowment scholarships to student accounts prior to any other forms of student aid. The
adjustment of applying federal Pell monies prior to institutional scholarships was changed to ensure keeping the local mill levy as low as possible, while state and federal funding continues to decline. We appreciate all the support we receive from our students, community, employees, and all stakeholders.
REPORTS:
A. ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATES: The Board reviewed and heard reports from Miami County Campus, Gordon Parks Center, Student Services, Student Affairs and Athletics, Instruction, Finance and Operations, Development, and the President.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Trustees, a motion to adjourn was made at
7:07 p.m. by Meyer, seconded by Fewins, and carried by unanimous vote.