Deans’ Council Members & Guests

Present: Jennifer Batten, Brian Beecher, Valerie Butterfield, Laurie Chesley, Dan Clark, John Cowles, Bill Faber, Domingo Hernandez-Gomez, Tina Hoxie, Ann Isackson, Vicki Janowiak, Christopher Johnston, Sheila Jones, Amy Koning, Donna Kragt, Pam Miller, Eric Mullen, Julie Parks, Bill Pink, Mike Vargo, & Diane Smith

Guest(s): Nate Hamilton

APPROVALS:

●October 13thDeans’ Council Headlines

INCLEMENT WEATHER PROCEDURES:

GRCC’s Emergency Closing Procedures for 2016-17 was presented by Vicki for discussion/feedback. The Oversight team hadalso met prior to Deans’ Council and reviewed the procedures. A brief overview was given on the process of how a school closing decision is made.

Decision considerations:

  • The condition of primary and secondary roads in the area as reported by local police and county state resources.
  • The ability of GRCC Facilities staff and contractors to clear parking facilities and keep campus sidewalks and entrances cleared to allow safe travel and access to buildings.
  • Weather reports regarding the track and length of winter storms.
  • The closing of area colleges and school campuses because of inclement weather.

RESULTS OF DISCUSSION REGARDING BELONGING:

The topic of Belonging was discussed. Everyone shared what their department is doing among staff and students to make GRCC a more welcoming place where people feel a sense of belonging.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR DEANS’ COUNCIL:

A subgroup of Deans’ Council met together on the topic of a Sense of Belonging so we can move to broader conversations on this subject (John, Laurie, Bill, Julie, Valerie, Sheila, Tina). Outcome: We will do a program with Thought Design in Rockford (1/2 day activity) in late November. We will focus around identifying some of our common thoughts and behaviors and cognitive advocacies we have. It will includemaking a lunch together and a fun team building exercise.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

  • Vicki: The Preschool is coming along beautifully and on track for completion. Might stage an activity in December between the new and old location and will move in December. There will be an opportunity to tour the Preschool in January.
  • Domingo: He was very pleased with the number of students who showed up last night at the Diversity Lecture Series. He also had 2nd group of cohort challenge scholar students from Union for M-TEC with a guest speaker which went very well.