Special board meeting turns into impromptu Q&A

The special Board of Trustees meeting on Thursday evening turned into an impromptu Q & A session. There were only two trustees, Tarie Zimmerman, and Brad Corkhill, present along with NIC President Nick Swayne.

Without a quorum present, trustees Zimerman and Corkhill agreed to do the informal session.

Community member Caryn Shepler went up to the mic, asking if the accreditation paperwork is in good order

Swayne said in response the board is done with the document, and went through an “extensive review,” with 15 people working on writing the document itself. The document, Swayne added, should be up soon by morning the next day.

“The really good news for us is that the NWCCU folks have agreed early on to work with us on developing a response,” Swayne said. “We only get one shot.”

Swayne said the accrediting body has been very helpful in providing feedback.

The room became very quiet for a couple of minutes before an attendee went up to the mic to thank the board for her husband. Then another attendee said the board at the moment was the most functional he has seen. 

During the meeting, trustee Zimmerman thanked the faculty and staff as the college goes through this process.

“I love your devotion,” Zimmerman said. “I admire you as a community.”

“Thank you for acknowledging it,” someone said from the crowd. 

Robert Shepler, who came to the meeting with Caryn Shepler, took his turn to ask what the upcoming fall semester is looking like. 

Swayne said in response that the college is up “500 from last year.” The concerted effort began in August with a strategic recruiting effort never done in six years.

Trustees Todd Banducci, Greg McKenzie, and Mike Waggoner were absent from the meeting along with NIC attorney Art Macomber.