The South Plains College Board of Regents held their monthly meeting Thursday during which covered a handful of updates.
For Student Affairs, Vice President Stanley DeMerritt explained that census numbers showed the student population is 8,870 across all campuses, online, dual credit, etc. That is a 3.5% increase compared to last year at this time with 8.574.
DeMerritt also touched on the high numbers coming from the dual credit numbers compared to last year. Currently, the college has seen 2,731 enrolled in dual credit which is 608 students or a 28.6% increase from last year.
In regard to Fall occupancy numbers, the college Students who are physically on campus have reached a new high, as the rate is sitting around 93.4%, a number that has not been seen since 2016 and prior.
Renovations of certain dorms is on hold due to the high numbers of occupancy, but it is more than likely those renovations will be conducted in the Spring semester as DeMerritt explained that numbers always fall in the Spring.
Vice President for Academic Affairs Ryan Gibbs informed the board that The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission On Colleges, or SACSCOC would be present earlier this week.
SACSCOC is an accreditation group for Colleges across the southern United States. The purpose of the group attending the campuses it to conduct an indepth review of a college and all its various aspects once every 10 years to provide accreditation.
Gibbs informed the board that group was scheduled to arrive on this past Sunday, and begin their tour of the facilities SPC has to offer including the Plainview, Lubbock and Reece Locations.
They also intended to meet with various staff and faculty, as well as evaluating the College’s Quality Enhancement Project (QEP). A QEP is required for this particular review, and is focused on increasing the quality of some aspect the college provides to its students. SPC has chosen to focus their QEP this year on expanding their Writing Center, and opening its services up to any and all SPC students.
Moving on to an additional item, Gibbs informed the board of the Health Sciences credentialing exam passage rates, which are as follows: The PTA program had a 100% passage rate on their certification exams; The LVN program which includes Levelland, Reese and Plainview had a 100% passage rate on their exams; The Radiologic Technology program had an 88% passage rate on their certification exams; The Respitory Therapy program had an 85% passage rate on their certification exams; and The EMT program had an 83% passage rate on their certification exams.
Vice President for Business Affairs Teresa Green gave a brief update which consisted of total collections for property tax at roughly $10.78 million with a 98.22% current collection rate.
Financially, Green explained to the board that they are close to where they were at last year at this current time and are sitting in a good position.
Vice President for Institutional Advancement Julie Gerstenberger updated the board regarding the SPC Foundation.
She explained to the group that brought in $523,300 in new endowments, bringing the total assets they control to more than $30 Million dollars, an increase of 6.5%.
The Foundation reached another goal in terms of reaching their goal of having 21 directors. The foundation was able to bring in Christy Hartin with KCBD, Cory Newsom with City Bank, and Dallas Pena with Allied Oilfield.
Moving to SPC President Robin Satterwhite’s update to conclude the meeting, the update covered construction, legislation, Hockley County Appraisal District nominations and alumni recommendations.
The outdoor fitness court that was approved by the board last meeting has been fully funded. Ordering of materials is underway with construction to begin shortly on that project.
A survey was also sent out to students inquiring about how to get them to utilize college facilities more regularly, and a common thread seen from the results revealed that the natatorium was first on many student’s list. Many students claimed in the survey that they would attend the natatorium more regularly if it had increased locker capacity and underwent a renovation, something the board was already looking into. More research into what that renovation will entail will be done in the coming weeks.
In terms of legislation, the college has been working quickly to accommodate students who qualify for free or reduced lunches as they would qualify for dual credit classes without charge. In turn, the college would receive a certain amount for each student who qualifies.
Seeing a significant rise in students taking dual credit classes within the college, Satterwhite is hopeful to attract more districts who are looking to find a college who is already working on their process to accommodate students in that situation.
Satterwhite applauded the hard work of the individuals who were able to get their system working as they feel they are the one of the first colleges in the state to get the ball rolling.
The board moved forward with nominating current member Ty Gregory who is already serving on the Hockley County Appraisal District Board.
Additionally, the board moved to accept three recommendations for the SPC Distinguished Alumni program. Bo Outlaw, John Stoll and Heath Wright were all approved to for the honor.