The South Plains College Board of Regents met Thursday to discuss and make any necessary actions that needed approval. Vice President of Student Affairs, Stanley DeMerritt updated the board with a 2022 Fall Census Enrollment Figures and Housing Occupancy reports.
The official head count report covering a 16-week period focusing on the first eight weeks has the total unduplicated head count down 3.8 percent from last year to now. Sitting at 8,574 for this current semester compared to 8,912 last year, the college has seen a steady decrease. A graph was included in the presentation that visually shows a slight decline since 2013 for fall semester enrollment. Dr. DeMerritt explained that the trending dip in students is something that community colleges and other institutions are having to face now. “This comes with the perception and evaluation of higher education related costs and additional factors folks are trying to sort out,” explained DeMerritt. “We do feel like we are doing well compared to others if anyone has watched the news or listening to where things are at. Some institutions are still down five percent or more.” In relationship with head count, the contact hours of the students follow the downward trend. The difference from the current and last year is 9.8 percent. Housing on campus in Levelland, the fall occupancy is sitting at 89.2 percent compared to 81.4 percent for 2021. Prior to Covid-19, DeMerritt says the college is trending in a positive direction as the fall housing rate was at 90.6 percent. Additionally, Dr. DeMerritt is seeing more balance between the men’s and women’s housing rates compared to last year. During the fall of 2021, the men’s housing units reached 74.1 percent while the women’s units were much greater with 91.2 percent.
The decline of women being housed in the dorm is not detrimental to the college according to DeMerritt, but he is pleased to see more balance among those numbers.
Under the Texas Education Code, the institution or SPC in this situation is required to report any violations regarding sexual and gender-based misconduct at least annually for an academic year.
Dr. DeMerritt presented the 2021-2022 Academic Year that spanned from June 1 through August 31. There was one Title IX report, and it was labeled confidential.
For the 2021 Crime Statistics Report, the Levelland campus has one dating violence report that was at a student housing facility.
For the Arrests and Disciplinary Referral Reporting, the Levelland campus had two disciplinary referrals for weapons, carrying, possessing, etc. There were four arrests for drug abuse violations that took place at student housing facilities. There were 27 disciplinary referrals for drug abuse violations with all on campus property and 20 of them on student housing facilities.
Arrests for liquor law violations on the Levelland campus totaled 24 with all of them being on student housing facilities. Disciplinary referrals for liquor law violations totaled 28 with 25 of those referrals being on student housing.
The college recently received their Cohort Default Rate for the 2019 fiscal year from the U.S. Department of Education. The rate has been set at 3.6 percent, which DeMerritt says is significantly low based on loan deferments. DeMerritt says the rate being so low is not a surprise based on presidential actions.
“They’re not surprised, and we shouldn’t be surprised, but I think we are doing the best we can at this point,” explained Dr. DeMerritt. Discussion and future plans for the driving school continued with Vice President of Academic Affairs, Ryan Gibbs. Dr. Gibbs presented a grant opportunity that South Plains College Workforce Development had looked into by the United States Department of Commerce that is called the EDA Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance grant.
The submission of a proposal would be used to fund the relocation of the SPC Professional Truck Driving School from its current location at the Reese Center campus to a designated location within the Levelland Rail Park. The project total is estimated at roughly $2.5 million with $2 million being dedicated to the training platform section which includes concrete, dirt work and utilities. $486,685 would be dedicated to a multi-classroom, stand-alone, modular building.
The amount provided by the grant covers 80 percent of the project total while a Levelland Economic Development Committee land donation of $274,500 and a cash donation of $121,000 help cover the remaining costs. Additionally, the college will be implementing a $112,059 cash contribution. Dr. Gibbs explained that SPC Workforce Development needed the approval of the board to make the cash donation.
The grant would allow the college to use the funds for construction compared to most grants that won’t allow funds to be used that way. Dr. Gibbs feels cautiously optimistic with their chances for applying for the grant. He also added that the numbers presented are accurate as can be with prices constantly fluctuating.
President of South Plains College Robin Satterwhite also added that the portion of money the college will be spending is only if the college is awarded the grant. If that is not the case, even with the approval of the board, the money will not be spent. “We are very grateful to the LEDC and feel very blessed that they stepped up having noticed and recognized the value of this school being in Levelland,” said Gibbs. “We feel like the school will be a great addition to the Rail Park especially the companies such as Allied, Titan and Pate who are constantly in need in drivers from what I am told.”
The board unanimously approved the cash contribution if the college receives the grant opportunity. Vice President of Business Affairs Teresa Green broke down the month of September for tax collection. Total collections equaled $10 million. For uncollected taxes, the current tax amount was listed at $179,088.58 while delinquent taxes are$338,310.88.
For unrestricted funds, operating venues totaled $15.4 million between all campuses. Operating expenses tallied $5.4 million with operating losses at $10 million. The increase in net position sat at $12.3 million. For total investments, the beginning market value sits at $38.1 million, and the ending market value totaled $36.6 million.
Vice President for Institutional Advancement Julie Gerstenberger announced the two distinguished alumnus for South Plains College. The board approved of both candidates to receive the honor. The SPC Scholarship Banquet and Distinguished Alumni Celebration will take place November 3. The board recognized and commendedStephanieLynnSmith posthumously for her professional achievements. Additionally, Kevin Dane willberecognizedandcommended for his professional achievements. Dane will also serve as a guest keynote speaker during the event.
President Satterwhite gave his regular presidents report to wrap up the meeting. Satterwhite began with a construction update of the downtown center located in Lubbock. Minor work is still on-going throughout the building, but the college is operating fully. Parking was one of the main issues the board has been curious about. President Satterwhite offered an option of tearing down a building located on the east side of the property. Per the contract, Satterwhite explained that the operation wouldn’t need to send bids out.
After discussions with the current construction budget, the amount of money to keep the building up to code and workable would take a considerable amount of money.
Satterwhite explained that he nor anyone else really has a plan for the building. Various ideas tossed around in discussions were concrete or mission essential.
President Satterwhite offered a proposal for the demolition of the building and addition of asphalt parking for a total of $256,601.
The downtown center currently is sharing parking spaces with a Prosperity Bank branch located next to the facility. President Satterwhite and Dr. Gibbs added that the bank has requested close to 40 parking spaces for their needs.
The addition of the new parking space would account would roughly cover those 40 lost spots.
After discussion with the board members, the consensus is tearing down the building and making the parking is a better option.
All members unanimously agreed to move ahead with the building tear down and asphalt the area.