Board OKs spending on software, roofing

Spending money on new recruitment software, new roofing and the unsurprising announcement of an unopposed election victor highlighted the March TCC board of trustees meeting.

Every month, the TCC board of trustees meets to go over the important events that have occurred in relation to TCC and its board members. The yearly budget is tracked and looked at for the month and there is time given to offer an open discussion for faculty to pitch proposals regarding any funding or time needing to be spent toward any item of their choosing.

While not being the biggest amount of money spent, there was an approval by the board for the college to purchase a new software module to replace the current Active Apply program which is used to allow students to gain admission into TCC.

There was a proposal for purchase of Ellucian CRM (Constituent Relationship Management) Recruit software module for $255,492. Even if the price is smaller than other costs, it may provide the largest, long-standing impact on the college.

“This is a software module that is replacing Active Apply, [which has] gone to end of life and is no longer supported either by us or by the vendor itself,” chief technology officer Bob Pacheco said. “This is going to give us the capability to do that. In addition, it’s got CRM capabilities for our students that we will also further [develop] this year.”

Although there was little detail given during the board meeting itself, a quick look at the Ellucian company website shows the possibilities of the software approved for purchase. The software should give TCC the opportunity to increase enrollment while also streamlining the process and allowing for the modernization of applying to the college.

There were also two proposals for charges related to roofing on both South and SE campus. The board approved $392,595 for repairs.

“This is for restoration of our library building on the South campus, which is in dire need of restoration,” real estate and facilities vice chancellor Nina Petty said.

The other roofing cost was a tad bit higher of a price as $1.1 million was approved. This time the price was higher due to not being only a restoration but a brand-new roof for the C and D wing building on SE campus.

“The metal roofing systems have a service life of about 25 years, so we’re ready,” Petty said.

On May 4, there was an election scheduled to occur in order to choose a new representative for the single member district number six. However, during the board meeting, there was a proposal to cancel the election because the candidate was running unopposed.

“Gwendolyn Morrison, being the unopposed candidate for single member district number six is hereby declared elected to that office,” attorney Tom Carr said.

Morrison has been on the board since 1976, and the most recent results will allow her for another six-year term.

The next board of trustees meeting will be April 18.