Does the College need to be everything to all residents, or should it specialize in a few select areas? It seems that people are concerned the College meets the needs of all ages, all ethnicities, all interests.

The MAP session on April 21st focuses on how MCC can better understand and respond to local educational, social, cultural and economic needs.

The MCC mission statement is as follows:

At McHenry County College, we value learning, and we put the interests of our students and community first. By providing high quality, affordable and accessible learning opportunities, we enable students to meet their educational, career and personal goals. By sharing our knowledge and resources, we support our community's educational, social, cultural and economic vitality.

According to its mission, the College does try to serve the entire community, whether through degree programs, non-credit courses, events or facilities/services.

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How does the College get its market data on courses wanted/needed?

MCC gathers data through a variety of methods, including its Office of Institutional Research. The identification of courses wanted/needed comes from the following sources:

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How do we make MCC a destination for non-students? Any plans for a performing arts center in the future?

The nature of a community college environment as a public institution allows both students and non-students to come and go regularly. However, MCC offers a variety of intimate and advanced resources, including computer labs, public library, fitness center, cafeteria and Black Box Theatre. Many of these resources, including the fitness center, cafeteria and Black Box Theatre do encourage more regular visits to campus by non-student community members. The College also offers public gathering areas.

The College has a strong performing arts program, including concert series and plays. The Conference Center and Black Box Theatre currently house these programs. In addition, the Conference Center does offer programming and events on current topics and is available for use by other groups outside of the College.

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As trends change, how does MCC go through the process of closing down obsolete course offerings and programs so limited resources are available for emerging programs?

All courses go through an extensive Program Review – a comprehensive process that MCC conducts with oversight from the Curriculum and Academic Policy Council and in cooperation with Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) and Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE).

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Why are students from 22-55 declining in number? What’s the relationship between the shift in demographics and the decline in credit hours for the 22-55 age groups?

Adult enrollment in community college programs tends to change with an inverse relationship to the current economy. As the economy grows or improves, these rates decline as a result of more job opportunities in the workforce. In contrast, as the economy declines, adults tend to return to college in search of new opportunities. Recently, we have seen a slight increase again in this age group (including returning adults). This is believed to be due, in good part, to the current economic climate, the unemployment rate and people’s change in careers.

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Given the potential increase in the 18-22 year old demographic, how does the College plan to address the changing shift in college age demographic and maintain involvement with older populations?

MCC is here to serve all of our students, as seen in the College mission statement: At McHenry County College, we value learning, and we put the interests of our students and community first. By providing high quality, affordable and accessible learning opportunities, we enable students to meet their educational, career and personal goals. By sharing our knowledge and resources, we support our community's educational, social, cultural and economic vitality.

MCC offers a variety of course formats, specifically designed to fit students’ needs and learning styles. These formats include: traditional classroom, distance education, telecourses, learning communities and offsite events.

Whether 18 or 55, MCC students have individual goals while they are enrolled. The College’s many departments, including Student Services, Counseling, Advising, and Career Services, work with individual students to plan a course of action allowing them to attain their personal goals. Today’s students demand a higher level of technology and flexibility. As a result, MCC has invested in providing a wider array of programs.

Currently, we are working to identify what groups of students may be interested in which programs. This will allow us to better communicate about the specific program(s) in which these groups are interested.

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What is MCC doing to maintain adequate broadband capacity? Are you working with District 300, which is trying to bring access up Randall Road from the toll way?

The College is constantly exploring ways to increase its broadband capabilities, including the development of procedures on the use/access of multimedia (videos, podcasts, etc.) by students and employees while on campus.

MCC is also part of the IL Century Network – a statewide consortium focused on providing high speed access to data, video and audio communication in schools and colleges.

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What is the current state of "smart classroom" technologies at MCC? And where is it headed?

Currently, all classrooms at MCC are smart classrooms, offering network access and integrated Audio Visual capabilities.

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How is MCC helping students who are not prepared for college work?

Every new student at MCC must go through MCC 101, an orientation course to MCC that addresses a number of relevant topics – from note taking to time and stress management. In addition, new students are required to go through placement testing in English, math and communications to ensure they are best positioned for a college career. Students needing additional assistance in upgrading their skills are initially placed in developmental skills classes in preparation for more advanced coursework. Key resources at MCC include Sage Learning Center – providing the opportunity to receive learning assistance through tutoring in a number of content areas; and the Special Needs Office – providing assistance to students with identified disabilities.

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Why won’t the College provide any written material explaining why it decided to sell land for a 1500 foot broadcast tower?

On Monday, April 28, 2008 McHenry County College completed the purchase of the Gilger property in Dorr Township, taking further steps toward ensuring the campus will remain at its current location for decades to come. MCC’s Board of Trustees voted unanimously to exercise the option to purchase the land which added 56.7 acres to the existing main campus, bringing the total land area to 169 acres. The College does not plan to build immediately on this land, however the acquisition of the property ensured that MCC continues to be accessible by Tartan Drive, and allows MCC to plan for the long-term development of its educational facilities.

On March 12, 2009, the MCC Board of Trustees agreed the approximately 3.67 acres of MCC real estate is not needed for community college purposes and it is in the best interest of the College to sell to BMB Communications Management, LLC. Even after purchasing the 3.67 acres of land from MCC, the interested company (BMB) must obtain many levels of approval to move any project forward, including approval from: FCC, FAA, City of Crystal Lake, Zoning and Planning, etc.

All related links and information about the presentation on the proposed broadcasting tower and the board packet for the special board meetings on February 18 and March 12, 2009 may be found on the 2008-2009 Board of Trustees Meeting Schedule at: www.mchenry.edu/Administration/BoardSchedule.asp

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How are you going to cooperate with the Crystal Lake Park District if the CL PD purchases the Dodge dealership property on Route 176?

This specific issue has not come to the College for consideration. However, we are always open to collaboration with local partners if there are mutual benefits.

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Why are the board meetings not available in a recorded fashion?

In 2008, the Board of Trustees asked the College administration to review the possibility of recording the audio and/or video for all board meetings. After thorough research, it was determined that the cost and resources for such an effort would be too large. The trustees agreed and made the decision not to pursue that effort.

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If state funding continues to decline, what plan does the College have to fund itself? Does this mean more property taxes?

Property tax revenue to colleges is limited to tax cap legislation of the early 1990s. State funding is the College’s third largest revenue source but has been steadily declining, dropping from 15% in FY 1998 to 8% in FY 2008. The College keeps a close eye on this trend and regularly reviews cost-containment measures.

As state funding continues to fall, the burden for funding college operations shifts from the state to the local taxpayers and students. This could mean slight increases in tuition fees from year to year or the reliance on more outside organizations utilizing college resources and facilities. However, MCC and its Board of Trustees are always sensitive to increasing tuition so as not to over-burden our students. That is why we look for other opportunities to increase efficiency dollars, such as partnerships with local businesses.

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