March Board Meeting Highlights

The Cowley College Board of Trustees gathered for their March 16th meeting at 6:00 p.m. in the President’s Dining Room inside the McAtee Dining Center on the Ark City Main Campus. Trustee Stanley Cochran provided the invocation, and Chair Dr. Alan Marcotte recited the College Mission Statement.

Under Awards and Reports, Cowley President Dr. Michelle Schoon shared that the Quiz Bowl team placed 8th in the Nation at the NAQT community college championship. Cowley hosted the JAG-K Region 4 conference with over 200 students in attendance, and hosted the Spring Job and Transfer fair.

In addition, Schoon honored Trustee McGregor as the Board of Trustees outgoing chairmen with a plaque, and introduced the March Student of the Month, Nathan Curran.

Government Affairs Liaison Jessica Lucas provided a legislative update. 

Under Administrative Reports, ACES hosted the annual food packaging event this month where volunteers packaged 20,000 meals that will be distributed through Cowley County food pantries and blessing boxes. Cowley College wrestling program achieved its highest-ever national finish, placing seventh at the NJCAA Division 1 Men’s Wrestling Championships. The Cowley College women’s track and field team placed ninth at the NJCAA Indoor National Track and Field Championships.

No Public Comment.

Under Standing Committee Reports, Trustee Joe Shriver  provided a recap of the March 9th, 2026 Trustee Finance Subcommittee meeting, where members discussed 2026-2027 Tuition, Fees, and Housing Rates and Procurement of 20 replacement Automated External Defibrillator (AED) units and 10 new AED units across Cowley College campus locations (Capital Outlay Funds). Administration and the Finance Subcommittee requested approval to purchase the AED Units from First Responders KS for a total of $49,890 (approved 7-0). Tuition, Fees, and Housing Rates for 2026 were presented to the board with a recommendation to delay approval and hold a special meeting after the state budget is passed (approved 7-0).

Trustee Stan Cochran provided a recap of the March 10th, 2026 Trustee Academic Subcommittee meeting, where members discussed Business & Social Science course procedure edits, new course approval – CRJ 5425 Student Patrol Practicum I (approved 7-0), and Academic Affairs updates.

Chair Gary Wilson provided a recap of the March 12th, 2026 Trustee Policy Subcommittee meeting, where members reviewed policies 300.00 – At-Will Employment (revised), 306.00 – Personnel Classification & Employment Status (revised), 416.00 – Veteran Affairs (review only), and 417.00 – Academic Advising System (revised), which were presented for a first review. Final approval will be requested at the April meeting.

The Board approved the Consent Agenda, including the Minutes from the February 16th, 2026 regular meeting, Financial Reports, Bills and Claims, Personnel Transactions, and Board Policy Approval of 152.00 - Insurance: Property & Liability (revised), and 157.00 – Student Account Bad Debt Write-off (revised), by a vote of 7-0.

Under Discussion Agenda, Executive Vice President of Finance and Administration, Holly Harper, provided an insurance update in reference to the damage caused by the summer hail storm.

With no other business to discuss, Chair Marcotte declared the meeting adjourned at 6:36 pm.

For more details, see the agenda.

Hunter Ferguson | Integrated Communications Specialist
Cowley College
125 S. 2nd Street
Arkansas City, KS 67005
hunter.ferguson@cowley.edu