November Board Meeting Highlights

The Board of Trustees gathered for their November 18th meeting in the President’s Dining Room inside of the McAtee Dining Center on the Ark City Main Campus. Trustee Stanley provided the invocation, and Chair Bazil recited the College Mission Statement.

Under Awards and Reports, Cowley President Dr. Michelle Schoon spoke regarding Cowley College hosting a five- person peer review team from the Higher Learning Commission as part of our ten-year accreditation cycle, the 92nd Arkalalah Celebration, and Cowley hosting a career exploration on the Sumner campus for 120 Freshman students, along with Wellington High School faculty and staff.

Schoon then congratulated the Cowley fall athletic teams for all advancing to the National Championships.

In addition, Schoon gave an update on Enrollment Management sharing that spring enrollment has started and is trending up from last spring.

In light of the recent successful opening of the new Tyler Technical Education Center, President Schoon and the Board recognized Vice President of Finance and Administration, Holly Harper, and Cosmetology Program Director, Delayne Dale for their hard work and dedication to seeing the project through to completion. 

Dr. Schoon then introduced the November Student of the Month Kelley Lowe. Lowe expressed appreciation for her instructors who have helped her reach her goals. 

Under Administrative Reports, The Tiger Learning Center (TLC)  had 237 unique visits for Study Hall,Independent Study, and tutor assistance in October. The Golden Tigers program has a record 281 enrolled participants this semester.For the second time in school history all five Cowley fall athletic teams won regional championships. This success comes on the heels of the very same feat accomplished during the 2023-2024 fall sports season. Fall sports include men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s soccer, and volleyball.

Under Public Comments, Mickey Schmith of  The 40 Friday Club, shared an overview of the community youth program and how the College can help support the initiative.

Under Standing Committee Reports, Trustee Gary Wilson provided a recap of the November 11th, 2024, Trustee Finance Subcommittee meeting, where members discussed vehicle fleet management.

Chairman Brett Bazil provided a recap of the November 14th, 2024, Trustee Policy Subcommittee, Where policy 103.00 – Board of Control (Review), 105.00 – Board Policy Approval (Review), 108.00 – Service Area Councils (Revision), and 171.00 – Open Records (New) were presented for a first reading. Formal approval will be requested at the December Board meeting.

The Board moved to approve the Consent Agenda, including the Minutes of the October 21st, 2024, regular meeting, Financial Reports, Bills, and Claims, Personnel Transactions, Board Policy 135.00 – Soliciting by Vendors and Agents (Revision), 168.00 – Debt Management (New), 169.00 – Investments (New), and 470.00 – Equal Opportunity (Revision) was approved by a vote of 8-0.

With no other business to discuss, Chair Bazil declared the meeting adjourned at 6:33 pm.

For more details, see the agenda or visit https://cowley.edu/about/administration/board/index.html.

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