Employees 'feel good' about college

FSCC Director of Human Resources Cheryl Combs was present during the board's regular meeting to discuss results of the survey with the board. The survey was conducted in May by an employee relations committee at the college.

"There was one (survey) done within about 15 to 20 years ago, but the results were never made public," Combs said. "We thought it was a good time to do that and identify some critical areas."

The survey was done by requesting that employees fill out a survey on different aspects of the college, and then place it in one of the collection boxes that were set up on campus. Out of 150 active employees at FSCC when the survey was conducted, the committee received 68 responses, a 45 percent response rate, Combs said.

Results of the survey showed that the most positive response among all staff who completed the survey indicated that most staff "feel good" about working at FSCC. While the survey showed that many employees rated their salary poorly, many are happy with benefits and enjoy other aspects of working at the college, Combs said.

"I think it speaks strongly about the quality of our employees ... that it's not all about money," she said.

Other areas for improvement at FSCC that the survey indicated include improved workplaces, facilities and work environments.

Combs said the committee plans to use the same survey each year, with the possibility of adding new questions each year if necessary. Committee members are currently dissecting the results of the survey and trying to create a plan of action to address them. The survey will also be open to any comments and suggestions from the board, Combs said.

In other business Monday, the board:

* Approved a Red Flag policy to become part of the board's administrative policy manual. The Federal Trade Commission, the federal bank regulatory agencies, and the National Credit Union Administration have issued regulations requiring financial institutions and creditors to develop and implement written identity theft prevention programs as part of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003. The programs, which would provide for the identification, detection, and response to patterns, practices, or specific activities -- called "red flags" -- that could indicate identity theft, must be in place by Nov. 1. A committee consisting of representatives of various departments at the college developed the policy.

* Approved a Member Participation Agreement with Kansas Joint Utilities Management Program, a state consortium of 135 school districts and community colleges, to use Seminole Energy Services as the college's natural gas provider for the main campus. Joining the KJUMP group will result in a savings of about $3,000 per year for FSCC, according to FSCC President Clayton Tatro. FSCC's current contract with Seminole Energy Services will be replaced by the consortium agreement.

* Approved the addition of a masonry certificate program at FSCC. As part of a Community-Based Job Training Grant, FSCC has developed a Masonry curriculum for the 2-year, 30-credit hour associate certificate program that will function separately from the current Construction Trades Program. The board must also gain approval from the Kansas Board of Regents and the U.S. Department of Education.

* Heard a report on revenue generated by department at FSCC during the 2008-09 school year.

* Heard a grounds report from FSCC Maintenance Director Steve Stanton, who discussed mowing, roads and parking lots, trees and landscaping, and damage from storms that occurred earlier this year at the college.

* Approved the September treasurer's report which showed a $1.8 million starting cash balance, $5.3 million in expenses, about $6 million in revenue and a $2.5 million ending cash balance.

* Approved the $13,065 total cost to pay men's and women's basketball officials for the 2009-10 season.

* Hired Lynette Murphy as a full-time financial aid assistant and Randi Ryan as a part-time financial aid assistant.

* Heard a regular report from Tatro and also conducted an executive session to discuss personnel.