FSCC board to review student support services plan

FORT SCOTT, Kan. -- The Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees is expected to receive an update Monday on a FSCC program that helps eligible students while attending college.

During their regular meeting at 5:30 p.m., Monday, in the FSCC Heritage Room, 2108 S. Horton St., trustees are scheduled to hear from Steve Kramer, the director of the federally-funded Student Support Services program at FSCC, a program that works to help students succeed in college.

The program, which is funded by the United States Department of Education, helps students who face financial challenges, who have learning disabilities, or whose parents have not attended college. The program also helps eligible FSCC students complete difficult college courses through the use of tutors and supplemental instruction, and can help ease a student's transition to a four-year college. A limited amount of grant aid is also available to participants through the program, officials said.

The program provides tutors, counselors, advisors and faculty to help students set educational and career goals, improve study skills, build healthy relationships, and learn to live on a budget. The program also provides other services to help students through their education at FSCC. Students in the program also periodically participate in community activities and cultural events such as theater productions and museum visits.

To be eligible for the program, students must be U.S. citizens with plans to transfer to four-year universities. Students must also fit into at least one of three criteria; first-generation students whose parents didn't attend college, low-income students, or students with disabilities.

Some students who participate in individual or group tutoring sessions that the program provides often later become paid peer tutors who help fellow students with courses they had trouble with in college. Students also get assistance from FSCC staff in determining which four-year college is best suited for them.

The FSCC program was instituted in 1998. Student Support Services is a TRIO program -- a U.S. government outreach program for disadvantaged students -- that is funded entirely by the U.S. Department of Education.

Trustees are also scheduled to conduct the following business:

* Consider approval of various separations, including Judy Collins, the associate dean of the FSCC Pittsburg campus, Kathleen McCurley, the administrative assistant to the president, Patty Luna, a recruiter and office manager for the FSCC High School Equivalency Program (HEP), and Katie Doherty, a recruiter for HEP.

* Consider approval of a one-year lease agreement between FSCC and the City of Dodge City for a Kansas Migrant Education Program office to be located in Dodge City.

* Consider approval of a resolution to refinance dormitory system revenue bonds that were issued in 2001 for the purpose of paying for the construction of Boileau Hall.

* Consider approval of the resignation of a board member whose name is not listed in the board meeting agenda.

* Hear reports on other various FSCC programs and services, including financial aid, food service, and the bookstore.