LCC board addresses finances, security

By Mallory Stiles
Editor in Chief

The LCC Board of Trustees met Monday, Oct. 23, and trustees voted to approve several motions outlined in the 410-page informational packet received at the door.

The meeting began with a financial statement audit presentation given by CPA Michelle Fowler of Rehmann Robson LLC, a consulting firm.

Trustee Andrew Abood asked question after question about the financial standings of LCC, referenced in the report, and what kind of additional consulting could be sought to benefit students.

“I understand we didn’t do it in this case (additional revenue consulting), but that would be something that, based off of our statement, you could advise us on, correct?” Trustee Abood asked. “Whether, in fact, we could reduce tuition and still be financially sound?”

Fowler did confirm there is an additional service that can review revenue for those purposes. The statement was accepted.

A resolution was reached to add Assistant Controller Francis Burch as an authorized representative for the college’s banking transactions.

Funding was approved to remodel a portion of west campus into the new Cybersecurity Center intended to provide a dedicated space for cybersecurity education.

Funds were also approved to improve the Police Department lobby and to relocate the Transfer Center to its permanent home on the second floor of the Gannon Building, where Einstein Bros. Bagels was formerly located.

A $237,000, three-year Cooperative Purchase Agreement was approved to renew the college's Adobe Enterprise license agreement.

Due to construction on I-496, the Lansing Board of Water and Light's primary electrical transmission line to downtown campus is out of service, which means the college is on a backup line and at risk of long-term power outages.

In response, trustees approved a four-month purchase order to cover the rental of a backup, emergency generator and fuel for downtown campus.

A $270,000 three-year Blanket Purchase Order with Medline Industries Inc. was approved for medical supplies needed for student nursing kits and classroom instruction.

There was also a conversation regarding some future nursing equipment purchases and facility improvements that will be quite costly. President Dr. Steve Robinson quickly explained the benefits clearly outweighing the cost.

“To me, this is a continuation of a decade-long strategy at LCC of providing the best possible facilities,” Robinson said. “I spend a lot of time with our nursing students; they deserve the kind of learning environment that our folks have at west (campus).”