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IVCC Ends Two Programs

IVCC – File Photo Studstill Media

OGLESBY – Illinois Valley Community College placed its Human Services and Graphic Design Technology programs on inactive status at Thursday’s board meeting due to “unsustainable enrollments.” Trustees approved discontinuing a Human Services Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree and certificate, as well as Substance Abuse Treatment certificates. However, to allow students already in either program the opportunity to complete certificates or degrees, program courses will continue through the end of spring 2020 in a “one-year teach-out,” said Vice President for Academic Affairs Deborah Anderson.
The decision was based on the administration’s annual review of “program viability.” The programs had previously gone through “enhancement plans” in an attempt to generate enrollment. Human Services’ duplicated headcount fell from 140 in 2012 to 61 in 2018 and credit hours generated from 420 to 180. The program had 13 graduates earn the AAS or a certificate in 2016; just three students completed in 2018. In a Jan. 14 memo to IVCC President Jerry Corcoran, Anderson lamented the program’s demise after 16 years.
“Human Services has strong ties to the social service agencies in the Illinois Valley. Many of these agencies rely on our students to serve as interns and to staff their entry level positions,” she said.
“In a very humane sense, the program underscores our mission to contribute to the quality of life in the Illinois Valley. Unfortunately, the dire need for people to serve in this field has not attracted students to the program.”
One of the primary reasons, Anderson said, is its entry-level positions “have low rates of pay with limited career paths.” Human Services prepares students for careers in family support, alcohol and drug abuse counseling, adult day care, client and child advocacy, social services and community organizing and outreach, among many other occupations. Program coordinator and instructor Jean Batson-Turner, leader of the program since 2002, will have the opportunity to remain at IVCC as she is qualified to teach sociology, Anderson said. A few of the Human Services students asked the board Thursday night to reconsider dropping the program. Second year student Cyndi Freeman said the program produces individuals “who mend the broken back to wellness.”
When informed of the college’s plan to allow those already enrolled to finish the program, first year student Patricia Dillard said, “That relieves a lot of fear for me.”
Graphic design technology program coordinator Francie Skoflanc, who retired as a full-time instructor in July, is teaching part-time this semester. No courses were offered in fall 2018.
“Despite ongoing monitoring, this program remains low-enrolled and unable to generate revenues that cover its expenses,” Anderson said.
After just two students graduated from the program in fiscal 2016, graphic design rebounded with 11 completers each in 2017 and 2018.
“While some limited instruction is available this spring, it is unclear if that will generate the credit hours necessary to demonstrate program viability,” Anderson said.
Corcoran credited Batson-Turner and Skoflanc for their commitment to the college and students.
“Jean and Francie have been wonderful representatives of the college across the community in their many years of employment. They are well respected professionals amongst their peers and have never given less than 100 percent to their students,” Corcoran said.

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