Kudos for a job well done.
At Tuesday night’s Allen Community College board of trustees meeting, select staff and faculty were honored with League of Excellence Award certificates for “commitment to excellence in community college teaching and leadership.”
Lynn Heskett received recognition for her 11 years in the ACC business office, and for serving as a resource for new students.
Todd Francis received recognition for his 25 years as an ACC chemistry instructor, including helping to develop online courses in the discipline.
Both received an honorary plaque and medal to wear at graduation ceremonies.
IN OTHER news, ACC continues to stay COVID-free, but slightly amended its mask policy for unvaccinated students/staff.
As opposed to a mandate, board members prevailed in changing the policy to state that, for the unvaccinated, masks are only “strongly required” as opposed to being a “must.”
President John Masterson appeared to at first resist the change, but eventually relented, saying “from the outset, we’ve tried to do what the scientists, the non-political folks, say will keep us safe.”
Masterson also went over the college’s revised COVID policies, pointing out that all college facilities are open to the public except the cafeteria which is closed for the summer.
He likewise said that, although not required, vaccinations are “highly encouraged,” and that opportunities will exist for students to get vaccinated when returning in fall.
As it stands, ACC’s current plan is to, by fall, return to operating as “normally” as possible, albeit in a post-COVID manner.
SPARKS FLEW momentarily near the end of the meeting, after the presentation of a revision to the college’s “outside employment” policy.
The revised policy states that “the primary obligation of all full-time employees is owed to Allen County Community College,” and prohibits “the use of College-owned and provided technology to engage in outside employment.”
Speaking in connection with the teacher’s union, history instructor Jon Wells warned that the union would not agree to adopt the revised policy unless additional steps were taken.
“Outside employment is mandatorily negotiable,” he said, “meaning at any negotiation you can put the following policy in, but it has to be in the negotiation process.”
