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JACKSONVILLE—Jacksonville College trustees approved numerous reports and expressed great appreciation for the work of faculty and administrators during a May 16 board meeting held on the East Texas campus.
Despite the COVID-19 crisis, Jacksonville College has transition smoothly to completely online instruction. Vice President for Academics Marolyn Welch noted that the college was already preparing a focus on online education with the Quality Enhancement Plan, so the majority of teachers adjusted well to moving courses online. Welch also reported that the spring semester enrollment was 454, in the Maymester 120, and 127 in summer terms, with new enrollments ongoing.
Vice President for Executive Affairs Blanton Feaster said he is proud of how everything has been handled during the COVID-19 crisis. “Although we miss the face-to-face interaction with students who are our life and our purpose, Jacksonville College was ready to transition to online instruction, and the college is in good shape financially,” he said. “The school has been able to keep everyone on the payroll.”
The college’s income statement is positive, and its endowment is fully funded.
Jacksonville College has also had strong recruitment numbers and expects a record number of students in the fall semester.
In his report, President Mike Smith expressed great disappointment that graduates would not be able to celebrate the traditional graduation ceremony. This semester’s graduating students will be given an opportunity to participate in a future graduation ceremony, he said.
In other actions, Smith addressed the need for the college to have an endowment policy and reported that one has been approved by the executive committee and the college’s attorney. The board approved a motion directing Smith to conduct a search for a vice president for external affair, a new position.
Editor’s Note: Jan Modisette is a professor of English and education at Jacksonville College.
