Lake Land Trustees Receive $50,000 Grant

Lake Land College trustees Monday received a $50,000 check from the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives and Coles-Moultrie Electric Cooperative.

The grant funds will help offset the cost of the energy efficient geothermal heating and cooling system recently installed in Webb Hall.  The program was developed in 2003 to promote the use of geothermal technology in commercial applications in electric cooperative service territories.  Geothermal systems use the consistent temperature beneath the earth's surface, which is around 50 degrees throughout the year, to heat and cool buildings.

Lake Land President Scott Lensink said the college is preparing install geothermal in another building on campus this summer.

Trustees also received a cooperative work study program grant from the Illinois Board of Higher Education.  Lensink said the grant funds help share the cost of students working as interns in college district businesses.  He thinks 10 to 30 students could be benefited this year.

Trustees approved two changes to board policy; one of which reflects a change in Illinois law on college and university religious observances.  The law indicates that students must be excused from classes if their religion requires their participation.

Following a closed session, Lake Land trustees placed qualified staff members on tenured status, rehired tenured and non-tenured employees, and reappointed all division chairs for next year.

As a sidenote, Lensink told the Board that the college set a record this month.  The dubious honor?  The State now owes Lake Land $11.5 million.  Last month, the debt was at $10.5 million.