LUMBERTON — Robeson Community College’s board of trustees on Monday adopted a five-year strategic plan and also was briefed on attempts to snuff out smoking on the campus.
The objectives, set forth by college President Kimberly Gold, address areas such as student success, improving the learning and working environment, improving services and outreach services throughout the county, and assessing the outcomes of programs and services.
The board was updated by Tami George, RCC’s vice president for Business and Institutional Services, on the college’s revised tobacco-use policy that becomes effective Aug. 1. The policy prohibits smoking and the use of tobacco products, including smokeless tobacco, within 50 feet of any college building entrance, on balconies and porches, and within 50 feet of any air intake grill for any building. The policy also forbids the use of tobacco within all college facilities and college vehicles.
The board welcomed new trustee Raymond Cummings, a county commissioner who began a four-year term on the board. Cummings replaces fellow Commissioner Noah Woods, who retired after his term expired June 30.
Shirley Stockton, a member of the board since 2004, began another four-year term. A retired public school teacher, Stockton is a board appointment made by the Public Schools of Robeson County. She taught social studies at Lumberton Junior High School.
The trustees also picked officers to lead them into the coming year. Sammy Cox was re-elected to another one-year term as board chairman. Stockton was re-elected as vice chairman, and Gold was re-elected as secretary.
In other business, the trustees:
— Approved the president’s 2017-18 total bookstore funds request of $162,450.
“We’re doing this differently this year,” Gold said. “This is a total-year request, not just a part-year request.”
— Heard a report from Bill Mauney, vice president for Instruction and Support Services, concerning enrollment for the fall semester, which begins Aug. 14. An orientation for about 110 to 120 students is scheduled for Wednesday.
“Currently there are over 1,000 students who have completed their applications for the fall semester,” Mauney said. “We feel good about where we are.”
— Approved the college’s $34,000 vending funds request for 2017-18.
The money is used by various departments to pay for such things as wellness fairs, retirement receptions, business luncheon meetings, student orientations, and memberships in various organizations.
— Affirmed the college’s mission statement, which reads, “Robeson Community College provides opportunities for academic, technical, and lifelong learning in a collaborative culture dedicated to inquiry, results, and excellence.”
