Chief Institutional Effectiveness Officer Dr. Maribeth Payne proudly announced Three Rivers College passed its civil rights audit with flying colors.
The examination was a mandatory requirement for receiving government funding. It specifically looked into compliance with the Title VI Civil Rights Act; Title IX Education Amendments of 1972 section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act; Vocational Education Programs — Guidelines for Eliminating Discrimination; and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
“It wasn’t really prompted by anything the college did necessarily,” she explained. “This is something that as a recipient of federal education funds, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education conducts these. We haven’t had one done here, I think, at Three Rivers in probably more than a decade, because no one here really remembers ever having gone through this.”
The college did a rigorous self-study of its academic instruction, financial aid, communications, student services, Disability Services and human resources. They presented all the information therein to the examiner, who visited in April to examine facilities and interview staff and students.
Maribeth Payne had been told by other community colleges the auditors always found something amiss. This was not the case at TRC.
“We received notification on May the 19th that Three Rivers have no violations in any of these areas,” said Maribeth Payne.
The results arrived in time to update the college’s profile with the Higher Learning Commission.
Maribeth Payne had high praise for the faculty for making their high rating possible. “I think that we should all be very proud of, particularly, all of the faculty and staff working to ensure every day that we are in compliance.”
Head Rodeo Coach Chad Phipps announced TRC was fifth overall in the College National Finals Rodeo, and student Casey Roberts was the national champion. Competing with Roberts were Cole Skender, who won third place, and Kolby Krieger, who did not place in the top 10 due to a sudden health emergency with his horse.
Phipps said the achievement was extremely noteworthy for such a small team.
“Out of the...49 (teams) that had points there, we’re the only school that didn’t have six on our team. We had three kids competing for our team. That is pretty unheard of and that got a lot of coaches’ attention,” he said.
He also reported Roberts was drafted to the nascent Professional Bull Riders, a new sports league, for the Oklahoma Freedom team. Roberts is considering returning to TRC next year if he can.
In other news, TRC and PBRMC will continue working hand in hand to give students a boost into the medical field.
“We have renewed and extended our partnership with Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. So this is a big effort and quite a few months in the making,” said President Dr. Wes Payne.
Students earning CNA, CMP or phlebotomy certification in TRC’s nursing program can use those to get a jump start in their continuing education or careers.
Laura McElroy, director of TRC’s nursing program, explained, “So they can take the exam, get that certification. The hospital then would work around their school schedule to allow them to be employed there and start to build relationships with the hospital, with the staff, really know what the job is about, what the community is about.”
This collaboration is useful for students who want to continue in higher education or enter the workforce directly. The program is adding more certifications as well as bridges for EMTs to transfer into a hospital environment.
“I’m really hoping that we can get students into the workforce quickly, and then cover or provide a lot of employment opportunity for the community because we know, in nursing, there’s a shortage,” McElroy said. She noted the employment rate for graduating nursing students is near 100%.
Chief Financial Officer Charlotte Eubank gave reports on current and future finances. As this fiscal year ends, almost every spending category was within budget. The declining trend in enrollment had continued, but it was expected and accounted for.
“You can see that we’ve been very frugal and keeping our expenses below where they were last year,” Eubank said.
TRC is carrying that conservative frame of mind into the next fiscal year. Eubank said they are estimating — or hopefully overestimating — the enrollment decrease at 5% and accounting for an upcoming minimum wage increase to $12 per hour, which takes effect in January. The school will benefit from a slight tuition increase, unexpected revenue received last year through property taxes and federal and state funds. Ongoing projects will continue, including expansion of the Libla Family Sports Complex, improvements at the Westwood Event Center and upgrades to the Tinnin Fine Arts Center.
The board approved the fiscal year 2023 budget.