News Photo by Reagan Voetberg ACC Dean of Workforce Development Dawn Stone speaks to the Alpena Community College Board of Trustees about proposed changes to policies.

ALPENA — The Alpena Community College Board of Trustees approved on first reading a motion to make proposed changes to eight policies, and make an addition of two proposed policies at their regular board meeting Thursday night.

A group of ACC faculty and staff members led by Dean of Workforce Development Dawn Stone and Vice President of Instruction Paige Gordier is currently conducting a review of ACC’s Policies and Procedures Manual as part of the college’s efforts to prepare for the 2027 Higher Learning Commission accrediting process.

The policies are 1001 ACC Board of Trustees Bylaws, 1005 Relationship with Alpena Public Schools Policy, 1006 Defense and Indemnification of Trustees, Officers, and Employees Policy, 2003 Visitors Policy, 3002 Residency Policy, 3003 Transcript Evaluation Policy, 3005 Withdrawal Policy, and 3008 Academic Renewal Policy.

The review committee also recommended the adoption of two new policies, 1016 Review and Updating of Policies and Procedures Manual and 1017 ACC Board of Trustees Rules for Public Comment During Board Meetings.

Changes to policies included grammar and word choice adjustments, as well as changes for consistency. For instance, in Policy 1001, the term “President” was changed to “College President.”

The rules for public comment are currently a document and not an official policy, Jay Walterreit, secretary to the board of trustees, said, adding that it makes sense to add it to the manual in the 1000 series.

IN OTHER BUSINESS

— Electrical Systems Students Brandon Abbott, Jordan Collins, and Abigail Platt discussed what they accomplished during their solar energy internship this summer.

— In the faculty report, Gordier announced four instructors that have completed their probationary period which lasts their first two years of teaching. Those instructors are Melanie Rowden, Vicki McCoy, Ginger Bohlen, and Angela Soltysiak.

— Athletic Director Allen Telgenhof said there are 125 student athletes on campus this school year, up from 88 last year.

— The Alpena Community College Board of Trustees approved the purchase of a compact SUV which best meets the needs of the College as determined by College officials at a total cost not to exceed $40,000. The Admissions Office and ACC employees attending conferences routinely require off-campus travel within Michigan and neighboring states. Use of rental cars for these purposes is costly; a reliably maintained used vehicle would reduce recurring travel expenses and support local operational needs. The College has determined that a used compact SUV or minivan is acceptable for this purpose.

Reagan Voetberg can be reached at 989-358-5683 or rvoetberg@TheAlpenaNews.com.