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Ivy Tech Community College Launches Five-Year Strategic Plan

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“Our Communities. Your College. Pathways for Student Success and a Stronger Indiana.”

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Ivy Tech Community College has kicked off its new five-year strategic plan: “Our Communities. Your College. Pathways for Student Success and a Stronger Indiana.” The plan’s vision is for Ivy Tech students to earn 50,000 high-quality certifications, certificates, and degrees per year aligned with workforce needs.

The plan aligns with Indiana’s goal to equip 60 percent of the workforce with a high-value, post-secondary degree or credential by 2025. Through achievement of this goal, the College will help increase Hoosier per capita income and support the transformation of the state’s advanced industries economy.

“Indiana is home to some of the world’s largest, most innovative corporations—not to mention countless ambitious smaller companies and start-ups,” said Ivy Tech President Sue Ellspermann. “And all of them share a common need: well-trained, skilled workers.”

The plan development covered 18 months, including a restructure of the College, comprehensive fact finding conducted internally and externally, including thousands of faculty, staff, students and statewide stakeholders.

“Our plan compliments the work of those with whom we collaborate including the Commission for Higher Education, Department of Workforce Development, the Indiana Chamber and industry groups, Strada Education Network, Lilly Endowment, and Lumina, to name a few,” Ellspermann said. “We are committed to aligning with those who have similar goals and are dedicated to Hoosier prosperity of employers, individuals, and the state.

The plan is comprised of seven goals, with detailed strategies and tactics accompanying each goal, and metrics to ensure success:

  • Goal 1 – Student Success: Ensure every student persists towards their educational objective.
  • Goal 2 – Recruitment and Enrollment: Recruit and enroll Hoosiers from every demographic into high-demand/high-wage career pathways.
  • Goal 3 – Completion: Students earn 50,000 high quality certificates, certifications, and degrees annually.
  • Goal 4 – Workforce: Students are placed into and succeed in high-demand, high-wage jobs.
  • Goal 5 – Employee: Become known as a great place to work.
  • Goal 6 – Financial: Ensure the institution has sufficient financial resources to achieve our mission.
  • Goal 7 – Community: Effectively engage with and serve our unique communities.

Strategies focused on student success include initiatives through improved technology, structured scheduling, eight week classes, and improved academic advising. Recruitment strategies include targeted outreach to adult workers, as well as high school students with no post-secondary plans. Completion strategies include reverse transfer, expanding the Associate Accelerated Program (ASAP), and more short-term, industry-focused certificates. Completion strategies are centered on “right-program, right-place, right-size” in each community and focused career development into high-demand, high-wage jobs.

“We are committed to putting more ‘community’ in community college,” Ellspermann continues. “To quote one of our own employees, ‘community’ is our middle name, and I look forward to seeing Ivy Tech become the workforce development and higher education engine our communities need to ensure long-term Hoosier prosperity.”

 

Free income tax preparation to be provided by USI students

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Through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA), University of Southern Indiana students in the Romain College of Business will provide free federal and state income tax preparation on Mondays, beginning on Monday, January 29 and taking appointments through Monday, March 19.

“We have 11 students enrolled in the program this year,” said Dr. Brett Bueltel, assistant professor of accounting and VITA program coordinator. “Our students are excited for the opportunity to serve our community and gain real world experience preparing tax returns.”

In VITA programs, the Internal Revenue Service partners with national and local organizations to provide tax services to individuals with low-to-moderate income at no cost to the taxpayer. Accounting students will interview and prepare the taxes of those taxpayers who make an appointment for the service. VITA sites do not prepare Schedule C business forms or Schedule E rental forms. Federal and state tax returns are prepared at the time of the appointment, and all taxpayers must be available to sign their returns. Preparation of returns typically takes 90 minutes to two hours to complete.

The sessions will be held by appointment only in Room 1004 in the Business and Engineering Center on the following Mondays: January 29; February 5, 12, 19 and 26; and March 12 and 19. Appointments will be available at 5 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. No appointments will be made for Monday, March 5 due to Spring Recess.

Individuals are required to bring their tax information, photo identification cards and Social Security cards for themselves and any dependents. International students must bring their passports and visas as well. The IRS encourages electronic filing and returns will be filed electronically for those who are eligible.

Please bring copies of your prior year state and federal tax returns if they are available. Your tax returns from the prior year are very helpful in preparing correct and complete current year returns. Paper returns will be prepared for those taxpayers who do not qualify for electronic filing or prefer paper returns.

To make an appointment, call the Romain College of Business at 812-464-1718.

AG’s Office Files Notice Of Appeal In Immigration Case

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Olivia Covington for www.theindianalawyer.com

The Indiana Attorney General’s Office has filed a notice of appeal with the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals after a district court judge struck down its motion to intervene in a federal immigration case that places additional requirements on local law enforcement detaining individuals for the federal government.

Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill moved last month to intervene in the case of Antonio Lopez-Aguilar v. Marion County Sheriff’s Department, et al., 1:16-cv-02457, after Southern District Court Judge Sarah Evans Barker entered a consent decree between Antonio Lopez-Aguilar, an illegal immigrant, and Marion County law enforcement. The consent decree prohibits the Marion County Sheriff’s Office from detaining illegal immigrants on behalf of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement unless ICE can produce a signed warrant or other probable cause.

The state moved to intervene for the limited purpose of appealing the consent decree, arguing that under Indiana Code section 5-2-18.2, state and local law enforcement officials have a “duty to cooperate” with federal immigration efforts.

“The consent decree was approved in large part due to the Court’s analysis determining that it did not violate any Indiana statutes,” Hill’s office wrote in its December motion. “Because the State contends that the consent decree does in fact violate the Indiana statutes at issue, the harm to the State’s proper enforcement of its statues is both caused by the consent decree and remedied by its vacatur on appeal.”

Barker, however, denied the motion to intervene in a Jan. 5 opinion, finding the state lacked standing to intervene. She specifically held I.C.5-2-18.2-4 does not require local law enforcement’s cooperation with federal immigration detainers or removal orders under the text of that statute, or under the Immigration and Nationality Act or Fourth Amendment.

The judge also likened the instant case to 1000 Friends of Wisconsin, Inc. v. U.S. Department of Transportation, 860 F.3d 480 (7th Cir. 2017) and Kendall-Jackson Winery, Ltd. v. Branson, 212 F.3d 995 (7th. Cir. 2000). Those cases stand for the proposition that “a defendant does not have standing to appeal an order binding a different, nonappealing defendant which injures the appealing defendant only indirectly, and which, if set aside, will benefit the appealing defendant only collaterally or contingently,” she said. Here, the appealing defendant would be the state, while the nonappealing defendant would be the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.

“The state does not, and cannot, point to any authority for this proposition that is has a legally protected interest, sufficient to confer standing, in defending its statutes from any judicial interpretation its lawyers deem undesirable or do not otherwise share,” Barker wrote in her Jan. 5 order.

Barker also determined the state’s motion to intervene, filed Dec. 4, was untimely considering the consent decree was submitted by both parties for approval on July 10. Finally, she determined the state failed to prove its entitlement to intervention of right, or to permissive intervention.

Hill’s office filed its notice of appeal on Monday morning. The Attorney General also reaffirmed his position that local law enforcement should be required to cooperate with federal immigration efforts.

“Establishing a policy that requires law enforcement personnel to not cooperate with each other not only violates Indiana law but jeopardizes public safety,” Hill said in a statement.

Adopt A Pet

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Shadow is an 8-year-old male Chihuahua mix. He weighs just over 20 lbs. He was recently found as a stray, originally adopted from VHS. Shadow’s adoption fee is $130 and he’s ready to go home TODAY neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated! Contact Vanderburgh Humane at (812) 426-2563 or adoptions@vhslifesaver.org for adoption details!

Bubble Guppies Live! Ready to Rock Rolls into Evansville

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Hit preschool show teaches kindergarten readiness skills through musical adventure at Old National Events Plaza

Put on your water wings and jump into a swimsational adventure! VStar Entertainment Group, Nickelodeon and Koba Entertainment present the U.S. debut of the live theatrical production Bubble Guppies Live! Ready to Rock. Based on Nickelodeon’s hit preschool series Bubble Guppies, the show swims into Old National Events Plaza on April 26, 2018. Tickets are on sale now at www.bubbleguppieslive.com.

The Bubble Guppies are getting ready to rock ‘n’ roll with some totally fin-tastic tunes, but when a special band member goes missing, the show can’t go on. With a little help from Mr. Grouper and giggly little fish, Molly, Gil, and the whole gang embark on an adventure as they search every corner of their underwater world for their missing friend.  Featuring rockin’ music, comedic high jinks, and audience participation, the Bubble Guppies will leave no stone left unturned and no bubble left unpopped in order to get the show on the road.  Including a wave of playful characters, energetic song and dance and theatrical magic, Nickelodeon’s Bubble Guppies Live! Ready to Rock will have kids, parents and grandparents singing and dancing along with this rousing interactive show!

Bubble Guppies Live! Ready to Rock is based on Nickelodeon’s Emmy®  award-winning preschool series, Bubble Guppies. Created and executive produced by Jonny Belt and Robert Scull, and co-developed by Janice Burgess, the interactive CG-animated series set in a vibrant underwater environment follows a group of diverse preschoolers with colorful fish tails who go on adventures discovering their world. Bubble Guppies is set to a soundtrack of catchy, educational pop songs and features a curriculum that infuses the core elements of kindergarten readiness including: math, literacy, the arts, science and socio-emotional development.  Bubble Guppies currently airs on Nickelodeon.

Where: Old National Events Plaza

715 Locust St.

Evansville, IN 47708 

What: Bubble Guppies Live! Ready to Rock Rolls into Evansville!

When: Friday, April 26th   6:30 p.m.

Tickets: $18.00, $28.00, $35.00 & $48.00.  A limited number of $80.00 Meet & Greet Packages are available. Meet & Greet Package includes premium show seating and a pre-show photo opportunity with two Bubble Guppies Live! characters. Additional fees and special offers may apply.

Tickets are available at Old National Events Plaza Box Office, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at 800-745-3000.

EPD ACTIVITY REPORT

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EPD REPORT

Vanderburgh County Recent Booking Records

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http://www.vanderburghsheriff.com/recent-booking-records.aspx

IS IT TRUE JANUARY 8, 2018

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We hope that todays “IS IT TRUE” will provoke honest and open dialogue concerning issues that we as responsible citizens of this community need to address in a rational and responsible way?”

IS IT TRUE at tonights City Council meeting a new slate of officers will be elected for 2018? …we hear that the new leadership makeup of City Council will be totally different then in years past? …we wouldn’t be surprised if 6th Ward Councilmen Jim Brinkmeyer (D) is elected council president?  …we hear that At-Large City Councilman Dr Dan Adams (D) could be elected council vice president? …we wouldn’t be surprise that At-Large Councilmen Jonathan Weaver (D) is appointed to chair the powerful Finance and Budget committee?  …we expect key committee appointments will be given to Democrats?

IS IT TRUE that three years ago the Evansville ERC bought a vacant and dilapidated former drug store building located on North Main Street? …it’s been alleged that the Evansville Department of Metropolitan Development gave the Dialysis Clinic a 10 year lease? …the Evansville ERC purchased the former vacant and dilapidated CVS Drug store building for $535,000 in December 2014?  …that the ERC now has decided to put this building on the marketing so they can recoup the money they spent on acquiring  it? …at last Wednesdays Evansville Redevelopment Commission’s meeting the board approved an expense of up to $6,000 for two appraisals of this building so they can determine a sale price for this newly renovated  building? …that the DMD Executive Director, Kelly Coures stated that city’s asking price for the building will be determined by these two appraisals?  …that DMD Director Courses alleges that DaVita Clinic has invested about $1 million to renovate the building so it can use as a kidney dialysis center?  …that the Evansville ERC purchased the former CVS building for a whooping $535,000 and the renovation costs was stated to be around $1 million dollars?  … does this means that the sales price of this building should now be around $1,535.000? …its rumored that the Evansville ERC has given the Dialysis Clinic a 10 year lease for $2,000 a month?  …we wonder what intelligent investor would purchase this property located on North Main for $1,535,000 with a guarantee gross monthly income of $2,000 for 10 years? …that Evansville ERC and Dialysis Clinic are both not-for-profits entities and don’t pay any property taxes? …we wonder if this could be considered to be a “Sneaky But Legal” deal?

IS IT TRUE we are hearing that the makeup of the 2018 Board Of Directors of the Vanderburgh County Convention and Visitors Bureau will have several new faces? …it looks like a couple of past board members of the Vanderburgh County Convention and Visitors Bureau didn’t reappointed?  …looks like “PIG GATE” may have caused them reappointment problems?

IS IT TRUE that on Wednesday January 3, 2018, Evansville Police Chief Billy Bolin, Vanderburgh County Sheriff Dave Wedding and Mayor Lloyd Winnecke held a press conference to address the murderous rampage that has taken over Evansville during the last 3 months?…the concern and confusion on their faces when discussing this unusual chain of events was obvious and the people of Evansville that the CCO has spoken with are feeling the same concerns and confusion?

IS IT TRUE that Chief Bolin was clear that the murders have been mostly drug related and that those who choose to participate in drug deals in Evansville at this time have a much higher chance of being shot than at any time in history? …the CCO certainly wants to see this situation brought under control and hope to see Evansville return to the friendly city on the Ohio River were murder was once a rare occurrence?

IS IT TRUE that there was an article in the Courier and Press that has been passed around the social media world regarding the upcoming election to represent the 8th District of Indiana in the United States House of Representatives?…much to many people’s surprise former Evansville Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel’s picture was included in the article?  …that this article was hinting the possibility that the former Mayor who tried to get sent to Washington back in his younger political days is being encourage to throw his hat into the political ring once again? …for those who may consider the former Mayor to be the Democrat Party’s great hope to defeat Congressman Larry Bucshon, its important to point out Mr. Weinzapfel has made a several questionable political decisions while he was Mayor of Evansville that he will have to defend on the campaign trail? …some of these questionable political decisions made by Mayor Weinzapfel inspired us to invent the character “SNEGAL”? …for those who may have forgotten “SNEGAL” that stands for “SNEAKY BUT LEGAL”?

IS IT TRUE if former Evansville Mayor and current Chancellor of Ivy Tech-Evansville, Jonathan Weinzapfel becomes a candidate for the 8th District Congressional seat he must defeat a popular and well funded Terre Haute attorney William Tanoos in the May 8, 2018 Democratic primary?

IS IT TRUE that a “SNEAKY BUT LEGAL” political decisions that Mayor Weinzapfel initiated and orchestrated occurred in the spring of 2009 was when he organized a behind closed door meeting of just the right mix of individuals in an attempt to quietly “TAKE AWAY THE HOMESTEAD TAX CREDIT” from the people of Vanderburgh County? …this unacceptable political move was first exposed by the City County Observer and was overturned by then Governor Mitch Daniels in the nick of time before Weinzapfel and his cadre of conspirators took away your Homestead Tax Credit forever?…if approved this would have cost the people of Vanderburgh County roughly $5 Million per year?…since that sneaky political trick happened 8 tax cycles ago, our exposure of this clandestine treachery has saved the Vanderburgh County taxpayers about $40 Million and is one of the CCO’s proudest moments?…nearly every public official who was in on this sneaky political trick has either been defeated or left office including Weinzapfel? …Mayor Winnecke is the only politician to survive the “SNEAKY BUT LEGAL” Homestead Tax Grab?

IS IT TRUE when Weinzapfel didn’t support Rick Davis for Evansville Mayor in the primary and general elections it lead to the fracturing of the Vanderburgh Democrat Party in a way that put Republican Mayor Lloyd Winnecke in the Mayor’s office? …that many Rick Davis supporters will never forgive Mr. Weinzapfel for not supporting Mr. Davis for Mayor?

IS IT TRUE during the last several weeks that Mr Weinzapfel was in office he quietly pushed for the approved of (without fanfare) a $50 million water smart meter project that was funded by future water and sewer rate increases?  …several people questioned this decision because the new smart meters were installed on a water delivery system that was over a 100 years old? ..this project wasn’t put out for formal competitive bid and the installation of the smart water meters contract was awarded to a local labor union?

Todays “Readers Poll” question is: If the general election was held today for 8th District Congressmen who would you vote for?

Please take time and read our articles entitled “STATEHOUSE FILES, CHANNEL 44 NEWS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, READERS POLL, BIRTHDAYS, HOT JOBS” and “LOCAL SPORTS”.  You now are able to subscribe to get the CCO daily.

If you would like to advertise in the CCO please contact us City-County Observer@live.com.

EDITOR’S FOOTNOTE:  Any readers comments posted in this column do not represent the views or opinions of the City County Observer or our advertisers

MEETING AGENDA FOR CITY COUNCIL ON JANUARY 8, 2018

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civic center

MEETING AGENDA JANUARY 8, 2018
ROOM 301, CIVIC CENTER 5:30 P.M.

VISIT EVANSVILLE.IN.GOV/ACCESSEVC TO VIEW LIVE AND ARCHIVED MEETINGS, PENDING ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS, AND MEETING MEMORANDA

CITY OF EVANSVILLE COMMON COUNCIL

I. INTRODUCTION
II. APPROVAL OF MEETING MEMORANDA III. REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS

IV. SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY

  1. NOMINATION & ELECTION OF OFFICERS
  2. COMMITTEE CHAIR APPOINTMENTS
  3. LIAISON APPOINTMENTS

V. CONSENT AGENDA: FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

ORDINANCE G-2018-01

Sponsor(s): Discussion Led By: Notify:

ORDINANCE G-2018-02

Sponsor(s): Discussion Led By: Notify:

ORDINANCE G-2018-03

Sponsor(s): Discussion Led By: Notify:

ORDINANCE R-2017-29

Petitioner: Requested Change: Representative:

VI. COMMITTEE REPORTS

An Ordinance Amending Chapter 2.160 of the Evansville Municipal Code
Adams, Elpers
A.S.D. Chair 1/22/2018

Marco DeLucio, ZSWS

An Ordinance Amending the Zoning Code by Establishing an Overlay Zone in the West Franklin Street Area Relaxing Certain Parking Requirements (25%)
Adams, Brinkmeyer

A.S.D. Chair 1/22/2018 Ron London, APC

An Ordinance Amending the Zoning Code by Establishing an Overlay Zone in the West Franklin Street Area Relaxing Certain Parking Requirements (50%)
Mosby, Weaver

A.S.D. Chair 1/22/2018 Ron London, APC

An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 421 Read Street
Timothy Mills Owner: Shelby & Theresa Marshall R4 to C4 Ward: 3 Hayden
Timothy Mills

VII. REGULAR AGENDA: SECOND READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

ORDINANCE G-2017-39

Sponsor(s): Discussion Led By: Notify:

VIII. RESOLUTION DOCKET

RESOLUTION C-2018-01 AMENDED
Sponsor(s):
Resolution Docket Notify:

An Ordinance Creating Chapter 10.55 (Residential Permit Parking) of the Evansville Municipal Code
Brinkmeyer
A.S.D. Chair 1/8/2018

Joshua Claybourn, City Council Attorney

A Resolution Memorializing Mater Dei High School’s State Championship in Girls Soccer
Mosby, Brinkmeyer

1/8/2018 Joshua Claybourn, City Council Attorney

IX. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS

  1. THE NEXT MEETING of the Common Council will be Monday, January 22, 2018 at5:30 p.m.
  2. BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
  3. ADDITIONAL MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS

X. COMMITTEEREPORTS XI. ADJOURNMENT

Proposed Death With Dignity Law Would Allow Assisted Suicide In Limited Cases

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January 4, 2018 

By Erica Irish
TheStatehouseFile.com

INDIANAPOLIS — Instead of enjoying time with his three children, his “sweetheart” of a wife and living out his passion for coaching sports, Corey Polen travels a difficult road with limited options.

What Polen now describes as “torture” started small. While hiking with his wife in an Arizona park in 2015, his right ankle started to give out. Over the next few months, he would experience additional pains in his leg.

By March 2016, Polen was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease — an incurable neurological illness that, for many, results in death within three yearsFrom day one, the Brownsburg resident faced confusion, vague diagnoses and an agonizing fate.

Corey Polen of Brownsburg shares his story of living with ALS and why he supports the proposed legislation. Photo by Zoie Richey, TheStatehouseFile.com

“My future is not a nice one,” Polen said. “Knowing what is to come is torturous. It’s a future that is worse than what we label as torture for our military.”

Polen appeared with Rep. Matt Pierce, D-Bloomington, and Bev Hmurovic of Compassion & Choices of Indiana at a press conference Thursday to announce the first draft of Pierce’s reborn medical aid in dying bill.

House Bill 1157 would expand end-of-life options for patients with terminal illnesses, like Polen, by legalizing physician-assisted suicide. The procedures listed in the bill are modeled on an existing law in Oregon.

Apart from Oregon, only four other states have laws permitting physician-assisted suicide — Washington, Vermont, Colorado and California. The District of Columbia also permits the practice.

Pierce introduced a similar bill in 2017, the first of its kind to be proposed in the Indiana legislature, but it never received a hearing.

Hmurovic cited the impact of assisted suicide laws in states like Oregon when defending the legislation Thursday.

She said that in the 20 years since the law was first passed in Oregon, there were no reported instances of abuse. Additionally, only one-third of patients who request the medical aid actually went through with the procedure.

Bev of Compassion and Choices of Indiana speaks out on a bill that would allow individuals with terminal illnesses to partake in assisted suicide. Photo by Zoie Richey, TheStatehouseFile.com

With one more option, Hmurovic said, patients have more control over an unpredictable situation and may further reflect on their decision. Likewise, hospice care in Oregon increased to its highest point since the bill became law, she added.

Pierce’s legislation requires that individuals have a diagnosed terminal illness with a prognosis of fewer than six months. They would then submit two separate requests to the Indiana Department of Health for the life-ending medical aid.

In the first, the patient’s physician would be required to provide alternatives, such as hospice care and pain management. After a 15-day waiting period, a second request would be submitted with the help of a consulting physician, who would confirm the diagnoses of the patient’s physician.

At each stage of the process, two independent witnesses would testify that the patient’s decision is voluntary.

Additionally, a patient is diagnosed with depression or another mental illness would be referred to separate counseling.

“I am hopeful the introduction of this bill will begin a discussion among Hoosiers about this difficult end-of-life issue,” Pierce said.

The lawmaker emphasized that every voice counts in assessing this practice.

“The truth of it is, if you even look at Oregon, there’s only a very small subset of the population that needs this help,” Pierce said. “It’s a very small number of people, but they’re people who deserve the help of the legislature.”

While Polen continues to face an incurable illness, his mission remains firm.

“Why does a pet have more options than me?” Polen asks in a post on his YouCaring fundraising page. “Timothy McVeigh, who killed 168 people and injured over 600 in the Oklahoma City bombing, was put to death compassionately in my state of Indiana. Why does he get to die compassionately? Yet, my state wants me to have a torturous death in front of my children. I don’t understand.”

Before Polen and others with terminal illnesses receive an answer, they will have to wait to see how HB 1157 progresses.

“I’ve only heard the title, which is a little disturbing to me,” said House Speaker Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis. “If it’s a euthanasia bill of some sort, I would have to say I’m disinclined to think that’s a good idea for Hoosiers. But, I really haven’t looked at the details yet.”

Until then, Polen will work with Pierce and share his experiences with ALS with lawmakers.

“I’m reaching out to find out how we can be in less pain,” Polen said. “Because, in the end, it’s a life of drowning yourself in your own saliva.”

Erica Irish is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students. 

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