The Seminole State College Board of Regents met Oct. 21 to review the College’s annual external audit report and ratify the purchase of a new emergency alert system.

The meeting opened with a review of the College’s recent expenditures by Vice President for Fiscal Affairs Kristie Newby. Then SSC President Lana Reynolds presented her President’s Report, which included an update on the College’s personnel changes and information about campus activities.

The review and approval of the 2021 fiscal year external audit was the first action item on the agenda. The Board approved the audit conducted by Hinkle and Company, P.C. of Tulsa. The audit focused on College operations from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021. Prior to the meeting, the report was presented to the Board Audit Committee, composed of Regents Ray McQuiston, Curtis Morgan and Kim Hyden. Kirk Vanderslice, a Partner with Hinkle and Company, P.C., provided a summary at the meeting. The accounting firm communicated that they found no significant deficiencies or material weaknesses. They issued an unqualified — or clean — audit.

Next, the Board approved a revision to Board Policy II-4-19 regarding leaves and absences. The change clarified the parameters of personal leave for employees.

With the third action item on the agenda, the Board approved an agreement for an exchange of services with the SSC Educational Foundation. The agreement is presented for

renewal every two years to both the SSC Educational Foundation Board of Trustees and the College’s Board of Regents.

The fourth and final action item on the agenda was the ratification of the purchase for an emergency alert system from Alertus Technologies in the amount of $79,142.47. The Alertus System will be used as a public announcement and siren system to be utilized across campus. The company will install speaker and siren arrays at three different locations around the College. The system will be purchased with COVID-19 federal relief funds

Under the consent agenda, the Board approved program modifications for the Criminal Justice, Pre-Engineering and Health Sciences Associate in Science degrees. A program review for the Elementary Education Associate in Science, as well as the 2020-2021 General Education Evaluation and the 2020-2021 Annual Report on Student Assessment Activity were presented to the Board.

As the meeting drew to a close, Associate Professor of Business Dr. Chunfu “Jeff” Cheng was presented with a pin, honoring his five years of service as the advisor of the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) honor society on campus. The commemoratory pin was sent by the national PTK offices, along with a letter thanking Cheng for his service to the organization.

Board members present at the meeting were: Chair Ray McQuiston, Marci Donaho, Kim Hyden, Curtis Morgan and Ryan Pitts.

The next SSC Board of Regents meeting is set for Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021.