Special to the Journal

Richmond Community College is finalizing an agreement with District Attorney Michael Parker and the District 20A office to establish the RCC International Forensic Institute.

With the office’s assistance, the college has held several classes involving crime scene reconstruction, trajectories, and blood stain pattern analysis using highly qualified instructors from the United States, Canada, and other countries. So far, two students from other countries have attended the classes.

“This will be operated through our Continuing Education Department. They have a waiting list for the remaining classes in the series,” RCC President Dr. Sharon Morrissey told the Board of Trustees Tuesday. “Bringing quality programming to rural communities is a real advantage to local law enforcement. Tuition is waived for licensed officers. So far, people are coming from out-of-county and staying for the week.”

Vice President of Instruction Johnnie Simpson updated the Board on the record enrollment of 1,970 students and on which programs had increased enrollment. Engineering, teaching, allied health, and public service fields got the biggest increases in enrollment. Adding new course sections to meet the needs of students caused creative scheduling of instructors and classrooms, but the semester has gotten off to a smooth start.

Instructors Alan Questell, Carole Gibson, and Kevin Parsons join instructors Amir Niczad and John Robich as chairs of the five divisions of the curriculum department. Respectively, the divisions chaired are business, health, and arts and sciences. The other divisions are engineering and industrial technology and public services.

The board approved issuing personnel contracts at the 2008-2009 salary scale and the college budget of $19.4 million..

Student Government Association President Michael Punzo updated the Board on SGA activities and future plans for a Sept. 8 blood drive, a 9-11 remembrance ceremony, and a donation drive for the local National Guard.