MATC Matters

Dear Faculty and Staff,

I hope everyone enjoyed their Passover or Easter family gatherings last week.

The MATC District Board voted unanimously Wednesday night to approve a Facilities Master Plan that will help guide our college for the next 10 to 15 years. The last time MATC had a Master Plan was 1973—so this was well overdue. It’s important to note the Facilities Master Plan does not specifically approve the construction of buildings or other improvements. That would need further Board approval. What it does do is give us a conceptual guide for the long-range development of facilities to support MATC’s academic plan.

Proposed Budget
Meanwhile, the District Board approved the 2009-2010 budget for public hearing—which will be held on May 13. The total tax levy is projected to increase by 8.65 percent, resulting in a mill rate increase of 6.52 percent. We have done our best to tighten our belts in this uncertain economy and balance the budget, even eliminating five administrative positions which we sorely need for support of instruction.

Laptop Computer Thefts
A total of 31 laptops have been stolen from MATC since January. Fortunately, none of the computers had any sensitive or confidential information. All faculty and staff are asked to secure their laptops and other movable valuables in a locked file cabinet when leaving their work area or going home for the day. If you see anything suspicious—please call Campus Security immediately at Ext. 4357.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game
Our baseball and softball season is now in
full swing. I hope you can take time to check out our star student-athletes. As many of you know, our women’s basketball team nearly won the national championship this year. We just learned WolfPack guard Dana Wagner was named to the 2008-09 NJCAA Division III Women’s Basketball All-American first team. Congratulations to Dana and the entire basketball team.

MATC Marvels
Here are some names of college instructors and staff recently mentioned to me by students:
Avery Sielehr, nail technology
Maureen “Punky� Egan, baking/pastry arts
Daniel Almquist, student support facilitator
Karen Sager, medical assistant
David Woolpert, adult basic education
Lonnie Lingard, machine tool

More MATC Marvels
Ken Walz has again been accepted to participate in the National Renewable Energy lab program this summer for two months. He’ll be working on batteries for plug-in hybrid cars.

Highlights of my week:
• attended the Sales and Marketing Executive Awards Program honoring the director of University Research Park Mark Bugher;
• attended the district board meeting;
• hosted a president’s table with guests State of Wisconsin Department of Commerce Secretary Richard Leinenkugel, State Representative Kelda Helen-Roys, City of Madison Economic Development Director Tim Cooley, and former director of Lakeland College’s Business and Leadership Development Institute Hal Wissink;
• met with Mary Gaffney-Ward of the Madison Club, along with
Bob Dinndorf and Turina Bakken to discuss our possible participation in a celebrity chefs dinner with proceeds benefiting the college; and
• met with Steve Saffian, former UW-Madison Dean of Students, to discuss student housing.

In closing I would like to share a quote from a student who recently passed away, Zachary Wachtendonk. While at MATC, he also worked at the help desk greeting and advising students and visitors.

“Advance daily. Becoming more skillful than yesterday, more skillful than today. This is never ending.�

Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family and friends of Zachary.

Bettsey