Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees Meeting | September 2025

The Joliet Junior College (JJC) Board of Trustees approved a landmark agreement with the City of Joliet to explore a joint Public Safety Institute and passed a contentious new policy regarding the student trustee’s role in committee meetings during its September 10 session. The meeting was attended by Joliet’s Mayor and Fire Chief, who spoke in favor of the public safety partnership. For more on this major initiative, see the full story.

Internal board governance was also a central theme, with a lengthy debate over a new policy allowing the student trustee to count toward a quorum in committees. The policy passed 6-1 despite arguments that it violated state law. The meeting also featured emotional recognitions for seven long-serving retiring employees, including former faculty union president Dr. Bob Marcink. See the full story on the board’s policy debate. On a final administrative note, the board ratified a new contract with its adjunct faculty union, successfully concluding negotiations with all six of its campus labor groups.

Fiestas Patrias Parade Committee Addresses Board
Brief Title: Fiestas Patrias Parade Committee Addresses Board: Members of the Fiestas Patrias Mexican Independence Day Parade planning committee, including Joliet City Council member Cesar Cardenas and representatives from the Latino Economic Development Association, addressed the board. The committee announced the parade will return to its legacy route on Collins Street this Saturday and will honor several veterans as grand marshals. They invited the college community to attend and celebrate.

October Proclaimed Disability Employment Awareness Month
Brief Title: October Proclaimed Disability Employment Awareness Month: JJC student Lyan Al Saeedi read a proclamation officially designating October 2025 as National Disability Employment Awareness Month at the college. Al Saeedi, who serves as secretary for the Disability Awareness Club, presented the proclamation, which affirms the college’s commitment to advocating for respect, inclusion, and the diverse strengths of all employees and students.

Faculty Union Highlights Summer Honor Roll
Brief Title: Faculty Union Highlights Summer Honor Roll: Faculty Union President Curt Ward reported that over 1,600 JJC students made the honor roll during the summer semester. Ward congratulated the students for their success in the accelerated summer term and gave a “shout out” to the faculty members who adapted the curriculum for the fast-paced sessions.

Mainstreet Event Draws Over 600 Students
Brief Title: Mainstreet Event Draws Over 600 Students: Student Trustee Brenton Bishop reported that the annual “Mainstreet” club recruitment event was a major success. Over the two-day event, 676 unique students attended to learn about the 38 participating clubs and campus organizations. Bishop praised the event for connecting students with campus life and fostering a sense of community.

Crawford Honors College Nearing Completion
Brief Title: Crawford Honors College Nearing Completion: President Dr. Clyne Namuo announced that the construction wall around the new Crawford Honors College has been removed, and the space is now viewable. He encouraged trustees to see the progress, noting that an official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new facility is planned for October.