Our Vision, Mission and Values

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We are the community’s college. ■ We are dedicated, first, to excellence in teaching and learning. ■ We challenge our students to experience the hard work and satisfaction of learning that leads to intellectual growth and support them academically, emotionally and socially. ■ We encourage them to entertain and question ideas, think critically, solve problems, and engage with other cultures, with one another, and with us. ■ We expect our students to assume responsibility for their own learning, to exercise leadership and to apply ethical principles in their academic, work, and personal lives. ■ We demand from ourselves and our students tolerance, fairness, responsibility, compassion and integrity.

We are a community of learners. ■ We provide education and training for and throughout a lifetime. ■ We seek to improve and expand the services we offer in support of the people in the communities we serve. ■ We promote a caring community of staff and faculty members, students, administrators, and trustees who, in keeping with our values, work together to fulfill our mission.

We are a changing community. ■ We recognize that change is inevitable and that education must be for the future. ■ We respond to change informed by our values and our responsibility to our students and our communities. ■ We challenge our students to be capable global citizens, guided by knowledge and ethical principles, who will shape the future.

Ratified by the Board of Trustees, October 20, 1998

1 Message from the President Reflecting on the Past, Anticipating the Future

akton takes great pride in looking to the future and realizing that change is required in order to sustain excellence. Not surprisingly, the College has continuously been Orecognized as a leader in community colleges, most recently in The New York Times article, “For Achievers, a New Destination” (April 22, 2007). Only by continuing to examine how the College embodies its mission, vision, and values in practices and policies can Oakton cultivate its reputation as an exemplary community of learners.

Self study has been a tradition at Oakton since the College’s first provisional accreditation in 1972. Anticipating a visit by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) in October 2007, Oakton launched its most recent self study in August 2006. While fulfilling the HLC requirements for reaccreditation, this intensive research effort enabled the College to think carefully and critically about its identity and direction.

The self study evolved through a four-phase process. Beginning in fall 2005, the Self Study Steering Committee interpreted criteria regarding Oakton’s mission, values, and history as a public community college. During the second phase in spring 2006, Criterion subcommittees compiled the data and analyses necessary to evaluate five discrete categories: Mission and Integrity; Preparing for the Future; Student Learning and Effective Teaching; Acquisition, Discovery, and Application of Knowledge; and Engagement and Service. For the third phase in fall 2006, these subcommittees prepared detailed documentation of evidence and analyses demonstrating how Oakton met each criteria. Finally, in the fourth phase in spring 2007, the Steering Committee co-chairs began compiling these documents into a final draft report.

Change is the law of life and those who look only to

2 Throughout the self study, members of the Steering Committee remained in communication with the College community. Presentations that outlined the HLC process, criteria for reaccreditation, and Oakton’s plan for preparing the self study were made to the Board of Trustees, faculty and staff groups, and the Board of Student Affairs. A companion Web site and series of newsletters also kept the College abreast of ongoing developments.

As the study progressed, the College decided to integrate its self examination with the development of a new strategic plan using the HLC’s Vital Focus process. Vital Focus engaged many Oakton employees and students in identifying and addressing significant concerns at the College.

By meeting serious issues head on, we find ourselves in a better position to assess the College’s strengths, the major challenges of the future, and our capacity for meeting those challenges. While keeping an eye on the past and the present, Oakton continues its proud tradition of providing high quality education to students and exceptional service to the community for future generations. Change never stops.

Margaret B. Lee, President

the past or present are certain to miss the future.

—JOHN F. KENNEDY

3 Quality Learning as the Core We will continue to build and sustain academic programs and services of exemplary quality, making learning the core focus for students and employees.

Citizens of the World Oakton students, staff, Seminary, M.A., Fuller Theological Seminary, B.A., faculty, and administrators took part in a DNA pro- Concordia University; Sheila Zabin, assistant professor ject sponsored by the National Geographic Society. of basic nurse assistant training, B.S.N., Loyola Results of the five-year, $40 million study—designed University Chicago; and Lisa Cherivtch-Zingaro, to map the way human beings populated the assistant professor of business, M.B.A., DePaul Earth—were shared through a series of semi- University, B.A., Northern Illinois University. nars and panel discussions during Oakton Gateways to Celebrates Cultures Week. A map showing Opportunity migratory routes taken by ancestors of Oakton was among College participants also was displayed 14 Illinois institutions (opposite page). Participants registered of higher education online and submitted a DNA specimen approved to pilot a for analysis. Student participation was credential program subsidized by a grant from the Board for Gateways to of Student Affairs. Opportunity, a New Faculty Among Oakton’s quali- statewide professional fied and talented new faculty members development network to support early childhood care are: Guiller Bosqued, assistant professor of and education professionals. The program aims to Spanish, M.A., Universidad de Zaragoza assist practitioners through mentoring, career guid- (Spain), B.S., Universidad de Zaragoza; Sherry ance, and financial support. DeMonte, associate professor of health information Future Rocket Scientists Success programs, technology, B.S., National-Louis University, A.A.S., including peer tutor training and mentoring, for Oakton Community College; Elena Fein, instructor Oakton students enrolled in science, technology, of economics, M.A., University of Wisconsin- engineering, and mathematics (STEM) courses Milwaukee, Specialist in Economics, Khabarovsk were enhanced by a nearly $1 million grant from State Academy of Economics and Law (Russia); the National Science Foundation. Funding for the John Frisco, associate professor of speech and theater, project, “Center for Promoting STEM: A Consistent M.F.A, Indiana University, B.A., San Francisco State District-wide Approach to Increase STEM University; Camille Harrison, associate professor of Enrollment and Success,” allows the College to modern languages, M.A., B.A., University of Moknes expand its current STEM programs (Morrocco); Nancy Heldt, professor of medical labo- and engage ratory technology, M.S., California State University, more than B.S., Northeastern Illinois University, B.S., University 2,500 high of Illinois at Chicago; Suzanne Hester, assistant school and college professor of psychology, Ph.D., Fuller Theological

4 students from the Travel Time The Educational Foundation made it Maine and Niles possible for students to explore the U.S. and countries Township high abroad through travel grants. The Foundation’s gen- school districts. erosity allowed students enrolled in the interim sum- The four-year grant mer course, China and the Miao, to spend 16 days provides fellowship visiting China, and honor students to attend a week- money each semester long national leadership seminar in Washington, D.C., to students interested sponsored by the National Collegiate Honors Council. in STEM courses and career opportunities. Funds also are used to establish paid internships, a faculty mentoring program, and seminars on managing stress and other special topics.

Chicago Writers Series Northbrook native Kevin Coval, a hip hop poet featured on HBO’s Def Poetry Jam, and Pushcart Prize winner Sharon Solwitz were guests of the Chicago Writers Series, a venue for local contemporary authors to read from their works. Coval is the founder of Louder Than A Bomb, the annual Chicago Teen Poetry Festival; Solwitz’ short fiction has been published in Ploughshares, the Chicago Tribune, Tikkun, and Mademoiselle.

Diversity We will recognize, embrace, and build on the rich diversity of students and communities in Oakton’s district, and continue to work to enhance the diversity of Oakton’s employees.

Combatants for Peace Alternatives to war in the included Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Doulos Middle East were explored during a lecture by two Christian Fellowship, Hillel, and the Muslim Student members of Combatants for Peace, a group com- Association. prised of individuals active in the Israeli-Palestinian Promoting Awareness The independent docu- conflict. Discussion leaders were Yonatan Shapira, mentary, Darfur Diaries: Message from Home, encour- a recent captain of the Israeli Air Force Reserves, aged students to examine atrocities in the African and Bassam Aramim, a former member of the Fatah, nation of Sudan, where at least 400,000 civilians have better known as the Palestine National Liberation perished since 2003. A Q-and-A with filmmaker Jen Movement. Co-sponsors of the event included Marlowe, who interviewed resistance fighters for the Honors at Oakton, Oakton Educators for Social documentary, followed the screening. Responsibility, and the Department of History and Policy Studies, in conjunction with Faculty for Israeli- Black History and Women’s History Palestinian Peace. Celebrations During Black History Month, students, faculty, staff, and administrators were treated to Exchange Students As part of the Illinois “Echoes of the Past and Voices of Hope: Celebrating Consortium for International Studies and Programs African American Women,” a dramatic, one-woman (ICISP), Oakton welcomed a pair of international stage performance recreating the words and history of exchange professionals in October. Brad Wooten, five African women over the past 150 years. As part dean of social sciences and business, and Harold Ogg, of Women’s History Month, Dr. Mardge Cohen (pic- associate professor of computer technologies and tured opposite), one of the world’s leading authorities information systems, hosted Seppo Laaninen, the on HIV and women, discussed her work in Chicago principal of North Karelia College of Further and Rwanda during a presentation entitled “Caring Education in Nurmes, Finland, and Koos Bakker, for Women with HIV: Global and Local Challenges.” instructor of computer technologies at Toc Zadkine Participants also learned about suffragettes Alice Paul Community College in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and Lucy Burns during a screening of the award-win- respectively. Both educators returned home with a ning film, Iron Jawed Angels. better understanding of how other colleges organize and manage vocational education and facilities. Cultures Week More than 60 individual presentations, including several by prominent guest speakers, Interfaith Dialogue In November, more than comprised Oakton Celebrates Cultures Week in 100 people attended the presentation, “Interfaith March. Aaron Elster, vice president of the Illinois Dialogue on the Middle East Conflict,” a narrative Holocaust Museum and Education Center, provided on the Middle East conflict from the perspectives of a chilling, first-hand account of what it was like to be Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Ron Miller, chair forced to hide from the Nazis. Related lectures and professor of religion at Lake Forest College, led focused on the new Holocaust Museum in Skokie, the presentation. Retired faculty member Alan Rubin and the liberation of concentration camps at the end and Ragaa Abdullah of Hands of Peace, a local inter- of World War II. Cultures Week also included the faith organization that brings Israeli and Palestinian annual Modern Languages Film Festival, a screening youth to the Chicago area each summer, facilitated a of award-winning international films. discussion after Miller’s presentation. Event sponsors

7 Technology We will harness emerging and current technology to provide exemplary support for instruction, for administrative purposes, and for the appropriate needs of Oakton students and employees.

Information Flow The College expanded and improved myOakton, a key feature of the Banner student information system. Besides applying, regis- tering, paying, accessing transcripts, and connecting with faculty and fellow students, the portal enables students to view campus announcements and customize their Oakton Web channels.

Modern Languages The College demonstrated its continued support for modern language instruction by upgrading a variety of teaching and learning tools. New equipment and computer software make it easier for students working at any computer to record and playback audio and visual recordings for language practice.

Slimmer Screens The College began installing computer LCD monitors in high traffic areas and Right Robot, Right Price Sometimes it pays to offices with limited space. These flat-screen monitors shop for bargains. After years of looking for a reason- not only conserve desktop real estate, but also consume ably-priced industrial robot that would allow students less electricity than their cathode ray tube counterparts. to learn programming, Oakton was approached by ABB, a Zurich-based company, to purchase one of its Distance Learning “gently used” units. Oakton paid just $20,000 for the Distance learning courses ABB IRB2400—the only robot of its size and capa- at Oakton continue to bility at an Illinois community college—which carries grow in popularity. More a $120,000 price tag. Increasingly, robots are being than 920 students enrolled utilized where human workers may face dangerous in online, media-based, conditions, or in long reach and heavy load situations. and interactive courses— an increase of more than Seeing (Infra) Red The Educational Foundation 15 percent from the and National Science Foundation joined forces to previous year. Seventeen new distance learning classes help the College purchase a new infrared spectro- were added during the year, with another 14 courses scope for organic chemistry students. This high-tech anticipated or in development. Popular distance tool helps increase students’ interpretative and prob- learning courses include modern language offerings lem-solving skills and provides experience in identify- such as Beginning Spanish and German Conversation ing and investigating compounds and samples. and Composition. Research in the Information Age, a class designed to teach research skills, was made available online for the first time.

8 Entrepreneurship and Innovation We will be a leader and partner in developing creative new credit and noncredit programs, courses, and services to meet emerging interests and demands.

Lifelong Learning in To Your Health Responding to the ongoing need the Neighborhood By for professionally-trained health care providers, the popular demand, Oakton’s College developed Massage Therapy and Aseptic continuing education pro- Pharmaceutical Preparations in conjunction with grams expanded across the Kushan LLC, a division of MRxI Corporation. MRxI community. The Alliance for helped launch Oakton’s Professional Pharmacy Lifelong Learning collabo- Technician Certificate program in 2003 and boasts rated with various organizations and businesses to provide courses in unique settings. One of the most popular series, Cooking with the Chefs, allows students to embark on a culinary adventure in the working kitchens of executive chefs at local restaurants. The Emeritus Program added satellite locations at Covenant Village in Northbrook; Weinberg Community for Senior Living in Deerfield; Classic Residence by Hyatt in Glenview; and Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe.

Name Game Oakton administrators and staff collaborated with colleagues from seven community colleges to increase visibility and awareness of alliances with hospitals, pharmacies, and pharmaceu- the Skyway Athletic Conference for athletics and tical companies. The Massage Therapy program co-curricular activities. Renamed the Illinois offers instruction in a variety of techniques; Aseptic Skyway Collegiate Conference, the group also courses cover the core competencies needed to safely adopted a new logo and conference colors. In prepare and deliver sterile pharmaceuticals. addition, a Web site is in the works that will provide information about Conference activities. Along with Oakton, the conference includes Elgin Community College, College of Lake County, McHenry County College, Moraine Valley Community College, Morton College, Prairie State College, and Waubonsee Community College.

9 Focus on Students We will sustain Oakton’s vigorous commitment to students, helping them learn, succeed, and make wise choices with regard to their educations and futures.

Giving Back In the past year, 500 students Young Artists The donated more than 2,500 hours of their time and Koehnline Museum of Art expertise to help those in the surrounding hosted the 2007 Annual communities. Examples included Jody Padar’s Collegiate Artists Competition, income tax accounting class, which volunteered to an exhibition featuring the help low-income families prepare their annual tax outstanding artistic skills of returns. Students in Patti Interrante’s independent students from two- and four- study theater class stage performed stories for year public and private colleges children whose parents are enrolled in Oakton’s and universities in Illinois. More than 50 artists were Volunteers in Teaching Adults’ (VITA) family selected to display their paintings, drawings, sculpture, literacy project. Interrante’s students also staged ceramics, and prints in the juried show. a reading of baseball stories at a senior housing complex in Des Plaines.

Health Consciousness Several programs at the College focused on the health of students. The Oakton Wellness Fair assembled representatives from a variety of health and fitness disciplines to provide services, including free blood pressure and vision screenings. Smokers also were invited to participate in an instant “lung check” of carbon monoxide levels. The fair also provided access to low-cost screenings to identify individuals at risk That Championship Season The men’s basket- for heart trouble. ball team provided most of the year’s highlights, Sponsored by Oakton Health Services, National blazing a trail to Oakton’s first national tournament Alcohol Screening Day offered free activities appearance. The team also went undefeated in confer- designed to raise awareness of alcohol and its effects. ence play and finished the 2006-07 campaign with a Participants took advantage of risk screenings using College record 29 wins. Many accolades followed the a specially-designed quiz on alcohol awareness. successful season: leading scorer Bryan Piironen Education and counseling services included a presen- earned an honorable mention to the National Junior tation on the dangers of drinking and driving by the College Athletic Association’s All-American team, as Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists. well as NJCAA Region IV District B Player of the Year. Ryan Brown was a first team selection and Jerrod Tucker was named to the NJCAA second team.

10 The Raiders also dominated Illinois Skyway Chicago Cubs and the Houston Astros drafted Collegiate Conference honors as Piironen captured pitchers Brian Wabick (below) and Kyle Erdmann. In Most Valuable Player and Steve Pratt emerged as addition, seven players from the roster earned scholar- Coach of the Year for the second consecutive year. ships from NCAA Division I universities. In addition, six players were named to the Skyway In soccer, the National Soccer All-Conference Team: Piironen, Brown, and Tucker Coaches (first-team), and Stephen Evans, Stacey Anderson, Association of and Marlon Johnson (second team). Two athletes will America named continue their playing careers for NCAA Division I sophomore programs, Evans at Tennessee State and Brown at defender Jaroslaw Cal-State Bakersfield. Kociolek to the 2006 Men’s Pratt credited much of the team’s success to a Division I Junior College new mentor program supported by Oakton faculty, All-America Second Team. staff, and administrators. Mentors, in a one-on-one Sophomore Agata capacity, served as a sounding board for student- Wojciechowska ended her athletes throughout the season. basketball career as Oakton’s Oakton’s baseball program also enjoyed tremen- seventh all-time leading scorer. dous success. Under second-year head coach Bill She also competed in No. 1 Fratto, the Raiders completed their annual campaign singles play at the 2007 at 41-15-1, tying a College record for season victories. NJCAA Women’s Tennis Reflecting the strength of Oakton’s baseball program, National Championship pitcher Cedric Redmond signed a contract with the in Tucson, Arizona.

11 Learning and Working Environment We will maintain a first-rate learning and working environment for students, faculty, staff, and administrators.

Vital Focus Designed to work with the Higher Infrastructure Improvements Both entrances Learning Commission’s Academic Quality to the College saw major improvements in June. Improvement Program, Vital Focus emerged as Aligned with the College’s strategic objective to a vehicle to engage Oakton employees in a new invest in infrastructure maintenance and improve- strategic planning effort by fostering College-wide ments, the College Drives leading to Golf and discussions about the future. Vital Focus remains a Central Roads were repaved and enhanced with the rich process of structured dialogues about what addition of bike paths and walkways. matters most at the College and what projects best A Tragedy Remembered Oakton marked the suit Oakton as it works to meet its goals. fifth anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist 2012 Team To carry attacks with a series of events focused on Mohandas out the work of Vital K. Gandhi’s concept of nonviolent change. “9/11: Focus, President Lee Peace Studies 2006” included a photo exhibit of 20th appointed the 2012 Team century leaders and a discussion led by world to develop the College’s renowned Gandhi expert Gonapalli strategic plan for 2008- Prasad, from Hyderabad, India. 2012. Co-chaired by the Butterfly Garden Oakton’s Ecology president of the faculty Club unveiled a new Butterfly Garden in senate and vice president spring. Located behind an eight-foot brick for academic affairs, the wall on the west side of the Des Plaines campus, the 2012 Team bases its work garden houses native shrubs, vines, and flowers. on four principles: to be inclusive of the entire com- A walking path and picnic tables add to the comfort munity; to communicate clearly and frequently; to use of the wildlife refuge, which eventually will be data to inform decisions; and to formulate new goals enhanced by an iron gate and paving blocks. and measurable objectives. The 2012 Team received feedback by posting draft documents, convening town Kudos Cheryl Warmann, director of student meetings, and presenting at faculty division meetings. financial assistance, received the 2006 Midwest Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators Conversation Day More than 540 Oakton Leadership Award for the state of Illinois. Oakton’s employees gathered for Conversation Day, a full financial aid office administered an estimated $4 day of structured dialogue and role playing to help million in grants and scholarships in the last fiscal determine what matters most to the College. year, helping some 2,000 students realize their dreams Conversation Day also served as a critical instrument of obtaining a college education. The annual award for maintaining and strengthening the mission and recognizes the outstanding leadership of a member values that sustain the Oakton community. from each of nine MASFAA member states. Quick Fix As an outcome of Conversation Day, OSCAR Night Employees enjoyed an evening a Quick Fix Committee responded to nearly 600 with co-workers during OSCAR Night (Oakton suggestions about improving conditions at Oakton. Staff Converse and Relax), presented by Vital Focus The committee reviewed every idea submitted by and the Quick Fix Committee. Volunteers opened employees before setting priorities that could most their homes to host a pot luck supper and a movie tangibly benefit College operations. The College screening, allowing participants to become better provided funds to implement 34 “quick fix” projects. acquainted outside of the workplace.

Community Partnership and Workforce Development We will strengthen partnerships and visibility within Oakton’s district so residents, employees, and employers recognize and use what Oakton offers and so that Oakton serves community needs.

Evanston Township Joins Studio 3 Kids’ College, a summer program for Alliance At the close of the students in grades K-6, academic year, Oakton’s Alliance for morphed into Studio 3, Lifelong Learning entered a partner- a series of creative work- ship with the Evanston Township shops designed to inspire High School Board of Education. the imaginations of middle Under this dynamic initiative, the school students in grades Alliance for Lifelong Learning 6-8. The program targets expanded its array of adult continuing young artists, musicians, education classes to the Evanston community starting and performers. in fall 2007. Homeland Security Classes at Westfield Old Orchard The Center Law enforcement students for Professional Development, a “one-stop” placement learned about the U.S. Department of Homeland center for potential employees in Skokie, celebrated Security and its services from Joseph Kolb, a customs its grand opening at Westfield Old Orchard. The and boarder protection agent. Kolb, a graduate of Center, a partnership among Oakton’s Alliance for Oakton, works at O’Hare International Airport. Lifelong Learning, the Workforce Board of Northern What’s The 9-1-1-? The Northeastern Illinois Cook County, WorkNet of Northern Cook County, Public Safety Training Academy (NIPSTA), a the National Retail Federation, and Westfield Old Glenview agency that develops and provides educa- Orchard, offers continuing education classes in ESL tional programming for emergency responders, spon- and food service. sored a training and demonstration at the College in Radiant Plants Starting in 2003, Oakton naturalist May. The academy presented new technology and Ken Schaefer began to products, including an isolation emergency shelter artistically document the capable of handling 25 patients, to 140 emergency architecture of plants responders from Illinois and Wisconsin. found on College Impact of Alzheimer’s The symptoms of grounds. In January, the Alzheimer’s disease and its impact on family members Notebaert Nature was the focus of “Alzheimer’s: A Family Affair,” Museum, located in a presentation by Cassandra Friedman, Ph.D. Chicago’s Lincoln Park Friedman, a 17-year Oakton veteran and a licensed neighborhood, unveiled psychotherapist in private practice for 30 years, dis- Radiant Plants, a two- cussed specific signs of the disease that has claimed month-long exhibition more than four million adults in the U.S., and its effect featuring more than 100 of Schaefer’s unique “pho- on both patient and caregiver. Psi Beta, the National tograms,” produced by exposing each plant to light in Honor Society in Psychology for Community and a photographic darkroom. Junior Colleges, sponsored the program.

14 Fiscal Responsibility We will manage resources prudently both to maximize the use of existing assets and to preserve optimum flexibility for an uncertain future.

Scholarships Over the past fiscal year, the College More than $3.4 million in federal, state, and com- awarded $359,517 in financial aid, including petitive grant funding awarded during fiscal year 2007 Educational Foundation and institutional scholarships also has enabled Oakton to provide special programs and Board of Student Affairs tuition grants, to 435 in art, theater, literature, and the humanities; offer students. The College also introduced several newly counseling, academic, and support services to first endowed scholarships: The Lois E. Henrikson generation and career and technical education stu- Memorial Scholarship, The Marilou Wasseluk dents; foster internship opportunities and employee Memorial Scholarship, The Michael Wall Scholarship training at local companies; purchase automated Fund, The Thomas and Terese Conway Scholarship, external defibrillators (AEDs) for both campuses; The Butler Nursing Scholarships, The Harry Tankus restructure the Early Childhood Education program Scholarship, and The Christopher Jost Memorial to align with the state’s new standards; and continue Scholarship. to provide literacy and English as a Second Language programs throughout the district. Grants Fiscal year 2007 was exciting for Oakton Finally, Margaret Gas, associate professor of thanks to an award of more than $1 million in grants nursing, was among 15 recipients of the first Nurse from the prestigious National Science Foundation, to Educator Fellowship Grants from the Illinois Board encourage students to pursue careers in science, tech- of Higher Education. The Fellowship provides funds nology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The to support professional development opportunities. Foundation’s STEM Talent Expansion Program chose Oakton proudly salutes Gas, who earned the honor Oakton’s proposal to enhance and expand its pilot because of her continuing efforts to develop programs project into a comprehensive program that creates a for high-risk and foreign-educated nurses. Center for Promoting STEM. Oakton will receive funds over a five-year period to provide services, 30 Years of Giving Founded in 1977, Oakton’s special classes, tutoring, and myriad activities to Educational Foundation celebrated its 30th anniver- students interested in majoring in a STEM subject. sary year of facilitating the public-private partnership In addition, Oakton’s biology, chemistry, and in education. Generous philanthropy continued to medical laboratory technology faculty partnered with create opportunities for students and Oakton faculty from the City Colleges of Chicago, William employees. Fundraising efforts generated $1.4 million Rainey Harper College, and several four-year to support scholarships, programs, and equipment institutions to encourage scientific research among purchases at the College. Earnings from the community college students. The Undergraduate Foundation’s endowment provided scholarship Research Consortium grant from the NSF—the only assistance to 234 students at a value of $209,770. one awarded to a partnership headed by a community During the year, the Foundation sponsored three college—provides approximately $220,000 over five special events: King Tort and the Golden Age of Lawyers, years. This program compares different approaches to the annual Christmas Spirits Revue presented by the incorporating research into undergraduate curriculum, Chicago Bar Association; Stardust Ball, a gala com- and provides opportunities for first- and second-year memorating the Foundation’s 30 years of service to the students to engage in traditional laboratory research. College; and the Make Dreams Come True benefit at The proposal drew heavily from Oakton’s successful Arlington Park. These events contributed more than research class, BIO/CHM 290, which offers students $100,000 to the Foundation’s endowment. hands-on experience in research practices.

15 Financial Report Oakton remains fiscally sound. A complete financial condition and history based on assets, liabilities and net assets for all funds and account groups is detailed extensively in the College’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for each of these years (www.oakton.edu/resource/fin).

Growth of Assets Assets Current assets are those resources reasonably available within one year. Fiscal Years 2003-2007 Unlike other forms of assets, cash and equivalents such as checking account bal- 200 ances can be used immediately for current operational needs, such as meeting the (000,000) payroll or paying vendors. Short-term investments represent the College’s holdings 150 in allowable financial instruments due within one year, such as the State Treasurer’s 100 Pool. Receivables represent those monies due to the College but not yet available for use; examples include property taxes not yet paid for the remainder of the 50

0 FY 03 FY 04 FY 05 FY 06 FY 07 Condensed Statement of Net Assets and History as of June 30 Total Assets Net Assets FY 03 FY 04 FY 05* FY 06* FY 07* (000) (000) (000) (000) (000)

Current Assets Cash and Equivalents $1,342 $13,311 $3,370 $1,653 $464 Short-term Investments 40,946 39,255 37,905 46,054 58,573 Property Tax Receivable 29,267 30,754 32,075 34,076 35,641 Student Tuition Fees 3,380 3,479 Accounts Receivable 2,715 1,182 1,513 3,046 1,833 Other Assets 1,181 986 1,373 1,124 2,005 Noncurrent Assets Restricted Cash 6,713 4,653 2,897 2,461 2,291 Long-term Investments 16,025 13,268 27,520 21,167 18,318 Property Tax Receivable 15,222 15,792 16,345 17,109 17,998 Student Loans 56 52 20 17 3 Plant and Equipment 81,203 84,065 88,602 88,224 87,529 less Depreciation (26,213) (26,762) (27,526) (25,916) (25,480) TOTAL ASSETS 168,457 176,556 184,094 192,395 202,654

Current Liabilities Accounts Payable 1,284 899 819 748 520 Accrued Payroll 2,299 3,322 2,842 2,123 2,618 Other Accrued Liabilities 4,093 3,259 4,717 6,702 6,971 Unearned Revenues 31,935 33,270 34,444 39,482 42,090 Noncurrent Liabilities Unearned Property Tax Revenues 15,222 15,792 16,345 17,109 17,998 TOTAL LIABILITIES 54,833 56,542 59,167 66,164 70,197

Net Assets Invested in Capital Assets 54,990 57,303 61,076 62,309 62,049 Restricted 25,047 26,630 24,676 22,138 21,746 Unrestricted 33,587 36,081 39,175 41,784 48,662 TOTAL NET ASSETS $113,624 $120,014 $124,927 $126,231 $132,457

*Fiscal years 2005, 2006, and 2007 reflect the College’s adoption of GASB standards 45 and 47.

16 current levy and half of the estimated levy for the coming year and accrued interest. Other assets include prepaid expenditures and bookstore inventory. Noncurrent assets are the College’s long-term financial and plant resources. Restricted cash is the College’s escrow contribution to the state-supported construction at the Ray Hartstein Campus. Long-term investments represent the College’s holdings in allowable financial instruments due in more than one year, such as T-Bonds and GNMAs. Plant and equipment account for the College’s equity in land, buildings, real estate improvements (such as roads and security lighting), and capital equipment expenditures such as computer network servers and digital projectors. Property tax receivable includes the second half of the estimated levy for the coming year. Student loans are the outstanding balances due for loan programs. Depreciation is the recovery of the costs of plant and equipment over their expected useful lives. Liabilities Current liabilities are short-term obligations. Accrued payroll, accounts payable, and other accrued liabilities represent amounts due to employees or vendors for services, supplies or equipment provided to the College. Unearned revenues include property taxes from the current levy and half the estimated future levy legally collectible but not income until after the end of the fiscal year. Noncurrent liabilities represent long-term obligations, usually due over 2005 Property Tax Rates* a number of years. Unearned property tax revenues represent the second half of for a typical homeowner in the future levy to be collected. Oakton’s district Net Assets Net assets are either the accumulated resources invested in plant and Taxing Body Rate** %Total equipment or resources available with or without restriction, the latter generally County 0.922 13.62% available for payment of future expenses. City 1.218 17.99% Township 0.135 1.99% Property Taxes The local property owner has provided almost 45 percent of Grade School 2.582 38.13% total resources over the last five years. However, for a typical homeowner, Oakton’s High School 1.757 25.95% Oakton 0.157 2.32% 2005 rate of 0.157 dollars per $100 assessed valuation represents only 2.32 percent Total Rate 6.771 100.00% of the tax bill, compared with a high school rate more than 10 times higher, or the combined county rate almost six times higher. *Data for 2006 tax levy year was not available at time of printing Property taxes are a significant source of revenue for all Illinois community **In dollars per $100 of equalized assessed valuation colleges. Based on the latest available state-wide comparative data (2004 levy), Oakton compares very favorably with other colleges. In that year Oakton’s total rate was 0.185; the average total rate for the 10 local community college peer group was 0.300; the highest rate in the state was 0.611; and the average rate for all community colleges in the state was 0.403.

Credit Hour Enrollment History Fiscal Years 1998-2007

The success in maintaining total credit 240,000 hour enrollment over the last 10 years represents the College’s efforts to meet the educational requirements of the 190,000 community by providing quality instruction, superior facilities, and course offerings that accommodate student needs. ‘98 ‘99 ‘00 ‘01 ‘02 ‘03 ‘04 05’ 06’ 07’ 140,000

17 4 3 5 Revenues by Source Local residential and business property owners continue 2 as the primary source of revenues for the College, followed in order by student 6 tuition and fees, state grants and contracts, and auxiliary enterprises. However,

7 the property tax cap law will limit increases from this revenue stream in the future, and will require the College to actively seek other avenues of funding to 8 support educational and community services to students and District residents. 9 1 Operating revenues increased by $1.3 million primarily due to an increase in tuition rates and associated fees. Non-operating revenues increased by $5.4 Revenues by Source million primarily from an increase in property tax revenue and investment income 1. Property Tax 45.9% earned. Investment income earned increased significantly due to improved cash 2. Local 0.4% flow, an increase in return rates, and the College’s long-term investment valuation 3. State 13.3% 4. Federal 5.2% increasing rather than decreasing as was the case last fiscal year. Operating 5. Investments 5.6% expenses increased $1.8 million from an increase in salaries and related benefits. 6. Students 16.9% Oakton's tuition at $75 per credit hour in FY 2007 remains among the most 7. Chargebacks 0.1% 8. Auxiliary Enterprises 12.4% competitive in the area. 9. Other 0.2% Revenues for the years ended June 30

FY 03 FY 04 FY 05* FY 06* FY 07* (000) (000) (000) (000) (000)

OPERATING REVENUE Student Tuition and Fees $9,805 $11,116 $11,342 $11,486 $12,897 Chargeback Revenue 64 74 80 98 58 Auxiliary Enterprises 9,247 9,511 10,040 9,425 9,419 Other Sources 104 123 163 252 138 Total Operating Revenues 19,220 20,824 21,625 21,261 22,512 Total Operating Expenses 61,637 80,234 66,742 68,067 69,833 Operating Loss (42,417) (59,410) (45,117) (46,806) (47,321)

NON-OPERATING REVENUE Property taxes 28,663 30,577 31,159 33,118 34,905 Local Grants and Contracts 262 306 254 303 320 State Grants and Contracts 12,280 13,904 12,513 9,282 10,158 Federal Grants and Contracts 3,214 3,452 3,675 3,662 3,928 Investment Income Earned 1,924 706 2,429 1,745 4,236 Extraordinary On-behalf Pension 0 16,855 0 0 0 Total Non-operating Revenues 46,343 65,800 50,030 48,110 53,547 Increase in Net Assets $3,926 $6,390 $4,913 $1,304 $6,226

*Fiscal years 2005, 2006, and 2007 reflect the College’s adoption of GASB standards 45 and 47.

Expenditure by Type of Service Instruction includes those activities that deal directly with or aid in the teaching process. Instruction expenditures include not only personnel costs and supplies but also the personnel and materials required to plan, implement and manage the instructional programs. Academic support com- prises those programs that directly support the instruction process, such as tutoring, library operations, and instructional media services. Student services comprise registration and records, financial aid, counseling, and other activities that provide non-academic support services to students. Operation and maintenance costs relate to those maintenance, housekeeping, public safety and other costs necessary for the

18 3 4 proper and safe operation of the physical plant of the College. General institutional support encompasses general regulation, direction and administration, as well as 2 5 those costs applicable to the College on an institution-wide basis, such as Commencement and accreditation activities. Auxiliary enterprises are those activities that charge a fee for service, such as the bookstores, food services, the Early Child 6 Care and Education Demonstration Centers, the Business Institute, and other business-type activities. Depreciation represents the financial acknowledgement of 1 7 the costs of fixed assets prorated over their estimated useful service lives. During FY 2004 the State made an extraordinary on-behalf pension payment $16,854,898. Expenditure by Type of Service This amount is shown as a separate line item for comparative purposes. 1. Instruction 43.9% 2. Academic Support 5.8% 3. Student Services 13.9% Use of Resources by Type of Service for the years ended June 30 4. Operations and Maintenance of Plant 8.1% FY 03 FY 04 FY 05* FY 06* FY 07* 5. General Institutional (000) (000) (000) (000) (000) Support 11.1% Instruction $25,819 $26,873 $28,677 $28,615 $30,616 6. Auxiliary Enterprises 13.2% Academic support 4,281 4,273 4,162 4,576 4,076 7. Depreciation 4.0% Student services 8,492 8,202 8,558 8,482 9,733 Operations and Maintenance 5,011 5,031 5,020 5,460 5,649 General Institutional Support 4,607 5,733 7,497 8,393 7,783 Auxiliary Enterprises 9,287 9,747 9,816 9,430 9,213 Depreciation 4,140 3,520 3,012 3,111 2,763 Extraordinary On-behalf Pension 0 16,855 0 0 0 Total Expenditures $61,637 $80,234 $66,742 $68,067 $69,833

*Fiscal years 2005, 2006, and 2007 reflect the College’s adoption of GASB standards 45 and 47.

1 Expenditure by Type of Cost As with any service organization, personnel costs—salaries and benefits—make up the largest single cost category at 74.0 percent. Salaries alone represent 60.6 percent of total costs. Benefits, including health, unemployment, and Medicare insurance costs, constitute 13.5 percent of total expenditures. Supplies and service expenditures account for more than 17 percent of operating expenditures. They include services provided by outside agencies, as well as 2 instructional and administrative supplies. Other expenses include depreciation 4 3 and miscellaneous expenditures. Depreciation accounts for most of this category. Expenditure by Type of Cost 1. Personnel 74.0% Use of Resources by Type of Cost for the years ended June 30 2. Supplies and Services 16.9% 3. Utilities 2.4% FY 03 FY 04 FY 05* FY 06* FY 07* 4. Other 6.7% (000) (000) (000) (000) (000)

Personnel Costs $42,215 $44,519 $48,908 $48,262 $51,710 Supplies and Services 11,811 11,761 12,249 13,137 11,796 Utilities 1,413 1,325 1,406 1,543 1,662 Other Expenses 6,198 5,774 4,179 5,125 4,665 Extraordinary On-behalf Pension 0 16,855 0 0 0 Total Expenditures $61,637 $80,234 $66,742 $68,067 $69,833

*Fiscal years 2005, 2006, and 2007 reflect the College's adoption of GASB standards 45 and 47.

19 Board of Trustees Jeffrey H. Rosen, Chair Emory W. Williams, Vice Chair Joan W. DiLeonardi, Secretary George G. Alexopoulos Ann E. Tennes Jody Wadhwa Steven Spera, Student Trustee

1600 East Golf Road, Des Plaines, Illinois 60016 7701 North Lincoln Avenue, Skokie, Illinois 60077 www.oakton.edu