Campus safety continues as SWCC approves phase two

Work is continuing to make Southwestern Community College’s campus as safe as possible, with college officials moving into phase two of security updates.

Over the past year, SWCC has worked with Solutions Management Group of Davenport to make security and access control changes, including the installation of 132 new cameras and 26 door controls in at the Osceola Center, Red Oak Center, ORBIT Center and student housing in Creston.

The next phase of updates brings more of the same technology, this time to different buildings.

“It will include replacing 35 video security cameras and 12 access door units, installation of those in Tech Center One, Tech Center Two, the administration building here and the performing arts center building,” SWCC Vice President of Economic Development Wayne Pantini said. “If approved, they will start implementation of the wiring and cabling necessary to do that by the end of this month.”

The phase-two agreement with SMG is five years and will cost about $5,800 a month. Combined with payments from phase one and a support service agreement, the college is paying just over $17,000 a month. The project is funded through the Operational Equipment and Protection fund, which comes from property tax and state-funded levies.

Discussions were also had regarding adding security cameras and door controls to the new Skilled Trades Center, which is currently under construction.

“The cost of the actual devices comes down to $48,846.58. That will include 15 video security cameras and then eight access control units on the facility,” Pantini said. “And because we’re able to integrate that into that project, we’re actually able to save a little bit on the cabling because a lot of that will all be built into the project. The cabling part of that will be $46,130.85. The expenses for those will be paid out of the actual construction project.”

The board unanimously approved both projects.

In other SWCC news...

The board approved a change in tuition and fees for the 2026-17 academic year. There is an $8 per credit hour increase in tuition, as well as a $2 per credit increase for fees. This places new tuition and fee rates at $242 per credit hour for Iowa residents and $249 for out-of-state residents, effective the beginning of the fall semester.

Board member Amy Mobley of Maloy submitted her resignation. Board president Tony Cass will service on a subcommittee alongside board vice president Fred Shearer to find a new board member for District 7.

At a previous special meeting on Monday, April 27, the board approved the resignation of Laurie Heron McCown, criminal justice instructor.

The board approved the resignation of Chris Piperno, head softball coach, to be replaced by Sophia Ducket. Along with Ducket, the board approved the employment of Dana Kuehl as a business instructor and Kenadi Rising as an assistant women’s basketball coach.