NPC ups reserve balance
Trustees voted Wednesday to increase National Park College’s reserve fund balance and staff members touted the successes of the school’s increasing sports offerings.
The board of trustees passed a resolution to amend the reserve fund balance Wednesday during a regular board meeting in the Gerald Fisher Campus Center. The college established a balance of $250,000 circa 1990.
The reserved funds are set aside to stabilize finances by providing a cushion against unexpected events. The balance is also in place for the college to take advantage of specific opportunities and one-time expenses.
Steve Trusty, vice president for finance and administration, updated the finance committee prior to the meeting. The $250,000 reserve represents only about 1.5 percent of the college’s annual educational and general operating budget of more than $17 million.
“Steve and I have been discussing this for a while just trying to get to fundamental, sound financial management, having the right balance of being conservative and also having a game plan to invest our excess fund balance,” said NPC President John Hogan.
The resolution authorized an increase to $2.5 million in the reserve fund. According to the resolution, “the college wishes to increase that percentage to approximately 15 to realistically leverage funding opportunities or respond to any unforeseen situations.”
The state does not mandate a specific percentage of the budget in reserve funds. Hogan said percentages of less than 5 percent and more than 15 percent require explanations to the Arkansas Department of Higher Education.
Jim Fram, president and CEO of The Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce and the Hot Springs Metro Partnership, addressed the board Wednesday. He shared information about the partnership’s strategic plan for the next three years.
Jason Hudnell, dean of enrollment, said registration for the summer and fall semesters will begin on Monday. He said the college is seeking to grow student engagement, recruiting and retainment through various activities.
“Intramurals is a part of that engagement piece,” Hudnell said. “That’s where, with a lot of our students, we get to retain them.”
Almost 200 students participated this school year in intramurals, including two softball teams, six volleyball teams, six basketball teams, four flag football teams and a one-day Ping-Pong challenge. Soccer will be added to the intramural schedule next school year.
The board recognized the winners of the first intramural basketball championship tournament, Team Buckets. Team members Andrew Spakes and Cordace Wilson were introduced during the meeting. Other members of the team were Teveon Perkins, Nash Tigue and Bailey White.
The college will also add club sports next school year, beginning with men’s and women’s basketball teams coached by Hudnell. Bob Kissire will serve as the men’s assistant coach and Tennille Johnson will serve as the women’s assistant coach.
“I don’t know that I go out anywhere that I am not asked a question about Nighthawk basketball anymore,” Hudnell said.
Tryouts will be held April 22 in the NPC Wellness Center gymnasium. Open tryouts will be held from noon to 2 p.m. for women and 3-6 p.m. for men.
Student-athletes must be enrolled as full-time students for both the fall 2017 and spring 2018 semesters to be eligible. Students interested in participating are asked to register online at http://www.np.edu/basketball.
Club sports include any offered at a university or college that compete competitively with other colleges and universities, but are not regulated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association, National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, National Junior College Athletic Association or other sports affiliates.
NPC’s intercollegiate club teams will adhere to National Intramural Recreational Sports Association rules and regulations. Their season will begin in November and conclude with the NIRSA regional tournament next March.
Hudnell said he plans on a regular season of at least 1012 games against teams from other NIRSA clubs and NJCAA programs in the region, but not outside of the state. Six games have already been scheduled.
“It gives our students, not only those who are on the team, but our student body as a whole something to rally around, be proud of and to support,” Hudnell said.
Hudnell said the college has increased its number of signing day events from dates with seven local high schools a year ago to 11 this semester. He said student affairs staff will be on hand at the events to allow students to register for classes on the spot.