NORTHERN ESSEX COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
MINUTES OF MEETING (OFFICIAL) – December 1, 2021
A meeting of the Northern Essex Community College Board of Trustees was held in room TC103A&B in the Hartleb Technology Center at the Haverhill Campus on December 1, 2021 at 5:00 PM. A Zoom Teleconference option was also available.
PRESENT:
Ms. Borislow
Ms. O’Rorke (Via Zoom)
Mr. Guilmette
Ms. Paley Nadel
Mr. Linehan
Ms. Quiles
Ms. Modeen (Student Trustee)
Ms. Sanchez
UNABLE TO ATTEND: Mr. Cox, Ms. Fernandez, Ms. Worden
ALSO, PRESENT: President Glenn
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairwoman Borislow called the meeting to order at 5:02 PM with a roll call of attendance and a quorum present.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Chairwoman Borislow asked for a motion to approve the November 3, 2021 meeting minutes.
On a Motion presented by Trustee Linehan and seconded by Trustee Guilmette, by roll call vote, the Board approved unanimously the November 3, 2021 minutes as presented with 7 Trustees approving and one abstention.
CORRESPONDENCE:
There was none.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
a) Introduction of Newly Hired Employees (Verbal)
President Glenn introduced several new employees to the Board. They were:
– Carlos Camacho, Campus Police Officer II, Public Safety;
– Andrew Nguyen, Business Analyst, Institutional Research and Planning;
– Martha Mazeika, Assistant Director of SOAR, SOAR Program;
– Ray Newton, Campus Police Officer, Public Safety;
– Gracia Saravia, SOAR Program Case Manager, SOAR Program;
– Karen Rooney, Director of Grants Development, Institutional Advancement; and,
– Katie Yeaton-Hromada, Career Services & Internship Program Coordinator, Career Center.
The board welcomed the new employees to NECC.
EDUCATION REPORT:
a) International Virtual Exchange Presented by Melba Acevedo, Director of Instructional Technology & Online Education (Verbal)
Dr. Paul Beaudin, Vice President of Academic Affairs, introduced NECC’s Director of Instructional Technology & Online Education, Melba Acevedo, who provided the education report.
Ms. Acevedo thanked the board for the opportunity to talk about exchange program, why it is important, and how it works. The International Exchange Program (or IVE) has met a need in higher education for over 2 decades now. The economy needs scholars and students who can work in a technology-driven environment and in a global economy. Working in the 21st century, she noted, requires critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity, and students need to be skilled in these areas, most of which can be attained through some of our curriculum.
Why IVE? Ms. Acevedo reported that only 5.3% of U.S. undergraduate students go abroad which means that 95% of students do not have that opportunity. Many students (particularly community college students) have jobs and family obligations that prevent them from visiting abroad.
Ms. Acevedo noted that IVE is really a pedagogical practice with “sustained, technology-enabled, people-to-people education with activities.” The facilitators are faculty members and typically work on an interdisciplinary project. These opportunities provide deep and high impact activities that engage students on a deep cultural level and provide for exchanges across digital technology. Similar to the IVE, the Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) (another opportunity for students) also provides deep, high impact practices and project-based learning which touches on 21st century skills and has similar outcomes.
The college has partnered with two French universities, the Université Paris-Saclay and the Université de Lorraine. Both institutions provide training support and provide students with the intercultural competence needed to work in a collaborative workforce across the world. Faculty also benefit from this partnership, as they work with international peers and obtain global exposure to their course. Some of the projects that faculty are working on are:
– An ElectroPhysio Project where students will develop video and French students will develop the prototype.
– A Mystery Shopper project where students are developing a project for Principles of Marketing in conjunction with French faculty. Students will go to stores both in France and in the US and do a comparison on the shopping experience.
– The Blue, White and Red Enigmas Electronic project.
– Differential Equations & English for Tech project where math department faculty are working with English faculty in a technical field.
– Trading Our Way to Sustainability: Cultural & Historical Sustainable Model where NECC faculty member Lis Espinosa is working with a faculty member in Paris focusing on international procurement.
In closing, Ms. Acevedo noted that this type of international work and collaboration can bring our faculty and students a full and enriching international experience. She thanked the trustees for their time.
BOARD CHAIR UPDATE:
Chairwoman Borislow thanked Trustees Linehan and Cox again for their willingness to continue to serve as Trustees well beyond their 10-year commitment to the school.
Ms. Borislow also noted that all trustees had completed their Trustee training, and she thanked them for meeting that deadline.
She also extended a big congratulations to Mike McCarthy, NECC’s Chief Operating officer for receiving an award as the Outstanding Chief Business Officer from the Community College Business Officers group. She noted that Mike was recognized for the great work he is doing, and thanked him for his continued work at NECC.
In closing, Chairwoman Borislow noted that as we prepare for Spring, she congratulated the college’s faculty and staff on a wonderful Fall semester. She also thanked trustees for their continued dedication to NECC and is looking forward to meeting in the new year at the February 2022 meeting.
REPORT OF BOARD COMMITTEES:
a) Audit and Finance Sub-Committee:
1) Motion to Accept NECC FY2021 Audited Financial Statements (AFC-22-03): In Trustee Cox’s absence, Trustee Paley Nadel reported that the school is in amazing financial shape and the college’s balance sheet is on point. She commended CFO Michael McCarthy and his team.
On a Motion presented by Trustee O’Rorke and seconded by Trustee Paley Nadel, by roll call vote, the Board unanimously approved Agenda Item 7a, the NECC FY2021 Audited Financial Statements, AFC-22-03, as presented.
b) Alumni Advancement Sub-Committee:
In Trustee Fernandez’s absence, Vice President of Institutional Advancement Allison Dolan-Wilson noted that she had met with several trustees so far, and she is looking forward to meeting with everyone. During these meetings, she noted, the discussion focuses on giving opportunities at NECC, and the cases of support to share including meeting the college’s minimum goals and ramping up our efforts for the Haverhill promise. Ms. Dolan-Wilson thanked trustees for as much participation as possible and reminded trustees of the annual fund. In closing, she thanked trustees for their assistance and leads to new donors as we build our portfolio of legacy gifts, continue to ask for that annual support for the NECC unrestricted fund, and support new initiatives like drop-off childcare so that students can attend classes.
c) Equity Imperative Sub-Committee:
Sub-Committee Chair Paley-Nadel has noted that the Chief JEDI position for the Center of Equity and Social Justice will be reposted after none of the three finalists were selected for appointment. She noted that more outreach will be conducted for this inaugural position. Trustee Paley Nadel noted that she appreciated the search process which included interviews, open forums for all faculty and staff, and a case study. She noted that she feels sure that the next round will result in hiring the right candidate.
d) Nominating Sub-Committee:
Sub-Committee Chair Quiles noted that she has not heard from the state, and therefore she has no report.
REPORT OF ADMINISTRATION:
Prior to beginning his report, President Glenn showed a video created by NECC Student Kyra McLean. Ms. McLean, he noted, produced and narrated this video about the effect of Covid-19 on academic achievement as part of an assignment in her Introduction to Psychology course with Professor Isabelle Gagne in our Behavioral Science Department. The 10-minute video was exceptional, and President Glenn thanked Kyra for allowing him to share her work with the Board.
a) FY22 Budget Update
President Glenn noted that the budget update was provided in the Audit & Finance subcommittee report. FY22 college expenses and revenues are on target as planned.
b) NECC 2021 Strategic Plan
President Glenn noted that a college-wide forum will be held on Monday December 13th. At the meeting, faculty and staff will hear from the Strategic Planning Lead Team about the most recent draft of the college’s Strategic Plan. Faculty and staff will be provided with an opportunity to provide feedback on the plan, and a more finalized draft will be presented at Spring Convocation. President Glenn noted that this is a key milestone in the process. During the month of January, the college will also touch base with the Department of Higher Education and EAB. Each of those entities will review and evaluate the plan and provide feedback to us as we prepare for the final version and it’s adoption by the college community later this spring.
c) NECC Police Academy – ABLE Training Certification
President Glenn noted that all graduates of the Police Academy will now have completed Active Bystander for Law Enforcement training. The training focuses on reducing police misconduct and promoting officer health and wellness.
d) NECHE Notification Letter
President Glenn noted the college received from its official letter from the commissioners notifying the college that it has been granted another 10-year accreditation. He noted the college will need to conduct a five-year interim report, which is standard. President Glenn noted that several college faculty and staff across the institution worked on this accreditation process, and he thanked everyone involved in the process.
e) Haverhill Campus
In a couple of quick updates, President Glenn noted that the college’s Community Health Worker Program was recently approved. He also noted that he recently conducted a presentation for Essex County Commissioners Foundation “Lunch and Learn” program.
f) Lawrence Campus
President Glenn noted that the college is in the final stages of our vaccine requirement implementation. Faculty, staff, and students are now able to upload a copy of their vaccination documents. We are hopeful, he noted, that this won’t have an impact on enrollment for the Spring semester. As of right now, about 75% of the college’s Spring 2022 classes will have some in-person component. As we move through December, if enrollment patterns change and we do not see support for that 75% number, we will adjust accordingly.
In closing, President Glenn thanked everyone for their support and wished all trustees and the leadership team a very happy holiday season.
NEW BUSINESS:
There was none.
OTHER BUSINESS:
There was none.
ADJOURNMENT: With no other business, Chairwoman Borislow adjourned the meeting at 6:02 PM, and wished all of the faculty/staff, leadership team, and fellow trustees a very happy and healthy holiday season.
