Northern Essex Community College Board of Trustees
Minutes of Meeting (OFFICIAL) – February 2, 2022
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 February 2, 2022 at 5:00 PM. A Zoom Teleconference option was also available.
PRESENT:
Ms. Borislow
Ms. O’Rorke (Via Zoom)
Mr. Cox
Ms. Paley Nadel
Ms. Fernandez
Ms. Quiles
Mr. Guilmette
Ms. Worden (Via Zoom)
Mr. Linehan
UNABLE TO ATTEND: Ms. Modeen, Ms. Sanchez
ALSO, PRESENT: President Glenn
CALL TO ORDER: Chairwoman Borislow called the meeting to order at 5:04 PM with a roll call of attendance and a quorum present. Before beginning the business of the board, President Glenn asked for a moment of silence for past Trustee Joseph D’Orazio. He noted that Mr. D’Orazio, a local businessman, who was a wonderful supporter of the college and an avid champion of our students, recently passed away.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Chairwoman Borislow asked for a motion to approve the December 2, 2021 meeting minutes.
On a Motion presented by Trustee O’Rorke and seconded by Trustee Linehan, by roll call vote, the Board unanimously approved the December 2, 2021 minutes as presented.
CORRESPONDENCE: President Glenn noted that, late this afternoon, he had emailed trustees a copy of a letter he received from Secretary Peyser and Secretary Sudders encouraging public and private higher education presidents to transition the Covid-19 pandemic into an endemic.
Dr. Glenn noted that all 15 community college presidents will be discussing the letter at their February 3rd meeting, and will come to some agreement as to how colleges can collectively move toward a new normal in the future, while being careful and cautious as this evolves.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
a) Introduction of Newly Hired Employees (Verbal)
President Glenn introduced one new employee to the Board. Matthew Gingras is not new to NECC, as he is an alumnus with an active record of participation. When attending NECC, Matt was a student ambassador, an orientation leader, and worked on the NECC newspaper, the Observer. Matt now joins NECC as a full-time financial aid counselor. The board welcomed Matthew back to NECC, while President Glenn provided him with a small welcome gift.
EDUCATION REPORT:
a) STEM/UML Relationship Building by Dr. Carolyn Knoepfler and Professor Douglas Leaffer (Verbal)
Dr. Paul Beaudin, Vice President of Academic Affairs, introduced NECC’s Dean of Science, Technology, Education & Math, Dr. Carolyn Knoepfler and Engineering Professor, Douglas Leaffer, who together provided the education report. Dr. Beaudin expressed his deep gratitude to Dr. Knoepfler and Professor Leaffer on their work not only with UML, but also for their collaboration with Vice President of Advancement, Allison Dolan-Wilson and NECC’s Director of Grants, Karen Rooney in preparing and submitting a workforce development application with MIT in a short window of time. With that said, he invited Dr. Knoepfler to begin her report.
Dr. Knoepfler noted that at the start of 2022 Spring semester, the college has 70 labs running, and has 50 new STEM students, 80 Biology majors, 24 Chemistry/Physics/Environmental Science majors, 22 Lab Science majors, 160 CIS majors, and 124 Engineering majors. She noted the large number of engineering students this year.
Professor Leaffer then reviewed NECC’s Engineering collaborations with the University of Massachusetts, Lowell. He noted that the college has strengthened its academic partnership with UML, and updated articulation transfer agreements (from A.S. to B.S.) in multiple disciplines of engineering including: Biomedical, Chemical, Civil/Environmental, Computer, Electrical, Mechanical and Plastics. He also noted that we now have a full articulation agreement so our students can easily transfer to UML in engineering physics. Despite the pandemic, he noted, the college was able to meet with UML faculty and staff in the fall semester to develop the B.S. pathway, and he also noted that UML has a fair amount of scholarships available to help support our Plastics Engineering transfer students.
In addition to the campus visits and presentations across all engineering disciplines, the students and faculty at both NECC and UML have participated in social activities such as the Civil/Environmental Engineering UMass holiday party in December 2021 where our students were able to view the UML labs. In closing, Dr. Knoepfler noted that these formal and informal visits foster student/faculty idea exchange, provide for a smoother transition for NECC transfer students, and build a pipeline of engineering students for the local workforce.
President Glenn thanked both presenters and noted that transfer is one of NECC’s missions, and successful student transfer remains a function that is very important to our (and all) community college students. Those benefits and ease of transfer means everything to our students.
Trustee Paley Nadel asked if the college was actively seeking/working on internships?
Professor Leaffer noted that the MIT grant opportunity noted at the beginning of the report is a workforce development grant from the EDA and is addressing the local need for local companies. There is a strong need for talented help, he noted, with skills somewhere between a technician and an engineer in local companies like BAE, Raytheon, etc. If the grant is successful, he noted, a new 5-course certificate program will help that new workforce need. Also, the college routinely hears from employers for immediate opportunities for CAD and electronic technicians, and faculty make announcements to our students in classes so students have an inside track to those opportunities.
Trustee Worden asked how many students typically transfer to UML? And what is the MIT collaboration? Vice President Beaudin noted that UML is the largest recipient of our transfer student population at about 50% which translates into approximately 200-300 students. And the MIT collaboration is a grant proposal that we are working on with MIT (as the content developer) and in partnership with UML. As a result of the partnership, NECC would be the course delivery agent, and, if awarded, NECC would receive approximately $1M over 3 years to conduct this program.
President Glenn again thanked the presenters for the wonderful information and education report.
BOARD CHAIR UPDATE:
Chairwoman Borislow provided a very brief update, but first 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 she and President Glenn had recently attended a Massachusetts Community College Trustee Chairs Retreat, hosted by the Mass. Association of Community Colleges Office and included information on a variety of topics including comments from Commissioner Santiago and BHE Chair Chris Gabrielli. She noted that she is always so proud to be affiliated with NECC which is viewed as a leader within the system in terms of innovative programming and working to address challenges within the system.
In closing, Chairwoman Borislow noted that she and President Glenn will continue to keep trustees apprised of the changing political and leadership landscape and thanked trustees for their continued support.
REPORT OF BOARD COMMITTEES:
a) Audit and Finance Sub-Committee: Trustee Cox noted that the Committee met regarding the follow two items earlier that afternoon.
1) GW&K Investment Update (Verbal): Trustee Cox noted that Jim McCarthy provided a brief report on the college’s investment portfolio, and it was a very positive review regardless of the volatility of the market over the last month or so. The college is moving $7.5 million into investment accounts and will allocate that into various investments, all within the authorization given to the board. President Glenn noted that, for several years now, GWK have been strong supporters of the college and wonderfully aligned allies of our financial efforts.
2) FY2022 Quarter 2 Budget Update (AFC-22-04): Trustee Cox noted that the current budget situation for 2nd quarter is healthy regardless of enrollments being slightly down. The FY22 budget projection indicates that we will have a net increase of $7 million over what was budgeted. That will certainly decline a bit as the college continues to hire new employees to fill workforce needs, and should result with at least a $5 million balance. At any rate, Trustee Cox reiterated that the college is well-positioned for any future uncertainties.
Chairwoman Borislow thanked the committee for their review and work, and commended CFO Michael McCarthy and his team for their terrific work.
b) Alumni Advancement Sub-Committee:
Via Zoom, Trustee Fernandez provided her report on the committee’s work. She noted that she and Vice President of Institutional Advancement Allison Dolan-Wilson met, and they are very excited about donations to date with the college receiving $48K in alumni donations in all of FY21, and that the college has received just over $41K in only 6 months of FY22.
In addition, Trustee Fernandez noted that the leadership is working hard setting up an NECC Giving Day on April 7, 2022. This is an inaugural event for the Institutional Advancement office and is separate from the national, annual day of giving around the holidays. This 24-hour campaign will focus on faculty, staff, and trustee participation, and she encouraged all trustees to be as supportive as possible with a goal of $1,000 total donated by Trustees. Trustee O’Rorke pledged her generous donation, and encouraged her fellow trustees to do whatever they can as well. She recommended that the goal of the campaign be set at $60K to align with the college’s 60th Anniversary Event, and she agreed to assist with the fundraising efforts on the day of giving.
Lastly, Trustee Fernandez thanked the trustees and Allison’s team as they begin the work on a variety of outreach efforts to the alumni and community. Trustees are encouraged to promote, get involved, and share information about NECC in their networks.
c) Equity Imperative Sub-Committee:
Sub-Committee Chair Paley-Nadel has noted that the job description for the Chief JEDI position for the Center of Equity and Social Justice is under review before it is posted again. She noted that one focus of the Center will be equity as it relates to the English language learner academy that was started this past fall. The program is growing to meet community need, and the committee is happy to help with those strategic planning goals as part of the equity initiative.
d) Nominating Sub-Committee:
Sub-Committee Chair Quiles noted that she has not heard from the state at this point in time. She noted that she will reconvene a meeting of the committee to discuss engagement of possible future members, review the committee charter, look at membership dates, etc.
In closing, Chairwoman Borislow noted that the Presidential Evaluation Committee will be reconvening soon to begin the FY21 Presidential Evaluation process, as President Glenn’s evaluation is due in June.
REPORT OF ADMINISTRATION:
President Glenn provided information on the following items under his Report of Administration:
a) COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement Implementation (Verbal)
President Glenn noted that implementation on the vaccine requirement has been ongoing. All 15 community colleges require all employees who are on campus and students taking in-person classes provide proof of full vaccination. Overall, faculty, staff and students complied with the requirement, and only a very small number of employees did not. There are a few employees who are still working through the vaccination process, and the college has continued to work with those employees. Very few employees departed, but there were some that did leave the college.
In terms of students, 379 students were dropped from classes due to not providing vaccination status. Of that number, the college worked individually with each of them to either complete the accommodation process and/or confirm that they are working toward vaccination. As a result, only 96 students were not re-enrolled. As the dust continues to settle on this, the college is setting up some additional courses for a 2nd 8-week section of the semester for those students that might be ready to rejoin NECC half way thru the Spring semester. President Glenn noted that the college may convert more classes to 8-weeks as we move forward depending how they are enrolled. President Glenn thanked Executive Director of Human Resources Patty Gauron, Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Jennifer V. Mezquita, Dean of Students Jonathan Miller and the whole HR/Student Affairs teams for their work on this huge project.
Trustee Paley Nadel asked if students are not vaccinated, can they enroll online? President Glenn confirmed that they can do that and attain student services virtually via Zoom.
In closing, Trustee Quiles asked if the college will revisit some of the restrictions and policies if/as requirements change at the state level? President Glenn assured the trustees that he and his team are keeping a close eye on the Covid-19 landscape. While he doesn’t anticipate any of the mandates changing anytime soon, they will keep abreast of the guidance issues and make changes accordingly.
b) NECC Strategic Plan (ADM-3708-020222)
President Glenn noted that although it is not yet completed, he is providing the trustees with the enclosed draft of the college’s next Strategic Plan. This shorter version categorizes the goals as they evolved from the Appreciative Inquiry-based process. As the college moves forward in this process, there will be more goal setting, but with integration and alignment with the annual planning and budgeting process throughout the organization. He noted that the Equity Themes are meant to be woven throughout the process and across all goals. These goals are intentionally broad, and the strategic initiatives more narrowly focused. From here, the plan will go back out to the college community as it is integrated into the planning and budgeting process. President Glenn noted that at this time, he was asking trustees to voice their support for these broad goals noting that there is still some work to be done. In addition, the plan will be reviewed by the Department of Higher Education and also by EAB during certain checkpoints. At the same time, a Board of Higher Education subcommittee is working on gathering feedback on how the Board can be true to its statutory plan without getting too far into campus plans/planning efforts. With that information at hand, President Glenn noted that he is looking for full support of the attached draft.
At the end of the discussion, President Glenn proposed a Motion to approve the first draft of NECC’s Strategic Plan which include broad goals for the next stage of analysis. The Motion was made by Trustee Cox, seconded by Trustee O’Rorke. Chairwoman Borislow called for a roll call vote on the motion.
On a Motion presented by Trustee Cox and seconded by Trustee O’Rorke, by roll call vote, the Board unanimously approved the first draft of NECC’s Strategic Plan as presented.
President Glenn thanked the trustees for their continued support.
c) FY23 Budget Update (Verbal)
President Glenn noted that the governor’s budget included modest increases. While the process is not anywhere near the end, and needs to be channeled through the funding formula, the budget was encouraging. The Governor did include $10M for the Success initiative (same as FY22), the presidents are angling for $14M, but are glad it was included in the budget in the first place. As is always the case, some initiatives were not included but the overall message was good. Over the next few months, he noted, campuses will work with House and Senate as the process moves forward. The budget reconciles in June with a July 1st start date. President Glenn noted that he will forward to trustees the MACC budget priorities after the meeting with Community College Presidents tomorrow.
d) Haverhill Campus (Verbal)
President Glenn noted that the NECC Basketball team recently beat the Community College of Rhode Island! Rhode Island was ranked #6 in the league. Also, it is baseball preseason, and the college’s Knights enter the baseball season ranked #10 nationally. President Glenn gave many thanks to Director of Athletics Dan Blair, our coaches and student athletes for their hard work and commitment.
e) Lawrence Campus (Verbal)
President Glenn noted that earlier today, VP of Administration & Finance Mike McCarthy met with Robert Feruilo, Executive Director of the MPTC regarding an affiliation agreement which was signed today. This agreement will bring approximately $75K in revenue to the college and enhances our relationship and our ambitions as community colleges as a cornerstone for police training in the future.
President Glenn also noted that Mr. McCarthy has also been working with DCAMM on plans for improving our athletics facilities. He noted that the college is nearing the point that we will go public with that announcement, as great progress is being made and at some point the college will be looking for a partner.
f) Changes in State Administration (Verbal)
President Glenn noted that Chairwoman Borislow covered most of this topic in her earlier remarks. Because of the nature of those leadership transitions, a lot of items are stalling at the state level as staff begin to depart and are not immediately replaced, but this will accelerate in time.
g) Massachusetts Community College Living Expenses Pilot Study (Verbal)
President Glenn noted that he was introduced to a potential donor who wants to support this pilot study. The research question is around providing financial support (approximately $7K each) to a cohort of community college students and what impact that support would have on their completion and success. Dr. Glenn noted that he is exploring this study with a donor and research partners along with Bunker Hill Community College. He noted that academic support services (such as our Success programs) cover tuition and fees, but other living expenses typically are not covered. This new funding would cover housing, food and any other necessary expenses and would hopefully influence more funding for students at the state level in the future. In closing, President Glenn noted that he’d keep trustees informed.
NEW BUSINESS:
a) Grants
1) Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education: Adult Basic Education Supplemental Funds (ADM-3709-020222)
President Glenn noted that this grant supports increased funding for English Language learners, and he is seeking trustee support.
On a Motion presented by Trustee Paley Nadel and seconded by Trustee Linehan, by roll call vote, the Board unanimously approved the Mass. Department Elementary & Secondary Education grant in the amount of $200,000 for the period through June 30, 2022.
OTHER BUSINESS:
In closing, President Glenn noted that trustees were encouraged to upload any pictures they may have related to NECC into the photo mosaic in celebration of the college’s 60th anniversary.
ADJOURNMENT: With no other business, Chairwoman Borislow adjourned the meeting at 6:18 PM.
