Meeting Minutes June 2018

Northern Essex Community College Board Of Trustees
Minutes of Meeting (Official) – June 6, 2018

A meeting of the Northern Essex Community College Board of Trustees was held in the Hartleb Technology Center at the Haverhill Campus at 5:00PM.

Present

Ms. Borislow
Ms. Cerasuolo-O’Rorke
Mr. Cox
Mr. D’Orazio
Mr. Forman
Mr. Guilmette
Mr. Linehan
Ms. Paley Nadel
Ms. Worden

Also Present

President Glenn

Not Present

Ms. Benning and Ms. Fernandez

Call to Order

Chairman Linehan called the meeting to order at 5:05 PM.

Approval of Minutes

On a Motion by Trustee Cox, seconded by Trustee Guilmette, it was voted unanimously to approve the May 9, 2018 minutes as presented.

Correspondence

There was none.

Unfinished Business

President Glenn noted that several members of a Merrimack College graduate class were in attendance at tonight’s meeting. The group is studying higher education and how institutions interact within their communities. He welcomed the students to the meeting.

Education Report

Updates in Developmental English and Math @ NECC (ADM-3476-060618)

President Glenn introduced Dr. William Heineman, Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs who noted that for decades, community college students have arrived to campus unprepared for college-level work. In the past, the answer to that challenge has been developmental education classes, but for a variety of reasons, that system hasn’t worked as well as it should. Over the last five years at NECC, there has been strong commitment to improvement in this area, and tonight’s report is a review of that work. Dr. Heineman then introduced Janice Rogers, Assistant Dean of Liberal Arts, Professor of Mathematics Steve Mathis, and Professor Joanna Fortna who collaboratively provided a brief update on developmental English and Math at NECC.

Assistant Dean Rogers first provided an overview of the new integrated approach to developmental education, and explained how that has progressed over the last few years and the successes of the programs at NECC.

Professor Mathis then gave an overview of the accelerated learning options which were developed with grant funding at NECC. The intent of the programming is to get students through development coursework and onto credit-bearing classes just as soon as possible. He noted that the old pathways were long and students would often drop out before they reached Composition I. In the old programming, ESL students, in particular, could take two or three semesters before they could get into English Comp I. The new, integrated model of developmental coursework combines basic writing, reading and reasoning so students are getting through much faster and tend to be retained at a higher rate.

He also noted similar success with Mathematics. By combining developmental classwork with credit-bearing classwork, they are finding a tremendous amount of success for students making it through the Mathematics sequence over the last 4-5 years. He noted that the effects are quite dramatic, and the fusion courses eliminate a number of semester for students, so the impact on retention is considerable.

Assistant Dean Rogers also noted that because of the success, the programs have been scaled up quickly and a majority of developmental students now go into these fusion courses. As such, the college has been able to eliminate most of the basic developmental courses.

Professor Fortna provided a brief overview of the faculty training and professional development activity around these specialized courses, and noted that approximately 30 faculty participated in training opportunities which helped them to learn how to teach writing fusion and also reading/writing/reasoning (integrated writing). Just a few weeks ago, a refresher workshop for the trained faculty was offered so that they had an opportunity to come together and talk about what’s working well and opportunities for change. Professor Fortna noted that it’s been ambitious and exciting project with a focus on teaching more students.

In closing, Professor Jim Sullivan spoke briefly about the five math gateway courses and how the same fusion principle is being applied to those courses to move students through at a faster pace than traditional developmental coursework.

President Glenn thanked the presenters and noted that these fusion courses not only increase student success but subsequently also impact enrollment and retention. He noted that the college has fewer students enrolled in developmental and ESL courses. From a public policy perspective, there is a perception that colleges enroll developmental students because it is a revenue source. It’s important, he noted, that the public understand that moving students through the pipeline faster with things like fusion courses is the right thing to do, even if it works against the institution financially at the onset. Students are making it through the coursework faster and can be a contributor to the enrollment decline, however the net effect is retention and program completion.

With no further questions, Chairman Linehan thanked the presenters for their report.

Report of Board Committees

Presidential Evaluation Committee (ADM-3477-060618)

Trustee Forman, Chairman of the Evaluation Committee, noted that the committee had met a number of times over the last few weeks to conduct President Glenn’s evaluation. He thanked the committee and also Dean of Development Wendy Shaffer and Chief of Staff Cheryl Goodwin for their assistance in scheduling interviews with staff and sifting through and editing the evaluation materials. “We have a lot to be proud of, and I would recommend that the board unanimously approved this positive evaluation of President Glenn.” He noted that President Glenn has done an excellent job in his leadership of the college and asked the full board for their approval of the evaluation.

On a MOTION by Trustee Cox, seconded by Trustee Worden, it was voted UNANIMOUSLY to approve the Presidential Performance Evaluation and Compensation Recommendation draft as presented.

President Glenn thanked the board as well as his leadership team for their continued support.

Chairman Linehan also thanked the committee for their work on the evaluation.

Report of Administration

1. NECC 2020: Strategic Plan (Verbal)

   President Glenn provided an update on the work around the Student Career Opportunities goal which is intended to provide students with career development services. He noted that the team has been working to gather all internship data into one dataset. Ashley More, Director of Career and Experiential Services has been working on pulling the data together in an effort to build a variety of pathways for our students for internships and future employment. Under Ashley’s direction, the Career Services office hosted another successful Networking Night in May where over 200 employers, alumni and students gathered. Several local businesses sponsored the event this year, and the event helps to connect students to local employers. The Career Center will move to the Student Center this summer to enable the services to integrate into the new Student Success Hub.

2. Haverhill Campus Update (Verbal)

   President Glenn noted the recent announcement of the expansion of Phoenix Academy as they will now be serving residents in the city of Haverhill. The Academy will be located in the Everett Mills building in Lawrence, and hopes to have fantastic success with the local population. Enrollment at the Academy is now up to 175 students and they will be bussing students from Haverhill and Methuen to the Program.

   President Glenn also announced that UTEC is also coming to Haverhill (it is based out of Lowell) and serves the youth population which is associated with gangs/gang activity. UTEC provides occupational training and educational opportunities for these young men and women under difficult circumstances. They have been doing great work, and will assist the city of Haverhill with this population.

3. Lawrence Campus Update (Verbal)

   President Glenn noted that he recently attended a forum on poverty and the obstacles to opportunities for our local residents. The forum was sponsored by the Greater Lawrence Community Action Council and the United Way of Mass Bay and the Merrimack Valley and included information on the report from MassBudget and the Boston Foundation. The data provided information on levels of local poverty and how Massachusetts policy is intending to remedy the issues around poverty.

   In other updates, President Glenn noted that the Dimitry building renovation is on track and will be ready for September as scheduled. And lastly, he noted that Trustee Paley Nadel is now the official new chair of the Lawrence Partnership.

4. “STEM” Education at NECC (Verbal)

   President Glenn noted that this agenda item is the result of an email from fellow Trustee Worden who asked how many STEM students are enrolled at NECC. He noted that the answer depends on what you consider a STEM field. Pure science, technology and math students make up about 20% of NECC’s population. However, if you add Health field students, the number climbs to about 50%. He added that well over one-third of NECC graduates are in a STEM field. President Glenn also noted that the success factors for these students and graduates occurs in some part by the college doing more in the summer (STEM starter academy for high school students, summer technology academies, early college classes with a STEM focus, and other computer science fields) to allow more offerings. The college is also mindful of having women at STEM events on campus as role models and where they are underrepresented. In addition, the STEM starter academy has gap scholarships to incentivize STEM education here and at the state level.

   One success story at NECC was when Dr. Noemi Custodia Lora developed and started a Lab Science program a couple of years ago. The Lab Science program helped create jobs for a local life science company that was struggling to find employees with a specific set of skills which didn’t really require a 4-year degree. NECC Lab Science students have worked at Boston Analytics, Coca Cola, and Charm Pharmaceuticals to mention a few. There are a few particular challenges such as keeping up-to-date with our equipment, but our recent Capital Campaign will hopefully help with those technology refresh needs.

   Trustee Worden thanked President Glenn for the information and noted that early college programs can have an advantage by peaking students’ interest early, but some don’t know what STEM means. President Glenn agreed and noted that additional programming early on, like NECC”s College for Kids can help with that knowledge base.

5. Update from June 4th MCCMTA Meeting (Verbal)

   President Glenn deferred this portion of his report to Chairman Linehan. Mr. Linehan noted that it was a good meeting with Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Rosalin Acosta offering keynote remarks around the work of community colleges and workforce development. He noted that the meeting was not as well attended as in the past, but there was still a good turnout, and he hopes that trustees can attend future meetings.

6. Board Meeting Dates for 2018-2019 Academic Year (ADM-3478-060618)

   President Glenn noted that there have been a couple of suggested revisions to the 2018-19 trustee meeting schedule. One was to move the October meeting to the Lawrence location and move the November meeting back to Haverhill. The second suggestion was to add snow dates for the February and March 2019 meetings. Snow dates would be the following Wednesday. Both suggestions were approved by the full board and a revised schedule will be sent to Trustees very soon.

   Lastly, President Glenn noted that the Capital Campaign is experiencing some very positive support. When the Trustees meet in the fall, he will be able to cite pledges specifically, and is hoping that the college’s Leadership Team, Foundation Board, Alumni Board and Trustees will provide 100% participation. President Glenn noted that if any trustee had any questions, they should feel free to reach out to him at any time.

New Business

1. Motion to Approve a New Technology and Business Associates Degree Program (ADM-3479-060618)

   President Glenn noted the importance of this flexible curriculum which will better serve career-minded students.

   On a MOTION by Trustee Guilmette, seconded by Trustee Forman, it was voted UNANIMOUSLY to approve a new Technology and Business Associates Degree program.

2. Motion to Approve a New Exploratory Program for Undecided Students (ADM-3480-060618)

   President Glenn noted that this major will assist those students who are unsure of their program at entry and will make the best use of students academic time at the college. The program ensures that student remain in touch with the career center and are then encouraged to declare a major as soon as possible with the assistance of an advisor.

   On A MOTION by Trustee Cerasuolo-O’Rorke, seconded by Trustee Cox, it was voted UNANIMOUSLY to approve the new Exploratory Program for Undecided Students.

3. Motion to Approve Janitorial Contract (ADM-3481-060618)

   President Glenn noted that an RFP for services was issued, and the college proposes that CSI International be awarded with the contract.

   On a MOTION by Trustee Forman, seconded by Trustee Borislow, the Janitorial Contract in the amount of $2,413,666.34 ($804,666.44 annually) was UNANIMOUSLY approved to be awarded to CSI International, Inc. of Newtown, Pennsylvania for three (3) years, July 1, 2018 to June 2021, with two (2) optional one (1) year renewals through 2023.

4. Personnel Actions

   1. New Appointments (ADM-3482-060618)

      President Glenn noted that there were five (5) new appointments for consideration. Trustee Cox asked if the Director of Public Safety position was a new position. President Glenn noted that it was a new position and came as a result of careful study of our public safety and management needs. This position will provide more attention and planning to public safety and emergency management for the college.

      On a MOTION by Trustee Borislow seconded by Trustee D’Orazio, it was voted UNANIMOUSLY to approve the five (5) new full-time personnel appointment as listed in Addendum A.

5. Delegation of Authority to Appoint New Full-time Employees to Existing Vacancies During the Summer (ADM-3483-060618)

   President Glenn reminded the Board that at each June meeting, they vote to authorize the President to appoint new full-time employees during the summer since the Board does not generally meet in July and August. All new appointments will be forwarded to the Board at the September meeting.

   On a MOTION by Trustee D’Orazio seconded by Trustee Worden, it was voted UNANIMOUSLY to delegate to the President of the College the authority to appoint new full-time employees during the summer months of June, July and August, limited in number to full-time position vacancies.

6. Grants

   Chairman Linehan noted that the Trustees generally approve all grants collectively in one vote. All Trustee agreed.

   On a MOTION by Trustee Paley Nadel, seconded by Trustee Cox, it was voted UNANIMOUSLY to approve Grant items #8f1 thru #8f11 as noted below.

   1. ADM-3484-060618

      City of Lawrence/Merrimack Valley Workforce Investment Board (MVWIB): One Stop Career Center Operator Services

   2. ADM-3485-060618

      Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care/ North Shore Community College: Educator and Provider Support

   3. ADM-3486-060618

      Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education: Adult Basic Education Grant Projects

   4. ADM-3487-060618

      Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary  Education: Perkins Post-secondary Allocation

   5. ADM-3488-06061

      Massachusetts Department of Public Health: Family Sign  Language Instruction

   6. ADM-3489-060618

      Massachusetts Department of Higher Education:  Massachusetts Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment Initiative (MA ICEI) Program for Students with Disabilities

   7. ADM-3490-060618

      National Science Foundation/Northeastern University: S-STEM Student Pathways Opening World Energy Resources (S-POWER)

   8. ADM-3491-060618

      United States Department of Education: Student Support Services Program

   9. ADM-3492-060618

      United States Department of Education/Massasoit  Community College: Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training Program (TAA/CCCT): Academic Program Team Supplemental Funds

   10. ADM-3493-060618

       United States Department of Labor/Mount Wachusett Community College: Massachusetts Advanced Manufacturing Tech Hire Consortium Grant

   11. ADM-3494-060618

       Pending Proposals for External Funding

Other Business

There was none.

Adjournment

With no other business, Chairman Linehan adjourned the meeting at 6:01 PM.