Meeting Minutes March 2019

Northern Essex Community College Board of Trustees
Minutes of Meeting (Official) – March 6, 2019

A meeting of the Northern Essex Community College Board of Trustees was held in the Hartleb Technology Center at the Haverhill Campus, Room TC-103A at 5:00 PM.

Present

Mr. Cox
Mr. D’Orazio
Mr. Forman
Mr. Guilmette
Mr. Linehan
Ms. Morin
Ms. Paley Nadel

Absent 

Ms. Borislow, Ms. Cerasuolo-O’Rorke, Ms. Fernandez, and Ms. Worden

Also Present 

President Glenn   

Call to Order

Chairman Linehan called the meeting to order at 5:04 PM.    

Approval of Minutes

On a Motion by Trustee Guilmette, seconded by Trustee Cox, it was voted unanimously to approve the February 6, 2019 minutes as presented.

Correspondence

There was none.

Unfinished Business

President Glenn introduced two new employees.  Ari Chicklis who has been with the college for some time in the Student Life area is now serving in a new role as one of the college’s new Admissions/Enrollment Counselors.  Also, Mr. John Scippa has been appointed as NECC’s new Director of Police Academies.  The board welcomed them to NECC.

Education Report  

Regional Public Safety Center (Verbal)

President Glenn noted that it has been some time since the Trustees have received updated information on the Regional Public Safety Center.  He provided a brief history of how the project was started 6 years ago under the Patrick Administration and with City of Lawrence officials.  Over last few years, the college has hosted Governor Baker, members of the legislative delegation, state and local public safety officials, and others in order to explain the project and providing tours of the current Police Station to demonstrate the need and show first-hand how deplorable the conditions are at the Lawrence Police Station.   During that same time, NECC has gained a very good reputation as a leader in the area of police education training. 

President Glenn noted that the college and City of Lawrence embarked on the police training center study with a $400K budget from the state.  The results of the study were published, but the project was placed on hold as the state grappled with the heavy financial need for the MBTA. 

More recently, however, after the Merrimack Valley gas explosions last fall, the City of Lawrence may be in a better position to gain access to other financial resources such as bond debt and funding from the Department of Homeland Security to assist with this project. 

The public safety center project brings not only safety and security to the area, but also economic viability by increasing economic development for restaurants, businesses, and shops in the downtown.  The public safety center will also meet a local and statewide workforce training need and will supply better, more educated police officers into the communities.   The proposed plan would provide the college’s Criminal Justice program with a permanent location and position the college to provide customized training and services for other local police municipalities as well.

In closing, President Glenn noted that the project may get more traction in the near future, and he will keep Trustees updated as events related to the project unfold.   

Report of Board Committees

There was none.

Report of Administration

President Glenn spoke briefly about the following items:

1. LIFT Campaign (Verbal)

   President Glenn reported that he and the Institutional Advancement team continue to meet with individuals and write grant proposals to support the LIFT Campaign.  The college recently secured $50K toward the Lawrence Promise Program with total contributions now hovering around $700K.  In April, the college will host another awareness event in Lawrence which will hopefully contribute to the college passing the $1M mark for this portion of the campaign.  The college is thankful to the Steven’s Foundation for providing initial funding for these Lawrence-based scholarships for this fall.  He also noted that a Haverhill Promise Program is also being planned.   He thanked the Trustees and the other college boards and foundations for their continued support as well. 

2. NECC 2020:  Strategic Plan Progress (Verbal)

   President Glenn provided a brief update on the college’s Strategic Plan and the Student Career Pathways goal in particular.   Dr. Glenn noted that as we prepare to re-occupy the Dimitry building, college staff are re-conceptualizing what we do with the career centers and integrating student pathways into students’ academic programs and ultimately their career selection.  The Career Center staff are also developing a “Where are they now?” initiative for past interns to showcase success stories for past students. 

   Also, President Glenn noted that the ongoing NECHE reaccreditation process will end by dovetailing with the college’s next strategic planning process resulting in the college’s next comprehensive strategic plan.

3. Haverhill Campus Update (Verbal)

   President Glenn noted that the college recently hosted an International Women’s Day event which included panelists Juana Matias (Attorney and former state representative), Mary Ellen Daly O’Brien (Haverhill City Councilor and former NECC Trustee), Tram Nguyen, current State Representative, and Bopha Malone, Enterprise Bank Vice President.  The panelists shared their professional stories, described their challenges, and provided advice for our college students.

4. Lawrence Campus Update (Verbal)

   President Glenn noted that the Boston Globe published an article which was co-authored by entrepreneur and venture capitalist Jeff Bussgang and Attorney and former NECC Trustee Wendy Estrella and showcased the Lawrence Leads Leadership Program.  The Lawrence Leads program has really made an impact in the Lawrence business community, and this article affirmed that things are moving forward for the city.  The piece showcased the success of the schools and the businesses and why folks should come to Lawrence.  

5. 2018 IPEDS Data Feedback Report (ADM-3540-030619)

   President Glenn provided a brief overview of the college’s federal Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) report.  He noted that while some of the data is useful, other parts of the data really should not apply to community colleges due to the population they serve and the typical time to completion for that population.  Some of the highlights of NECC”s report compared to its peer institutions were: 

   1. When compared to our peers, NECC has far more Hispanic students and fewer Caucasian students;
   2. NECC has more women than its peers;
   3. NECC has a smaller enrollment headcount;
   4. The college awards fewer associate degrees but more certificates;
   5. NECC has higher tuition and fees, but a lot less state support;
   6. The college has a higher Pell Grant population of students as our population tends to be lower income;
   7. NECC has slightly lower fulltime retention and average part-time retention;
   8. NECC has better than average graduation rates when you consider 200% time; and
   9. NECC spends much more on instruction as a proportion of our spending compared to our peer institutions.

6. ACCT National Legislative Summit Report (Verbal)

   President Glenn noted that he and Chairman Linehan recently attended the ACCT National Legislative Summit in Washington, DC where they visited with elected officials and attended conference sessions.  Chairman Linehan noted that it was a great experience and good to see all of the 15 Massachusetts Community Colleges working and meeting together to build support across the state and country for community colleges.   The advocacy for increased Pell Grants, WIA, funding for short-term training, and protection for Dreamers were just some of the topics covered during the meetings with members of the delegation.

7. Reminder:  Statewide Trustee Conference, Thursday, March 28th @ Doubletree Hotel, Westborough, MA (Verbal)

   President Glenn reminded trustees of the March 28th conference and asked them to let Cheryl Goodwin know if they would be attending. 

New Business

1. Personnel Actions

   1. New Appointments (ADM-3541-030619)

      President Glenn noted that there was one new employee for approval, a fulltime Employment Counselor.

      On a Motion by Trustee D’Orazio, seconded by Trustee Forman, it was voted unanimously to approve one (1) full-time personnel actions as listed in Addendum A.

   2. Emeritus Status Recommendations (ADM-3542-030619)

      President Glenn noted that there were four (4) emeritus status recommendations for approval.  If approved, these faculty and staff would be conferred their status at 2019 Commencement ceremony in May.

      On a Motion by Trustee Cox, seconded by Trustee Forman, it was voted unanimously to approve four (4) emeritus status recommendations as listed in Addendum A.

2. Grants

   1. Massachusetts Department of Higher Education:  STEM Starter Academy STEM Transfer Summer Bridge Program  (ADM-3543-030619)

      President Glenn noted that there was one grant approval, but for two grant awards for up to $2,000 this month.

      On a Motion by Trustee Guilmette, seconded by Trustee Forman, it was voted unanimously to accept two grant awards of up to $2,000 total, if funded, to participate in the STEM Starter Academy Summer Bridge Program.

Other Business

There was none.

Adjournment

With no other business, Chairman Linehan adjourned the meeting at 5.45 PM.