Northern Essex Community College Board Of Trustees
Minutes of Meeting (Official) – May 8, 2019
A meeting of the Northern Essex Community College Board of Trustees was held in room TC103A in the Hartleb Technology Center at the Haverhill Campus at 5:00PM.
Present
Ms. Cerasuolo-O’Rorke (arrived at 5:12 PM)
Mr. Cox
Ms. Fernandez
Mr. Forman
Mr. Guilmette
Mr. Linehan
Ms. Paley Nadel
Ms. Worden
Absent
Ms. Borislow, Mr. D’Orazio, Ms. Morin
Also Present
President Glenn
Call to Order
Chairman Linehan called the meeting to order at 5:08 PM.
Approval of Minutes
On a Motion by Trustee Guilmette, seconded by Trustee Fernandez, it was voted unanimously to approve the April 3, 2019 minutes as presented.
Correspondence
There was none.
Unfinished Business
President Glenn noted that there was one new employee to introduce. Erin Ringuette was recently hired as the new Staff Assistant in the Vice President of Administration and Finance’s office. The board welcomed Ms. Ringuette.
Education Report
a) Nurse Programs’ Pass Rates and Plan at NECC (ADM-3547-050819)
President Glenn introduced NECC’s Dean of Health Professions Mary Farrell who provided a brief presentation (along with Professor Lisa Bass, Practical Nurse Program Coordinator) on the NECC nursing programs offered at NECC and the pass rate data for each program.
Ms. Farrell provided a brief overview and review of the different programs offered at the college which include an Associate Degree in Nursing, and Advanced Placement LPN to ADN, and a Practical Nurse Certificate. She also provided a brief notation of the many partners that provide clinical education opportunities for our Nursing students and which include nursing homes, acute care hospitals, and community health centers. All of NECC’s programs are fully accredited by the Commission of Education in Nursing (ACEN), and all program options are approved as Nursing Education Programs by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.
Ms. Farrell provided an overview of the excellent faculty and leadership within the programs. She then provided a timeline for the Nursing program from 1968 (the first class) to 2012 when the first hybrid program was introduced. She provided an overview of the changes that have evolved with the program over the years. In particular, Ms. Farrell provided data for the RN pass rates over the years. In 2012, the rate of success was at 98%, but in 2013 there was a change in the national exam and the RN test plan which resulted in a decreased pass rate (77%) for NECC students. By 2018, the college test scores were back up to 88%, but the accrediting board looks at 3-year averages for institutions, so the 3-year average for 2013-15 triggered a review. As a result, the college prepared and submitted a Substantive Change Report to the Accrediting Commission for Education in Nursing. The report was carefully reviewed, and both the ACEN and the Board of Nursing approved the report. As a result the college’s Nursing Program was granted full accreditation status.
Ms. Farrell finished her report by providing an overview of the analysis and self-study findings related to the Nursing programs. The next self-study review and site visit by ACEN will occur in the spring of 2021.
Report of Board Committees
a) Presidential Evaluation Sub-Committee Update (Verbal)
Trustee Forman noted that the Sub-Committee had met once and also conducted interviews of faculty, staff, students and community partners to help inform the evaluation. The Sub-Committee will be completing the evaluation by the end of May and will present it to the full board at its June 5th meeting for approval. Once approved, the complete evaluation will be sent to the Commissioner of Higher Education. Trustee Forman thanked the NECC staff and community members who were interviewed.
b) Audit and Finance Sub-Committee
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FY20 College Operating Budget (AFC-19-07)
Trustee Forman noted that the Audit and Finance Committee met and supports this motion to approve the FY20 operating budget in the amount of $42,749,678 as presented.
On a Motion by Trustee Paley Nadel seconded by Trustee Worden, it was voted unanimously to approve the FY2020 College Operating Budget of $42,749,678 as detailed in the Summary Report.President Glenn thanked the board for their continued support and commended the leadership team for their work during this very difficult budget process.
Report of Administraton:
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LIFT Campaign (Verbal)
President Glenn noted that he continues to have very positive meetings with individuals and organizations for the campaign and continues to building towards the $1 Million goal for the Lawrence Promise Program over next couple of months. In addition, they have begun the process of developing a Haverhill Promise Program.
Also, President Glenn noted that there will be a celebration of Vice President of Institutional Advancement, Jean Poth’s service and career in late June. Jean will stay on as a consultant on a part time basis to assist with Lift Campaign through the late summer. Janet Nolan will also be available later in the summer to work with new Vice President of Institutional Advancement for a short period of time.
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NECC 2020: Strategic Plan (Verbal)
President Glenn noted that the Integrated Student Experience Goal was the focus of this month’s report. The college has now opened five (5) academic centers under this goal in addition to a new student success hub in the Behrakis Student Center. While the academic centers assist those students who know what they want to major in, the student success hub helps students who might not have committed to a major yet and are exploring their career options. While we are currently working through some building challenges at the Lawrence Campus right now, when the Dimitry building reopens this year, there is a plan for a student hub there as well.
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Haverhill Campus (Verbal)
President Glenn was pleased to share that for the coming year, the college retained a $1 Million contract with the Essex County Sheriff’s Department. Over the lasts year, NECC has worked closely with the Sheriff, and thanks to the work of Irene Chalek, Wendy Shaffer and Mike McCarthy, NECC will be providing educational opportunities at the Department this year. While credit enrollment has been declining, we have found ways to expand other options by working closely within the community.
Also, President Glenn mentioned the recent athletic banquet which included a large turnout of athletes and their families. NECC continues to build its athletics program, and will be adding golf and soccer next fall.
Lastly, President Glenn noted the recent #MyCommunityCollege social media campaign. He encouraged trustees to tell their story on social media and to participate in the conversation around the benefits of community colleges.
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Lawrence Campus (Verbal)
President Glenn noted that Trustees Linehan, Worden, and Paley Nadel recently joined him and Dr. Noemi Custodia Lora at the Boston Foundation’s announcement of the winner of the Deval Patrick Prize for Community Colleges. NECC’s PIÉS Latinos de NECC Program was selected and is a recipient of the $50,000 award. The PIÉS program validates credentials for immigrants, and helps connect people who need it to networking services. President Glenn congratulated Dr. Custodia Lora on the award.
Also, President Glenn noted that Congresswoman Lori Trahan recently visited the Lawrence Campus to meet with the college’s leadership team and to have a tour of the Lawrence Facility. As part of that tour, President Glenn provided a brief presentation on the plan for the proposed Regional Public Safety Center.
And lastly, President Glenn noted that the Dimitry renovation project continues to be on time and on budget. NECC will be moving most of its classrooms out of Riverwalk when the project is completed, but will likely keep a small space there as well.
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Awards Convocation, May 14 @ 7PM (Verbal)
President Glenn reminded Trustees that the college’s Awards Convocation is scheduled for Tuesday, May 14 at 7PM in the Sports and Fitness Center at the Haverhill Campus. He hoped Trustees are able to attend, and noted that it is a spectacular evening of awards for students.
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Reminder: NECC Commencement, Saturday, May 18 at 11AM (Verbal)
President Glenn reminded Trustees that Commencement will take place on Saturday, May 18th. Trustees will meet in the robing room (C120) in the Spurk Classroom Building at 10:15AM. This year’s Commencement speaker will be Bob Rivers of Eastern Bank. President Glenn encouraged the Trustees to attend.
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End-of-Year Board Dinner on June 5, 2019, 6:30PM (Verbal)
President Glenn noted the annual end of year board dinner is scheduled for 6:30PM after the June meeting.
New Business
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Motion to Approve Minors on Campus Policy (ADM-3548-050819)
President Glenn presented the motion for a new policy regarding minors on campus. He noted that there are times when minors and children are on campus through some specific college program (like College for Kids), but the college does need a clear policy on how to manage those or other situations when minors are present. With the assistance of NECC’s Director of Compliance, Heather Mores and the Mass Community College Counsel, Ken Tashjy, the attached policy was presented for approval.
On a Motion by Trustee Forman, seconded by Trustee Fernandez, it was voted unanimously to approve the NECC Minors on Campus Policy as presented.
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Personnel Actions:
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New Appointments (ADM-3549-050819)
President Glenn then noted that there are six (6) new fulltime personnel actions to approve as listed in Addendum A.
On a Motion by Trustee Cox seconded by Trustee Forman, it was voted unanimously to approve the six (6) full-time personnel actions as listed in Addendum A.
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MCCC/MTA Reappointments and Tenure (ADM-3550-050819)
President Glenn noted that there were sixty-six (66) MCCC/MTA recommendations for faculty and professional staff based on the language of the MCCC/MTA Collective Bargaining Agreement for consideration.
On a Motion by Trustee Worden, seconded by Trustee Forman, it was voted unanimously to approve the motion which includes sixty-six (66) MCCC/MTA personnel actions as listed in Addendum B.
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Other Business
There was none.
Adjournment
Being no other business, Chairman Linehan adjourned the meeting at 5:53 PM.
