NORTHERN ESSEX COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
MINUTES OF MEETING (OFFICIAL) – May 4, 2022
A meeting of the Northern Essex Community College Board of Trustees was held in Room LC301 of the El Hefni Allied and Technology Center at the Lawrence Campus at 5:00PM.
Present:
Ms. Borislow
Ms. Fernandez
Mr. Linehan
Ms. O’Rorke (Via Zoom)
Ms. Paley Nadel
Ms. Quiles
Ms. Sanchez
Unable to attend: Mr. Cox, Mr. Guilmette, Ms. Modeen
Also Present: President Glenn
CALL TO ORDER: With a quorum present, Chairwoman Borislow called the meeting to order at 5:03 PM.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: It was decided to approve the April and May minutes at the next Board of Trustees meeting, scheduled for June 1.
CORRESPONDENCE: President Glenn noted that he received a telephone call from Trustee Guilmette, who informed him that he is unable to attend the meeting due to a fall that injured his hip and shoulder.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
a) Introduction of Newly Hired Employees (Verbal)
President Glenn welcomed the following six new employees and wished them well in their new roles:
Aaron Altman, Associate Dean of PK12 Partnerships
Maria Ferreira, HR/Payroll Assistant
Shawna Lind, Assistant Registrar
Saida Mofid, Accountant
Samuel Moy, Assistant Director of Payroll
Anthony Simonelli, Assistant Comptroller
EDUCATION REPORT:
a) The English Language Learner Task Force (ADM-3716-040622)
President Glenn introduced Dr. Noemi Custodia-Lora, Vice President of the Lawrence Campus and Community Relations, who noted that the last time she presented at the Board of Trustees meeting, she introduced the concept of the Center of Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice. Dr. Custodia-Lora noted that she was delighted to introduce the English Language Learners (ELL) Task Force that is comprised of members from different areas of the college. Due to their tireless efforts, the Task Force will be awarded the 2022 Social Justice Award at the Commencement ceremony on May 14th. Dr. Custodia-Lora then introduced Professor Thomas Green who presented the education report on the work of NECC’s ELL Taskforce.
Professor Green praised the Task Force’s consultant and coach, Arlen Gargagliano, who has guided the group through the entire multi-year process, helping the group to overcome obstacles, and also challenging them to fulfill their ambitions. The Task Force was established in the Spring of 2021 for the purpose of putting all the experts in touch with one another, sharing information with both practical and sustainable solutions, and meeting weekly to talk about the real problems and real practical solutions for the ELL population. The first major project was to create the ELL Academy, which then started during the second phase in the fall of 2021.During one of the President’s General Staff meetings, a call was sent out to the entire college for anyone who had an interest in learning more about interacting with our ELL Student population. With the collaboration and interaction of a cross section of administration, both staff and faculty, practical solutions to problems were sought.
During the third phase, in the Spring of 2022, the ELL Task Force started working on more focused areas. Surveys were used to gather information about subgroups that have unique and individual issues and challenges to overcome. One such group is Generation 1.5, comprised of students who were neither first generation or second generation, and are usually born in another country but sound like native English language speakers. However, since this population typically do not read or write English in the home, but use their native language, they are not reading in English as well. Therefore, they struggle academically at school.
Trustee Paley Nadel had much praise for the amazing work of the Task Force and noted that it is the cornerstone of what the college is trying to accomplish with the equity imperative. President Glenn expressed much gratitude to Professor Green who will be stepping down from the Task Force this semester, as he begins his role as Department Chair of the English Department.
BOARD CHAIR UPDATE: Chair Borislow expressed her thanks to the collaboration of the various groups involved in this Task Force. At this time, Chair Borislow welcomed the reports of the Sub-Committees.
REPORT OF BOARD COMMITTEES:
a) Audit and Finance Sub-Committee
Trustee Cox reported that the Sub-Committee reviewed and approved next year’s budget of $69,968,539. The proposed FY23 Operating Budget is based upon the following: estimated state appropriation support, the college’s enrollment Plan, the college’s staff and faculty salaries and benefits plan, grants support, and the $3.00 increase in the College Fee – Regular, and the $3.00 increase in the College Fee – Allied Health courses.
1) FY23 College Operating Budget (AFC-22-08)
On a Motion presented by Trustee Linehan, seconded by Trustee Paley Nadel, on a roll call vote, the board unanimously approved the Audit and Finance Sub-Committee’s recommendation to approve the FY23 budget of $69,968,539.
b) Alumni Advancement Sub-Committee
Trustee Fernandez, Chair of the Sub-Committee, thanked Allison and her team for the months of preparation involved in the launching of the NECC Giving Day on April 7th. One of the goals was to increase faculty and staff participation. Giving Day saw an even show of support from the internal and external communities, exemplifying the campaign’s broad appeal. The donor affiliation was as follows: Faculty and Staff – 50.5%, Friend – 28.7%, Alumni – 19.8%, and Student 1.0%. An unprecedented show of support came from new NECC Fund donors, who made up half of all donors in early April.
The greatest representation of donors on Giving Day were the Boomer Generation (born between 1946 and 1964) at 37%; donors from Generation X (born between 1965 and 1980) represented 34% of donors, and donors from the Millennial Generation (born between 1981 and 1996) represented 22% of donors.
REPORT OF ADMINISTRATION: President Glenn gave a shorter update this evening due to a fundraising event, following the meeting, in honor of Jonathan Isaacson, and hosted by the Greater Lawrence Family Health Center. Jonathan is the CEO of Gemline and a strong supporter of the college.
a) Haverhill Campus
President Glenn reported that the college has been awarded $10 million for the renovation of two buildings on campus. This has been a project many years in the making involving many people. Much appreciation was given to Mike McCarthy for his role in achieving this accomplishment and also for his future efforts in managing this project.
Another project that will show great improvement to the campus is the athletic facilities project which will involve collaboration with a partner to help raise money for that undertaking.
b) Lawrence Campus
The college hosted a Future Skills Employee Road Show in the Dimitry building on Tuesday, May 3rd which was sponsored by the Governor’s Workforce Skills Cabinet and included speakers such as Secretary Rosalin Acosta and Secretary Mike Kennealy.
In addition, Linda Schildkraut from NECC”s Corporate and Community team shared information about the college’s workforce programming and about the challenges facing employers in today’s economy. It was noted during her remarks that having Mass Hire move onto our campus at 420 Common Street has been very advantageous to the college. The meeting was well attended by over 100 employers.
President Glenn reminded Trustees that next Tuesday, May 10, the Awards Convocation will be held at the Sports and Fitness Center. Also, he noted that we are all looking forward to Commencement on May 14, with weather forecasted to be in the high 70’s.
On one final note, President Glenn congratulated Dr. Jennifer Mezquita who will be heading over to North Shore Community College soon, as the college’s first Provost. Dr. Paul Beaudin and Jonathan Miller will soon be stepping into their new roles as a result of Dr. Mezquita’s departure.
NEW BUSINESS:
a) Personnel Actions:
1) MCCC/MTA – Tenure Recommendations (ADM-3721-050422)
President Glenn noted that reviewing tenure recommendations is an annual process which is vetted by the President, along with the respective departments, their Academic Deans, and the Vice President of Academic Affairs. The MCCC/MTA Tenure recommendations are for Professor Jacqueline Dick and Assistant Professor Jason Termini, to be effective September 1, 2022.
On a Motion presented by Trustee Linehan seconded by Trustee Paley Nadel, on a roll call vote, it was voted unanimously to approve the Tenure Recommendations as noted in Agenda Item 8a1.
2) Sabbatical Leave Recommendation (ADM-3722-050422)
President Glenn noted that Professor Adrianna Holden-Gouveia from our computer science department is applying for a sabbatical leave in order to do research and learn about various devices that are used in businesses and homes called the “Internet of Things or IoT”. While on the sabbatical, which will consist of a full year, at half workload and full salary, Ms. Holden-Gouveia will create hands-on labs and projects for students to complete as part of their program of study.
On a Motion presented by Trustee Fernandez seconded by Trustee O’Rorke, on a roll call vote, it was voted unanimously to approve the Sabbatical Recommendations as noted in Agenda Item 8a2.
b) Grants:
President Glenn noted that the board had one (1) grant for consideration and approval which totals $323,700 through June 30, 2022.
1) Massachusetts Department of Higher Education: Early College Allocation Funding.
On a Motion presented by Trustee Linehan seconded by Trustee O’Rorke, on a roll call vote, it was voted unanimously to approve the grant as noted in Agenda Item 8b1 as presented.
OTHER BUSINESS: There was none.
ADJOURNMENT: With no other business, Chairwoman Borislow adjourned the meeting at 5:48PM.
