Meeting Minutes October 2019

Northern Essex Community College Board of Trustees
Minutes of Meeting (UNOFFICIAL) – October 2, 2019

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 5:00 pm

Present

Ms. Borislow
Ms. Cerasuolo-O’Rorke
Mr. Forman
Mr. Guilmette Mr. Linehan
Ms. Morin
Ms. Paley Nadel

Absent

Mr. Cox, Ms. Fernandez, Ms. Worden

Also Present

President Glenn

Call to Order

Chairman Linehan called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m.

Approval of Minutes: On a Motion by Trustee Cerasuolo-O’Rorke, seconded by Trustee Forman, it was voted unanimously to approve the September 4, 2019 minutes as presented.

Correspondence

President Glenn informed the Trustees that Joseph D’Orazio has resigned from the Board. Two appointments are pending in the Governor’s office. In a recent conversation, the Governor informed Lane that this appointment will soon be filled.

Unfinished Business

Introduction of Newly Hired Employees (Verbal)

President Glenn informed the Board that he met with all the new employees during the Orientation for New Employees held that morning and commented that they were a very talented and enthusiastic group. The following new employees were introduced:

Jennifer Mezquita Assistant, Vice President of Student Affairs
Despina Lambropoulos, Assistant Director – Financial Aid
Audrey Ellis Assistant Director, Student Success Management Systems
Denis Boucher, Program Manager
David Webber, Program Coordinator/Paramedic
Christina Nuncio, Academic Counselor
Melanie Batista-Ortiz, Academic Counselor

The Board welcomed all new employees.

Education Report

1. Lawrence Campus Student Success Hub

   President Glenn called upon Dr. William Heineman, Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs who then introduced Donna Bertolini, who presented an update on the Lawrence Campus Student Success Hub. Dr. Heineman noted that his staff is making great efforts to reduce the gaps in academic performance among the various groups.

   Donna Bertolini noted that the student success hub is getting off to a good start while providing student services and information utilizing the New Student Roadmap, which assists students with Entry, Goal Setting, Academic Planning, Financial Planning, and Transition. While the Behrakis Center is almost complete, the hub at the Lawrence campus is in process with a Welcoming Center space in L100. Janice Rogers noted that this space serves students in the Exploratory Program, for those who have not yet chosen a major course of study. These students are assigned to the center, but not to an individual advisor.

   With no questions, the board thanked Ms. Bertolini and Ms. Rogers for their efforts.

Report of Board Committees

1. Audit and Finance Committee

   President Glenn noted that The Board of Trustees Audit and Finance Committee met prior to the full Board meeting and requested approval of the FY2020 Reforecast College Budget in the amount of $43,368.044 which reflects a modest increase from the originally approved budget after being updated with other revenue projections and additional supplemental budget requests. The prior approval in May allowed students to better plan financially, since the amount of student fees had been determined.

   On a Motion by Trustee Guilmette, seconded by Trustee Borislow, it was voted unanimously to approve the FY2020 Revised Budget of $43,368,044.

Report of Administration

President Glenn reported briefly about the following items:

1. Performance Incentive Fund grant

   President Glenn reported that the college has received another Performance Incentive Fund grant from the Department of Higher Education for its Competency Based Education program in Early Childhood Education, which it is coordinating, along with several other community colleges. This grant is a good example of our strengths and abilities to provide innovative programming for our students.

2. Employee Recognition Award Winners for 3rd Quarter 2019

   President Glenn reported on an award that was given to three incredibly talented people who were nominated by multiple sources. The following three employees were recipients of the 3rd Quarter 2019 Employee Recognition: Kathleen Bartolini of the Center for Professional Development, Janel D’Agata-Lynch, of Civic Engagement, Service Learning, & Community Resources, and Kristen Kortz, of Transitional Support for New Students.

3. NECC 2020: Strategic Plan (Verbal)

   One area of much success is our investment in our faculty and staff through the Center for Professional Development. One area of development NECC tends to more than most colleges is our adjunct faculty. Pam Hallock was recently named a “faculty fellow” for adjuncts, and will assist with providing them professional development experiences.

4. Haverhill Campus (Verbal)

   President Glenn noted that the second meeting of the Merrimack River District Commission took place at the iHub at Harbor Place, where stories were shared of the recent Merrimack River Valley Voyagers’ trip along the 117-mile length of the mighty Merrimack, bringing attention to its environmental needs, and the many economic, educational, and recreational opportunities. President Glenn thanked Sally and Ron, two visionaries of the Haverhill Foundation, for their efforts.

   Also, noted were conversations the college is having with the Haverhill YMCA for a feasibility study on a potential new Y location on NECC’s campus.

   NECC History professor, Rich Padova, has invited Larry Summers, a former Harvard University president and U.S. Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, to give a presentation on the current economic issues of the day on Oct. 2 in the Pentucket Bank Lecture Hall A, followed by a fireside chat format of questions and answers with the students. Mr. Summers noted that the future of America in in the classrooms of community colleges, focusing on jobs, widening income inequality, and creating the very stability of society.

   Our Student Board member, Courtney Morin, gave an update on the upcoming Community College Student Advocacy Day, scheduled for October 23, at the State House. Students will have the opportunity to address the importance of investing in the 156,000 students the community colleges serve.

   President Glenn noted that this past week the college joined over 120 institutions by participating in the DACA Amicus brief, to be filed on behalf of several colleges and universities in Dept. of Homeland Security, et al. v. Regents of the Univ. of Calif., et al. in the U.S. Supreme Court on October 4.

   Also noted was the upcoming Oct. 4th symposium at Worcester State University entitled “In Pursuit of Equity, Accountability, and Success: Latinx Students in Massachusetts Schools” that President Glenn will attend with Dougan Sherwood of the Haverhill Chamber of Commerce.

   On Saturday, Oct. 5th, the NECC Homecoming and 5K campus classic will take place. This event will also include an alumni baseball game, volleyball, and soccer.

5. Lawrence Campus (Verbal)

   President Glenn noted that the Hispanic Heritage month is being held from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.

   President Glenn informed the Audit and Finance Committee that it is almost certain that the project to rebuild the police station and public safety will not include a training center. The college will focus on building the best place for training on our Haverhill campus. This may include firing ranges.

   The invitation for the November 1st opening of the Dimitry building has been sent out.
   This $7 million dollar facelift is very visible. It includes handicap access, interior changes, and an improved front door entry. The interior renovation surrounding the student success centers will be pursued on our own. The grand opening will include a mural painted by Elevated Thought, with inspiration from the students and community. A legislative luncheon will immediately follow this event; the board is encouraged to attend.

New Business

1. Personnel Actions

   New Appointments (ADM-3575-090419)

   The college is seeking affirmation of thirteen (13) new appointments.

   On a Motion by Trustee Cerasuolo-O’Rorke, seconded by Trustee Forman, it was voted unanimously to affirm the personnel actions as listed in Addendum A and Addendum B of ADM-3586-10019.

2. Grants

   President Glenn presented the following grants for approval:

   1. Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care/
      North Shore Community College: Career Pathways Supplemental Funds
   2. Massachusetts Department of Higher Education:
      Training Resources and Internship Networks (TRAIN) Program
   3. Northeast Regional STEM Network Collaborative Project.

      On a Motion by Trustee Forman, seconded by Trustee Borislow, it was voted unanimously to approve Grant motions agenda items 8B1 thru 8B3.

Other Business

There was none.

Adjournment

With no further business, Chairman Linehan adjourned the meeting at 5:40 pm.