Northern Essex Community College Board of Trustees
Minutes of Meeting (OFFICIAL) – March 6, 2024
A meeting of the Northern Essex Community College Board of Trustees was held in room TC103A&B in the Hartleb Technology Center at the Haverhill Campus on March 6, 2024 at 5:00 PM. A Zoom Teleconference option was also available.
PRESENT:
Ms. Borislow (Via Zoom)
Ms. Quiles (Via Zoom)
Ms. Fernandez (Via Zoom, Arrived at 5:12pm)
Ms. Sanchez
Mr. Gomez (Via Zoom)
Mr. Silverio
Ms. O’Rorke (Via Zoom)
Mr. Vasquez
Ms. Paley Nadel
UNABLE TO ATTEND: Mr. Hamm
ALSO, PRESENT: President Glenn
CALL TO ORDER: Chairwoman Borislow called the meeting to order at 5:01 PM with a roll call of attendance and a quorum present.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Chairwoman Borislow asked for a motion to approve the February 14, 2024 minutes.
On a Motion presented by Trustee Paley Nadel and seconded by Trustee Silverio, by roll call vote, the Board approved the February 14, 2024 minutes as presented, with seven (7) Trustees approving and one (1) Trustee abstaining.
CORRESPONDENCE: There was none.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
a) Introduction of Newly Hired Employees (Verbal)
President Glenn introduced several new employees. They were:
Peter Kahari, Assistant Director of Payroll, Human Resources;
Kevin Lane, Associate Director of Facilities & Management, Buildings & Grounds;
Kevin O’Brien, Campus Police Officer II, Public Safety;
Sarah Pachano, Staff Assistant, Center for Adult Education; and
Maxanne Stocks, Director of Community Standards, Student Development.
The Board welcomed all of the new employees.
Trustee Fernandez joined the meeting at 5:12pm via Zoom.
EDUCATION REPORT:
a) The Nursing Advanced Placement Option: LPN TO RN (ADN) Program (ADM-3845-030624)
Dr. Paul Beaudin, Provost and Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs introduced Kathy Welch Hudson, Dean of Allied Health programs at NECC who provided the education report on the Nursing Advanced Placement Option – LPN to RN Program at NECC. Ms. Welch Hudson noted that the program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and is approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing. The program enables licensed practicing nurses to receive credit for a full year of the associate degree after successful completion of a one-credit Nursing Transition Course in the summer session just prior to the start of classes. Beginning in the Fall, students accepted into the third semester of the ADN option. With this option, students are able to transfer those credits into the college (which is the 2nd year of the program), but students must be a fully licensed LPN and in good standing with Board of Registration. Dean Welch Hudson noted that the college accepts all their classes from the summer, and then they begin year 2 into the fall.
NECC has offered this program since 2013 in different forms, but in the Fall 2022, changes were made to the program’s entrance requirements removing entry barriers and providing a smoother pathway into the program. The curriculum did not change, but the process by which students came into the program was made much easier. In addition, initiatives were developed to enhance pathways to employment equity by increasing enrollment, completion rates, licensure, and job placement in nursing careers. The initiatives also fostered social and economic mobility for students.
Dean Welch Hudson went on to note that the program ultimately had two goals: 1) to increase enrollment in the Advanced LPN to ADN (RN) program to a total of 7 students with timely degree completion in 2.5 years and with a targeted focus on Hispanic students, and 2) establish relationships and partnerships in Merrimack Valley to offer new clinical learning opportunities for LPNs to expand their knowledge for nursing. Both goals were met as evidenced by enrollment of
11 students for Fall 2023 (with 6 students graduating from the program). In January 2024, 34 applications were received, and 67% of those were NECC LPN graduates. In closing, Ms. Welch Hudson noted that the program allows career laddering, as students can start with NECC and return for the next level of training when they are ready. She thanked the Trustees for their time.
Trustee Paley Nadel asked about the capacity of the program (currently 34) and what is the future capacity goal? Also, are students working fulltime while doing this advanced classwork?
Dean Welch Hudson noted that they do tell students that they should not be working fulltime if at all possible. Employers (who also serve as some of our clinical sites) try to help the students navigate scheduling as well. She reminds students that it is only one year, and they then can take the boards. She also noted that the program is limited by seating capacity, instructors, and clinical classes. The Mass Board of Registration for Nursing for clinical instructors is usually a 5-6:1 ratio and instructors need to be prepared at the Master’s level (it used to be Bachelor’s degree). Those additional requirements, in tandem with addition retirements in medical facilities since the pandemic, has caused some difficulty and sustainability issues for clinical sites.
Chairwoman Borislow thanked Dean Hudson and noted that it is exciting to see such growth in such a short period of time. She also asked about the impact of the Steward Health Care crisis. Dean Welch Hudson noted that the recent news about Steward is very much on our radar. It is affecting not just nursing, but NECC’s other health majors as well. “As of right now, we are at status quo and managing, but we are closely watching and reaching out as needed.”
BOARD CHAIR UPDATE: Chairwoman Borislow noted that she had no report this month.
REPORT OF BOARD COMMITTEES:
a) Audit and Finance Sub-Committee: There was no report this month.
b) Alumni Advancement Sub-Committee: Sub-Committee Chair Fernandez reminded everyone about the April 4th NECC Giving Day and encourage everyone to participate in this day of participation. She encouraged Trustees to share social media posts about the day to all family and friends, and noted that if there was an opportunity to make this a challenge gift, she would happily follow up with any Trustee to help make that happen.
c) Equity Imperative Sub-Committee: There was no report this month.
d) Nominating Sub-Committee: Sub-Committee Chair Quiles noted that the college received an update from the Governor’s office. President Glenn reported that Frank G. Cousins, Jr. has officially been appointed to the Board and will join us at the April meeting. Dr. Glenn noted he was feeling very optimistic regarding the other reappointments and appointment currently in the pipeline.
e) Presidential Evaluation: Sub-Committee Gomez noted that the committee will be meeting on March 20th to get the work underway. The evaluation is due to DHE on June 30th.
REPORT OF ADMINISTRATION:
a) Vocational School Alignment (Verbal)
President Glenn noted that over a decade ago, there was intentional effort at the state level to get vocational schools and community colleges to work closely together. There was also a requirement that local vocational schools and community colleges share a trustee. To that end, we have always had good relationships and collaboration with Whittier Regional Vocational Tech (i.e., a grant to share some space and collaboration with our Engineering Tech programming). Dr Glenn noted that there has been some rekindled conversation on those possible partnerships recently, and that he will provide Trustees with an update a future meeting.
b) NECC Legislative Breakfast, Friday, March 29th, 8:15-10AM, El Hefni Building, Room LC301 (ADM-3846-030624)
President Glenn noted that Trustees received an invitation to the March 29th Legislative breakfast which will be held at the Lawrence Campus. He has been in contact with members of the delegation for our most important asks (FASFA bill). Senator Finegold is supporting that along with the bill’s sponsor Rep. Andy Vargas. Another topic at this event will be the conversation around the Free College proposal and the benefits and challenges that colleges face. President Glenn encouraged the Trustees to attend.
c) Campus Updates (Verbal)
President Glenn offered the following updates:
1) Today, the NECC Athletic Department hosted a NJCAA seeding ceremony for the Knight’s basketball team which landed at the #2 seed in the country in Division 3 men’s basketball. Dr. Glenn offered many thanks to the basketball and academic coaches who together are making sure these men are stellar scholars and athletes. The team will be headed to Herkimer College on Monday for the National Quarterfinals.
2) The NECC Women’s basketball team was defeated by CCRI last week. Dr. Glenn praised the team who went a very long way into the season after a 13-year hiatus.
3) The NECC Men’s Baseball team is gearing to start up soon as #3 in the country.
4) An RFP for the College’s proposed Health and Wellness Center, scheduled to go public later in March with DCAMM, will now be offered in April. More information will be shared when it becomes available.
5) Earlier today at the Lawrence Campus, Dr. Noemi Custodia-Lora convened the first Lawrence Campus Council meeting. Dr. Glenn reminded trustees that several years ago, the creation of the comprehensive college campus in Lawrence was deemed critical. To that end, the college spent a period of years focusing on building that campus by adding to the footprint of that area, expanding programming, working with the city of Lawrence, and developing the Lawrence Partnership, etc. We continue with that focused and intentional work, and today officially kicked off the new Lawrence Campus Council. The Council’s work will center around our largest goal in our past strategic plan, the Integrated Student Experience (ISE,) by making sure that students can navigate their curriculum, feel a sense of belonging, and can easily navigate the campuses. He is looking forward to updates from the Council going forward.
6) Lastly, President Glenn noted that NECC will be hosting a law enforcement culture and diversity institute at the Haverhill Campus. The college continues its work and collaboration with the law enforcement community by hosting other trainings like an FBI training and also starting up a new Essex County Sheriff’s class.
d) Save-the-Dates (Verbal)
President Glenn shared the following NECC Commencement week updates and encourage Trustees to attend:
· Tuesday, May 14th, Student Academic Awards Ceremony, 6PM, Sport & Fitness Center, Haverhill Campus
· Thursday, May 16th, Early College Recognition Ceremony, 5:30PM, Haverhill Campus Quad
· Saturday, May 18th, NECC 62nd Commencement Exercises, 11AM, Haverhill Campus Quad. Representative Lori Trahan is our Commencement speaker.
e) Communique (ADM-3847-030624)
President Glenn noted the most recent Communique which included information on Commencement and the upcoming Seacoast Promise Program. He extended many thanks to Allison Dolan-Wilson and Trustee Lloyd Hamm for their support of the program.
In closing, Trustee Sally O’Rorke thanked President Glenn for the great, recent article in the Commonwealth Magazine.
NEW BUSINESS:
Chairwoman Borislow noted that there was one motion under New Business for review and approval.
a) Motion to Approve Northern Essex Community College Police Department Policy and Procedures Manual (ADM-3848-030624)
Prior to a vote to approve, Chairwoman Borislow asked for any questions/discussion. Trustee Paley Nadel asked how NECC’s police department has communicated this policy to local police agencies in our service area communities. NECC Police Chief David Hobbs noted that NECC campus police are in consistent contact with law enforcement departments in our local area. NECC also has signed MOUs of agreement with both the Haverhill and Lawrence Police Departments. Both of those departments have received a copy of the NECC policies so they know we are adhering to their standards as well. In addition, tours of both campuses are conducted to help field any questions or issues. Chief Hobbs noted that the NECC police department works very closely with both departments and specifically noted that joint mandatory training has been held and has been very successful.
In closing, President Glenn noted that on a couple of occasions, NECC has conducted disaster training and simulations with local law enforcement on both campuses to know and understand how first responders would respond. It’s been a great collaboration, and we also have a great benefit of having a police academy on campus.
On a Motion presented by Trustee O’Rorke and seconded by Trustee Gomez, by roll call vote, the Board unanimously approved the Northern Essex Community College Police Department Policy and Procedures Manual.
b) Grants: Chairwoman Borislow noted that there were three (3) grants to approve collectively and asked for a motion to approve the following grants:
1) Massachusetts Department of Higher Education: Hunger Free Campus Initiative ADM-3849-030624
2) Massachusetts Department of Higher Education: Massachusetts ADM03850-030624
Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment Initiative (MAICEI) Quality
Enhancement Project (QEP)
3) Massachusetts Department of Higher Education: ADM-3851-030624
Student Behavioral and Mental Health Allocation Grant
On a Motion presented by Trustee Paley Nadel and seconded by Trustee Gomez, by roll call vote, the Board unanimously approved the three (3) grants as presented totaling $172,328.
OTHER BUSINESS: There was none.
ADJOURNMENT: With no other business, Chairwoman Borislow adjourned the meeting at 5:46PM. Training Ad
