President Praises College Faculty and Staff

President Lane Glenn praised the extraordinary effort that has been shown by faculty and staff over the past two weeks as the college transitioned to remote learning, due to the COVID-19 threat.

“The scale of what has been accomplished is flabbergasting,” said Glenn. “People have stepped up to provide assistance to one another. It’s been a whirlwind. I can’t begin to start naming individuals. We owe thanks to so many.”

When the semester started, 20 percent of credit courses were offered online and 15 percent were offered in a hybrid format including online and face-to-face learning.

“Two-thirds of our classes weren’t expected to be taught remotely,” said Glenn.

Using tools like Blackboard, Navigate, Zoom, Skype, and YouTube, each faculty member has created a remote learning plan appropriate for the course they are teaching.

The college is carefully monitoring announcements from Governor Baker and information shared by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH), and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) and Glenn anticipates there will be announcements soon about continuing remote learning through the end of the spring semester and cancelling the May 16 commencement.

“Our employees and students have been through an awful lot,” said Glenn. “More of our students are going to be successful this year because of these efforts. As a trustee, I hope you share my pride in these people.

Federal Care Act will Provide some Benefit to NECC

The Care Act, a federal law that directs $2 trillion in funding to COVID-19 relief efforts will provide some benefits to Northern Essex, according to Glenn, who estimates the college will receive “a few million dollars”.

But he cautioned trustees not to “get too excited.” Direct expenses and lost revenue related to COVID-19 should total more than twice what the college will receive from the Care Act.

Five will Receive Emeritus Status

Five recently retired college faculty and staff will receive emeritus status after a unanimous vote by the trustees.

Those receiving emeritus status include Stephen Fabbrucci, vice president emeritus of human resources; Kerin Hamidiani, professor emerita dental assisting program; Nancy Julin, assistant dean emerita of health professions; Patricia Kidney, professor emerita of art & design; and Jean Poth, vice president emerita of institutional advancement.

At Northern Essex, the rank of emeritus is an honor that recognizes sustained excellence in performance, character, and meritorious service to the college. Emeritus status is given to a retired college employee based on recommendations by the college’s emeritus committee and approved by NECC President Lane Glenn.

Emeritus recipients are typically honored at Commencement.

Fees for Fall Semester Decided

Trustees voted unanimously to increase fees for FY2021 by $6 per credit. The increases will take effect in the fall of 2020.

“The increase is approximately 2 percent of the cost of student tuition and fees for next year,” said President Glenn.

All credit courses that are non-health related will increase to $193 per credit and allied health courses will increase to $273 per credit. The $20 per credit facility fee increase, which supports facility projects and operational needs, was also extended for another year. Trustees voted to temporarily increase this fee in FY18.