Highlights of Minutes - February 9, 2004
MINUTES OF THE ORANGE COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE Board of Trustees MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2004, AT 7:00 PM IN THE ASSEMBLY ROOM, NEWBURGH EXTENSION CENTER, SECOND FLOOR
Present: R. Glinton, Vice Chair, S. Hunter, B. Hodge, J. McMahon
Absent: H. Gareiss, A. Anthonisen, D. Boyce, D. Mirro, J. Wolfe
Executive Session
Vice Chair Roberta Glinton called an Executive Session at 5:45 p.m. to discuss personnel matters. At 6:15 p.m. by unanimous consent, the board closed Executive Session to reconvene at 7:00 p.m.
I. CALL TO ORDER
At 7:00 p.m. Vice Chair Roberta Glinton called the meeting to order and noted that a quorum was not present.
II. CONSENT AGENDA
Since a quorum was not present, the consent agenda items were tabled until the March board meeting.
III. PRESIDENT'S REPORT
The Sojourner Truth Awards are scheduled for 3/5/04 at 7 p.m. in the gymnasium. Invitations will follow. Approximately 1,200 people will attend this function and 400 students in grades 6 thru 12 will be recognized.
A draft of the Board of Trustees web page was distributed for the trustees' review and corrections. Since the trustees represent the entire county, they requested removing the individual area of representation from the web page.
President Richards' update on his initiatives was included in the board packet. Another update will be provided to the trustees in April.
President Richards' noted that ten to twelve staff service positions and three full-time faculty positions will be needed for the proposed Newburgh branch campus. At numerous meetings, County and state legislators pledged their support for a new Newburgh branch campus. A proposal is being prepared for County Executive Diana, which he will include in his State-of-the-County Address. Mr. Kaplan expressed great interest and financial support for a Newburgh branch campus.
College representatives met with all state and federal legislators. At a recent meeting with Congressman Hinchey, he offered his support for technology initiatives and the proposed Newburgh branch campus.
The Middle States Self-Study report is completed and available on the web site. Preparations are being made for the team's April 2004 visit.
Vice President Daniel Bloomer distributed forms used for local travel and travel abroad. These forms include a waiver for liability to the College, but provide only limited protection. Every individual, student, faculty or guest, must sign a waiver. Parental approval will be required on both travel forms.
The College underwent a Title IV audit last week, after a 26-year hiatus. For a short period the College administered three out of four testing components. When the administrators realized that four components were needed, the policy was immediately changed. The auditors found that the error was corrected and will issue a report within 60 days detailing the College's liability.
On 2/3, President Richards, with a contingent from the College, visited the State legislators to request the restoration of the 5% reduction in base aid and increases in rental aid and funding for capital projects.
The Title III Coordinator search is completed and Tom Giorgianni, an Assistant Professor in the Business Department, was selected. Tom's background includes extensive technology experience and he is presently the president of the Alumni Association.
IV. REPORT OF THE COLLEGE GOVERNANCE SYSTEM
Professor Jim Lynch, president of the College Governance System, highlighted the following issues:
Having addressed faculty and staff concerns about the Reorganization at the January Assembly, Vice President David Rule is forming a Reorganization Work Group, representing all sectors of the College. Pending board approval of the plan, this group will soon begin deliberations on how to implement the reorganized office of Academic Affairs.
At the first meeting of the Executive Committee of Governance and the Chairs of the Standing Committees to discuss the current structure of Governance, it was decided that each committee would conduct a self-evaluation. These will be reviewed at a 2/16 meeting to help determine what should be the next step, if any, in reshaping Governance.
There is very considerable interest on campus about the plans for a new site for Newburgh as a branch campus.
The Middle State self-study is now on the College's website. Hard copies will be available shortly.
V. Report Of The Student Trustee - None
VI. OLD BUSINESS - None
VII. NEW BUSINESS - None
VIII. Committee Reports AND/OR Recommendations
- Administrative Services - None
- Personnel & Finance - None
- Educational Policies and Student Affairs - None
IX. Comments From The Public
Professor Jim Lynch mentioned the negative connotation to the College in a recent article in the Times Herald-Record concerning a lawsuit. President Richards noted that he will meet with the Times Herald-Record's editorial board this week and will address this topic as well as request a periodic one-quarter page article devoted to positive news items happening at SUNY Orange. In addition, if any articles, such as the one mentioned above, are reported, the facts must be verified, and the College should receive a call to substantiate these facts.
X. Board Discussion
At 7:15 pm a motion was made (Hunter/Wolfe) to adjourn the meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Maryann Raab
Secretary to the President