HARFORD COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Minutes of Open Meeting
August 9, 2011
The Board of Trustees of Harford Community College met on Tuesday, August 9, 2011, at
6:00 p.m. in the Chesapeake Center Board Room.
Trustees present: Mrs. Doris G. Carey; Mr. John F. Haggerty; Mr. Bryan E. Kelly; Mr. Howard
K. McComas, IV; Mr. Bradley R. Stover; Dr. James J. Valdes; Dr. Douglas G. Wright;
and, Dr. Dennis Golladay as Secretary-Treasurer
Trustees absent: Mrs. April L. Fritts and Mrs. Susan E. Mull
Staff present: C. Allen, J. Cox, D. Cruise, G. Deal, V. Dodson, N. Dysard, W. Ekey, S. Garey,
A. Haggray, C. Henderson, A. Kastern, P. Labe, M. Lieb, J. Mayhorne, B. Napfel,
A. Pagura, L. Preston, L. Rainey, C. Sherman, C. Vellucci, A. Ward, and D. Wrobel
Others: M. Gallo, The Aegis; M. Moxley
I.
CALL TO ORDER
B. Kelly called the meeting to order.
The following is noted for the record:
The business of the Harford Community College Board of Trustees, as
empowered by Maryland law, is to oversee all personnel, programs and
facilities. The Board employs its president to implement and to interpret
its policies. The Board directs the president to establish guidelines,
procedures, and practices that flow from and support the policies of the
Board of Trustees as contained in the Board Manual for By-laws and
Policies. The Board meets the second Tuesday each month (except July) to
consider and transact public business.
B. Kelly announced that at the Board of Trustees meeting on
June 14, 2011, motion was made, seconded and approved to move into
closed session to discuss personnel matters and consult with Counsel in
accordance with Article 10-508(a)(1)(i) and (ii) and (7) of the Annotated
Code of Maryland, closed sessions permitted.
II.
ROLL CALL
C. Sherman called the roll. Quorum was present.
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III.
CONSENT AGENDA
Consent agenda was approved by consensus; items included:
Agenda of the 08/09/11 meeting
Minutes of the 06/14/11 regular session
Candidates for Graduation – August 2011
Personnel Update (appointment of Mary K. Hutchinson, tenure track nursing
faculty)
IV.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Margaret Moxley addressed the Board concerning the budget and legal expense.
V.
BOARD REPORTS
A.
Chair’s Report
B. Kelly commented on the recent Foundation golf event which raised significant
funds for student scholarships. He also reminded Board members of upcoming
activities:
August 19 – Fall Semester Opening Events
August 23 – Susquehanna Center Groundbreaking
B.
VI.
Members Reports
No reports.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
A.
Information Items
The Board information packet included a report on the President’s meetings and
activities over the last month. Dr. Golladay noted specifically:
Participated on a panel discussing the “Joys of Leadership” at the Future
Leaders Institute, a professional program sponsored by the American
Association of Community Colleges. The institute is an innovative five-day
leadership seminar designed for mid-level community college administrators
who are ready to move into a higher level of leadership.
Recognized contributions senior staff make through service on a number of
county, state and national organizations.
Announced three grant awards – National Endowment for the
Humanities/American Library Association, the Susquehanna Workforce
Network and the Dresher Foundation.
D. Golladay distributed a spring sports wrap-up summarizing the success of
Harford’s athletic teams and individual athletic awards.
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1. Board Orientation Manual
First draft of a Board orientation manual was distributed. Board members
were asked to review the material and offer feedback. New Board member
orientation is a potential topic for a future Board workshop.
2. Promotion and Tenure Criteria and Procedures
The Faculty Handbook section on tenure and promotion definitions and
practices was recently reviewed and updated by the Office of Instruction and
the faculty. Revised document was distributed. Discussion will occur at a
Board workshop.
3. Update on Higher Education Task Force
Legislation (House Bill 156), approved during the 2011 session of the
Maryland General Assembly, created a Task Force to Study Creation of
Regional Higher Education Center in Northeastern Maryland. The 18-member
Commission, appointed by the Governor, is to report findings and
recommendations to the Governor on or before December 1, 2011. The task
force has met three times and has divided into three sub-committees:
governance, facilities and programs. Marlene Lieb chairs the facilities subcommittee; Jim LaCalle and Dennis Golladay serve on the governance subcommittee; and Dennis Golladay also serves on the program sub-committee.
Discussions have noted that the concept for a regional higher education center
does not have to be a single facility, but rather could be accomplished by a
three-pronged approach: (1) 2+2 between Harford Community College and
facilities on the west campus for baccalaureate educational opportunities;
(2) expansion of the Higher Education and Conference Center at HEAT; and
(3) a research center associated with Aberdeen Proving Ground to meet
doctoral and postdoctoral research needs. This multi-level approach is fiscally
responsible and is generally supported by committee members.
J. Haggerty inquired about current partners at the Higher Education and
Conference Center specifically with regard to the University of Phoenix. His
specific concern related to recent reports on “for profit” schools.
B.
Academic Reports – College Articulation Agreements
In order for the transfer process to be seamless, with no loss of credit, over 60
articulation agreements have been created with several Maryland colleges and
universities. The Office of Instruction is responsible for establishing contact with
the four-year colleges and universities and generating agreements that ensure
students meet the graduation requirements of both Harford Community College
and transferring institution. Articulation agreements are usually reviewed and
updated ever three years. Ms. Lisa Rainey, assistant to the vice president for
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instruction, and Dr. Annette Haggray, vice president for instruction, provided an
overview of the articulation agreements.
C.
VII.
Introduction of New Employees
New employees Amanda Kastern, associate vice president – student development;
and Carol Vellucci, coordinator – Higher Education and Conference Center at
HEAT; were introduced to the Board.
ACTION ITEMS
A.
Maryland Higher Education Commission 2011-2013 Harford Community College
Plan for a Program of Cultural Diversity and 2011 Progress Report
Under 2008 legislation, (Education Article, §11–406), public institutions must
maintain a plan for a program of cultural diversity approved by its governing
board. The governing board must also submit a progress report on the institution’s
implementation of the plan to the Maryland Higher Education Commission
(MHEC) each year. The 2009-2011 plan approved by the Board has expired. The
2011-2013 updated Plan and the 2011 Progress Report require Board action.
Dr. Cruise referred to goals and objectives and noted new items in the 2011-2013
plan: (1) creation of a campus standing committee charged with promoting
campus cultural diversity; (2) review of the college’s cultural diversity graduation
requirement; (3) investigation of potential need for resources to effectively recruit
and retain culturally diverse student body.
In addition, Dr. Cruise noted highlights from the progress report. Specifically,
data indicate the gap in academic achievement between underrepresented college
students as compared with the general student body is decreasing.
Motion was made by H. McComas, seconded by B. Stover:
The Board of Trustees of Harford Community College approves:
The updated 2011-2013 HCC Plan for a Program of Cultural
Diversity and
The 2011 Progress Report on the implementation of the HCC Plan
for a Program of Cultural Diversity.
Discussion followed. Points noted:
Concern with insignificant gain in increasing the male student population.
Since in this report “cultural diversity” means the inclusion of those racial
and ethnic groups and individuals that are or have been underrepresented
in higher education, the report is not to address gender ratios.
College demographics exceed the county demographics regarding
minorities.
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Concern for implications of the summary of resources needed to
effectively recruit and retain culturally diverse student body. It was
pointed out that this section of the 2011-2013 plan is required by the
Maryland Higher Education Commission. The information is to identify
what would assist the College in more effectively recruiting and retaining
culturally diverse students. It is not a commitment of budgeted funds.
Vote: 4 voted in favor of the motion; 3 opposed the motion; motion adopted.
B.
Contract Authorizations
1. Printing Class Schedules 2012
Five firms responded to the College’s request for proposals for the printing of
Winter/Spring and Summer/Fall credit class schedules and Fall, Spring and
Summer noncredit class schedules for 2012. Scope of work includes printing
324,000 books on newsprint in four colors with gloss cover. The work also
includes folding, trimming and providing separate deliveries to the mail house
and the College.
The lowest bidder, AFL Web Printing, is technically qualified. AFL printed
class schedules for the College last year and their performance was good.
Recommendation is to award the bid to AFL Web Printing.
Motion was made by J. Haggerty, seconded by D. Wright:
The Board of Trustees of Harford Community College authorizes the staff
to contract with AFL Web Printing of Voorhees, New Jersey, for printing a
total of 324,000 credit and noncredit 2012 class schedules for a total price
of $114,805.40.
Vote: adopted unanimously.
2. Construction of Waste Water Treatment Plant and Associated
Infrastructure
An invitation for bid was issued on June 15, 2011, to solicit bids from
qualified companies to construct a new waste water treatment plant (WWTP)
and associated infrastructure development, in accordance with the drawings
and specifications prepared by Brinjac Engineering.
The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) requires that all
wastewater discharge (current and future) at the College be permitted under
one ground water discharge permit (GDP). MDE further requires that the
wastewater be treated to meet a total nitrogen wastewater discharge limit of 10
milligrams per liter, necessary for protection of the Chesapeake Bay.
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Accordingly, the College renewed and increased its existing GDP, and
recently completed the design of a new wastewater treatment system and
sewage disposal area (SDA). The permit requires the new wastewater
treatment system to be phased in over the next three years. The SDA will
consolidate all existing systems under a single permit, and will increase the
flow capacity to 26,500 gallons per day average daily flow (51,000 gallons per
day peak daily flow). The treatment plant will ensure that all wastewater
discharged from the SDA meets the total nitrogen limit of 10 milligrams per
liter.
The wastewater treatment plant will consist of a re-circulating media
filter/subsurface wetlands system with a final ultraviolet light disinfection
stage. It will convey waste water to the new SDA consisting of deep bed
disposal trench using drip irrigation. Also included in the project is the
campus-wide infrastructure work including construction of six new lift
stations, installation of two emergency generators, removal of existing septic
tanks, installation of new equalization tanks for the treatment plan, installation
of a central electronic control system, and all of the associated septic piping
and electrical connectivity.
The work is to be performed in two phases, with Phase 1 to begin
August 2011 and be completed by June 1, 2012. Phase 2 is to begin by
July 2012 and be completed by June 1, 2013. Phase 1 consists of construction
of the new treatment plant and SDA, and connection of the Susquehanna
Center and Chesapeake Center to the new system. Phase 2 consists of all
remaining work, including the lift stations, emergency generators, central
electronic control system, and connectivity to the other campus buildings.
Five firms responded to the request for bid. Prices ranged from $3.6M to
$5.8M. After a check of references, confirmation of satisfactory septic system
installer’s license, verification of experience in WWTP construction, and
conference call to confirm scope, JLW Associates is the low bidder that meets
all qualifications. The cost breakdown of the two phases is as follows:
Phase 1:
Phase 2:
Total:
$2,342,899
$1,310,273
$3,653,172
Recommendation is to award the contract to JLW Associates. The project is to
be funded out of the capital budget. The Water & Wastewater Project will be
used to fund $1.65 million for the treatment facility and SDA, and the
Infrastructure Improvement Project will be used to fund $692,899 associated
with the excavation and site preparation, septic collection piping, emergency
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generator installation, and electrical connectivity. An additional $1.275
million in County funding and $425,000 in College funding has been
requested for FY 2013. Given the need to proceed with the award of the
phased contract, the College will provide a guarantee of full funding for this
contact. If Harford County does not fully fund the FY 2013 request, the
College will use designated fund balance to meet the obligation.
Motion was made by D. Carey, seconded by D. Wright:
The Board of Trustees of Harford Community College accepts the contract
with JLW Associates of Leonardtown, Maryland, in the amount of
$3,653,172 for construction of a new waste water treatment plant and
associated infrastructure development. The project will be accomplished
in two phases; Phase 1 in the amount of $2,342,899 and Phase 2 in the
amount of $1,310,273. This approval acknowledges that the College
guarantees full funding of the project should Harford County not fund the
entire FY 2013 request. The guarantee is for up to $1,310,273 for Phase 2
construction in FY 2013.
Vote: adopted unanimously.
C.
Awarding of Posthumous Degree
Patrick X. Ward, a Harford Community College student, was killed on Friday,
August 5, 2011. Patrick first enrolled at HCC during the fall 1999 term and was
seeking an Associate of Applied Science degree in Mass Communications–
Advertising Sales Promotion. At the conclusion of the spring 2011 term, Patrick
had earned 60 credits and a 3.09 cumulative grade point average. At the time of
his death Patrick had completed all but one course required for the degree.
Harford Community College’s procedures regarding the awarding of posthumous
degrees state that a posthumous degree may be awarded following “the tragic
death of a student who has made substantial progress toward the completion of a
degree and who has made noteworthy contributions to the college community.”
Given the tragic nature of Patrick’s death, and following a thorough review of
Patrick’s student record, the vice president for student development and
institutional effectiveness recommends that a posthumous degree be awarded to
Patrick X. Ward. The division dean, Paul Labe, supports this request and Patrick’s
family supports the request as well. The president recommends that the Board
award the posthumous degree.
Motion was made by D. Wright, seconded by B. Stover:
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The Board of Trustees of Harford Community College posthumously awards
an Associate of Applied Science degree in Mass Communications–Advertising
Sales Promotion to Patrick X. Ward.
Vote: adopted unanimously.
VIII.
CLOSED SESSION
B. Kelly asked for a motion to go into closed session to discuss personnel matters.
In accordance with State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland,
Article 10-508 (1)(i) and (ii), closed sessions permitted, motion was made by
H. McComas, seconded by D. Carey to move into closed session to discuss personnel
matters. Seven voted in favor of the motion; no one opposed the motion; motion adopted.
At 7:35 p.m. the Board moved into closed session. The closed session adjourned at
8:00 p.m.
IX.
RETURN TO OPEN SESSION
At 8:00 p.m. the Board returned to open session.
ACTION ITEMS (Continued)
D.
Faculty Promotion
Application for promotion is submitted by to the faculty member to his/her
respective division dean. Positive recommendation from the dean is forwarded to
the deans’ group for their review and recommendation. Recommendation from
the deans’ group is forwarded to the vice president for instruction; the vice
president forwards a recommendation to the president.
Four faculty members applied for promotion – Dr. Ellen Avitts from Assistant
Professor to Associate Professor, Heidi Neff from Assistant Professor to
Associate Professor, Fary Sami from Associate Professor to Professor, and
Dr. Sharon Stowers from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor. Each
application was supported by the respective division dean, the deans’ group and
the vice president for instruction. The president supports the promotions of the
four faculty members as presented. Letters of application addressing each of the
criteria for promotion and letters of support from the respective dean, the deans’
group, and the vice president for instruction are attached. Promotions would be
effective at the beginning of the contract year (August 15, 2011).
Motion was made by J. Valdes, seconded by H. McComas:
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The Board of Trustees of Harford Community College approves the promotion
of Dr. Ellen Avitts from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor effective
August 15, 2011.
The Board of Trustees of Harford Community College approves the
promotion of Heidi Neff from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor
effective August 15, 2011.
The Board of Trustees of Harford Community College approves the promotion
of Fary Sami from Associate Professor to Professor effective August 15, 2011.
The Board of Trustees of Harford Community College approves the promotion
of Dr. Sharon Stowers from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor
effective August 15, 2011.
Vote: adopted unanimously.
E.
Sabbatical Request
Sabbatical leave may be granted to full-time College employees who have
demonstrated significant service to the college and community and whose
proposed activity(ies) demonstrate(s) potential value to the College as evidenced
by dedication, and the desire and competence to pursue academic and career
interests in a manner that dictates an intense and unencumbered expenditure of
time and energy toward an appropriate goal. Sabbaticals will be considered and
granted only on terms of achieving professional improvement on the part of the
employee and hence, of direct benefit to the College.
A full-time employee is eligible to be granted one year of leave at one-half his/her
annual salary; or one‑half year or less of leave at his/her regular salary rate. The
employee must have completed seven years of continuous full-time service at the
College immediately preceding her/his sabbatical. The employee agrees return to
service at Harford Community College immediately following the conclusion of
the sabbatical or a time otherwise acceptable to the College. In addition, the
employee, upon his/her return to the College, agrees to serve at least two years in
a full-time capacity or to reimburse the College the gross salary paid him/her
during the time on sabbatical. The employee also agrees to provide a written/oral
summary of her/his sabbatical activities to members of the College community
and the Board of Trustees.
Wayne Hepler, associate professor of mass communications, has requested a one
semester sabbatical to occur during spring semester 2012. The purpose of the
sabbatical is to conduct primary research on the history, development and impact
of media piracy on mass communications.
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The sabbatical request is supported by the division dean, the vice president for
instruction and the president.
Motion was made by J. Haggerty, seconded by D. Carey:
The Board of Trustees of Harford Community College approves the sabbatical
request of Wayne Hepler, associate professor of mass communications, for a
one semester sabbatical for spring 2012.
Vote: adopted unanimously.
X.
SEPTEMBER WORKSHOP
Board workshops provide trustees an opportunity for in depth discussion of major issues.
Plans for a September workshop are underway. Potential topics include student housing,
Board orientation (manual/mentoring program), and faculty tenure and promotion.
C. Sherman will poll the Board with regard to:
dates
length of workshop – half-day/full day
topics
XI.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by B. Stover, seconded by J. Valdes and the Board meeting adjourned
at 8:10 p.m.
____________________________________
Dennis Golladay
Secretary-Treasurer
____________________________________
Bryan E. Kelly
Chair