HARFORD COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Minutes of Open Meeting
September 13, 2011
The Board of Trustees of Harford Community College met on Tuesday, September 13, 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; Mrs. Susan E. Mull; 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
Staff present: S. Adams, C. Allen, K. Archer, K. Batykefer, J. Cox, D. Cruise, G. Deal,
V. Dodson, J. Donahue, W. Ekey, C. Gordon, A. Haggray, K. Hathaway, C. Henderson,
M. Huddleston, P. Labe, M. Lieb, J. Mayhorne, B. Morrison, B. Napfel, A. Pagura,
S. Phillips, L. Preston, W. Rappazzo, D. Resides, C. Sherman, V. Swain, L. Tittle,
A. Ward, D. Wrobel and T. Zimmerman
Others: S. Rosa, LarsonAllen; M. Gallo, The Aegis
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
August 9, 2011, motion was made, seconded and approved to move into
closed session to discuss personnel matters in accordance with
Article 10-508(a)(1)(i) and (ii) of the Annotated Code of Maryland, closed
sessions permitted.
II.
ROLL CALL
C. Sherman called the roll. Quorum was present.
III.
CONSENT AGENDA
Consent agenda was approved by consensus; items included:
Board of Trustees
09/13/11
Page 2
Agenda of the 09/13/11 meeting
Minutes of the 08/09/11 regular session
Personnel Update
IV.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.
V.
BOARD REPORTS
A.
Chair’s Report
B. Kelly recognized the work of the Foundation during the past year and provided
some Foundation highlights. FY 2011 revenue was approximately $803,000,
compared to $565,000 in FY 2010. Scholarship awards totaled about $308,000.
B. Kelly noted two upcoming events: (1) September 21 Harford Awards program
and (2) dinner with Dr. McMenamin, Chair Middle States Accreditation Team, on
October 18, immediately preceding the Board meeting.
B.
Member Reports
Several trustees attended the Susquehanna groundbreaking ceremony and
complimented the College on the fine event. It was well planned and provided an
opportunity to showcase future athletic facilities.
H. McComas reported on Convocation 2011, a excellent kick-off to the academic
year.
D. Carey and D. Wright commented on the impressive nurse pinning ceremony.
VI.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
A.
Information Items
The Board information packet included a report on the President’s meetings and
activities over the last month. In addition:
Letters of appreciation from scholarship recipients were circulated.
Plaque was presented to the College for participation in the Chesapeake
Science and Security Corridor.
FY 2011 annual report for the Hays-Heighe House was distributed.
Press release was distributed announcing All-Academic Awards presented by
the Maryland Junior College Athletic Conference to sixteen Harford studentathletes.
Photo/article in the National Junior College Association featuring athletes
named to the All-American Athletic Team was shared.
Dr. Golladay also provided an update on the Northeast Region Higher Education
Task Force. He noted that he was asked to arrange a meeting with the Chancellor
for the University System of Maryland with the presidents of Morgan State and
Towson University to discuss the Towson project.
Board of Trustees
09/13/11
Page 3
B.
Academic Reports – Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)
Division Initiatives
D. Wrobel, dean of the STEM division, and W. Rappazzo, associate professor of
anatomy and physiology, presented an overview of key outreach activities in
which the division has been engaged to increase the pipeline of prepared students
in science and technology fields, and to enhance teaching at the high school and
college levels. They discussed the STEM vision, provided information on STEM
enrollments, and commented on work with regional partners, STEM summits,
initiatives supporting Harford County K-12, and the Stem Teaching Academy.
C.
Self-Study Update
Valerie Swain and Lisa Tittle, co-chairs of the College’s self-study team,
provided an update on self-study activities. They reviewed the timeline for selfstudy drafts and site team preparation noting specifically the October 18
preliminary campus visit by Dr. McMenamin, chair of the Middle States Site Visit
Team, and the full team visit March 4-7. V. Swain and L. Tittle provided a list of
the Middle States 14 Standards for Accreditation and shared detailed information
on Standard 4 – Leadership and Governance.
The draft self-study report will be sent to Dr. McMenamin on October 4. During,
Dr. McMenamin’s campus visit on October 18, she will meet with a number of
individuals and groups, including the Chair and Vice Chair of the Board as well
as the full Board of Trustees.
B. Stover requested that a framework be provided to the Board on the Board’s
role and expectations during the campus visit. Matter will be discussed further at
the October 7 Board workshop.
D.
VIII.
Introduction of New Employees
New employees Sharon Adams, student life specialist; Karen Batykefer, research
associate; John Donahue, sociology faculty; Christopher Gordon, chemistry
faculty; and Miriam Huddleston, business administration faculty; were introduced
to the Board.
ACTION ITEMS
A.
FY 2011 Independent Audit
Maryland law requires all community colleges to complete an annual audit of its
accounts and accounting procedures. The Board of Trustees contracts with
LarsonAllen to complete the audit and report a formal opinion on the fairness, in
all material respects, of the financial statements of the College. The audit
committee of the Board, chaired by Trustee Valdes with Trustees Fritts and
Wright serving on the committee, assisted with the review of the auditor’s report.
Board of Trustees
09/13/11
Page 4
Mr. Steve Rosa, Principal LarsonAllen, reviewed the terms of engagement and
provided highlights of audit results. He noted specifically that the financial
statement audit opinion is unqualified and the Federal awards audit opinions were
also unqualified. Mr. Rosa commended the College on its outstanding work.
J. Valdes commended the president and finance and accounting for the excellent
financial management. H. McComas also offered commendation noting that
during his eight years on the Board the financial management of the College has
been superb.
Motion was made by J. Valdes, seconded by H. McComas:
The Board of Trustees of Harford Community College accepts the College
audit conducted by LarsonAllen for FY 2011 as presented.
Vote: adopted unanimously.
B.
2011 Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) Performance
Accountability Report and Updated 2011-2015 Benchmarks
A. Haggray, vice president for instruction, provided an historical perspective of
performance accountability reporting established in 1988 with the benchmarks
and indicators introduced in 1996.
The 2011 reporting cycle marks the beginning of a new five-year reporting cycle
for Maryland community colleges. D. Cruise, vice president for student
development and institutional effectiveness, and W. Ekey, interim director for
institutional research, reviewed the 2011 report and new benchmarks for the
2011-2015 reporting cycle.
With regard to the 2011 report, the accountability indicators, the format for the
report, and the formulas for the data reporting are specifically prescribed by
MHEC. The indicators are organized to align with the five goals of the State Plan
for Higher Education – quality and effectiveness, access and affordability,
diversity, student-centered learning, and economic growth and vitality.
B. Ekey outlined the methodology used in setting benchmarks for the next cycle,
2011-2015, and he shared six specific examples of the application of the
methodology.
Highlights from the Board discussion included:
implications of not meeting a benchmark
impact on minority enrollment of increased opportunities at other colleges
concern for completion rate
Board of Trustees
09/13/11
Page 5
persistor rate (77.9) low; could be attributed partially to the fact that the
calculation is based on all students, which includes students who have goals
other than achievement of degree/certificate
Motion was made by D. Wright, seconded by B. Stover:
The Board of Trustees of Harford Community College approves the 2011
MHEC Performance Accountability Report and the updated 2011-2015
benchmarks.
Vote: adopted unanimously.
C.
Contract Authorization: Architectural/Engineering Services for a New Nursing
and Allied Health Building
A request for proposals was issued in June seeking qualified firms interested in
submitting proposals to furnish architectural/engineering services for the design of a
new nursing and allied health building on the main campus. The proposed building
will be a two-story steel beam, masonry structure, approximately 45,000 GSF. It will
house classrooms, laboratories, laboratory support space and offices for both credit
and noncredit programs.
Fifteen firms submitted their qualifications and experience. Based on a review of
the submitted qualifications, including background of key personnel, example
projects of similar scope, experience with high performance building design, and
experience with state codes, six firms were short-listed as the best qualified to
proceed to the next phase – submission of a technical proposal and participation
in an oral presentation to the College. After oral presentations, the team evaluated
and scored each of the six firms against criteria indicated in the RFP. The
consensus of the review team was that one bidder did not rise to the high level of
the other presenters and would not be asked to submit a price proposal in the final
phase.
Price proposals were received on August 23, 2011, from the five firms. The
review team reviewed the price proposals, together with the technical scoring, to
reach consensus on the winning bidder.
The consensus of the review team was that Hord Coplan Macht represents the
best value to the College and will do an excellent job in designing this critical
building. Hord Coplan Macht is an architectural firm employing approximately
100 persons and is located in Baltimore for 34 years. The president supports the
recommendation of the review team.
Motion was made by D. Carey, seconded by J. Haggerty:
Board of Trustees
09/13/11
Page 6
The Board of Trustees of Harford Community College authorizes a
contract with Hord Coplan Macht of Baltimore, Maryland, as the best
value bidder to provide architectural/engineering services for the new
nursing and allied health building at a firm price of $799,630.00.
Vote: adopted unanimously.
VIII.
BOARD REVIEW
A.
Policies – Benefits Policy
The Board continues to review policies to reaffirm currency as written or to
identify changes/revisions that need to be made. For the September meeting, the
“Benefits” policy was reviewed. No changes to the policy, as written, were made.
IX.
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(a)(1)(i) and (ii) and (7), closed sessions permitted, motion was made by
J. Valdes, seconded by D. Carey to move into closed session to discuss personnel matters
and legal matters. Eight voted in favor of the motion; no one opposed the motion; motion
adopted.
At 7:40 p.m. the Board moved into closed session. The closed session adjourned at
8:25 p.m.
X.
ADJOURNMENT
The Board meeting adjourned at 8:26 p.m.
____________________________________
Dennis Golladay
Secretary-Treasurer
____________________________________
Bryan E. Kelly
Chair