HARFORD COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Board of Trustees Work Session
April 25, 2014
The Board of Trustees of Harford Community College met on Friday, April 25, 2014, at
9:00 a.m. in the Chesapeake Center Board Room.
Trustees present: Mrs. Doris Carey; Mr. John F. Haggerty; Mr. Bryan E. Kelly; Mr. Richard D.
Norling; Mr. Bradley R. Stover; Dr. James J. Valdes; and, Dr. Dennis Golladay as
Secretary-Treasurer
Trustees absent: Mrs. April L. Fritts; Rev. Cordell E. Hunter, Sr.; and Mrs. Jan P. Stinchcomb
Staff present: D. Cruise, A. Haggray, R. Johnson, S. Phillips, C. Sherman, and A. Victor
Call to Order. J. Valdes called the work session to order.
Roll Call. Carol Sherman called the roll; quorum was present.
Athletic Fields. Dr. Golladay advised that the Commissioner of the Susquehanna League
indicated that the League is satisfied with the discussions regarding fees and appreciates the
College reviewing the matter, discussing the issues with the League and reaching a reasonable
conclusion of a modulated fee increase.
FY 2015 Budget and Budget Planning. R. Johnson provided some background information and
referred to the long-standing practice of Board review of and setting the budget annually. Over
the years, the College has grown and the annual operating budget is approaching $50M. A
different model for budgeting and financial planning could assist the Board in fulfilling its
fiduciary responsibilities. A financial modeling application has been developed to demonstrate
financial opportunities and challenges for the next decade. With the budget macro, many
variables within the budget can be input and the application will immediately generate results as
budget variables are changed. For the model, some expense categories were pre-populated based
on the Higher Education Price Index. The budget application was demonstrated using variables
in revenue (state, county, tuition). The modeling clearly shows that increases in tuition alone
cannot provide an adequate revenue stream to support the operation of the College.
The following were noted:
 Continued large increases in tuition may negatively affect enrollment which impacts tuition
revenue.
 The best way to manage the bottom line is to determine what the fund balance needs to be.
Initial recommendation from the finance office is setting the fund balance at 15% of the
operating budget.
Board of Trustees Work Session
04/25/14
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A related issue is deferred maintenance. A surplus in the fund balance could be a funding
source for deferred maintenance projects. Information on deferred maintenance is an area to
be addressed in conversations with elected officials.
Information on the effect of flat local funding since 2008 and the need to increase
appropriations has been and will continue to be presented to local officials.
The Board has an important role in reinforcing the message on increasing local funding; the
modeling clearly shows the effect of the repeated years of flat funding and provides talking
points for conversations with elected officials.
Suggestion was made to host a breakfast with County elected officials and share the budget
modeling application.
In looking at expenses, 80% of the budget is fixed costs.
o In the area of positions, as vacancies occur, the position is evaluated to determine
whether it is to be continued, re-assigned to an area of greater need, or discontinued.
o Similarly, programs are reviewed on a regular basis; the program review determines
the viability of the program and if results of the review indicate the program is no
longer viable, the program may be eliminated.
o Professional development funds support employee participation in
workshops/seminars to remain current in their field. Reducing or eliminating these
opportunities could hamper new initiatives.
Dr. Victor, associate vice president for enrollment services, is working with a team of faculty and
staff to design and implement a comprehensive plan for enrollment management. Dr. Victor
discussed the work of the committee and reviewed enrollment trends. She shared data on official
fall enrollment (2005-2013); new first time enrollment and new first time enrollment as a percent
of total enrollment (2006-2013); average credit hours per student (2005-2013); enrollment by
division (2012-2013); and fall to fall retention all students, full-time versus part-time, male
versus female, race/ethnicity, transitional need (2007-2008 to 2011-2013). She also discussed
data on Fall 2012-Fall 2013 non-returning students; data was broken out by college ready/not
college ready, age, race/ethnicity, number of prior semesters, transitional credits taken,
transitional courses needed, degree/non-degree/certificate seeking, course grades, term GPA,
cumulative GPA, student type (continuing, new, readmit, transfer, attending another college),
full-time/part-time, and gender.
To improve retention, strategies to reach the non-returning student are being identified and
implemented. Results will be monitored and strategies adjusted to ensure outreach efforts are
effective.
Marketing plans for FY 2014 enrollment were shared. Internal targets are students currently on
campus and students who have left within the past two semesters; external targets are continuing
education and training students and credit students. Internal marketing campaign will include
yard signs, v-frame banners, sidewalk clings, table tents, buttons, coffee nights, digital signs,
postcards. External campaign will include billboards, radio, Regal movie theater ads, Ripken
Stadium advertising, marquee, social media and the College’s Web homepage.
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Recognizing the criticalness of enrollment, J. Valdes requested that an enrollment update be
included as a standing report at each Board meeting.
Other. Draft Board calendar for July 2014-June 2015 was distributed. Board members were
asked to review the proposed schedule which was modeled on the 2013-2014 calendar and notify
Carol Sherman of any suggested changes. The Board will adopt the calendar at the May meeting.
The work session adjourned at 11:20 a.m.
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Dennis Golladay
Secretary-Treasurer
____________________________________
James J. Valdes
Chair