HARFORD COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Minutes of Open Meeting
November 11, 2014
The Board of Trustees of Harford Community College met on Tuesday, November 11, 2014, at
6:00 p.m. in the Chesapeake Center Board Room.
Trustees present: Mrs. Doris G. Carey; Mr. John F. Haggerty; Rev. Cordell E. Hunter, Sr.;
Mr. Bryan E. Kelly; Dr. James W. McCauley; Mr. Richard D. Norling; Mrs. Jan P.
Stinchcomb; Mr. Bradley R. Stover; Dr. James J. Valdes; and, Dr. Dennis Golladay as
Secretary-Treasurer
Staff present: C. Allen, D. Cruise, W. Dietz, K. Doan, N. Dysard, V. Dodson, T. Franza,
S. Garey, K. Hachmann, A. Haggray, K. Hathaway, C. Henderson, R. Johnson,
P. Karwowski, P. Labe, J. Mayhorne, B. Morrison, B. Napfel, Z. Parker, G. Pizzuto,
S. Phillips, L. Preston, D. Resides, S. Schaeffer, C. Sherman, V. Swain, L. Trusty,
A. Victor, A. Wallace, A. Ward, and D. Wrobel
Others: A. Henry and R. DeGallo, Small Business Development Center
I.
CALL TO ORDER
J. Valdes 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.
II.
ROLL CALL
C. Sherman called the roll. Quorum was present.
III.
CONSENT AGENDA
By consensus the Board approved the consent agenda. Items included:
 Agenda of the 11/11/14 meeting
 Minutes of the 10/14/14 regular session
IV.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.
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V.
VI.
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BOARD REPORTS
A.
Chair’s Report
J. Valdes reminded trustees of the work session scheduled for November 21 at
9:00 a.m. in the Chesapeake Center Board Room
B.
Finance and Audit Committee Report
R. Norling reported that the Finance and Audit Committee met on October 31 and
reviewed summary report for the quarter ending September 30. Income and
expenses are on track with the budget.
C.
Member Reports
D. Carey, C. Hunter and R. Norling provided highlights from the sessions they
attended at the 2014 Association of Community College Trustees Leadership
Congress. All noted that the Congress provides an excellent opportunity to meet
trustees from community colleges throughout the United States, to learn best
practices and to be informed of current and merging issues in higher education.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
A.
Information Items
The Board information packet included a report on the president’s meetings and
activities over the last month. D. Golladay noted specifically:
 The National Council for Marketing & Public Relations, District 1, recently
awarded three Medallion Awards to Harford Community College's Office of
Marketing and Public Relations. The College received a gold Medallion
Award in the Outdoor Media category, a silver Medallion Award for Digital
Illustration, and a bronze Medallion Award for Radio PSA/Advertisement.
Medallion awards recognize excellence in design work and publications.
Cynthia Courtney, marketing coordinator for enrollment services, was the
designer on the winning projects.
 The National Park Service has accepted the Hays-Heighe House: Sam Archer
Escape as making a significant contribution to the understanding of the
Underground Railroad in American history. The Hays-Heighe House is the
first site in Harford County to be accepted into the National Underground
Railroad Network to Freedom. Certificate of Acceptance from the National
Park Service was presented.
 Athletic teams are doing well. Harford volleyball team is a Maryland JUCO
champion and the women’s soccer team advanced to the NJCAA National
Tournament.
 Copy of the Facilities Master Plan and 2014 update was distributed.
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B.
Introduction of New Employees
New employees William Dietz, maintenance technician IV – plumber, and Kurt
Doan, director for student activities, were introduced to the Board.
C.
Program Presentation – Small Business Development Center/Business Computing
and Applied Technology Division Alliance
The Northern Region Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is located in
Edgewood Hall and provides services to Cecil, Carroll and Harford Counties.
Amy Wallace, regional director of the northern region Small Business
Development Center, and John Mayhorne, dean of business, computing and
applied technology, discussed the purpose and major activities and initiatives
conducted by the SBDC. They discussed opportunities provided by the Center to
Harford Community College business students and shared plans for FY 2015.
E.
Enrollment Report
Enrollment report as of November 11 was reviewed. Upcoming recruitment,
enrollment and retention initiatives were also discussed.
F.
Capital Projects Update
R. Johnson, vice president for finance and operations, provided an update on
capital projects and related facilities matters.
 Hickory Center. Projected completion date is June 2015. Currently
remediation work related to unsuitable soil is being completed.
 Darlington Hall. Punch list work is being completed. First furniture delivery
is scheduled for December 8.
 Susquehanna Center Roof. Target date for completion is November 28.
ACTION ITEMS
A.
2014 Maryland Higher Education Commission Performance Accountability
Report
The 2014 Performance Accountability Report (PAR) is due to the Maryland
Higher Education Commission (MHEC) by December 1, 2014. The report
incorporates trends in the College’s performance, describes actions and initiatives
undertaken that support the state’s goals for higher education and relate to
community outreach and impact. The 2014 reporting cycle is the fourth year of a
five-year reporting cycle for Maryland community colleges.
The accountability indicators capture data on eight student characteristics and
thirty-five benchmaked measures. Four-year trends for each indicator are included
in the report.
As in past years, MHEC asked the College to respond to questions about the data
reported in the prior year. For this year, MHEC had two questions of Harford
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Community College. The first related to indicator 9c, annual unduplicated
headcount, continuing education students. The Commission asked HCC to
describe the growth strategy for this student population. In response, the College
noted various programs that were recently added and will be added in a shift
toward focusing more intentionally on workforce development and training. The
Regional Training Center proposal is also cited.
The second question related to indicators 21a and 22a, successful-persister rate
after four years for African American students and graduation-transfer rate after
four years for African American students. The Commission requested information
on steps the College has taken or intends to take to improve performance and
reach the benchmark. In response, the College included details about My College
Success Network which was implemented this fall with the express goal of
helping African American students persist and achieve at a higher rate. The
reconfigured mentoring program, Soar2Success, is also addressed in this
response.
Motion was made by B. Stover, seconded B. Kelly:
The Board of Trustees of Harford Community College approves the 2014
MHEC Performance Accountability Report.
Vote: Unanimously adopted.
B.
2015-2016 Academic Calendar
The College calendar specifies important annual dates focused on students
including but not limited to start and stop dates of the fall and spring semesters,
days the College is closed, and Commencement. Criteria considered when
building the calendar include compliance with state required total credit hours of
instruction, flexibility of adding days to the semester if the need arises due to
closings, and placement of spring break in the middle of the semester. The
College cites clearly that it operates seven days a week, 12-20 hours per day,
strives to be open for instruction and related activity based on campus
considerations, and urges all constituents to take responsibility for continuity of
student learning.
The recommended calendar offers a fall semester which begins before Labor
Day and ends December 15, 2015, and a spring semester which begins
January 27, 2016, and ends May 21, 2016. Both semesters include a study day
prior to final exams and ample extra class time to accommodate unplanned
College closures.
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Motion was made by D. Carey, seconded by J. Haggerty:
The Board of Trustees of Harford Community College approves the
2015-2016 College academic calendar as presented.
Vote: Unanimously adopted.
C.
Contract Authorization: Laptop Computers and Touch Notebooks for Darlington
Hall
Five quotes were received in response to the College’s request for quotations for
126 HP laptop computers and 15 HP revolve touch notebooks. Recommendation
is to award the contract to the low bidder, Gov Connection.
Motion was made by J. Stinchcomb, seconded by R. Norling:
The Board of Trustees of Harford Community College authorizes a
contract with Gov Connection of Rockville, Maryland, in the amount of
$112,059.00 for 126 HP laptop computers and 15 HP revolve touch
notebooks for use at Darlington Hall.
Vote: Unanimously adopted.
VIII.
PERSONNEL
Staffing changes are reported to the Board as an information item. The Board approves
personnel activity related to administrators and tenure-track faculty. Three personnel
items reported this month require Board action.
Appointments
 Rita R. Archer-Clark, registrar, effective December 10, 2014
 Megan Cornett, assistant registrar, effective November 17, 2014
 William H. Dietz, maintenance technician IV–plumber, effective October 27, 2014
 Garry L. Lang, astronomy/earth science faculty – one semester term appointment
effective January 26, 2015
Retirements
 James J. D’Amario, professor of astronomy/earth science, effective January 31, 2015
 Salvatore J. Rodano, professor of physics, effective January 31, 2015
Motion was made by B. Kelly, seconded by D. Carey:
The Board of Trustees of Harford Community College approves
the appointment of Rita R. Archer-Clark, registrar, effective
December10, 2014;
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And
The Board of Trustees of Harford Community College acknowledges
receipt of letters of intent to retire from James J. D’Amario, professor of
astronomy/earth science, and Salvatore J. Rodano, professor of physics,
effective January 31, 2015.
Vote: Unanimously adopted.
IX.
BOARD REVIEW
A.
Policies – Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunity
The Board continues to review policies to reaffirm currency as written or to
identify changes/revisions that need to be made. At the October 14 meeting, the
Board reviewed the Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunity
Policy. Suggestion was made to delete the phrase “on account of any protected
status” from the third paragraph. The Board requested the president contact
counsel to determine if the phrase was needed to meet any legal requirement.
The proposed change recommended by the Board along with other recommended
revisions to provide a clear, concise policy was reviewed by counsel. Counsel
agrees that the proposed edits do not detract, but may improve, the policy.
The proposed revised policy follows: (strike-out indicates deletion; underlined
text indicates additions):
Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
Harford Community College is committed to non-discrimination and equal
employment opportunity. This commitment is based not only upon the
legal requirements of federal, state, and local law, but also upon the
College’s firm conviction that the principles of non-discrimination and
equal employment opportunity, as well as courteous and respectful
behavior, are imperative to the success of all.
It has been, and will continue to be, the policy of Harford Community
College that all employees, applicants, and other persons dealing with the
College will do so in an atmosphere that is free from discrimination on the
basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, status as an
individual with a disability, veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, or
any other status protected by law. This policy includes, but is not limited
to, decisions about recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, compensation,
benefits, transfers, and social or recreational programs.
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As part of its commitment to equal employment opportunity, the College
prohibits harassment of any persons, including employees and students, on
account of any protected status kind. The College will not tolerate
harassment by anyone—supervisors, other employees, students,
contractors, or other persons under control of the College.
Motion was made by J. Haggerty, seconded by R. Norling:
The Board of Trustees of Harford Community College approves the
revised Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunity policy as
presented.
Vote: Unanimously adopted.
X.
CLOSED SESSION
J. Valdes asked for a motion to go into closed session to discuss personnel matters; the
topic to be discussed, president’s goals, was noted.
In accordance with State Government Article of The Annotated Code of Maryland,
Article 10 508(a)(1)(i), closed sessions permitted, motion was made by R. Norling,
seconded by J. Stinchcomb to move into closed session to discuss personnel matters.
Nine voted in favor of the motion; no one opposed the motion; motion adopted.
At 7:15 p.m. the Board moved into closed session. The closed session adjourned at
7:30 p.m.
IX.
ADJOURNMENT
The Board meeting adjourned at 7:31 p.m.
____________________________________
Dennis Golladay
Secretary-Treasurer
____________________________________
James J. Valdes
Chair