Community College System Of New Hampshire

The primary discussion centered on the proposal for establishing an Academic Governance Council. This new body is intended to engage faculty on matters of cross-campus curriculum and relevant academic policies to mitigate collaboration impediments, such as those encountered during the Course Access Project and those emerging with ONE-NHCC. The Council would also address barriers limiting student opportunities in leveraging Early College programs for subsequent CCSNH matriculation. The Chancellor's immediate goal was to secure support for this structure before finalizing its charter with stakeholders. The committee unanimously approved a motion to direct the Chancellor to fully define the charge for the Academic Governance Council, working with Presidents, Vice Presidents, Faculty, and the Vice Chancellor, with the defined charge to be presented at the subsequent June committee meeting.

The meeting focused on student success initiatives, including streamlining processes across campuses to enhance student experience, leading to anticipated higher retention and enrollment rates. Updates were provided on current enrollment numbers and the summer Promise Program. Director Dudley presented data on short-term workforce training and ApprenticeshipNH programs, noting the lack of a current dollar matrix for these programs. Great Bay Community College reported exiting the Rochester, NH lease early, yielding a savings of $100,000.00, and provided an update on the Portsmouth CTE program. White Mountains Community College updated on progress regarding the Boys and Girls Club childcare center on the Berlin campus to support Early Childhood Education students, and its Littleton location is establishing a relationship with the local head start program.

The Executive Committee meeting initiated with a vote to enter a non-public session to discuss a personnel matter. Key approval items involved salary increases of 3.45% effective 8/8/2025 for the Presidents of six community colleges: Great Bay, Lakes Region, Manchester, NHTI -- Concord's, River Valley, and White Mountains. Additionally, the committee approved one-time stipends for the Vice Chancellor ($10,500.00) for support provided to Manchester Community College during its presidential search, and for President Williams ($6,000.00) for support provided to Nashua Community College during its presidential search.

The Assets and Resources Committee meeting included a discussion regarding the CCSNH System Telephony Proposal. The committee voted to recommend approval of the telephony request, as presented by the Chief Information Officer, to the Finance Committee.

The meeting was convened as an emergency session via conference call and Zoom due to the immediate necessity of action and the impracticality of gathering a physical quorum based on member locations and schedules. The committee determined that the business presented could not be delayed until the next scheduled meeting. A motion was made and unanimously carried to enter a non-public session to discuss a personnel matter, which concluded after approximately seventeen minutes.