Chester N. Barkan

Key discussions included the Honors Committee presenting recommendations to the Academic Senate in March, and the curriculum sub-committee considering revisions to the procedure manual regarding degree programs with fewer than 64 credits. A working group is being formed to address institutional challenges related to artificial intelligence, prompted by a recent court decision involving Adelphi University. The Board entered Executive Session to discuss negotiations involving the NCCAA and Department Chairs, proposed litigation, and personnel/employment history matters, reconvening afterward. Business transactions included approving a procurement agreement with Milcon Construction Corp. for $4,098,000. Additionally, the Board granted permanent academic titles of professor emeritus to numerous retired faculty members. Policy 6700, concerning investment objectives for the College's operating funds, was adopted following a second reading. Administrative updates noted the restoration of funding for STEP and CSTEP grants, congratulations to two recipients of the 2025-2026 All-New York Academic Team Award, the availability of the Strategic Plan monitoring report, and notification of the upcoming NCC Foundation Gala.

The meeting focused on enrollment updates for the upcoming semesters. The Registrar reported on the start dates for the Spring 26 semester and the Winter 26 term, noting continued growth with total enrollments up 11% and credits increasing by 13% compared to Winter 25. The positive trend continued across most cohorts. A significant discussion point was the nearly 100% increase in high school enrichment students, attributed to expanded K-12 partnerships and growth in the on-campus senior-year program, which attracted approximately 90 students from local high schools and demonstrated strong academic performance (average GPA of 3.2).

The meeting of the Personnel, Affirmative Action and Labor Committee focused primarily on a resolution recommending approval by the full Board of Trustees to grant the permanent academic title of professor emeritus to several retired faculty members of Nassau Community College. These faculty members retired after attaining the academic rank of professor or associate professor, with their retirement date being August 31, 2025. The committee discussed the resolution and subsequently moved to forward it to the full Board of Trustees for final approval.

The Board of Trustees meeting included an anticipated Executive Session to discuss matters concerning negotiations with the NCCAA and Department Chairs, proposed or pending litigation, and the review of personal or corporate financial/employment history. Key agenda items included a report from the Academic Senate Chair, a pending college procurement agreement with Milcon Construction Corp. for $4,098,000, and the approval granting the permanent academic title of professor emeritus to numerous retired faculty members. The committee reports also included a second reading of the amendment to Policy 6700: Investments.

The Finance and Capital Committee discussed several key items. The committee considered a resolution to approve a pending College Procurement Agreement with Milcon Construction Corp. for an anticipated amount of $4,098,000, to be funded through Capital reserves, and recommended it for full Board approval. The Comptroller's Report indicated that for December, 14 OTPS expenditures totaling $755,167 were examined and found to be in conformity with regulations. Furthermore, updates from the auditors confirmed that the campus audit is progressing well with no material findings anticipated, expecting a clean audit report.