Christina Amato

The meeting consisted of the official call to order by the Board Chair and the recording of the trustees and officers present.

The board addressed several agenda items, primarily focusing on the approval of Faculty Handbook revisions to ensure compliance with Ohio Senate Bill 1. These revisions encompassed faculty workload, performance evaluations, post-tenure reviews, and diversity, equity, and inclusion provisions. The board also formally approved resolutions to name two campus facilities: the James D. Halderman Electric Vehicle Innovation Center and the Bill Burges and Charlene Moskal-Burges Innovation Center. Additionally, the session included an overview of mandatory annual trustee training requirements and provided notices for upcoming institutional events.

The Board meeting included recognition of various awards and accomplishments for institutional leaders and faculty. The Board approved a consent agenda covering financial reports, academic program updates, tuition rates, and various policy revisions, including updates on military leave and artificial intelligence usage. A resolution regarding the request to receive advance in county tax collections was approved separately after individual consideration. Reports were presented on financial aid strategies, online learning management system migration, and the status of the AI Institute. The Board authorized the renovation of the Fieldhouse for the new Integrated Technology Education Center and received presentations regarding the upcoming Education and Economic Development Summit and the college's ongoing application for the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.

The agenda focuses on the recognition of employee and trustee accomplishments, including service awards and industry leadership honors. Key discussion topics include the integration of artificial intelligence into college curriculum, Ohio's aerospace business ecosystem, and legislative compliance with state bills. The Board will review consent agenda items such as construction contract bids, curricular approval processes, new degree proposals, and college purchasing policies. Furthermore, the meeting will cover work-based learning initiatives, architectural design firm selection for the ITEC project, and updates on the Aspen Prize selection process and strategic training partnerships.

Key discussion topics for this meeting are organized into three parts. Part A addresses Legal and/or Regulatory Compliance Issues and Resolutions requiring Board consideration, including resolutions for construction contract bid awards, curricular approval processes, proposal of a new degree (AAS in Applied Technical Management), authorization for the Trustee Finance and Investment Committee to review investment policy changes, and a policy on the purchase of certain meat and egg products (HB10), as well as a verbal report on S.B. 1 Compliance Supplemental Appropriation Act (H.B. 698). Part B focuses on Strategic Opportunities and Challenges, specifically an overview and discussion regarding Sinclair's faculty and student use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and an overview of Ohio's Aerospace Business Ecosystem, including Sinclair's role in UAS and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). Part C consists of informational reports on the Investment Portfolio Update, Compensation Philosophy and Planning, Capital Budget Status, Grants Development, Foundation Update, and Interim Financial Statements for FY 2026.