Eileen Buckle

The agenda for the Board of Trustees meeting on January 29, 2026, included several committee reports requiring Board action recommendations. The Finance Committee sought approval for business/finance actions (Exhibit A). The Bylaw, Policy, and Curriculum Committee recommended approval for bylaw, policy, and curriculum actions (Exhibit B), which involved reviewing revised policies, new policies such as Policy #9130 (Information Technology, General, Employee Directory Information), policy number and name changes, and several course/program revisions and reactivations that were previously accepted by the College Senate. The Buildings and Grounds Committee presented items for approval (Exhibit C). The Personnel Committee recommended approval of personnel actions. The Student Experience Committee was also listed. Additionally, the Board planned to consider a resolution to adopt a closed meeting on February 26, 2026, to discuss personnel, collective bargaining, and pending litigation.

The annual reorganization meeting included the announcement of the public meeting compliance, followed by the election of new officers for the Board of Trustees: Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Treasurer, and Secretary. Following the election, the 2025-2026 Board committee memberships for Executive, Buildings and Grounds, Bylaw Policy and Curriculum, Finance, Personnel, Student Experience, and Board of School Estimate committees were unanimously approved. The board also designated the regular monthly meeting dates and locations for the upcoming year and unanimously approved a list of official depositories for Ocean County College funds.

The Finance Committee accepted the statement of income and expenditures as of December 31, 2025, the Ocean County College Report of Audit for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025, and a declaration of reduction in force due to student diminution. The committee awarded contracts for fertilizer/weed control, HVAC supplies, and GNSS equipment. Resolutions were adopted for camp management services, the LinkedIn Recruiter platform subscription, the purchase and installation of furniture for the new Administration Building from multiple vendors, and a contract for athletic uniforms and apparel. The committee also approved scheduling the sale of 1,500 library books and appointed members to the OCC Board of School Estimate for 2026. Amendments included additional monies for generator maintenance, industrial MRO supplies, Administration Building general contractor services, technology services, and credentialing service onboarding fees. The Building and Grounds Committee approved the Facilities Engineering and Operations Status Report for January 29, 2026. The Bylaw, Policy, and Curriculum Committee approved new policies regarding Emeritus Status and Residency Status, revised policies on Academic Standards and Grades, rescinded four policies related to student classification and admission, approved six new communication courses and revised one Student Success Seminar course, and revised/renamed three other courses. The Personnel Committee documented employment actions including new hires (Adjunct Faculty, Non-Affiliated Administrator, Hourly, and Professional staff), position changes, resignations, retirements, and additional duties assignments.

This strategic plan, titled "Building Opportunity, Strengthening Community," outlines the long-term direction for Ocean County College from 2025 to 2030. It is structured around four interdependent goals: Empower, Future-Focused, Connect, and Sustain. The plan aims to empower diverse learners to achieve their goals, enrich communities, deliver programs responsive to workforce needs, cultivate a positive workplace, and optimize institutional resources, ultimately expanding opportunities for students and strengthening the communities served.

The agenda for the Board of Trustees meeting on December 11, 2025, included several sections for board action (Bd. Action). Key items requiring recommendation for approval spanned the Finance Committee (business/finance actions), Bylaw, Policy, and Curriculum Committee (bylaw, policy, and curriculum actions), Buildings and Grounds Committee items, and Personnel actions. Additionally, the Board was asked to adopt a resolution for a future closed meeting on January 29, 2026, to discuss personnel, collective bargaining, and pending litigation. The document also outlines numerous future meetings scheduled for January and beyond, including a Board Retreat and a Regular Public Monthly Meeting.