Meghan Alai

The board meeting featured a presentation on student success initiatives, the approval of an academic program name change to Radiography, and the authorization of a new LPN-RN bridge program. The finance committee received approval for various cooperative contracts, the rejection of bids for a building renovation project, contract amendments, and the sale of surplus property. Additionally, the board approved the annual operating budget for the next fiscal year, reimbursements for a community investment project, a gas pipeline easement, and adjustments to tuition and fee rates. The human resources committee recommended several hires, status changes, and retirements. Finally, the board appointed officers for Title IX, Section 504, and Civil Rights compliance and held an executive session to discuss potential litigation.

This strategic plan is built on a mission to provide quality, affordable education, support student success, and enhance community life. It is guided by core values including excellence, integrity, diversity, collaboration, transparency, and civility. The plan is structured around five pillars: 'Gateway to Success' (student transition and goal achievement), 'Focus on Students' (broadening learning opportunities), 'Community Engagement' (partnerships for student services), 'Pride in Our Welcoming Environment' (supportive facilities and technology), and 'Equitable and Inclusive Excellence' (fostering systemic change for equity).

The meeting included a presentation on Student Life, focusing on engagement opportunities, services, clubs, and leadership workshops, along with discussions on utilizing student surveys and social media for interest gauging. The Academic and Student Affairs Committee presented and received approval for three resolutions: approving a contract proposal for the "COUNTY COLLEGE- BASE CENTERS FOR ADULT TRANSITION" project with OSHE for $117,882.00; approving a contract proposal for the "COLLEGE READINESS NOW XII" project with NJCCC for $49,972.50; and approving a contract proposal for the "HUNGER FREE CAMPUS ACT GRANT" with OSHE for $27,500.00. The Finance Committee received an unqualified audit report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025, and approved nine resolutions covering cooperative pricing contracts for equipment and supplies, awards for digital signage replacement and HVAC maintenance, authorization of professional services contracts (engineering, legal, environmental), contracts with non-profit organizations, contract amendments, authorization to sell surplus IT equipment, and approval of payments to architectural, engineering, construction management, and legal firms. The Human Resources Committee received approval for 25 resolutions concerning hires, changes of status (including promotions and stipends), separations (including a resignation and a retirement), and miscellaneous personnel actions, including conferring the honorary title of Professor Emerita upon Dr. Christine Wathen. A resolution was also adopted approving the President's expenses for the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2026. The NJCCC Ambassador reported on the "New Jersey Future Ready" report goals and recent relevant legislation.

Key discussions during the meeting included a presentation on the organization and ongoing initiatives of the Financial Aid office, including data from 2024. Trustees inquired about potential actions to reinstate federal funding streams, with the President reporting on advocacy efforts. The Academic and Student Affairs Committee resolution approved a collaborative agreement with the Middlesex County Magnet Schools to develop an Automotive Technology program. The Finance Committee recommended and the Board approved nine resolutions, including authorizations for various cooperative contracts for goods and services, awards for HVAC and door replacement bids, authorization for Business Entity Disclosure contracts for consulting, books, and installation services, authorization for a contract with the County of Middlesex for a fiber conduit trenching project, authorization to sell surplus personal property via online auction, authorization of payments to various firms for construction management and construction services, authorization of payments for specialty legal services, authorization to reimburse the County of Middlesex for capital costs related to the CIO Project up to $20,000,000.00, and authorization to request an extension until January 31, 2026, for the annual audit submission for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025. The Human Resources Committee saw approval for 31 total recommended items across Hires (Administrative, Faculty, Support Staff), Change of Status (Administrative, Support Staff, Grants), and Separations (Faculty, Support Staff). Additional items included administrative stipends for the ERP Project Implementation Team, faculty compensation for advisement pay, terminal leave program approvals, miscellaneous faculty retirement recognition, and support staff additional compensation. Finally, a resolution was approved to appoint Lynarkah Stephen as the Alternate Commissioner representative to the Middlesex County Joint Health Insurance Fund Commission, continuing Jeffrey Herron as the Commissioner representative.

The Consent Agenda addressed several actions across Academic and Student Affairs, Finance, and General matters. Academic and Student Affairs resolutions involved approving proposals and associated contracts for projects such as the County College-Base Centers For Adult Transition, College Readiness Now XII, and the Hunger Free Campus Act Grant, all intended for the 2025-2026 period. The Finance section authorized numerous purchases under cooperatives for equipment, software licensing, and maintenance, including heater replacement parts and Carl D. Perkins grant-funded equipment. Further financial authorizations included awarding bids for digital signage replacement and HVAC maintenance services, approving RFPs for engineering consulting services for roofing replacement and legal services for labor matters, and contracting for environmental engineering services for underground storage tank removal. Other financial actions included authorizing contracts for community engagement programs and library database subscriptions, approving amendments for additional paper and MRO equipment, authorizing the sale of surplus IT equipment, and approving several payments to architectural, engineering, and construction management firms for various campus renovation and audit projects. Legal services for labor matters from November 2025 were authorized for payment. Finally, the committee authorized the acceptance of the audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2025, approved the President's expenses for Q2 of FY2026, and approved all resolutions related to Hires, Change of Status, Separations, and Miscellaneous items under Human Resources.