Meghan Pelkey

The board authorized administration to negotiate a contract with Dr. Ken Flowers for the role of President. They approved the elimination of the LMC Free Textbook Fund and the development and implementation of three new programs: Cardiac Sonography, a Gig Economy Certificate within the A.A.S in Business, and a Studio Art A.A.S program. Additionally, the board approved the Title IX Sexual Harassment policy following a second reading and reviewed several policies for future consideration, including those related to background checks, travel expenses, and institutional data management.

The board meeting agenda includes presentations from the Michigan Higher Education Consortium and the Model United Nations students. Departmental reports will cover academic affairs, student affairs, finance, and human resources. New business items involve capital requests for computer replacements, enterprise resource planning maintenance and support renewal, renovation plans for C-Wing bathrooms, and a security services agreement. Additionally, the board will review and vote on policies regarding academic history, emeritus appointments for non-faculty, expense reimbursement, military leave, smoking and nicotine, and social media moderation, as well as conduct a first review of policies concerning employee over/under payment and the Board of Trustee Code of Conduct.

The Board of Trustees conducted a session involving the deletion of the Continuing Education Units policy. Additionally, the Board reviewed and approved a series of institutional policies, including those regarding background checks, barter arrangements, benefits for contractors, board governance, experiential learning credit, employee handbook, flexible schedules, general education requirements, graduation, grants, health science student compliance, institutional data management, instructional supervision, and travel expenses. A first reading was held for upcoming policy reviews concerning employee fundraising, IT governance, resignations, and staff tuition waivers.

The meeting included a report from the President regarding the process for filling a trustee vacancy and upcoming campus events. New officers for the Board of Trustees were elected for the 2026 term. Additionally, the Board approved a motion to review the Board Governance policy regarding the length of term for the Chair and Vice Chair positions during the upcoming Board Retreat.

The agenda focuses on several key areas, including a faculty sabbatical leave request and department reports covering academic affairs, student affairs, and finance. New business items include the boiler replacement project at the Benton Harbor Todd Center, the presidential contract, the status of President Emeritus, the renewal of the TargetX retention contract, and discussions regarding trustee membership. Additionally, the board will review policies for a second reading, specifically covering IT governance, employee fundraising, resignation, and tuition waivers for staff and faculty. Policies for a first reading include academic honesty, non-faculty emeritus appointments, expense reimbursement, military leave, smoking and nicotine regulations, and social media moderation.