Melissa Arthur

The board meeting will be held as a hybrid session to discuss agenda items and formal business. The meeting will conclude with an executive session closed to the public specifically for discussions regarding real estate matters.

The Board conducted a public business meeting to address several operational, financial, and academic matters. Key discussions included a report on the College's financial aid operations, the presentation of the proposed FY27 tuition, fee, and operating budget recommendations, and updates from various committees including Finance & Facilities, Student Success & Educational Excellence, and the NJCCC. The Board reviewed and authorized multiple contracts and purchases, considered grant submissions, approved faculty sabbaticals and various HR recommendations, and rescinded a COVID-19 vaccination/testing policy. Additionally, the Board authorized honorary degrees for commencement and ratified the appointment of an alternate public records custodian.

The Board convened, reviewed the college's financial aid program status, and held a public hearing on proposed FY27 Budget and Tuition and Fees. Committee reports covered the Finance & Facilities Committee's review of major capital projects (including HVAC modernization, Freehold water remediation, and Theatre Lighting), the Audit Committee's acceptance of the clean FY25 Single Audit, governance updates involving policy revisions and board self-evaluation, and student success initiatives which included approving two new academic options (Hospitality, Event & Tourism Management; Communications Media Program, Esports Production & Management Option). The Board approved the acceptance of several grants totaling over $596,000, covering initiatives in workforce development, patient care, and data science, and also approved the submission of multiple grant applications requesting up to $4.5 million, including submissions to NSF and NASA. Key financial actions involved the ratification of emergency purchases exceeding $133,982 due to a pipe rupture in Freehold, approval of regular purchases over $44,900, acceptance of the December 2025 financial reports, and the approval of the FY27 Operating & Capital Budgets. Furthermore, the Board approved rescinding Policy 2.1003 (COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement) and lodging a revision to Policy 6.9000 (Athletic Policy). Finally, an Executive Session was held to discuss matters potentially falling under litigation/contract negotiation and employment exemptions.

This policy document establishes the framework for the adoption, review, and amendment of Brookdale Community College's core strategic components, including its Mission, Commitment, Vision, Values, and annual Strategic Priorities. The college's Mission is to open doors to education for diverse learners, supported by a Commitment to brave, compassionate, and empowering actions. Its Vision is to transform lives through universal educational opportunity, guided by values of Compassion, Courage, Creativity, and Collaboration. The Board is responsible for developing these annual Strategic Priorities and ensuring alignment with the President's goals.

The meeting included the Board of Trustees Annual Reorganization, which involved the Nominating Committee Report, the Election of Officers, the establishment of a Regular Meeting Schedule, and the Adoption of the 2018 Board of Trustees Annual Calendar. Other agenda items included the Appointment of Standing Committees, the Resolution of Designation of Public Notice Requirements, and the Annual Report of the College. Committee reports covered Finance & Facilities, Policy & Education, Audit, and the Student's Perspective. The Consent Agenda featured items such as the Acceptance of Grants, Application for Grants, Acceptance of Gifts, Human Resources approvals, Purchases in Excess of thresholds, Open Invoice Payment Requests, and Monthly Financial Reports. The Board also addressed lodging several revised and new policies, approved the establishment of a Kitchen and Bath Design certificate and a Game Design program, and approved the discontinuance of several other academic programs and certificates.