Michael Douglas Bergman

The event focused on the critical need for experiential, hands-on, real-world training for students to create career opportunities in high-demand, high-paying biotech jobs within New Jersey. Discussions emphasized that skilled individuals and hands are central to the operations in the industry, highlighting the importance of the partnership involved. Acknowledgments were made to individuals who contributed significantly to NJ Bio Futures since its inception. The overarching vision is to expand participation next year with more students, industry partners, and deeper stories.

The Board of Trustees conducted a regular meeting which included the swearing-in of a new member, Terence Byrd. Key actions involved the acceptance of financial reports, specifically the RVCC Annual Audited Financial Report for FY 2025 and the RVCC Foundation's Annual Audited Financial Report for FY 2025. Other resolutions addressed the Treasurer's Report, approval of various vouchers, and emergency/pay-to-play replacements for critical equipment, including an evaporator coil for the Data Center and a fan for the Science Building RTU-2. Additionally, actions were taken concerning environmental testing services, sterile tubing welder acquisition, marketing/digital advertising campaigns, a software license agreement swap (Ellucian StudentForms to EIP), and several Human Resources actions, including faculty/staff reappointments and the deletion of a Certificate of Completion program, as well as the establishment of a new AAS program in Game and Real-Time Interactive Design (GRID) and setting the time and place for future Board meetings.

Key agenda items included the President's report noting the end of the Fall term, spring enrollment status, and a successful fundraising event supporting student food security, which raised $68,000. A new Somerset County Commissioner liaison was welcomed. The Audit Committee reviewed the Annual Financial Reports for both the College and the RVCC Foundation for FY 2025. The Finance Committee approved the Treasurer's Report for October 2025 and passed several resolutions, including approvals for various vouchers totaling over $3.3 million. Specific purchases authorized included a fume hood for the Biotechnology Laboratory, a heat exchanger for the campus pool, security cameras for the Workforce Training Center Addition, customized online reviews for the NCLEX exam, lens edging equipment for the Ophthalmic Program, a mobile medication station for the Nursing Program, transportation services for the 2025-2026 year, a new utility cart for the grounds crew, and replacement computers for Somerset Hall classrooms. The Board also authorized the rejection of all bids for the New Modular Building project and a three-month extension for the Security Services Agreement. The Educational Programs and Services Committee approved personnel actions, including new hires and status changes for administrators and support staff, as well as an appointment for a full-time non-tenure-track faculty member for Spring 2026. A nomenclature change for the Graphic and Interactive Design Associate of Fine Arts degree was also approved. The Governance, Policy, and President Evaluation Committee discussed the Campus Safety Report and the formation of a new committee to review Board policies. Public comments addressed a postgraduate teacher certification course and a civic engagement event.

The meeting commenced with the reading of the Open Public Meetings Act compliance statement. A primary focus was the election of officers for 2026, where the Governance Committee's recommended slate was unanimously approved. This slate included the reappointment of Zenon Christodoulou as Chair. The Board subsequently approved several Consent Agenda Resolutions for the fiscal year 2026. Key resolutions involved establishing the schedule and procedures for monthly Board meetings for 2026, designating official newspapers for legal notices, and designating authorized banks as depositories for the College's funds.

The Board of Trustees held an annual reorganization meeting where officers for 2026 were elected, including the Chair, Vice Chairs for Hunterdon and Somerset, Secretary, Treasurer, and members of the Board of School Estimate. Resolutions were passed to establish the time and place for future meetings, designate official college newspapers, and designate banks as depositories. The regular meeting included approval of the Treasurer's Report, various vouchers, and several pay-to-play resolutions for items such as a fume hood, heat exchanger, security camera additions, online reviews for nursing licensure, lens edging equipment, a mobile medication station, transportation services, and a utility cart. A bid for a new modular building was rejected, and a digital marketing campaign resolution was withdrawn. The board also approved replacement computers, a human resources action report, full-time faculty appointments, and a nomenclature change for graphic and interactive design.