Nicole Babington

The meeting featured an address by the college president regarding budgetary challenges, specifically rising health care costs and advocacy efforts for equitable state support. The president also highlighted achievements such as community college month celebrations, faculty and student awards, and enrollment growth. Committee reports were provided by audit and finance, education and student affairs, personnel, site and facilities, and strategic planning. The meeting included the approval of various resolutions, discussions on appointments, and recognition of student achievements in the PTK chapter.

The board discussed and took action on various financial, academic, and personnel matters. Key topics included the approval of legal vouchers, the purchase of a public safety vehicle, contract increases for marketing services, insurance policy renewals, and the fiscal year 2027 funding request. Academic actions involved budget amendments for Perkins grants and the submission of various grant applications to the Department of Labor and other foundations. Personnel actions covered appointments, salary adjustments, promotions, stipends for production and nursing clinical faculty, leave of absence approvals, and updates to job descriptions. Additionally, the board approved revisions to the 2024-2029 Strategic Plan, specifically updating the theme to Inclusive Excellence and Belongingness.

The meeting included the Chairperson's comments announcing committee assignments for 2026. The President's Report covered key initiatives for 2026, including finalizing the academic master plan, renovating culinary facilities, launching a new website, expanding partnerships, and evolving the Tech Building's identity. Enrollment figures showed a steady increase of approximately 2% in headcount approaching the spring semester. The President also reported on his nomination to the EAB National Research Advisory Council, the inaugural Foundation scholarship gala which raised over $200,000, STEM student success at the Marist Computing Conference, a $7,500 donation from Stop & Shop to the Bergen Cares Center food pantry, and a volunteer initiative involving teddy bears for Valley Hospital children. A moment of silence was held for an adjunct professor who passed away. Committee reports detailed upcoming resolutions for Audit, Finance, and Legal Affairs; Education and Student Affairs; Personnel; and Site and Facilities. New Business included the approval of the Consent Agenda, which authorized numerous financial transactions such as legal voucher payments, renewal of the Message Platform license, purchase of a pediatric simulator, replacement UPS batteries, fraud detection software, and student support resources. Personnel actions included approving several separations, numerous Lecturer appointments for the Spring 2026 semester, appointments of confidential, professional, and support staff, approval of stipends for Nursing Clinical Faculty, a merit increase for the President, academic chair appointments, and merit award increases for professional and support staff. Site and Facilities resolutions authorized agreements for restroom renovations at the Child Development Center, campus security plan specifications, and HVAC replacement drawings.

The meeting included a President's Report covering the kickoff of Black History Month, acknowledgement of essential workers' efforts during severe weather, updates on campus security camera installation, discussions on sustainability, and plans for the ACCT National Legislative Summit. A significant item involved the approval of onboarding the Civitas Learning platform for enhanced student data analytics and support. The date and location for Commencement 2026 were announced. The STEM Robotics Team received the Judges' Award at a VEX-U Qualifier competition. Committee reports detailed upcoming resolutions to be submitted for approval, covering Audit, Finance, and Legal Affairs; Personnel; and Site and Facilities matters. New business included the approval of various contracts and agreements such as renewing agreements with Aspire Technology Partners LLC for Cisco Flex Enterprise support, securing a venue with Devils Arena Entertainment LLC for commencement, purchasing the Civitas Learning platform, amending a contract with JK Deluxe for Advanced Manufacturing instruction, contracting with Entrinsik for an enrollment management system, upgrading AV technology with Cenero, renewing text-to-speech software licenses via ReadSpeaker, renewing agreements with Ready Education for campus apps, and renewing cyber liability insurance. Personnel actions involved approving separations, appointments (including a retroactive rescinded appointment), title changes, temporary appointments, lecturer appointments and rescissions, faculty reappointments with tenure, stipends for clinical faculty and theatre production personnel, and approving Sabbatical and other Leaves of Absence. Site and Facilities actions included awarding a bid for the Library Wing Roof Replacement, contracting RSC Architects for culinary facility renovation plans, and authorizing a Shared Service Agreement with the County of Bergen for snow and ice removal.

This document outlines presidential goals for Bergen Community College, focusing on enhancing student success, institutional effectiveness, and community engagement. Key areas include assessing and leveraging data for student success initiatives, integrating accreditation standards, optimizing academic programs, and developing workforce-ready credentials through new partnerships. The goals also address refining the Facilities Master Plan, advancing organizational development and compliance, transitioning to a next-generation ERP system, and strengthening multicultural programming, marketing, and fundraising efforts.