Suny Erie Community College

The meeting commenced with introductions and a moment of silence in remembrance of deceased ECC family members, including Rich Roek, Renee Richie, and Elizabeth Smith. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to hearing from Stephen Tucker, President and CEO of North Workforce Training Center, detailing the center's mission, progress, and partnership, including metrics on student enrollment, completion, and job placement rates across programs like Mechatronics, HVAC, and Auto Tech. The agenda included action items related to the NAPA Auto Tech program partnership, which involves discounted parts and financial support for students, and the selection of Bettermind, a Buffalo-based telehealth platform, to provide one-on-one counseling, psychotherapy, and group therapy sessions for students. Facility updates covered progress on the city campus skylight project, K building and field renovations at the north campus, and discussions concerning a new cafeteria extension at the south campus. The latter part of the day was reserved for the annual retreat, covering topics such as board self-assessment, president's evaluation, hearing from county and city government representatives (James Blackwell and Deputy Mayor Ben Swanamp), college updates on legal affairs, organizational structure, accreditation, and IT initiatives, culminating in final thoughts and future planning discussions.

The meeting began with introductions of attendees and updates on weather and traffic conditions impacting attendance. Key discussions involved scheduling changes, including the next board meeting on February 26th moving to Northland campus and incorporating an annual retreat. Discussions covered engaging with city and county officials, specifically the Mayor's Deputy and the County Executive's Chief of Staff, regarding mutual concerns such as pedestrian safety. Following an executive session primarily to discuss collective bargaining negotiations involving various employee groups (FFCC, faculty federation, AECC), the board returned to regular session. Official action was taken to appoint a new representative to the Erie Community College Foundation board. Committee reports included the renewal of the career and success training program contract with the county social services department, approval for Simplicity Corporation software (Accommodate and Advocate) to manage case management and accessibility accommodations, and the renewal of the ConXed platform subscription. Additionally, out-of-cycle items were presented for consideration regarding license and occupancy agreements with the Buffalo Bills and the Town of Hamburg for space at the south campus. The board also discussed negotiating to acquire additional square footage for the Cobblin Drive property to develop a kitchen and service facility.

The meeting covered updates on student success metrics, including graduation and retention rates, and gateway course completion. A significant portion of the discussion centered on the Reconnect program, a statewide initiative supporting non-degree seeking students aged 25-55 in high-demand fields, including details on its financial administration and increased advisement support, which will include paid training for faculty over the summer. Spring enrollment updates indicated the institution is on track to meet the goal of 6,100 non-high school students. The committee also discussed the Academic Standards Committee plans to review the Bill of Rights and Tuition Liability policies, and the ongoing revamp of the policy review process. Updates were provided on the Teagle Grant, encouraging participation in the Essential Questions program for the fall semester, and a reminder was issued regarding the required process for syllabus template approvals, noting that previous changes were made incorrectly. Facilities updates included the status of the City Campus atrium project being weather-dependent and approvals for pre-design phases for the South Campus VTTC expansion.

The meeting agenda included an executive session to discuss negotiations leading to the FFCC contract, which had been ratified by faculty. Following the executive session, the Board received a briefing on the FFCC contract, including its financial and non-financial terms, and subsequent action was planned for a vote. Additionally, the Chief Ethics Officer from the Erie County Department of Personnel presented on ethical conduct obligations for public board members. The agenda also covered finalizing a foundation agreement and updates on the AECC. Remarks were made congratulating Ben Swanamp on his appointment as Deputy Mayor and recognizing the constructive role of the county executive's office. The speaker also noted the recent foundation gala and acknowledged the service of veterans within the college community. Key focuses for the contract negotiation were student success, institutional sustainability, and faculty/staff investment, including salary increases to address historical lows.

Key discussions during the meeting focused on various operational and academic updates. Topics included ongoing drives for winter gear and food pantry donations, with thanks extended to participating departments. The President's report highlighted significant progress in registration numbers for continuing and new students, and activities such as the Open House, which showed increased interest, particularly at the south and city campuses. Updates were provided on the conclusion of cabinet member listening sessions and upcoming sessions with the President. Faculty recognition events were summarized, noting the commitment of long-term employees. Academic affairs reported a 100% pass rate for eight health science programs requiring licensing and discussed the importance of timely midterm grade submission. Furthermore, curriculum proposals were reviewed, including approvals for micro-credentials in Applied AI, and progress on a proposed Data Science degree. Governance reported on committee vacancies needing to be filled by January.