Fitchburg State University
Minutes
Board of Trustees
Date and Time
Tuesday August 21, 2018 at 8:30 AM
Location
President's Conference Room, 300 Highland Avenue, Fitchburg, MA 01420
Notice of a meeting of the Fitchburg State University Board of Trustees
Tuesday, August 21, 2018 at 8:30 a.m. in the President's Conference Room, Sanders Building, 300 Highland Avenue, Fitchburg, MA 01420
Tuesday, August 21, 2018 at 8:30 a.m. in the President's Conference Room, Sanders Building, 300 Highland Avenue, Fitchburg, MA 01420
Trustees Present
A. Clementi, A. Ramos, Jr., C. Stimpson, D. Irving, D. Nieto, D. Phillips, D. Tiernan, F. O'Donnell, L. Barrieau
Trustees Absent
C. Stover, G. Rodriguez-Parker
Ex Officio Members Present
R. Lapidus
Non Voting Members Present
R. Lapidus
Guests Present
A. Cardelle, C. Canney, C. Hendry, G. Doiron, J, Bry, J. Murdoch, L. Bayless, M. Siderwicz, S. Swartz
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance and Guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
D. Irving called a meeting of the board of trustees of Fitchburg State University to order on Tuesday Aug 21, 2018 at 8:33 AM.
C.
Public Comments
Ms. Phillips commented that the president's recent letter sent to all staff was well done. Next, Student Trustee Alexander Ramos, Jr. was officially sworn in by Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale. Mayor DiNatale expressed his appreciation to the board in all that they do to help the City of Fitchburg and Fitchburg State University.
D.
Approve Minutes from the Board of Trustees May 1, 2018 Meeting (01-18/19)
D. Phillips made a motion to approve minutes from the Board of Trustees on 05-01-18 Board of Trustees on 05-01-18.
A. Clementi seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
E.
Approve Minutes from the April 3, 2018 Executive Session (02-18/19)
D. Phillips made a motion to approve minutes from the Executive Session on 04-03-18 Executive Session on 04-03-18.
C. Stimpson seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
II. New Programs
A.
Educational Studies Program - VOTE - (03- 18/19)
President Lapidus introduced two new academic programs: Educational Studies and Environmental Public Health.
Dr. Cardelle thanked the board for their consideration of the two programs. He indicated that the programs were both approved in late May by the All University Committee. He explained that if the Board approves the program recommendations, a letter of intent will be sent to the Board of Higher Education seeking final approval. The Educational Studies Program is designed to provide an alternative path for students seeking to obtain a degree in education, but does not include Massachusetts licensure. The university is interested in providing students with multiple pathways to earn a degree in education. The program will not require the development of new courses.
There was an in-depth discussion.
Dr. Cardelle thanked the board for their consideration of the two programs. He indicated that the programs were both approved in late May by the All University Committee. He explained that if the Board approves the program recommendations, a letter of intent will be sent to the Board of Higher Education seeking final approval. The Educational Studies Program is designed to provide an alternative path for students seeking to obtain a degree in education, but does not include Massachusetts licensure. The university is interested in providing students with multiple pathways to earn a degree in education. The program will not require the development of new courses.
There was an in-depth discussion.
D. Phillips made a motion to approve the proposal to offer a Bachelor of Science of Environmental Public Health for submission to the State Board of Higher Education.
C. Stimpson seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
B.
Environmental Public Health - VOTE - (04-18/19)
Dr. Cardelle explained the many facets to the Environmental Public Health program. This program will provide a unique avenue for students to earn a degree in public health. This program identifies an unmet educational need in Massachusetts. Ultimately, a tenure-track faculty member will need to be hired in year three if approved. There was a discussion.
C. Stimpson made a motion to approve the proposal to offer a Bachelor of Science of Educational Studies for submission to the State Board of Higher Education.
A. Clementi seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
III. Notifications
A.
Personnel Actions (N01-18/19)
The personnel actions for were submitted for informational purposes. There was a discussion.
IV. Chair's Report
A.
Annual Trustee Conference on March 28, 2019- Location to be determined
Several Trustees commented that the conference is worth attending. The location has not yet been determined.
V. President's Report
A.
Police Academy Graduation, September 13 at 3:30 p.m. in Weston
President Lapidus invited all board members to attend the Police Academy's first graduation ceremony to be held on September 13 at 3:30 p.m. in Weston Auditorium. He anticipates the attendance to include police chiefs and law enforcement officials. He indicated that this first-of-a-kind program has received much national/international interest and is clearly at the leading edge in its thinking.
VI. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
D. Phillips made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
A. Clementi seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 AM.
Respectfully Submitted,
D. Phillips