Fitchburg State University
Minutes
Board of Trustees
Date and Time
Wednesday June 10, 2020 at 9:30 AM
Notice of a Meeting of the Fitchburg State University Board of Trustees on June 10, 2020 at 9:30 a.m.
This meeting will be held via teleconference as approved by Governor Baker.
Live stream event for view/listen only participation:
https://stream.meet.google.com/stream/2aa00dd3-ae29-4e9b-a752-aa866712453a
For public comments to the board (accepted at the beginning of the meeting):
978-665-3698
This meeting will be held via teleconference as approved by Governor Baker.
Live stream event for view/listen only participation:
https://stream.meet.google.com/stream/2aa00dd3-ae29-4e9b-a752-aa866712453a
For public comments to the board (accepted at the beginning of the meeting):
978-665-3698
Trustees Present
A. Clementi (remote), C. Aneke (remote), C. Stimpson (remote), D. Irving (remote), D. Nieto (remote), D. Phillips (remote), D. Tiernan (remote), F. O'Donnell (remote), L. Barrieau (remote), M. Nicholson (remote)
Trustees Absent
None
Ex Officio Members Present
R. Lapidus (remote)
Non Voting Members Present
R. Lapidus (remote)
Guests Present
(All guests attended remotely), A. Cardelle, C. Canney, G. Doiron (remote), J. Bry, J. Murdoch, J. Wolfman, L. Bayless, M. McKenzie, M. Siderwicz, P. McCafferty, S. Swartz (remote)
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 Wednesday Jun 10, 2020 at 9:30 AM.
C.
Public Comments
There were none.
D.
Approve Minutes from the Board of Trustees March 31, 2020 meeting - VOTE (14-19/20)
L. Barrieau made a motion to approve the minutes from Board of Trustees on 03-31-20.
C. Stimpson seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| F. O'Donnell |
Aye
|
| C. Stimpson |
Aye
|
| L. Barrieau |
Aye
|
| D. Tiernan |
Aye
|
| C. Aneke |
Aye
|
| D. Nieto |
Aye
|
| D. Irving |
Aye
|
| M. Nicholson |
Aye
|
| A. Clementi |
Aye
|
| D. Phillips |
Aye
|
II. FY2020-FY2021 Endowment Incentive Program
A.
Resolution Endowment Incentive Guidelines
The president explained the Endowment Incentive Program. The state provided a program which would match dollars raised by the institutions. The BHE guidelines were presented. There was a discussion.
C. Stimpson made a motion to to accept the succeeding resolution which follows the Board Higher Education FY2020-FY2021 Endowment Incentive Program Guidelines.
Board Resolution:
This resolution will certify that Fitchburg State University has received $277,778 from the Commonwealth to be held in a segregated account in the Fitchburg State University Foundation. The money will be used to match $1 for every $2 in new endowments established between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2021.
A. Clementi seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| D. Tiernan |
Aye
|
| D. Nieto |
Aye
|
| D. Irving |
Aye
|
| A. Clementi |
Aye
|
| F. O'Donnell |
Aye
|
| L. Barrieau |
Aye
|
| M. Nicholson |
Aye
|
| D. Phillips |
Aye
|
| C. Stimpson |
Aye
|
| C. Aneke |
Aye
|
III. Strategic Planning
A.
Draft Strategic Plan
The president thanked Debbie Phillips for her insight and participation on the Strategic Planning Steering Committee. He also noted that Pamela McCafferty spent a tremendous amount of effort and time representing the administration. The president provided the history and timeline of the current Strategic Planning process that included various campus exercises and themed committees. He indicated that the process was inclusive and that there was strong participation. He indicated all of the information gathered and the recommendations made were funneled into a central repository used by the Steering Committee to draft the plan. He explained that the draft plan, if approved by the board would be submitted for review by the Commissioner and BHE Strategic Planning Committee on the general heading of Touchpoint II.
The president reviewed the major goals of the plan and the associated key performance indicators. He briefly discussed the overriding focus of the plan highlighting education justice and the idea of a student ready campus. He further noted that the goals and performance indicators aligned Department of Higher Educations’ plan. A lively discussion ensued that included High School readiness, the impact of COVID19, K-12 concerns, class spaces, campus space in general, resource allocations, retention and completion rates.
The president reviewed the major goals of the plan and the associated key performance indicators. He briefly discussed the overriding focus of the plan highlighting education justice and the idea of a student ready campus. He further noted that the goals and performance indicators aligned Department of Higher Educations’ plan. A lively discussion ensued that included High School readiness, the impact of COVID19, K-12 concerns, class spaces, campus space in general, resource allocations, retention and completion rates.
M. Nicholson made a motion to to approve the submission of the draft Strategic Plan proposal for review by the Board of Higher Education Strategic Planning Committee.
C. Stimpson seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| F. O'Donnell |
Aye
|
| A. Clementi |
Aye
|
| D. Nieto |
Aye
|
| M. Nicholson |
Aye
|
| D. Irving |
Aye
|
| D. Tiernan |
Aye
|
| L. Barrieau |
Aye
|
| D. Phillips |
Aye
|
| C. Stimpson |
Aye
|
| C. Aneke |
Aye
|
IV. Notifications
A.
Personnel Actions (N07-19-20)
The personel actions were presented for informational purposes.
V. Student Trustee Report
A.
Crystal Aneke will provide the Student Trustee report.
C. Aneke read a prepared statement outlining the obstacles and struggles students had with the spring semester and the unexpected departure from campus due to the health pandemic. Students were pleased with the satisfactory/unsatisfactory grading policy. Students are stressed and are worried during these challenging times. She urged Board members to not stay silent regarding the Black Live Matters movement. She stated that she is proud of her education and was thankful to be able to serve on the Board of Trustees.
D. Irving thanked her for her comments. He stated that she has made great contributions to the board. He encouraged her to stay in touch and that it is gratifying to see how students’ progress after they graduate. On behalf of the Board, he thanked her for her service. The president made a similar statement.
D. Irving thanked her for her comments. He stated that she has made great contributions to the board. He encouraged her to stay in touch and that it is gratifying to see how students’ progress after they graduate. On behalf of the Board, he thanked her for her service. The president made a similar statement.
VI. Chair's Report
A.
Don Irving will provide the Chair's report.
The chairman gave his report. D. Irving said there is a tremendous amount of change taking place in education. He stated Higher Education must change how it teaches. We are in exciting times and it's really positive. In regards to the financial future, we are all waiting to hear from the state when the funding will be allocated.
VII. President's Report
A.
Campus Updates
The president gave his report. He thanked Crystal for her work and commended Student Government as a whole stating that they did a nice job this year. He recognized Crystal for her participation in Moot Court, and the other events that she was involved with. He commended her for taking advantage by participating so broadly in campus life, and wished others would follow her lead as it contributes greatly to a student’s overall success.
He next discussed the rapid departure from campus due to COVID19. He shared the process of the return to campus. He indicated that it would continue to be a slow and staggered approach. He noted the four-stage plan from the Governor's Office is bringing various business' back. Higher Education is at the tail end of the state’s thinking because it's so complex. The Governor and his task force must think of a broad range of implications from young children in the home to older faculty and staff, transportation challenges, residence hall living and all kinds of other compounding factors. Of recent, there is minimal specific guidance, just general frameworks to follow. The president said that over the summer we will have a slow return of staff. He discussed masks, cleaning, measuring offices and classrooms. He discussed the reconfiguration of the residence halls. He said everything would be systemized and our hope is that everyone follows it. The question is how to best enforce policy.
The president informed the board of summer classes and events that are now remote offerings, such as Summer Bridge and Orientation. There is activity on campus, just in a different format. He discussed enrollment, which is flat for new students and several hundred down with the returning student population. A discussion ensued.
He next discussed the rapid departure from campus due to COVID19. He shared the process of the return to campus. He indicated that it would continue to be a slow and staggered approach. He noted the four-stage plan from the Governor's Office is bringing various business' back. Higher Education is at the tail end of the state’s thinking because it's so complex. The Governor and his task force must think of a broad range of implications from young children in the home to older faculty and staff, transportation challenges, residence hall living and all kinds of other compounding factors. Of recent, there is minimal specific guidance, just general frameworks to follow. The president said that over the summer we will have a slow return of staff. He discussed masks, cleaning, measuring offices and classrooms. He discussed the reconfiguration of the residence halls. He said everything would be systemized and our hope is that everyone follows it. The question is how to best enforce policy.
The president informed the board of summer classes and events that are now remote offerings, such as Summer Bridge and Orientation. There is activity on campus, just in a different format. He discussed enrollment, which is flat for new students and several hundred down with the returning student population. A discussion ensued.
B.
News Clips
The news clips were presented for informational purposes.
VIII. Executive Session
A.
It is requested that the Board of Trustees enter into executive session to discuss collective bargaining, and not return to public session. VOTE (17-19/20)
D. Tiernan made a motion to to enter into executive session to discuss collective bargaining, and not return to public session.
L. Barrieau seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| F. O'Donnell |
Aye
|
| D. Nieto |
Aye
|
| M. Nicholson |
Aye
|
| A. Clementi |
Aye
|
| C. Stimpson |
Aye
|
| D. Phillips |
Aye
|
| C. Aneke |
Aye
|
| L. Barrieau |
Aye
|
| D. Irving |
Aye
|
| D. Tiernan |
Aye
|
IX. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 10:29 AM.
Respectfully Submitted,
L. Barrieau
Documents used during the meeting
- VOTE Minutes.pdf
- Endowment Match Guidelines 2020.pdf
- VOTE Resolution Endowment Incentive Program.pdf
- Draft Strategic Plan 6-2-20.pdf
- VOTE Draft Strategic Plan.pdf
- BOT Notifications 06102020.pdf
- Clips for June 2020.pdf
- VOTE Executive Session.pdf