Agendas and Minutes

1. Roll Call
2. Public Comment
3. President’s Office Officer in Charge, Dr. Scott Kalicki
4. Division Highlights
   
   1. Academic Affairs Provost & Vice President, Dr. Victoria C. Ukachukwu
   2. Administration & Finance Interim Chief Financial Officer, Kerri Conti
   3. Enrollment Management and Student Affairs Vice President, Dr. Tinny Cheung
   4. Information Technology Chief Information Officer, Gary Holeman
5. Consent Agenda
   1. Approval of the Previous Meeting Minutes: 12/9/24, 12/19/24
   2. Approval to Amend the Academic Grading Policy (Resolution 1-2025)
   3. Approval to Amend the Academic Freedom Policy (Resolution 2-2025)
   4. Approval to Amend Copyright and Faculty Ownership of Intellectual Property Policy (Resolution 3-2025)
6. Board Secretary Report Secretary, Ileana Eckert
7. Audit Committee Report Trustees Eckert, Gruber, Wortendyke
8. Board Community Outreach Report Liaison, Elana Yeger
9. Old/New Business Board Chair, L’Tanya Watkins

Please note: Resolutions & Reports which require action by the Board of Trustees are fully discussed at the monthly Board Workshop. All meetings of the Board are open to the public.

Board Meeting Minutes

The 844th board meeting of the Rockland Community College Board of Trustees was held on Monday, January 27, 2025, at Rockland Community College, Student Union, Room 3214, 145 College Road, Suffern, NY 10901

Trustees Present: L’Tanya Watkins, Board Chair; Dr. Dana Stilley, Board Vice Chair; Ileana Eckert, Board Secretary; Moshe Gruber; Grant Valentine; Elana Yeger, Community Outreach Liaison.

Also Present: Dr. Scott J. Kalicki, Officer in Charge; Dr. Tinny Cheung, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs; Kerri Conti, Interim Chief Financial Officer; Gary Holeman, Chief Information Officer; Dr. Virginia Melendez, Chief of Staff; Melissa Roy, Chief Diversity Officer; Dr. Victoria C. Ukachukwu, Provost and Vice President, Academic Affairs; Thomas Humbach, County Attorney, County of Rockland; Eric Magaram, President, RCC Faculty Senate; Matt Matcovich, Co-Chair, Middle States Team.

Absent Was: Susan Oelkers-Ramos (excused); Martin Wortendyke (excused)

The meeting was called to order at 6:20 pm by Chair Watkins.

Roll call was taken.

Due to time constraints Chair Watkins requested to combine the workshop and meeting.

MOTION
A motion by Trustee Gruber, second by Vice Chair Stilley to combine the workshop and meeting.

ACTION
Yeas: Trustees Watkins, Eckert, Gruber, Stilley, Valentine, and Yeger
Nays: none
Motion passed: 6 yeas, 0 nays, 0 abstentions

Public Comment

Rockland County Legislator Jesse Malowitz

• Spoke both as President of the Board of Hillel, and on behalf of Legislator/Assemblymember Aron Wieder.
• Expressed frustration at the inability to schedule a meeting with RCC leadership to discuss the status of Rabbi Dov Oliver, former club advisor to the RCC Hillel Club.

Old/New Business

• Chair Watkins discussed the need to update the Board by-laws and review the policies. A Board sub-committee will be formed to review.
• Edmund Gordon Dedication – It was suggested that the dedication occur prior to the February Board meeting, which will be held in the Ellipse.

Trustees asked that the resolutions be tabled until the next meeting due to lack of student representation, and requested this time be used for questions and clarification of the academic policy changes.

Trustees are still awaiting answers to their questions on the Student Code of Conduct policy updates.

MOTION
A motion by Trustee Eckert, second by Vice Chair Stilley to table the consent agenda until the next meeting.

ACTION
Yeas: Trustees Watkins, Eckert, Gruber, Stilley, Valentine, and Yeger
Nays: none
Motion passed: 6 yeas, 0 nays, 0 abstentions

Discussion of Resolutions

Provost & Vice President, Dr. Victoria C. Ukachukwu

• Answered questions about the resolutions presented.
• Eric Magaram, President, Faculty Senate, added clarification of the grading policy and also explained the process of how seniors can audit classes.
• A discussion followed regarding academic freedom.
• Going forward the Board would like a summary of policy changes when the policies are presented.

President’s Report Officer in Charge, Dr. Scott J. Kalicki

• Thanked Dr. Coyle for her support during this transition and stated that he will continue to supply the Board with weekly reports so they can stay updated.
• Will be available to the public during daily Open Office Hours.
• Will hold an Open Forum on Thursday, January 30 for faculty and staff.
• Is meeting with Dr. Mullaney to see how he can assist with the presidential transition.
• Answered trustees’ questions.

Department Highlights

1. 1. Academic Affairs Provost and Vice President, Dr. Victoria C. Ukachukwu
      • Professional Development Day was held on January 13, 2025.
      • The Small Business Development Center closed by mutual agreement with the State, on December 31, 2024.
      • Discussed credit for prior learning.
      • Answered trustees’ questions.
   2. Administration and Finance Interim Chief Financial Officer, Kerri Conti
      • Is setting up guardrails and instituting polices and procedures to ensure we stay on track.
      • Answered trustees’ questions regarding the FY24 audit and timing of the State and County payments.
      • Trustees requested a monthly accounts payable report.

1. Enrollment Management Student Affairs Vice President, Dr. Tinny Cheung
   • Introduced David Samberg, our new Executive Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications.
   • Discussed the drop for non-payment initiative.
   • Reported on Spring enrollment.
   • Thanked the Advising team and counselors for all their hard work.
   • Answered trustees’ questions regarding the high school program and dual enrollment.
2. Information Technology Chief Information Officer, Gary Holeman
   • Is working to change the telephone service which should result in a significant cost savings.
   • Credited the IT team with the smooth start to the Spring semester.
   • Answered trustees’ questions regarding upgrading outdated computers.

Middle States Update

• Matt Matcovich, Melissa Roy
  • Reported that a team of ten attended the annual Middle States conference in December and found the information sessions helpful.
  • The writing of the Self-study report has begun.
  • Reported that SUNY will provide assistance with our self-study and our site visit is scheduled for Spring 2026.

Board Secretary Report Ms. Ileana Eckert

• Will meet with the Board Chair to discuss possible topics, then a date will be set.

Audit Committee Report Trustees Eckert, Gruber, Wortendyke

• Met with Christian Salisbury and Kerri Conti and discussed cash flow statement and state funding.

Board Community Outreach Report Elana Yeger

Old / New Business Board Chair, L’Tanya Watkins

• Dr. Melendez reminded the board that the Eric Dranoff room dedication is Thursday, January 31, 2025.

MOTION
A motion by Vice Chair Stilley, second by Trustee Yeger, to adjourn at 8:03 pm.

ACTION
Yeas: Watkins, Eckert, Gruber, Stilley, Valentine, and Yeger
Nays: 0
Motion passed: 6 yeas, 0 nays, 0 abstentions