College Opts for Armed Guards

MAYS LANDING—The Atlantic Cape Community College Board of Trustees reappointed officers at its annual reorganization meeting Nov. 24. Maria Torres of Mays Landing was re-elected chairperson, Dave Coskey of Avalon was named vice chairperson and Maria Mento of Ventnor was reappointed treasurer. Torres is a retired guidance counselor who serves on the board of New Jersey’s Higher Education Student Assistance Authority. Coskey is president of Longport Media. Mento is retired executive vice president and chief finance officer for the Atlantic County Utilities Authority. Jean McAlister of Galloway, dean of resource development & president/Board of Trustees operations, was reappointed board secretary. Their terms run until November 2016.
Board members also approved their regular meeting schedule for 2015-16 and set official banking depositories.
Board Makes Provisions for Armed Security Guards
The Board of Trustees took steps to provide armed security at Atlantic Cape campuses, including hearing the first reading of a proposed revision to the Possession of Firearms Policy, No. 862. If approved, the revisions allow armed security officers and other persons so authorized by the college president to possess firearms on college property, college-sponsored housing or at any college activity. The action was taken in light of the increase in active shooter incidents at college campuses in the United States and a decision to provide a more rapid, on-site armed response to such an incident by providing an armed security presence at each of the three campuses.
Additionally, the board authorized a three-month contract to U.S. Security Associates, Inc., for services not to exceed $100,000 to provide armed security guards.
Board Presented Carl D. Perkins Grant Audit
Leslie Jamison, dean of finance, reviewed the purpose of the Carl D. Perkins Grant and discussed the results of a fiscal audit by the State of New Jersey Department of Education for 2012-13 and 2013-14. The audit report released this month cited six findings totaling $7,977 for the two years, out of $1,342,391 awarded to Atlantic Cape. The college will develop a corrective action plan and bring it to the board in December for review.
In Personnel Action:
–The board appointed Stephanie Davies of Atlantic City, supervisor, custodial and building services, facilities management, effective Nov. 30.
–The board accepted the retirement of Lisa Apel-Gendron of Dennisville, effective April 1. Apel-Gendron joined the college in 1997 as academic support services specialist, later serving as acting director and director of the Cape May County Extension Center, director of Cape May County Campus administration and most recently senior campus administrator of the Cape May County Campus. She has received numerous perfect attendance awards and also served as an adjunct instructor of public speaking, interpersonal communication and keyboarding. Former Dean Patricia Gentile praised Apel-Gendron’s work, stating, “I know that when Lisa is on the task it will be done well, accurately, with grace and in a timely manner. She is the ‘fabric’ of CMCC that keeps the campus humming happily.”
–The board accepted the retirement of Myrelo “Roze” Nicholson of Somers Point, effective Dec. 31. Nicholson has served the college for more than 28 years as security officer/dispatcher and received numerous perfect attendance awards and accolades for her assistance with recovery from Hurricane Irene, the STEM building groundbreaking and a regional SWAT drill. Current supervisor William Keener, director of public safety and security, said, “Ms. Nicholson will take on new responsibilities without hesitation. She always displays a professional attitude toward students, staff and visitors.”
The Board Approved the Following Purchases:
–Boiler replacement for Cape May County Campus to Aerco International Inc., Blauvelt, New York, $49,430.
–Ford F350 truck for facilities, Winner Ford, Cherry Hill, $51,667.
In Grants Action, the Board:
–Approved submitting an application to Atlantic County for the competitive contract for Out-of-School Youth Program in Cape May County for a grant of up to $90,000 over the term of Dec. 1, 2015-June 30, 2016. The grant would be used to help out-of-school youth residents of Cape May County to earn their high school equivalency credential and gain job skills to secure employment or enroll in post-secondary education or vocational training.
–Approved the submission of an application to Atlantic County for a Work First New Jersey To-Work Activities for Cape May County grant of $114,203 for “to-work” training activities that support social and economic sufficiency for individuals receiving benefits through WFNJ from Dec. 1, 2015-June 30, 2016.
–Approved participating as a partner and proposed sub-grantee in Bergen Community College’s application to the New Jersey Department of Labor for the Establishing Talent Development Centers in Key Industries grant program, with Atlantic Cape’s ability to access funds to deliver health care training to incumbent and potential workers over the term of January-December 2016.
In Other Business, the Board:
–Approved the Oct. 31, 2015, financial statement.
–Approved the draft financial statement for the year ended June 30, 2015, as of Nov. 11.
–Approved named giving opportunities for the new Student Success Centers at the Worthington Atlantic City and Cape May County campuses.
–Approved naming rights of the Cape May County Campus Student Success Center for Morey’s Piers.
In the President’s Report:
–Denise Coulter, interim dean of liberal arts, provided an overview of the Accelerated Learning Program, an initiative that allows students testing into the developmental English course ENGL080 to bypass it and go straight into college-level English 101 while taking a support course with the same professor. Coulter said the model has proved successful, and ALP students pass English 101 at a higher rate than traditional students. The success of the program is drawing interest from other community colleges.
–Eileen Curristine, dean of human resources, public safety and compliance, provided an overview of the Americans with Disabilities Act training she is conducting for all college employees in compliance with a consent decree with the National Federation for the Blind. Curristine said nearly 400 employees have completed training sessions and additional workshops are planned.
The next meeting of the Board of Trustees will be held at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 15, at the Mays Landing Campus, J-202. All are welcome to attend.