President Bertolino and the Stockton Board of Trustees convened in the Campus Center Event Room at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 21 for their open, public meeting. A multitude of university updates were discussed, and the mood was set with jazz music from Dr. Beverly Vaughn and the students of Stockton’s Music Department.

Chair of the Board Nelida Valentin began the meeting by showcasing her excitement for the upcoming events of the Spring Semester, from the President’s Inauguration on April 12 to the Foundation Scholarship Gala on April 20. “We know as a Board that all of that doesn’t happen without all of your work, so thank you,” Valentin told the audience. President Bertolino then issued his report.

The President’s Report

Excited to be back on campus, Bertolino said, “since the return from winter break, campus has certainly been bustling with activities, academic work, events, and recruitment activities. It has been a joy to see life on the campus, and as the weather changes and it becomes warmer, I’m going to be very excited to see even more life out and about outside.” His enthusiasm continued when reflecting on Stockton’s “day-on” to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on January 15. In regards to the 500 people who volunteered at the Day of Service, Bertolino “[continues] to be impressed by this community’s commitment to service.”

The Maple Project’s tree tapping initiative was another accomplishment touted by the President. Bertolino joked that, “[he] spent four years in Vermont and never got to tap a tree, and [he] never thought [he] would come to South Jersey to do it.” The President also commented on the Black History Month celebrations happening on campus throughout February, and he noted how the speakers of the Annual Flag Raising shared that “together, we can advocate for justice, celebrate black achievements, and be champions for an equitable and inclusive future.”

Sports were next on Bertolino’s agenda, as both the men’s and women’s basketball teams have made it to the NJAC Tournament. The President highlighted three of Stockton’s record-breaking student athletes, all of which were present in the crowd that night: new, all-time scoring leader D.J. Campbell of men’s basketball, and Eric Ackerman and Kayla Kass of indoor track and field, who are nationally ranked 37 and 34 in the nation, respectively. Bertolino was also proud to announce that the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology program “has been recognized as one of the top programs in the country by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and National Scientific and Educational Organization.”

The last portion of his report gave the new provost, Michael Palladino, the chance to say a few words. Though the search for the new provost was one long, intense screening, Palladino said that “the breadth of involvement throughout this process were really strong indicators to [him] of what the campus was looking for in its provost…what was very clear to [him] was the care, love, passion, and commitment the faculty and staff have for each other.” Palladino looks forward to the challenges ahead of him come May 6, when he begins his provost duties.

Committee Reports

Trustee Sonia Gonsalves, the Chair of Academic Affairs and Planning Committee, gave her report first, where the Board approved new resolutions regarding program adjustments and additions for the 2024-2025 academic calendar. These motions included changing the Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice to a Bachelor of Science, and adding the Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship. Gonsalves spoke on the faculty-student initiative, Get Fit at Stockton, which is a health and wellness program that “takes on an interprofessional education approach with physical therapy, occupational therapy, and health sciences students.” Interim Provost Dr. Levy then honored Dr. Anne Pomeroy of Philosophy with a posthumous, Distinguished Professor award, before Gonsalves concluded with the announcement of three new M.B.A. programs: a Bachelor of Science in E Sports to the M.B.A. in E Sports Management, and the Bachelor of Science in Public Health and Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences to the M.B.A. in Healthcare Administration and Leadership.

For her report, Trustee Nancy Davis of the Student Success Committee invited Dr. Catchings up to the podium to explain the EAB Navigation 360 and what it will do for Stockton. Catchings said that “data, analytics, and technology helps us drive strategies to support our students,” before bringing up Dr. Heinrich, the Vice President of Enrollment Management. He discussed Stockton’s enrollment report, where there was a 3% increase in new students, 14 new students in the spring, and double the amount of first year students. With a 423 new student goal, Stockton exceeded that number by 12.

Trustee Stanley Ellis of the Finance and Professional Service Committee then proposed an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2024 Operating and Capital Budget, providing management the funds to improve Housing 4 and the technology in the A-D wing classrooms. This, along with the Bid Waiver for Inter-Library Loan and the ability to purchase new equipment for the HVAC system, were unanimously approved by the Board. For the Fiscal Year 2025, there is a perceived $11.6 million deficit, though Ellis assured that “there is cash available.”

The Audit Committee report saw Trustee Raymond Ciccone thank Jennifer Potter for keeping the books, and Trustee Hanselmann spoke on behalf of the Buildings and Grounds Committee. The Committee will be working to replace the Water Tank, which holds 300,000 gallons of water and has a $1.1-1.2 million budget. As for the Atlantic City Phase III project, the Task Force will “not put funds into Atlantic City unnecessarily, and that is if we decide to put funds into Atlantic City,” according to Hanselmann. The main focus of the project is what is best for the Stockton community, so each decision will be centered on that fact alone. Finally, construction on the Richard E. Bjork Library will begin on May 13 with a reopening date tentatively scheduled for September of 2026. During the closure, students will be able to find quiet study spaces all throughout the academic spine, while the C and D Wing Atriums will house library services.

The Advancement Committee report discussed their meeting where they plan to remove barriers that keep students from success. Mentioned were the Student Relief fund, housing essentials, and food security programs, all of which are opportunities open to the student body. The final committee report was from Trustee Michelle Lenzmeier Keates of the Investment Committee, and having met with investment advisors from Wells Fargo and Bryn Mawr, Keates happily delivered news to the Board. She explained that “the University’s total portfolio balance as of December 31 was $111,844,507 and the gain on investments was $5,053,894.” The Wells Fargo return was 4.89%, while Bryn Mawr was 4.68%, and Stockton as a whole had a strong quarter, falling “within the guidelines of the investment policy statement.” Keates then said, “it’s always helpful to sometimes look back, and if we go back…to January 1, 2016, the University’s investment portfolio was at $69,658,658. I’m really pleased to report that at the end of January of this year, the total portfolio was $112,311,628.” Keates finally stated that the overall total portfolio is close to $150 million.

The remaining orders of business included unanimous “yes” votes to three policies brought up by President Bertolino: the VI-56 Investment Policy, the VI-57.5 Post-Issuance Tax-Exempt Bond Compliance, and the V-100 Protection of Minors Policy. It was then time for the Mission Moment to take center stage.

Mission Moment

Towards the end of the Board meeting, President Bertolino hosted a tribute Dr. Juanita J. High, who dedicated 40 years of her life to Stockton University. Having lived 93 years, Dr. High served as Affirmative Action Director, Professional Assistant to the President, Executive Assistant to the President, was an “active member” of Stockton’s foundation Board of Directors, and was an “treasured member” of the Council of Black Faculty and Staff. She is the name behind the Dr. Juanita High Student Book Award, which “benefits full-time students in good, academic standing.” Back in 2022, she also received the Trailblazer award from the Stockton University Black Alumni Association.

A current Stockton Student, Detty-Maidanove Exantus, said a few special words on Dr. High, and how her impact carries to her time studying political science. “Her legacy resonates deep within me…inspiring my journey as a first generation college student,” was one sentiment in which Exantus honored Dr. High. She continued her speech with the words, “I understand first hand the challenges and barriers that often stand in the way of pursuing higher education. Dr. High’s efforts paved the way for students like me, breaking down barriers and opening doors that were once taught unattainable.” Dr. Beverly Vaughn then returned to the podium, delivering a passionate tribute “to [her] friend that meant so much to [her].” Vaughn brought laughs with the phrase, “in fact, I didn’t call her Dr. High, I called her ‘Jua,'” and Vaughn’s reminiscence of her childhood drives through Columbus, Ohio brought forth just how impacted Stockton remains by the foundations of which Dr. High laid out. The Council Black Faculty and Staff was honored, concluding the tribute.

The meeting ended by opening the floor to the public, and the next Board of Trustees meeting will be held on May 1, 2024. For information on meeting minutes and the Board of Trustees’ schedule, visit the Stockton website.