By Lev D. Zilbermints
ESSEX – Like every other school, Essex County College (ECC) has been affected by the COVID-19 – caused decrease in students. This, on the top of a fiscal exigency announced back in March 2017, has caused ECC to make cuts to its administration. A 5% cut in salaries across the board was also made.
According to the Public Meeting Agenda of September 22, 2020 Board of Trustees meeting, the cutbacks affected positions from the Vice President of Academic Affairs/Chief Academic Officer down to mailroom clerk and Public Safety Officers. Several members of the staff saw themselves either reassigned or given additional duties.
Separation
Those who have been separated from Essex County College fall into three categories. For some, separation is effective October 22. A second group of people have their separation effective November 21. Lastly, a third group of people, presumably with many more years at school than others, have their separation on December 21.
Into the first group of people fall Senior Compliance Associate, Compliance; Assistant to the Dean, STEM and Health Sciences; Director of Purchasing; Administrative Assistant, STEM and Health Sciences; and two Public Safety officers.
The second group of employees being separated include members of the Support Staff Association. These are three secretaries, one custodian, and a mailroom clerk.
A third group includes members of the Administrative Association. These include the associate director of Custodial Facilities Management; the Clinical Director of Student Wellness Center; the director of Enrollment Management Services; the associate director of Business Services and Workforce Training, Training Inc.
The list continues with the manager of Student Services and Retention, Enrollment Management; Assistant Director SAASAT – Athletics; Coordinator of Admission Services at West Essex Campus; Coordinator of Non-Credit Enrollment Services, Community and Extension Programs; the supervisor of Physical Education Building Operations; an administrative assistant; technical support specialist; and the coordinator of Student Wellness Center.
At the October 20 Board of Trustees meeting, held via telephone, the Board approved memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with the Administrative Association, the Faculty Association, the Professional Association, the Security Association, and the Support Staff Association. The five memorandums deal with furlough or pay reduction for college employees. All five memorandums, according to a Request for Board Action, are dated October 16, 2020. These memorandums put in writing what was decided at the emergency September 22, 2020 Board of Trustees meeting.
It is unknown whether these being separated will be rehired once the fiscal exigency ends.
October 20 Board of Trustees Meeting
Approved at the October 20 meeting was payment of $16,045 for emergency installation of glass barriers and partitions. N.C.F Glazing & Erecting, Inc., of Kearny, N.J. has received the contract. It is COVID-19 Funded – operating expense.
Another $54,523.26 was authorized to purchase equipment for sanitation and supplies for reopening. The totals were $3,816 for American Paper Towel Co., LLC, of Carlstadt, NJ; about $23,667 to Bio-Shine, Inc., of Spotswood, NJ; $14,341 for Imperial Bag & Paper Co., LLC, Bayonne, NJ; and $12,700 for Scoles Floorshine, Ind., of Farmingdale, N.J. In addition, a bid for concrete sidewalk repair in the amount of $237,000 was awarded to Pharos Enterprises, LLC, of South Amboy, NJ.
A contract for Architectural Services in the amount of $23,800 was awarded to Arcari & Iovino Architects, PC, Little Ferry, NJ.
According to the Request for Board Action, at the October 20 meeting, the Board accepted funding from the Essex County Division of Training and Employment to provide Basic Skills/HSE Prep to 25 Out of School clients in the amount of $28,323.50 for the period beginning September 28, 2020 and ending June 30, 2021. Also approved were dual enrollment with the Irvington Board of Education and an updated memorandum of understanding with the New Jersey City University – Alternate Route Certificate.
