Board of Trustees Meeting - Massachusetts Maritime Academy

PRESIDENT’S REPORT
President Gurnon reported on the delays with the Pande Dining Hall renovations; the alternative dining servery
setup; and he thanked the students and families for their understanding of the construction delays. He reported
Sea Term 2011 was supremely successful and returned with all 596 cadets on board. He stated that it is a
dangerous and unforgiving environment on cruise and commended CAPT Thomas Bushy, Assistant
Commandant, Stephen Kelleher, cadet officers, and crew for a job well done.
President Gurnon reported on the status of the 5-year Strategic Plan:
4.1 Senior Staff meets weekly and communications are going well; 30% of the staff is female; and they are
targeting to improve diversity of senior staff.
4.2 Growth in student population continues with 315 deposits and a waiting list; the Academy is requiring
university status for enrollment; first year retention is currently 84%; four year graduation rate has fallen
slightly from 55% to 47% due to increase in the cost of public higher education; the Academy’s university
standards; and students graduating from high school are unprepared. Entering class diversity goals were
stretched to reach 12% female and 9% underrepresented populations; currently statistics are: females 8.5% and
underrepresented groups are at 7.5%. The President compared MMA to other Maritime Institutions and their
percentages of female and underrepresented groups were higher due to their sister schools combining
regimental and civilian statuses.
4.3 Graduate programs are going well; NEASC visit is scheduled for April 2011; USCG audit will be
conducted in November 2011; tenure-track faculty hiring is going well to offset growing enrollment and
retirements; continuing to promote Energy management minor; ABET engineering program submitted to all
college committee governance; exchange programs are going well with Shanghi Maritime University and
Panama; Shanghi Maritime University exchange program has been expanded to include Marine Safety and
Environmental Protection major with an additional 5 cadets enrolled (15 cadets/per semester); Dalian Maritime
University has agreed to two years of study in Dalian, China, and final two years of program at MMA (20
students/each year). Dalian students will pay out of state international rates; and the Academy is exploring a
similar program with the University of the Virgin Islands.
4.4 ABS Information Commons project is continuing ahead of schedule and under budget; ADA elevator
project is in progress; training rooms, cardiovascular; and locker rooms are complete; and decentralization of
the Power Plant is moving forward for the repurpose of existing buildings. The Massachusetts State College
Building Authority (MSCBA) acquired the Beachmoor property for $1,600,000.00; the note will be repaid by
cadet housing and parking along with the Camps & Conferences department soliciting for events.
Vice Chairman Covel requested the status on funds to bring the Beachmoor up to current codes. CAPT Francis
McDonald reported that Phase I costs are: MSCBA funded $50,000.00 for furniture; $25,000.00 for fiber-optics
upgrade; and the Academy has expenses of approximately $15,000.00 - $20,000.00 in Academy labor to bring
the building up to building codes. Phase II will be assessed and planned after the first season of events hosted
this summer.
4.5 Academy continues to move forward on renewable and sustainability projects. Discussion ensued
regarding: T. S. Kennedy life expectancy of 25 more years; loss of $800,000.00 earmark for a nuclear powered
simulator; pursuing of grants and processes; steam, gas, and motor licenses; American College and University
Presidents’ Climate Control Plan (ACUPCC); nuclear versus steam energy; and carbon neutral market.
4.6 MMA financial oversight continues to hit targets; maintaining rainy day fund; remaining vigilant with cost
of operations; FY11 budget will be in the black; and MMA continues to have the lowest price compared to
other Massachusetts state universities. Updated financial result will be posted to the dashboard.
4.7 Fundraising will increase total performance with investors but is a struggle; two potentially large donor
gifts will not come through; this year fundraising priorities will not hit targets.
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