Office of the President

2240 Iyannough Road

West Barnstable, MA 02668

June 10, 2016

To: Sheila Vanderhoef, Chair

Cape Cod Community College Board of Trustees
From: Frank Fantasia, Chair
William Shain
Judy Barrigas
Annual Presidents Evaluation Committee
RE: Academic Year July 1, 2015 June 30, 2016
On May 23, 2016 the Evaluation Committee appointed by the Chair of the Board of Trustees met in
the Administration Conference Room. The Committee consists of Trustees Frank Fantasia (Chair), Will
Shain, and Judy Barrigas. Also in attendance were President Cox and Mia Hazlett, Executive Assistant and
designated record keeper. The meeting was conducted in compliance with the open meeting laws governing
such meetings in the Commonwealth.
In preparation for the meeting the Committee reviewed documents relating to the Presidential
Evaluation process including; a review of the Colleges Strategic Plan and Mission and Goals; The
Commissioner of Higher Education Evaluation guidelines; an annual narrative prepared by Dr. Cox
containing data relating to the Colleges performance and DHE goals and objectives for FYE 2015.
The Committee focused on the goals of the Vision Project as they related to the Presidents
performance and the Colleges overall performance. Specific attention was placed on the major initiatives of
College Participation, College Completion and Closing Achievement Gaps. These initiatives, along with
others, are rated specifically on the Presidents Evaluation form that is included as an attachment.
The Presidents Evaluation Criteria are grouped in nine categories. 1.) Academic Excellence. 2.)
Improvement in Physical Plant. 3.) Enhancing Student Access/Expanding Collaborations. 4.) Institutional
Leadership and Management Skills. 5.) Achievement of Other Institutional Objectives. 6.) Relationship with
the Board of Trustees. 7.) Business and Finance. 8.) Operations. 9.) Interrelation of Institutional Goals with
System Level Goals.
Each Committee member prepared their ratings and evaluations independently and brought their
results to the meeting for discussion. The Committee then agreed on a final evaluation (score) covering each
item in each category. Dr. Cox was excused from the meeting during this discussion. An attachment
containing the evaluation scores is intended to be made part of this report.
In addition to the evaluation scores a section for comments is provided at the end of each category. A
summary of category comments follows.
Academic Excellence
It is the consensus of the Committee that Dr. Cox is committed to and exercises a concern and
appreciation for excellence in the programs provided at the College. An example is the Blended and On-Line
Learning Program. All scores in this category reflected above average or superior performance.
Improvement in Physical Plant
The Committee recognized this process is driven by the availability of funds received by the College
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through the legislative budgeting process. Like every public college in the Commonwealth, deferred
maintenance has grown beyond any reasonable means to correct the overall situation in the foreseeable
future. The statewide system has deteriorated to a condition described as do the best that we can given the
Commonwealths budget constraints. This category should not reflect negatively on the Presidents ability to
perform in this category. In fact, Dr. Cox has proven to be resourceful under the circumstances.
Enhancing Student Access/Collaboration
Scores in this category were all above average. Efforts to stem the decline in enrollment have been
aggressive and ongoing. Examples include the dual enrollment Early College program, the UMass-Boston
nursing 4-year degree program, and the MOU Agreement with UMass-Dartmouth pathway to a 4-year
degree. Additionally, the Presidents attendance at India Prime Minister Modis Address to Congress as a
guest of Congressman Keating shows the continuation of his previous efforts connected with the Fulbright
program and State Department-sponsored visits in 2014 to India .
Institutional Leadership
The Committee felt there is a need for Dr. Cox to demonstrate a stronger leadership approach with
faculty and staff. The recent confidence issues could have and should have been handled more aggressively
and in a more timely fashion. The ongoing situation has had a negative impact on morale throughout the
College. Faculty and Staff should be guided by the Presidents leadership so that buy in to managements
strategies, the strategic plan and accompanying implementation is accomplished. The need for right sizing
coupled with declining enrollment has tested the Presidents leadership qualities. He will continue to be
tested in the foreseeable future.
Achievement of Other Institutional Objectives
The President has demonstrated an ability to visualize opportunities outside of the norm and bring
those opportunities to fruition. Primary case in point is the Aviation Maintenance and Technology Program
about to be launched in the Fall. Another significant example is the partnership between our Center for
Corporate & Professional Education, Bristol Community College, and the Wampanoag Tribe.
Relationship with the Board of Trustees
The President is very conscious of the importance of keeping the Board informed and up to date on
all relevant matters affecting the College. He has earned the respect and support of the Board.
Business and Finance
Dr. Cox is well qualified academically and by experience to oversee, guide and manage the business
and financial resources of the College.
Operations
The President has the full faith of the Board in overseeing the day-to-day management of the
College, its systems and personnel.
Interrelation of Institutional Goals with System Level Goals
The Committee agreed that the areas of College Participation, College Completion and Student
Learning remain challenging and will remain challenging into the future. These three line items are rated as
average and should be areas that require attention if the Colleges metrics are to improve. It appears that
progress is being made, however, sustained and increased attention is required if significant gains are to be
realized.
We also make note that although enrollment has declined since 2010, compared to other institutions, the
College projections suggest that we will experience lower declines than the majority of state community
colleges in 2017.
Also, it should be noted that the trend has been upwards over the past four years for African American,
Hispanic, and Other students; our percentage of the overall diverse college community in comparison to the
overall population is higher than in Barnstable County.

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Lastly, the marketing initiative is a significant undertaking supported by the President, and one where we are
already seeing positive results with respect to enrollment.
Respectfully submitted,

Frank Fantasia, Chair of the Evaluation Committee

William Shain
Judy Barrigas

Telephone: 508-362-2131 x 4301 FAX: 508-362-3988

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