The Grand Rapids Community Board of Trustees gathered for their monthly meeting on Monday, Nov. 17 to listen and vote on new proposals and deliver campus updates as the end of the fall semester approaches.
Vice President of Finance & Administration, John Globoker, presented a summer tax levy proposal to the board. The board has the legal authority through two acts, including the Community College Act of 1966 and the school code of 1976 to allow institutions to levy 100% of the property tax during the summer. The college’s taxing authority can split the tax between summer and winter, but with this new proposal, Globoker requested for it all to be billed in the summer only. According to Globoker, this new way would help the college see a more consistent cash flow.
“It provides a nice, steady cashflow in the beginning of the fiscal year,” Globoker said.
The board unanimously carried the motion for the new tax levy and the process will now be adopted. This will be a uniform levy, meaning counties such as Allegan, Barry, Newaygo, etc. will also be adopting the new tax levy plan.
Board policy review was discussed next. The Board policy is a set of rules that govern the way the board does its job, and how they evaluate the president of the college on an annual basis. In this cycle, the board looked at three specific things in their policy: job description, executive performance, and president’s job description.
Changes to those three policies were discussed amongst the board in a closed meeting, and the motion to table these new changes so it can be publicly read at the next board meeting was unanimously approved.
On Jan. 1, 2026, the GRCC Board will have a transition of leadership roles. The new assignments will be Salvador Lopez as Chairperson, Trustee Kathleen Bruinsma as Vice Chairperson, Trustee Sheryl Siegel as Treasurer, and Trustee Daniel Williams as Secretary. The board motioned to approve the new officers group unanimously.
Brett Meyer, GRCC General Counsel, presented an amendment to the contract collective bargaining agreement with the GRCC Alliance of Professional Support Staff. The new amendment would create a pool, upon request, of certified employees within unions who would be available to provide translation and interpretation services on a frontline basis to the college. If approved, those pools of employees would be paid $100 per month on a flat fee basis.
“This is a wonderful agreement that provides a further structure around how we provide services to folks in really critical areas for whom English may not be their first language,” Meyer said.
The board unanimously motioned to approve the new amendment as presented and it will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026.
GRCC Interim President, Dr. Triezenberg delivered his report where he began by acknowledging the near end of the fall semester for students, faculty, and staff. Triezenberg went on to talk about the federal government shutdown and the halt of SNAP benefits, giving attention to those concerns, he said he’s pleased that the government will be reopened and that those benefits will be restored.
The college search for a permanent president is still ongoing, however Triezenberg said he is pleased with how the process is moving along. He went on to highlight the new GRCC Health Clinic that is now available on campus, as well as the many student activities updates. In athletics, the women’s team volleyball is playing in the national tournament this week, the theater program launched their three-day “Dracula” play, and some students that participated in summer research presented their work in a poster session that was also attended by Triezenberg.
“Just lots of good things happening with our students on campus this semester,” Triezenberg said.
Triezenberg went on to publicly recognize a number of people that serve the community well. Dean John VanElst has been named to the West Michigan Works Board, Dean Kristi Haik has been named to the talent council for West Michigan Technology.
“Just two examples of the many ways that our faculty and our staff engage not only with their work on campus, but with the community surrounding us,” Triezenberg said.
Those recognitions extended over to a few board members. Board Chairperson Brandy Mitchell, was recognized by the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, Trustee Kathleen Bruinsma was elected to the board of directors of the American Association of Community College Trustees, and Trustee Daniel Williams was named to the list of Crain’s Top 200 Most Influential Leaders inf West Michigan.
“I’m delighted to work with people who are so engaged in the community and who have done so well, they warrant these kinds of recognitions,” Triezenberg said.
Student Government Vice President, Ameilia Haywood, went on to present updates to the board and to share their current thoughts on the pulse of the campus community among the students. Haywood shared how her goal is to make sure that all GRCC students of any background feel that they belong.
“We live in a time where being a part of a marginalized community can feel isolating and or even unsafe,” Haywood said. “That’s why building a community through advocacy is at the heart of our work. At student government we strive to connect students with resources that will support them holistically.”
Haywood reflected on all the events that the student government has hosted throughout the fall semester. Including Constitution Day, tabling on both main and Lakeshore campuses, Homecoming week and a dance, student leader townhall meetings, Indigenous People’s Day, Vote Early Day, and Veteran’s Day tabling.
“We love our students and we are committed to uplifting and empowering the GRCC student body through advocacy, connection, and care,” Haywood said.
The Board will meet again on Monday Feb. 16, 2026 at 4:15 p.m. on the fifth floor of RJF in the board library.
