At its March 26 meeting, the Seminole State College Board of Regents approved Board policy revisions, a lighting upgrade for the Enoch Kelly Haney Center and emeritus status for former SSC employee Tracy Jacomo.
SSC President Lana Reynolds spoke about personnel updates, campus activities, athletics, the Haney roof project and investment planning related to the MacKenzie Scott donation during her report to the Board. SSC Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs Dr. Bill Knowles and Dean of Instruction Jessica Isaacs presented to the Board about the College’s tenure policy.
Among the policy items approved was a revision to the College’s service and emotional support/assistance animal policy. The change updated the wording of the policy to reference the appropriate College position, rather than a specific employee, in the process for handling requests.
The Board also approved revisions to SSC Board Policy II-7-15 on campus wellness. The update formalized current practices allowing professional and classified staff, with prior supervisor approval, to be released from regular work assignments for one hour twice each week to exercise on campus using the SSC Wellness Center or walking trails. Faculty may also use up to two hours of regularly scheduled office time for the same purpose. The revised policy further added a fragrance and scent awareness section prohibiting candles, incense, plug-in or spray air fresheners, diffusers and other fragranced products in offices, classrooms and other shared indoor spaces. Students and employees are also asked to avoid strong perfumes, colognes and heavily scented personal care products while on campus.
Regents also approved a new online credit hour policy developed in response to a recommendation from the Higher Learning Commission. The policy affirms that face-to-face, hybrid and fully online courses must meet equivalent credit-hour standards and requires instructors to clearly document student workload and instructional activity within the College’s learning management system.
In other business, the Board approved a proposal from VOSS for an LED lighting and controls upgrade for the Haney Center’s Utterback Ballroom. According to College officials, the project will replace an aging system that has become increasingly difficult to repair because many parts are no longer available. The upgrade is expected to improve performance, reduce maintenance demands and increase energy efficiency.
The Board also approved emeritus status for Tracy Jacomo, recognizing her 26 years of service to Seminole State College. SSC policy allows the Board of Regents, at its discretion, to honor retired faculty, administrators or professional staff members with emeritus status based on length of service, special recognitions, activities and other performance-related contributions.
Jacomo joined SSC in 1989 as an academic counselor and spent her first 10 years in the Admissions Office, where she worked in recruiting and academic advising. During her career, she coordinated educational opportunities for students with disabilities for 16 years, served as cheerleading coach for nine years and worked as Title III director from 1999 to 2004. In 2002, she began teaching part time while continuing her administrative duties, instructing sociology, psychology and criminal justice courses. She transitioned to full-time teaching in 2004, earned tenure in 2008 and later retired in 2015.
As a full-time faculty member, Jacomo taught 18 credit hours each semester and also taught freshman seminar courses, May intersession classes and summer courses as needed. Board materials noted that her career at SSC spanned service under two college presidents and eight vice presidents. In February 2026, she was recognized with the Neil Molleur Award for community service at the Seminole Chamber of Commerce banquet for her work with Community Friends Food Pantry.
With the final item on the agenda, the Board ratified an emergency declaration made by President Reynolds regarding repairs to the fire suppression system in the Roesler Residential Center after a leak was discovered in old, rusted pipes. Repairs needed to be made immediately to protect student safety in the residence hall. The Board then approved the cost of repairs.
Board members present at the meeting were Chair Marci Donaho, Teresa Burnett, Curtis Morgan, Robyn Ready and Barry Tims.
The next meeting of the SSC Board of Regents will be May 21.