2025-2026 MELA Minutes

Shalon Farris, Holmes, asked a question asking if July 1 st is the start date, and is when we officially turn it on and get changed, or is that just when payment begins? Dr. Krista LeBrun, MCCB, mentioned that July 1st is when we are permitted to start payment. That’s when they can officially invoice us, and she has the authority to pay them. She mentioned that if a vendor is willing to provide training in advance, they can certainly do that. She mentioned that CopyLeaks would probably provide training in advance if they know we’re moving forward. But the July 1st start date simply reflects the execution of the agreement and the state’s authorization for payment. Shalon Farris, Holmes, asked when training would happen, when implementation would actually occur, and when instructors would realistically begin using the tool. She mentioned that she can’t see it happening this summer. She mentioned that she really hates to have to go to her instructors to inform them that do not have service at all for July. She mentioned that she understands that AI is not reliable at all, and that CopyLeaks is better with AI, but plagiarism still happens, but not to the extent that it used to be, and it still does. She mentioned that we do need a plagiarism tool. She understands that we will never find a tool that will do AI purposely. Dr. Krista LeBrun, MCCB, mentioned that once authorization is received and vendors are notified, those questions can be addressed directly with CopyLeaks, including a proposed implementation and training timeline. Dr. Christa Wilhite, MCCB, mentioned that from the pilot experience, implementation itself is not complex. If July 1st is the start date, the system could be implemented within an hour or two, assuming no unexpected delays. She mentioned that the larger issue is faculty training and adoption, not technical setup. Angel Nickens, NWCC, mentioned that NWMCC needs the services earlier to be able to train instructors. She mentioned that many instructors do not want to train during the summer. She mentioned that it would need to occur the week before fall classes begin, once faculty return to campus. She offered a suggested approach, suggesting that the July 1 st start date (due to current constraints); Year 2 and 3 amend the contract so that it ends at the end of a semester rather than mid-semester (for example, shifting to an August 1 cycle). Stating this would