In accordance with the terms and provisions of the Texas Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code, the Board of Trustees of the Austin Community College District convened in public session at 5:40 p.m. in Room 201 of the District Administration Offices located at 5930 Middle Fiskville Road, Austin, Texas. with the following members present: Carol Nasworthy, Chair/Presiding Officer; Lillian J. Davis, Secretary; Beverly Watts Davis; Hunter Ellinger; Sharon Knotts Green; Allen Kaplan; Della May Moore; and John Worley. Trustee Mack Ray Hernandez was absent.

It is further found and determined that in accordance with the policies and orders of this Board, the notice of this meeting has been posted and return thereof made pursuant to the terms and provisions of the Texas Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code, and there has been full compliance with the terms and provisions of said act, including the timely posting of the subjects of this meeting.

Recognitions

Dr. Nasworthy recognized the Presidential Search Advisory Committee for the time, expertise, and dedication provided during the search for the new President of Austin Community College. The Committee included: Earl Maxwell, Co-Chaired the Committee with Dr. Nasworthy; Irma Howard; Brig Mireles; Cary Sowell; Luanne Allen; Janie Ross; Roberto O. Martinez; Alex Brown; Wilbert Bingley; Kerry Tate; Robert S. Sullivan; Robert Rutishauser; and Board members: Lillian Davis, Beverly Watts Davis, Hunter Ellinger, Sharon Knotts Green, Mack Ray Hernandez, Allen Kaplan, Della May Moore, and John Worley. Dr. Nasworthy and the audience expressed appreciation for the work of the Committee.

Dr. Nasworthy recognized Austin City Council member Gus Garcia. Mr. Garcia introduced the new U. S. Congressman representing the 15^th Congressional District in South Texas, Ruben Hinojosa. Congressman Hinojosa expressed appreciation for the opportunity to meet President Fonte and members of the Board of Trustees. He advised that he serves on the Education and Labor Committee of the U. S. Congress and has been appointed to the Post-Secondary Education and Life-Time Learning Sub-Committee. Congressman Hinojosa stated he will continue working to assist all community colleges.

Citizen's Communications

Dr. Nasworthy stated that there was no one who registered to address the Board at this meeting.

Report from Employee Associations

• Full-Time Faculty Senate - No report was presented.
• Adjunct Faculty Association - George Finan expressed appreciation to Dr. Fonte for his genuine sense of direction and sense of motion to his presidency and stated that the Adjunct Faculty Association is reassured and grateful that Dr. Fonte is taking the necessary action for accreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Mr. Finan provided information concerning a Seminar of Great Teaching at Austin Community College and a User's Guide for Planning and Teaching An Interdisciplinary Course submitted by Marcella Phillips (English), Scott Harris (History), and George Finan (Government)
• Professional/Technical Employees Association - Rod Fluker spoke regarding: contracts for professional-technical employees will not be submitted to the Board for discussion; the Association is looking forward to full implementation of Phase II of the Compensation and Classification Study, and an action plan will be available within the next two weeks; and, appreciation was expressed to Dr. Fonte for his initiation of a meeting with the Association.
• Classified Employees Association - No report was made.
  

Agenda Item 6751 College 25th Anniversary

Dr. Nasworthy introduced the item and suggested that a small steering committee be appointed at the next Board meeting to oversee commemorative activities to celebrate the 25^th anniversary of Austin Community College. She indicated that the committee would be charged with presenting recommendations regarding gathering, housing, and permanently displaying ACC artifacts so that the history of Austin Community College is accessible to the internal and external community. She suggested the steering committee consider events to recognize the founders of ACC and a celebration event involving the whole community. She stated that Jan Albers, a former ACC Board member, has agreed to work on compilation of the history of ACC. Lillian Davis, Della May Moore, and others will work with her. Board members discussed suggestions for other events and activities and funding possibilities. Dr. Nasworthy asked for recommendations, by the March Board meeting, of individuals to serve on the steering committee.

Agenda Item 6752 Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

Dr. Nasworthy introduced the item and stated that the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) Committee will be on campus next week and will be interested in two issues: institutional effectiveness and presidential/board relations. Dr. Fonte and Dr. Frank Friedman discussed the institutional research response to SACS, and the status report on governance and presidential/board relations (handout). Board members discussed with Dr. Fonte and Dr. Friedman the anticipated schedule and concerns of the SACS Committee.

Dr. Fonte advised that he will establish a new council, the President's Effectiveness Council. The purpose will be to review and monitor the institutional effectiveness of the College. In response to Board members' questions, he stated that membership of the Council will include the former President's Leadership and Planning Council (PLPC) plus additional division chairs from the four large academic areas: Arts and Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Math and Sciences, and Business and Technology. These members will serve a two-year term and will be elected by the faculty at-large of the particular area. Division chairs have been asked to advise Dr. Fonte regarding their desire to serve in this capacity. Dr. Fonte will chair the Council and provide regular reports to the Board on the gaps and achievements of the College in meeting the Plan and directives.

Dr. Fonte stated his desire for an annual public accountability report to be made during a Board meeting that would detail the progress on a number of directives and the basic functions and purposes of the College. Dr. Friedman stressed the need for strategic planning to be a part of the annual process at the College, especially assessment.

Dr. Fonte said that the SACS visit is a site visit to advise where the College is, to provide points on what should be done in preparation for the final report in May. He explained that the actual action of the Commission will occur in June. An exit interview with the SACS Committee will be held on Wednesday morning, February 26. Persons who attended the January Board Retreat will be invited to attend.

Dr. Friedman stated that Dr. Fonte had suggested formation of a Budget Review Committee that would have wide participation from various sectors of the College, and a budget hearing process to allow the major unit leaders to present their major budget request priorities to the Budget Review Committee. The Budget Review Committee will deliberate and forward recommendations to the President so that the planning and the budget are linked.

The SACS Committee will consist of:

• Dr. Maxwell C. King, President, Brevard Community College, Cocoa, Florida
• Dr. Carol S. Hollins, Associate Dean, Arts, Sciences & Business, John Tyler Community College, Midlothian Virginia
• Dr. Nancy C. Aiello, Division Chair, Natural & Applied Science, Northern Virginia Community College, Loudoun Campus, Sterling, Virginia
• Dr. James A. Caillier, President, Louisiana Board of Trustees, University of Louisiana System, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
• Dr. John O. Dwyer, Associate Executive Director, Commission on Colleges, Decatur, Georgia
  

(Allen Kaplan left the meeting at 6:30 p.m.)

Agenda Item 6753 FY98 Budget Revenue Projections

Dr. Nasworthy introduced the item, and Dr. Fonte stated the budget projects are based on certain assumptions for the budget. Jerry Miller, Associate Vice President for Business Services, presented an overview of the budget.

Mr. Miller provided information concerning projections for FY98 state funding. Dr. Fonte indicated that the budget uses the lowest conservative reimbursement figure for the projected state funding. Projections for Credit Tuition Income for FY98 were reviewed. Dr. Fonte advised the only increase is out-of-district and out-of-state tuition. Mr. Miller stated that the Note for out-of-district credit hours should be corrected to read: "$53 in the spring, and". He discussed the projections for Registration Fees, Building Fees, Property Taxes, and Parking Fees for FY1998.

In response to questions by Board members concerning the FY98 budget revenue projections, Dr. Fonte stated additional information will be provided at the March meeting.

Agenda Item 6754 "Group C" Board Policy Consolidation

Dr. Nasworthy introduced the item and Trustee Hunter Ellinger discussed the timetable for Board action on the principles and the procedure for gathering information and recommendations for changes to the policies. He proposed consideration at the March 3, 1997, meeting of suggested principle 1--The Board shall not specify the authority, duties, workload, or supervision of specific College managers other than the President; and suggested principle 2--Board approval shall not be required for creation of non-managerial employee positions, or for moderate use of external consultants, as long as all significant actions in these areas are reported and budget constraints are met.

Agenda Item 6755 Impact of Attorney General's Opinion on College Policy

Dr. Nasworthy introduced the item and Myra McDaniel, College Legal Counsel, provided general information regarding the impact of the Attorney General's opinion regarding the Hopwood case.

President's Report

Dr. Fonte reported:

• Gail Snyder, Department Head of the Associate Degree Nursing Program, Riverside Campus, was the recipient of a Texas League for Nursing Educator Excellence Award..
• The average class size has increased during the Spring Semester 1997 from 18 to 18.3. There are 3,742 sections in 1997, and there were 3,647 sections in 1996. The enrollment increased from 65,538 to 68,550.
• The following are areas of proposed budget reduction due to the $1.6 million deficit: (1) A proposal for net reduction of 162 sections for the Summer Semester 1997. These are sections that have barely made, or didn't make, and excess sections for which there are alternative classes in which students may enroll. This will result in a savings of $250,000. (2) Reduction, particularly for the Summer, of hourly positions. This is because there is less need for staff in the Summer than during the full year because a different pattern occurs. Information is not available, at this time, regarding the savings. (3) A flexible freeze on positions. Positions, submitted by the vice presidents, will be reviewed on an individual basis and will be approved by the President. Exceptions will be considered if a position directly impacts instruction or shift work for Campus police. (4) Reduction I the Technology Plan from $500,000 proportionate to the percentage of the override; and, likewise, for Capital Expenditures. Another issue to be reviewed is the transfer of funds between accounts. Dr. Fonte expressed appreciation to the Campus Vice Presidents and staff who worked on the review of sections.
  

Announcements

Dr. Nasworthy advised that the March 17 meeting of the Committee of the Whole will be held at the Learning Center in East Austin. There will be a presentation by the architects of the East Austin Campus and this will allow community participation.

Executive Session

The Board recessed into Executive Session at 8:15 p.m. to consult with Legal Counsel on the impact of the Attorney General's Opinion regarding the Hopwood case pursuant to Texas Government Code 551.071

The Board reconvened in public session at 9:00 p.m.

Adjournment

The meeting of the Committee of the Whole of the Austin Community College Board of Trustees adjourned at 9:00 p.m. on Monday, February 17, 1997.

Approved By

Dr. Carol Nasworthy, Board Chair

Dr. Lillian J. Davis, Board Secretary

Comments, suggestions? Posted to the Web July 2, 1997.