MINUTES

Special Meeting - Board of Trustees

May 22, 1997

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 on Thursday, May 22, 1997, at 6:03 p.m. in the Board Room (Room 201) of the District Administrative Offices located at 5930 Middle Fiskville Road, Austin, Texas 78752, with the following members present: Carol Nasworthy, Chair/Presiding Officer; Beverly Watts Davis, Vice Chair; Hunter Ellinger; Sharon Knotts Green; Allen Kaplan; Della May Moore; and John Worley. Absent was Lillian Davis, Secretary.

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.

Dr. Nasworthy stated that Trustee Lillian Davis was absent from the meeting due to the death on Monday of her mother, Mrs. Mavis Davis. There was a moment of silence as a gesture of love and support for Dr. Davis.

Installation of Newly Appointed Board Member-Rafael Quintanilla

Dr. Nasworthy introduced Beatriz Q. Gonzalez, Justice of the Peace in Victoria County, and sister of Rafael Quintanilla. Justice Gonzalez administered the oath of office to Rafael Quintanilla, new Austin Community College Trustee.

Trustee Quintanilla expressed appreciation to fellow Board members and the College for the reception preceding the Board meeting and stated his interest in the College. He introduced special guests in attendance: parents, Mr. and Mrs. Qunitanilla from Victoria; sister, Beatriz Gonzalez; and wife, Diana.

Reports from Employee Associations

Items for Action Discussion/Possible Action

6798 "Open Expenditure Commitments" from Fund Balance

Dr. Nasworthy introduced the item and Dr. Richard Fonte, College President, and Jerry Miller, Associate Vice President for Business Services, discussed current open commitments of the plant fund to various approved projects in the amount of $2,493,000. Board members discussed postponement of some projects and the proposed funding for projects from three areas: fund balance, bond proceeds, and the yearly allocation to plant from the Education and General (E and G) fund. Dr. Fonte said safety projects were given first consideration including structural enhancements to the physical plant. Mr. Miller indicated that the proposal is consistent with the Board policy on Fund Balance.

Dr. Fonte indicated that this item will be presented at the June meeting for consideration of approval of the funding of plant projects.

6799 1995 Bond Proceeds Expenditure Plan ($3,900,000)

Dr. Nasworthy introduced the item and Dr. Fonte, Jerry Miller, and Daniel Perez, Associate Vice President for Facilities and Operations, discussed with Board members the proposed plan for expenditure of the remaining $3,900,000 from the 1995 revenue bond issue, and the proposed Facilities Improvement Plan which fall into three major categories including the East Austin Campus, safety and security, and improvement of instructional space.

Dr. Barbara Selke-Kern, Dean, Business Services and Continuing Education, discussed proposed plans for conversion of the District Administrative Offices to an Austin Community College Business Center. Dr. Selke-Kern explained that College contract training and education services, continuing education programs, and business development programs will be expanded; job and occupational profiling will be added; and meeting space, focusing on the issues of workforce development, will be expanded. Dr. Fonte responded to questions from Board members and indicated that the Center will be a 21st Century business conference center and a vehicle to enhance partnership of Austin Community College with business and industry and the community. Renovation is expected in early Fall 1997, following completion of registration.

Della May Moore moved and Beverly Watts Davis seconded that:

MOTION: the Board of Trustees approve the concept of the Austin Community College Business Conference Center with the funding level from the 1995 Revenue Bond Issue.

VOTE: The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Dr. Lillian Davis was absent for the vote.

Dr. Nasworthy indicated that a request was received to discuss items 6803 and 6804 at this time in order to allow Earl Maxwell to attend another commitment. There was no opposition from the Board.

6803 Consideration of Memorandum of Understanding between the Austin Community College District and the Austin Community College Foundation

and

6804 Consideration of Proposed Board Policy Regarding the Purpose of the Austin Community College Foundation

Dr. Nasworthy introduced the items and called upon Earl Maxwell, Chair of the Austin Community College Foundation. Mr. Maxwell applauded the Board on efforts concerning the Business Conference Center.

He indicated that the purpose of the proposed Memorandum of Understanding and proposed Policy I-39, Purpose of the Austin Community College Foundation, are to formalize the relationship between the Austin Community College District and the Austin Community College Foundation to allow for the centralization of private funds to the College and future fund-raising efforts. Mr. Maxwell, Dr. Fonte, and Myra McDaniel, College Legal Counsel, responded to questions from Board members concerning the proposed policy and Memorandum of Understanding, including reporting requirements as a part of an annual report and reimbursement of reasonable expenses.

Mr. Maxwell indicated that a first annual stakeholders meeting will be held on July 22 with ACC Trustees, current ACC Foundation Board members, and former Foundation Board members.

Dr. Fonte stated these items will appear on the Consent Agenda for the June 2 Board meeting.

6800 Plant-Fund Facilities Improvement and Maintenance Plan

Dr. Nasworthy introduced the item and Dr. Fonte stated that this item proposes that Austin Community College transfer revenues each annual budget to the plant fund sufficient to meet all bond debt payments, maintain the debt payment reserve levels required by the bond agreements, and meet the year's installment of the current multi-year master plan on facilities improvements and maintenance. The building fee charged by the College per credit hour would be budgeted at the level which, together with any tuition transfers specified by bond agreements, would be sufficient to generate these revenues. The proposed plan and policy ensure that the College's budget process properly supports long-term investments-matching sources of revenue against their intended use. Dr. Fonte noted that this will be a rolling three-year plan and a more rational approach to budgeting through multi-year planning and funding. Daniel Perez discussed with Board members the proposed building use fee expenditures and the three-year facilities master plan including deferred maintenance projects-those that are too high or too large in scope to be covered by regular maintenance. Dr. Fonte indicated that the building fee would be moved into a separate fund-a plant fund-to pay off the bonds and the remainder will provide for facilities improvement and facilities maintenance.

Dr. Fonte stated that the plan and policy will be presented at the June meeting for consideration of adoption.

6801 Capital Equipment Projects Policy and Expenditure Plan

Dr. Nasworthy introduced the item and Jerry Miller stated that the capital equipment projects policy and expenditure plan will provide for a more rational approach to budgeting and matches sources of funds against the intended use, which allows for multi-year planning and funding. He noted that the College proposes to allocate annually funds for capital equipment projects equal to an amount of not less that 4% nor greater than 6% of the projected fiscal year revenue budget. If budgeted expenditures for a particular year are less than the range, the surplus will be held in the Plant Fund entitled "Capital Equipment Projects Fund". Board members provided suggestions concerning the proposed policy.

Dr. Fonte stated that the Capital Equipment Projects Policy and Expenditure Plan will be presented at the June meeting for consideration of adoption.

6802 Auxiliary Fund Budget Issues

Dr. Nasworthy introduced the item. Dr. Fonte stated that these are issues that relate to auxiliary funds budgeting and are in priority order of significance in terms of impact on the budget. He stated that 6802A, Termination of the Bookstore Contract with Barnes and Noble Bookstores, Inc. and Solicitation of a New Contract will most impact next year's budget. Items 6802B, Proposed Golf Course Turf Management Program, 6802C, Child Care-Student Services, probably will not impact the budget for the next fiscal year, but are presented simply to make Board members aware of the intent to offer new programs.

6805 Consideration of Amendment to Board Policies V-74, Faculty Workloads, VIII-71, Faculty Placement/Advancement, and VIII-72, Full-Time Faculty Agreements

Dr. Nasworthy introduced the item and Trustee John Worley presented the following proposed amendments to the Board policies adopted on April 21, 1997, on "Full-Time Faculty Appointments," "Faculty Placement/Advancement" and "Faculty Workloads":

  1. the term "full-time faculty" would be replaced wherever it appears with the term "faculty";
  2. a new section "A" on "Meaning of Terms" added to Board Policy V-74 (Faculty Workloads); and
  3. the remaining sections of Policy V-74 re-lettered accordingly as "B" "C" and "D".

The new "Section A: Meaning of Terms:" in the Faculty Workloads policy would read as follows: In this and all other Board policies, the term "faculty" does not refer to adjunct faculty or faculty paid hourly unless specifically indicated.

President's Report

Reports to the Board

Dr. Nasworthy called attention to the Internal Quarterly Report prepared by Larry Bassett, Director, Internal Audit. Dr. Fonte stated that the procedure followed is that Mr. Bassett completes the audit and Jerry Miller prepares the Management Response.

Future Reports-

Announcements

Executive Session

The Board of Trustees recessed into Executive Session at 9:45 p.m. to consult with legal counsel regarding pending or contemplated litigation to pursuant Texas Government Code 551.071 relating to the purchase, exchange, lease, or value of real property pursuant to Texas Government Code 551.072.

Adjournment

Having no motion before the Board, the May 22, 1997, meeting of the Board of Trustees was adjourned at 10:10 p.m.

Approved By

Dr. Carol Nasworthy, Board Chair

Dr. Lillian J. Davis, Board Secretary


Comments, suggestions? Posted July 7, 1997.