MINUTES

Regular Meeting - Board of Trustees

June 2, 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 Monday, June 2, 1997, at 6:00 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; Lillian J. Davis, Secretary (arrived at 6:30 p.m.); Hunter Ellinger; Sharon Knotts Green; Allen Kaplan; Della May Moore (arrived at 6:05 p.m.); Rafael Quintanilla; and John Worley.

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.

Citizens' Communications

No one registered to address the Board of Trustees.

Recognitions

Joyce Guillory, Associate Vice President for Human Resources, introduced Stacyetta Wooten, new Employment/EEO Specialist, Human Resources, at the District Administration Office.

Ken Stewart, President, Alpha Gamma Pi Chapter, Phi Theta Kappa, recognized officers Frank Boudreaux and Katherine Smith, Northridge Campus, and John Duprey, Riverside Campus; and advisors, Mary Kohls and Walter Cooper. Mr. Stewart distributed the annual report and presented highlights of the past year, including community service contributions. He called attention to the display of awards received from local, state, national, and international competition. Dr. Nasworthy expressed appreciation for the work of the organization and extended congratulations for the awards received.

Reports from Employee Associations

Consent Items

Dr. Nasworthy introduced the following consent items:

6806 Consideration of Approval of Minutes (April 7, 1997; April 18-19, 1997; and April 21, 1997)

This item recommends that the Board of Trustees approve minutes of the above-listed meetings.

6807 Consideration of 1995 Bond Proceeds Expenditure Plan ($3.9 million)

This item recommends that the Board of Trustees approve the proposed plan for expenditure of the remaining $3,900,000 from the 1995 Revenue Bond Issue (Attachment B).

6808 Consideration of Three-Year Facilities Improvement Master Plan

This item recommends that the Board of Trustees adopt a Three-Year Facility Improvement Master Plan. This is a living document, subject to revision to meet administrative and academic needs. At a minimum, it should be reviewed on a semi-annual basis (Attachment C).

6809 Consideration of Approval of the Memorandum of Understanding Between Austin Community College and the ACC Foundation

This item recommends that the Board of Trustees approve the Memorandum of Understanding as presented (Attachment D).

6810 Consideration of Approval of Amendments to Board Policies V-74, Faculty Workloads; VIII-71, Faculty Placement/Advancement, and VIII-72, Full-Time Faculty Appointments

This item recommends that the Board of Trustees adopt an amendment to the

Board policies adopted on April 21, 1997, on "Full-Time Faculty Appointments", "Faculty Placement/Advancement" and "Faculty Workloads" under which:

  1. The term "full-time faculty" is 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.

It was moved by Beverly Watts Davis and seconded by Hunter Ellinger that:

MOTION: the Board of Trustees approve Consent Items 6806, 6807, 6808, 6809, and 6810, as presented.

The Board discussed Item 6809, Consideration of Approval of the Memorandum of Understanding Between Austin Community College and the ACC Foundation.

It was moved by Della May Moore and seconded by John Worley that:

AMENDMENT TO MOTION: the Board of Trustees amend section 3 of the Memorandum of Understanding Between Austin Community College and the ACC Foundation, Agenda Item 6809, to add "(10) will produce and distribute to Austin Community College a copy of the guidelines by which reimbursement from the Foundation is provided."

VOTE ON AMENDMENT TO MOTION: The motion passed by unanimous vote, with the Chair not voting.

Lillian Davis was absent for the vote.

VOTE ON ORIGINAL MOTION: The motion, as amended, passed on a unanimous vote, with the Chair not voting.

Trustee Lillian Davis was absent for the vote.

Items for Discussion/Possible Action

6811 Consideration of Approval of Board Policy, IV-1, Facilities

Improvements and Maintenance

Dr. Nasworthy introduced the item.

It was moved by Beverly Watts Davis and seconded by Hunter Ellinger that:

MOTION: the Board of Trustees adopt a Facilities Improvement and Maintenance Policy: Austin Community College shall 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 shall be budgeted at the level which, together with any tuition transfers specified by bond agreements, is sufficient to generate these revenues.

College President, Richard Fonte, discussed the proposed policy with Board members and recommended the following modified wording of Board Policy IV-1, Facilities Improvement and Maintenance:
Each annual budget shall make transfers to Plant Funds 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 for facilities improvements and maintenance. The building fee charged by the College per credit hour shall be budgeted at the level which, together with any other funding sources dedicated to these uses, is sufficient to generate the needed funds.

The modification was accepted by maker of the motion, Beverly Watts Davis, and Hunter Ellinger, who seconded Ms. Davis' motion. The motion, as modified, became the current motion on the floor.

VOTE: The motion passed by unanimous vote. The Chair did not vote.

Lillian Davis was absent for the vote.

6812 Capital Equipment Projects Policy and Expenditure Plan

Dr. Nasworthy introduced the item. Dr. Fonte suggested modification of the language in the recommendation.

It was moved by Beverly Watts Davis and seconded by Hunter Ellinger that:

MOTION: the Board of Trustees adopt the modified Capital Equipment Projects Policy:

Each annual budget shall transfer not less than 4% or more than 6% of projected annual revenues to a fund from which E&G-fund capital expenditures are made. The full amount budgeted each year shall be based on the projected multi-year average budget for capital expenditures.

FRIENDLY AMENDMENT: Trustee John Worley asked that the term "E&G-fund" be clarified to read "Education and General-fund". The friendly amendment was accepted by the maker, Vice Chair Beverly Watts Davis, and Hunter Ellinger, who seconded Ms. Davis' motion.

VOTE: The motion, with the friendly amendment, passed by unanimous vote. The Chair did not vote.

Lillian Davis was absent for the vote.

6813 Consideration of Approval of Proposed Board Policy I-39, Austin Community College Foundation

Dr. Nasworthy introduced the item.

Della May Moore moved and Allen Kaplan seconded that:

MOTION: The Board of Trustees approve the proposed policy as presented (Attachment E).

FRIENDLY AMENDMENT: Della May Moore proposed that the following be added at the end of section 3: "as per the guidelines established by the Foundation. The amendment was accepted by Trustee Allen Kaplan, who seconded Ms. Moore's motion.

VOTE: The motion was passed by unanimous vote, with the Chair not voting.

Lillian Davis was absent for the vote.

Della May Moore responded publicly to an invitation from Earl Maxwell, Chair of the Austin Community College Foundation, and recommended two individuals to serve as members of the Foundation. They are: Lupe Zamarippa, attorney and former Chief of Staff for Governor Mark White, and Lydia Agraz with Time-Warner.

6814 Consideration of Approval of Proposed Policy on Due Process

Requirements for Employment Terminations, Replacing Related Current Policies VIII-26, (Termination of Annual Contract Employees) and VIII-27 (Termination of Non-Contractual Employees)

Dr. Nasworthy introduced the item.

It was moved by Hunter Ellinger and seconded by Rafael Quintanilla that:

MOTION: the Board of Trustees adopt the proposed resolution to approve the proposed Board Policy VIII-25, Due Process Requirements for Termination of Employment, replacing the existing Policies VIII-26 (Termination of Annual Contract Employees) and VIII-27 (Termination of Non-Contractual Employees), and directs the administration, by October 15, 1997, to provide a report on the pattern of usage of short-term and long-term adjunct faculty and hourly employees, as well as an analysis of the advantages and disadvantages seen (considering the impact on quality, diversity and flexibility as well as stability and fairness) in providing various forms of due-process protection to long-term employees in these categories. (See Attachment F.)

Dr. Fonte commented regarding input received on the proposed policy and suggested that comments presented by Cary Sowell, Full-Time Faculty Senate, be included in section 5. He indicated his preference for "the College will make every reasonable attempt to give advance notice". He also indicated that it is his desire and recommendation that the words "supervisory" and "managerial" remain in section 3.,d. Regarding the suggested change to section 3.,c., Dr. Fonte indicated that it is not always possible to retrain employees and, therefore, he prefers that the language remain as presented.

(Trustee Lillian Davis arrived at 6:30 p.m.)

It was moved by Hunter Ellinger and accepted by Rafael Quintanilla that:

AMENDMENT TO MOTION: the Board of Trustees amend Section 5, Notice and Hearing to read: "The College should make every reasonable attempt to give advance notice to a person whose College employment is being considered for

termination.

FRIENDLY AMENDMENT: John Worley requested that "of the reasons and an opportunity to respond to them" remain in Section 5, as presented.

Mr. Ellinger accepted the friendly amendment and agreed that it should be added to read: "The College should make every reasonable effort to give advance notice of the reasons and an opportunity to respond to them to a person whose College employment is being considered for termination."

Mr. Quintanilla also accepted the friendly amendment.

FRIENDLY AMENDMENT: John Worley requested that "supervisory" be deleted from Section 3.,d., and read: "after 120 days notice from the President, for employees in positions specified as managerial, or administrative in the staffing table; no probationary process is required in such cases."

Mr. Ellinger and Mr. Quintanilla accepted the friendly amendment.

AMENDMENT TO MOTION: It was moved by Allen Kaplan that section 3., d., be amended to change "120 days" to "90 days."

The motion died for lack of a second.

FRIENDLY AMENDMENT: Beverly Watts Davis requested, with concurrence by Allen Kaplan, that all staff be given 120 days, excluding faculty, and section 3., c. read: "as part of a reduction in staffing in an area or a change in the type of work skills needed. In such a case, at least 120 days notice shall be provided except when the change is in response to a serious financial emergency."

Hunter Ellinger and Rafael Quintanilla accepted the friendly amendment.

Hunter Ellinger requested to return to the original motion.

Cary Sowell requested permission to comment, and the Board agreed. Ms. Sowell suggested the term "when possible" be substituted for "when feasible" in Section 5.

FRIENDLY AMENDMENT: Della May asked that "when feasible" and "of the reasons and an opportunity to respond to them" be deleted, and read: " Section 5., Notice: A person whose College employment is being considered for termination shall be given advance notice."

Hunter Ellinger and Rafael Quintanilla accepted the friendly amendment.

Della May Moore moved, and Lillian Davis seconded that:

AMENDMENT TO MOTION: Section 3.,c., be amended from "120 days" to "90 days", and read as presented: "as part of a reduction in staffing in an area or change in the type of work skills needed. In such a case, at least 90 days notice shall be provided except when the change is in response to a serious financial emergency.

VOTE ON AMENDMENT TO MOTION: The motion passed on a vote of 5-4.

For: Lillian Davis, Hunter Ellinger, Sharon Knotts Green, Della May Moore, and Carol Nasworthy.

Against: Beverly Watts Davis, Allen Kaplan, Rafael Quintanilla, and John Worley.

VOTE ON ORIGINAL MOTION, with amendments to sections 3.,c., and 5: The motion passed by unanimous vote.

6815 Consideration of a Construction Contract - Health Sciences

Renovation at Riverside Campus

Dr. Nasworthy introduced the item. Daniel Perez, Associate Vice President for Facilities and Operations, distributed bid results (Attachment G) and recommended that the contract in the amount of $31,320 for remodeling of the LVN Distance Learning (Room 5005 at the Riverside Campus)be awarded to Cobos Design and Construction. He stated that no bids were received for the Surgical Technology/Occupational Therapy/Physical Therapy Assistant project although 12 contractors did attend a pre-bid meeting. Mr. Perez requested authority to negotiate a design-build contract in the amount of $150,000 (+/-) with one of the contractors who expressed an interest in the project or another contractor/architect, and indicated he has discussed this process with Gregg Hudson of Bickerstaff, Heath, Smiley, Pollan, Kever, and McDaniel, LLP. Dr. Fonte suggested a report be made to the Board regarding negotiations of the contract.

It was moved by Della May Moore and seconded by Allen Kaplan that:

MOTION: the Board of Trustees award the LVN Distance Learning contract ($31,320) to Cobos Design and Construction and authorize the administration to negotiate a design-build contract ($150,000 +/-) for the Surgical Technology/Occupational Therapy/Physical Therapy Assistant remodeling project at the Riverside Campus.

VOTE: The motion was passed by unanimous vote.

Future Reports to the Board--
Contract negotiations regarding the Design-Build Contract for the Surgical Technology/Occupational Therapy/Physical Therapy Assistant remodeling project at the Riverside Campus.

Efforts and monies made available at the College for the allied health services and programs including condition of the facilities.

PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Dr. Fonte stated the State Appropriation will be higher than anticipated, and these numbers will be included in the budget to be presented to the Board. This will allow implementation of the Board policies approved at this time.

Frank Friedman, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, announced appointment of the following College deans:

Academic Programs:

Arts and Humanities - Dr. Margie Huerta

Mathematics and Sciences - Dr. Stephen Rodi

Social and Behavioral Sciences - Rex Peebles

Workforce Education Programs:

Applied Technologies, Multimedia, and Public Service - Gary Hampton

Business Studies - Reed Peoples

Computer Studies and Advanced Technology - Mike Midgley

Health Sciences - Cecile Sanders

Executive Session

The Board of Trustees recessed into Executive Session at 7:45 p.m. to consult with legal counsel regarding contemplated litigation pursuant to Texas Government Code 551.071, and 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 June 2, 1997, meeting of the Board of Trustees was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

Approved By

Dr. Carol Nasworthy, Board Chair

Dr. Lillian J. Davis, Board Secretary



Comments, suggestions? Posted to the Web July 7, 1997.