In accordance with the terms and provisions of the Texas Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code, the Board of Trustees Committee of the Whole of the Austin Community College District convened in public session on Monday, November 17, 1997, at 4:00 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; Hunter Ellinger; Sharon Knotts Green; Allen Kaplan; Rafael Quintanilla; and John Worley. Absent: Della May Moore.

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.

Executive Session

The Board of Trustees of the Austin Community College recessed into Executive Session at 4:05 p.m. to discuss personnel matters related to College President's evaluation and Board of Trustees' self-evaluation pursuant to Texas Government Code 551.074.

Reconvene

The Committee of the Whole of the Board of Trustees of Austin Community College reconvened in public session at 6:30 p.m. pursuant to Texas Government Code Chapter 551.

Citizen's Communication

There was no one registered to address the Board

Recognitions

There were no recognitions.

Reports from Employee Associations

• Full-Time Faculty Senate - No report.
• Adjunct Faculty Association - Lee Bartolino, President, expressed appreciation for attendance at the recent Adjunct Faculty Forum and provided additional information on the Forum and concerns regarding Agenda Items 6888, 6889, and 6890.
• Professional/Technical Employees Association - Roslyn Wallace, President, expressed appreciation for the proposed new policy C-4, Internal Employee Associations.

• Classifed Employees Association - No report.

Information and Reports to the Board

• Internal Audit Report for the Period of July 1-September 30, 1997 - Dr. Nasworthy introduced the item. Board members expressed satisfaction with the report as presented in the agenda.

Items for Discussion/Possible Action

Dr. Nasworthy stated that all items included on the agenda are for discussion.

6888 Discussion of Replacement to College Policy B-5, Policy Development

Dr. Nasworthy introduced the item and Trustee Hunter Ellinger provided information concerning the proposed replacement. Board members discussed the proposed policy and provided suggestions for revision.

6889 Discussion of New College Policy C-12, Open Communication and Information

Dr. Nasworthy introduced the item and Board members commented regarding the proposed new policy and the necessity for all faculty, staff, and students to have access to electronic communications including the World Wide Web, E-mail, etc., and the necessity of providing information in hard-copy form. Dr. Richard Fonte, College President, advised accessibility of faculty and staff will be determined and a status report provided at a future Board meeting. A strategy for addressing this will be developed.

6890 Discussion of Replacement to College Policy C-4, Internal Employee Associations

Dr. Nasworthy introduced the item and Trustee Hunter Ellinger provided information concerning the proposed replacement policy. Board members discussed the item and suggested additional information be included regarding ethics. It was suggested that a re-draft of the replacement policy be provided.

6891 Discussion of Proposed Amendments to College Policy C-10, Purchasing

Dr. Nasworthy introduced the item and Dr. Fonte commented regarding the need for clarity on expenditure limits/approval authority. Board members discussed the proposed amendments and requested additional information concerning legal thresholds which require Board approval. Dr. Fonte stated this information will be provided.

6892 Discussion of Revision to College Policy E-1, Master Planning

Dr. Nasworthy introduced the item and stated this proposed revised policy is the planning principles in policy rather than in a resolution as discussed at the November 3 meeting. She indicated that this item will be considered at the December 1 Board meeting.

6893 Discussion of a Resolution Regarding the Priority and Usage of Adult Education Funds

Dr. Nasworthy introduced the item and Dr. Fonte stated that this item is a recommendation of a prioritization for the use of adult education funds based upon a report from Ingrid Taylor, Consultant, Jabenga Company, entitled "Whither Robbins-A Review of ACC's Commitment to the Robbins Academy". Ms. Taylor was introduced and Board members expressed appreciation and complimented her for the report. Dr. Fonte explained that the current use of funds allows for service to only several hundred students, while the recommended change will allow services to be provided to several thousand students. Dr. Fonte stated that he has discussed these budgetary priorities with Austin Independent School District staff to allow an orderly transition in the administration of the Robbins Academy for students of legal high school age. He indicated that the proposed recommendation allows for the re-prioritization of of adult education funds for FY 1998-99. Board members discussed funding and the Even Start, GED, ESL and basic skills programs for adults over 18.

6894 Discussion of Purchase of LRS Library Automation System

Dr. Nasworthy introduced the item. Dr. Fonte stated this item recommends the purchase of a state-of-the-art system which has been through numerous reviews internally and was included in the budget process. Lee Hisle, Associate Vice President of Learning Resource Services, stated the recommended system would be an outstanding system for faculty and students.

6895 Discussion of Purchase of VTEL Compressed Video Equipment

Dr. Nasworthy introduced the item and Dr. Fonte advised this item was included in the budget process. Ron Brey, Associate Vice President, Open Campus, responded to questions from Board members and stated that access will be available through ACC Netscape. This recommendation will allow multiple events to be available simultaneously.

President's Report

• Dr. Fonte made the Board aware that the budget planning process for FY 1999 is being established at the present time. He stated that the FY 1998 budget has been restructured and an improved version will be provided to Board members.
• Dr. Fonte called on Ana M. "Cha" Guzman, Vice President, Administration and Institutional Advancement, to present information concerning the November 13 Adjunct Faculty Job Fair. Dr. Guzman distributed a press release made available to the media concerning the recruiting fair. She indicated that approximately 500 letters were sent to various organizations and Chambers of Commerce inviting qualified applicants. Dr. Guzman provided information concerning the number of applications received and in each of the academic areas. Dr. Fonte expressed the desire to obtain information from task forces concerning priorities in order to recruit in the areas in which more applicants are needed. He stated this was a very good first effort and advised that the Fair will be repeated in Spring 1998.
• Dr. Fonte reported that Manor Independent School District has confirmed participation in community dialogue at the December 1 Board meeting. He indicated that Del Valle Independent School District has also been invited to participate in the dialogue on December 1, but confirmation has not been received at this time. Dr. Fonte stated that Austin Independent School District has confirmed participation in community dialogue at the January 5 Board meeting, and Leander Independent School District has also been invited to participate in the January 5 dialogue.

Announcements

• Allen Kaplan advised of the death of Steven Churchill Ward, a former Department Head in the Accounting Department and a highly regarded ACC accounting instructor. He stated that the family requested any memorial contributions be made to an ACC accounting scholarship through the ACC Foundation.
• Sharon Knotts Green expressed appreciation to Donetta Goodall for the information provided for her use at a recent meeting of community college personnel in the area of transfers.
• Allen Kaplan stated he represented the Board at a recent ceremony and reception for Phi Theta Kappa members. Mary Kohls and Walter Cooper are sponsors for this organization.
• Beverly Watts Davis advised that Joyce Guillory, Donetta Goodall, and Tyra Duncan-Hall, attended the Extravagaza 97 held on November 15 to benefit the United Negro Fund.

Executive Session

The Board of Trustees of Austin Community College recessed into Executive Session at 8:45 p.m. on November 17, 1997, pursuant to Texas Government Code 551.071 to consult with legal counsel regarding Riverside Golf Course litigation.

Adjournment

Having no motion before the Board, the November 17, 1997, meeting of the Committee of the Whole of the Austin Community College Board of Trustees was adjourned at 8:55 p.m.

Approved By

Dr. Carol Nasworthy, Board Chair

Dr. Lillian J. Davis, Secretary