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, January 5, 1998, at 6:00 p.m. in the Auditorium (201) of the Rio Grande Campus located at 1212 Rio Grande Street, Austin, Texas 78752, with the following members present: Carol Nasworthy, Chair/Presiding Officer; Beverly Watts Davis, Vice Chair [arrived at 6:20 p.m.]; Lillian J. Davis, Secretary, Hunter Ellinger; Sharon Knotts Green; Allen Kaplan; Della May Moore; 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.

Community Dialogue

The Board of Trustees and Dr. Fonte, College President, met with staff and members of Austin Independent School District to discuss school-to-work and school-to-college issues. Also participating were two school board members from Leander Independent School District. Information presented included: an overview of the collaborative project between school districts and ACC; the AISD career pathways project; college credit opportunities for high school students/articulation efforts; and possible joint use of facilities. Needs identified included:

• increasing the number of students co-enrolled at school districts/ACC;
• expanding faculty interaction-planning, staff development, instruction, delivery;
• exploration opportunities to share resources-facilities, transportation, equipment, etc.;
• connecting programs to institutional effectiveness systems-to provide for tracking students and their successes;
• comprehensive academic programs needed at all classes;
• AISD commitment to expansion of AP courses-have some ACC students enrolled in those courses for ACC credit/dual credit;
• ACC to pay AISD for delivering courses; sharing career information and career planning; exploring models for co-delivery of instruction-especially in area of AP;
• utilization of high schools that are uncrowded; exploring a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or statement of agreement at the policy level that will identify principles and procedures to facilitate a seamless transition;
• recognition of Adult Basic Education and ESL and ensure that all efforts are coordinated and complimentary; and
• exploration of ways to improve high school assessment requirements for higher education entry.

 Dr. Nasworthy stated that she hoped this would be the beginning of an annual interaction and expressed appreciation to school district staff and board members for participation in community dialogue. School district personnel and board members voiced appreciation for having the opportunity to meet and interact with the ACC Board of Trustees. Dr. Fonte stated that Austin Community College will continue to collaborate with school districts, businesses, and the community leaders.

Recess

The meeting recessed at 7:20 p.m.

Reconvene

Dr. Nasworthy reconvened the January 5, 1998, meeting of the Austin Community College Board of Trustees at 7:35 p.m.

Recognitions

• Dr. Ana "Cha" Guzman, Vice President for Administration and Institutional Advancement, introduced the following new staff: Linda Young, Louella Tate, Assistant Provost, Northridge Campus; Frank Schorn, Director, Center for International Programs; Paul Greiner, Student Development Specialist I, Rio Grande Campus; Gregory Black, Systems Manager, Research Design and Analysis; Jose Vasquez, Research Specialist, Office of Institutional Effectiveness; and Thomas Applegate, Executive Dean of Workforce Education.

Citizen's Communication

No one registered to address the Board.

Reports from Employee Associations

• Full-Time Faculty Senate - Mike Midgley, President, provided information and commented on Agenda Items 6911, Consideration of Proposed New Board Policy C-12, Open Communication and Information; 6908, Consideration of Proposed Amendment to Board Policy B-5, Policy Development; and 6909, Consideration of Proposed Amendment to Board Policy E-1, Master Planning. He asked the Board to defer action on Agenda Item 6912, Consideration of Proposed Amendment to Board Policy, C-4, Internal Employee Associations, until the Senate has reviewed the proposed policy and has the opportunity to present comments.
• Adjunct Faculty Association - Beverly Kimbrough, President-Elect, commented regarding the need for increased communication, and presented additional comments from the Adjunct Faculty Survey.
• Professional/Technical Employees Association - No report was presented.
• Classified Employees Association - Margie Shelnutt, President, advised that Randy Wedlund, is no longer with the College, and she is now President of the Classified Association. She stated the Association raised over $600 through the sale of Head Shots certificates, and will award a first scholarship for tuition and books. Ms. Shelnutt commented regarding the need for better communication with the Association.

Information and Reports to the Board

• Dr. Nasworthy called attention to the December 1997 Personnel Actions listed on pages 1-4 of the agenda.

Item for Consent

Dr. Nasworthy introduced the Consent Agenda:

Agenda Item 6907

Consideration of Approval of Minutes for December 1, 1997

Recommendation: That the Board of Trustees approve the minutes as presented.

 Allen Kaplan moved and Della May Moore seconded that:

  MOTION: the Board of Trustees approve the minutes as presented.

VOTE: The motion was approved by unanimous vote.

Not Voting: Carol Nasworthy, Chair

 Recess

The Board of Trustees recessed into Executive Session at 7:55 p.m. for Consultation with Legal Counsel Regarding Pending and Contemplated Litigation pursuant to Texas Government Code § 551.071, and Consideration of Personnel Matters Including the President's Contract pursuant to Texas Government Code § 551,074.

 Reconvene

The Board of Trustees reconvened in public session at 9:30 p.m.

 Dr. Nasworthy stated that the President's contract was not posted for action; therefore, this item will be included on the January 16-17, 1998, Special Meeting and Retreat of the ACC Board of Trustees.

 Agenda Item 6908

Consideration of Proposed Amendment to Board Policy B-5, Policy Development

 Dr. Nasworthy introduced the item and Board members discussed the proposed amendment.

 Della May Moore moved that:

MOTION: the Board of Trustees adopt the proposed policy with the following changes:

 "[2] Policy development and review: In accordance with the policy-governance model of Board operation, the Board itself will set its agenda for policy development and review, based on its analysis of the strategic needs of the College after internal and external consultation, including consideration of any areas of policy development or revision suggested by the President [or], employee associations, community, and/or students."

 "The Board Chair has primary responsibility for coordination of the Board's policy-development agenda, and shall act, with the assistance of the President, to ensure that the policy topics identified as important by the Board are scheduled for consideration, that employee associations are notified of policy development activities in a timely manner, and that appropriate supporting information is provided."

 "[3] Discussion of policy proposals: proposed policy changes shall be placed on the agenda for discussion at one or more Board meetings prior to that at which adoption is voted on. College legal counsel shall report on any significant legal implications of policy proposals. The President shall report on any significant educational, operational, fiscal, or administrative implications of policy proposals, including any feedback provided via internal consultative structures. Direct advice to the Board on policy is appropriate from [any] interested groups or individuals, including employee associations."

Vice Chair Beverly Watts Davis seconded.

VOTE: The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Not Voting: Carol Nasworthy, Chair

Agenda Item 6909

Consideration of Revision to College Policy E-1, Master Planning

Dr. Nasworthy introduced the item. Trustee Lillian Davis suggested the following amendments:

"[1] The main focus of ACC's planning will be to ensure that the regular activities of the College match community needs and are effective in enabling students, local[Local] employers, and the community sectors to reach their declared educational goals efficiently. Care must be taken in the planning process to ensure that new initiatives and current activities both have adequate, equitably-distributed resources.

"[2] The accessibility of ACC to students who have few other educational options must be a pervasive concern in all College planning. Since ineffective use of resources [any wasted money] may directly lead to high student tuition rates, the College must operate with exemplary efficiency to maximize student access and success and to avoid abuse of ACC's state and local tax subsidies.

"[3] The College will provide efficiently delivered high-quality instruction which closely matches student and community needs and enables rapid student progress to competence in their chosen fields. College will minimize requirements which are not essential to meet a student's declared educational goals. The College [and] will systematically provide the support needed for sustained high-quality instruction which develops the work habits and problem-solving skills needed for successful employment and educational advancement."

Hunter Ellinger moved and Allen Kaplan seconded that:

MOTION: the Board of Trustees approve the proposed revision to College Policy E-1, Master Planning, with the suggested amendments.

VOTE: The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Not Voting: Carol Nasworthy, Chair

Agenda Item 6910

Consideration of Proposed Amendments to College Policy C-10, Purchasing

Dr. Nasworthy introduced the item. Hunter Ellinger moved and Della May Moore seconded that:

MOTION: the Board of Trustees approve the policy as presented.

Della May Moore moved and Allen Kaplan seconded that the main motion be amended to read:

"B[1] Expenditures costing less than $25,000 [$50,000] never require such approval. B[3] Expenditures costing between $25,000 [$50,000] and $100,000 require such approval unless either:"

Against: Lillian Davis, Sharon Knotts Green, and Carol Nasworthy, and John
Worley.

 John Worley requested the following friendly amendment and Trustees Ellinger and Moore agreed:

 At the end of the second paragraph in Section B: "The Board shall generally assess the administration's recommendation by whether it and the process leading to it are in accord with Board policy and the General Objectives set forth in Section A of this policy, giving due deference to the administration's expert judgment on whether a recommendation will meet General Objectives [1] and [2]"

 Dr. Fonte reminded the Board that a listing will be provided of the cost of items in the budget submitted for Board approval; therefore, there will be few items presented to the Board between $25,000 and $100,000.

 MOTION: The Board of Trustees approve the proposed policy, with the friendly amendment.

VOTE: The motion passed on a vote of 6-2.

For: Beverly Watts Davis, Hunter Ellinger, Allen Kaplan, Della May

Moore, Rafael Quintanilla, and John Worley.

Against: Lillian Davis and Sharon Knotts Green

Not Voting: Carol Nasworthy, Chair

Agenda Item 6911

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

 Dr. Nasworthy introduced the item.

 Beverly Watts Davis moved and Hunter Ellinger seconded that:

MOTION: the Board of Trustees approve the proposed policy as presented.

VOTE: The motion passed by a unanimous vote.

Not Voting: Carol Nasworthy, Chair

Agenda Item 6912, Consideration of Proposed Replacement of College Policy C-4, Internal Employee Associations

Dr. Nasworthy introduced the item. Trustee Hunter Ellinger asked that this item be postponed until employee groups have had the opportunity to review and comment. The item will be brought back at the next regular meeting.

President's Report

• Dr. Fonte stated that Board members were provided with a copy of the Adjunct Faculty Survey and asked Board members to provide input to him via facsimile.
• Dr. Fonte advised a survey was sent this week to full-time faculty, program coordinators and department coordinators, asking questions and providing ratio breakdowns-full-time and part-time, by discipline/by campus.

Announcements

There were no announcements.

Adjournment

There being no motion before the Board, the January 5, 1998, meeting of the Austin Community College Board of Trustees was adjourned at 10:25 p.m.

Approved By

Dr. Carol Nasworthy, Board Chair

Dr. Lillian J. Davis, Secretary