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, November 2, 1998, at 6:15 p.m. in the Board Room (201) of the Highland Business Center of Austin Community College located at 5930 Middle Fiskville Road, Austin, Texas, with the following members present: Beverly Watts Davis, Chair/Presiding Officer; Allen Kaplan, Vice Chair; Hunter Ellinger, Secretary; Lillian Davis; Della May Moore; Carol Nasworthy; Rafael Quintanilla; Beverly Silas; 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.

Ms. Davis welcomed the following participants for dialogue with the Board of Trustees: Miguel Angel Vasquez Mendoza, Rector, Universidad Technologica de Nezahualcoyotl; Namuel Flores Revuelta, Rector, Universidad Tecnologica de Coahuila; Javier Hernandez Galindo, Rector, Universidad Tecnologica Tula-Tepeji; Richard Fonte, Frank Friedman, ACC Executive Vice President; Ana M. "Cha" Guzman, ACC Executive Vice President; Frank Schorn, ACC Director of International Programs; Guadalupe Lopez-Cox, Foreign Language Task Force Chair; Margie Huerta, ACC Dean of Arts and Humanities; Rex Peebles, ACC Dean of Social and Behavioral Science; Mariano Diaz-Miranda, Director of El Centra Cultural Center; Gary Hampton, ACC Dean of Applied Technologies, Multimedia, and Public Service; Donetta Goodall, ACC Associate Vice President of Academic Programs; Cecile Sanders, Dean of Allied Health; Barbara Bolin, ACC Associate Vice President of Workforce Education; Louis Vera, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Paul Tovar, Chairman of Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Syllvia Orozco, Mexic-Arte; and ACC Trustees. Vice Chair Allen Kaplan stated the purpose of the dialogue session was to exchange information on school-to-college and school-to-work needs of high school students internationally. Dr. Fonte stated the Mexican presidents had visited with many faculty members in various ACC programs during the day. He said that Mexico now has a level of higher education similar to community colleges in the United States. This is a new level which is approximately eight years old. Prior to that, there were no technical universities in Mexico. The three presidents were designated as the most appropriate for Austin Community College to work with to coordinate efforts in the United States with Mexico's universities. A video was shown which provided information on Mexico's commerce, Coahuilla's industrialization/export sales; the Universidad Tecnologica de Coahuila/facilities; programs and degrees; collaborative projects; careers offered; and total quality principles. There are preparatory schools in Mexico which students may attend following high school graduation. The average age of students is 20 years. There are 38 universities at the present time. Students must study hard and quickly; must attend school eight hours each day (3,000 hours); and ninety-eight percent of the students do not work while attending the universities. To enter a university, students must pass a test coordinated by the National Center for Evaluation. The evaluation test determines the personal characteristics of the student and their goals. It is a compulsory test which requires four weeks of study and interview to determine if the student truly has a vocational focus. Industry grades the students as well as the university. Each student has a tutor and a counselor from the school to allow the student to finish at a high level. This provides universities with the opportunity to know the needs of the sector to which employment will be and academic work is made relevant to the need. Students attend the university full time and, before a degree is granted, must complete work similar to that of a Ph.D.

Participants discussed areas for exchange/collaboration and the possibility of grant funding between Mexico and the United States. The following needs were identified:

• Courses which provide language, terminology, and history/culture of the exchange country;
• Summer exchange courses for credit at student's university;
• Internship classes, established with the assistance of the Hispanic Chamber, for students and faculty regarding how to do business in the United States and Mexico;
• Interactive video courses;
• Marketing and faculty exchange in various courses; and
• Funding needs.

Ms. Davis expressed appreciation to participants and asked for continued input regarding exchange and collaborative programs.

Board members discussed inclusion of II.[a] Compensation Principles.

Hunter Ellinger, Secretary