MINUTES

Regular Meeting - Board of Trustees

April 3, 2000

 

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, April 3, 2000, at 6:03 p.m. in the Board Room (201) of the Highland Business Center of the 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 [arrived at 6:10 p.m.]; Carol Nasworthy [arrived at 6:25 p.m.]; Beverly Silas, 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.

 

Recognitions

·        Betty Otter-Nickerson and Brenda Hall of BMC Software presented a $1,500 gift to Bob Rutishauser, Chair-Elect of the ACC Foundation, for use in the Technical Communications Department Globalization Program to purchase an operating system to train students to develop non-English software. Also participating in the presentation was Dr. Tim Alternero, ACC professor in the Technical Communications Department and manager for the program.

·        Dr. Marcus Lines and Alice Wendlandt of the Austin Radiological Association, presented a gift in the amount of $10,000 to Bob Rutishauser, Chair-Elect of the ACC Foundation, to be used for initiation of the new Computerized Tomography and MRI programs. Also participating in the presentation were Rudy Garza, ACC professor of Diagnostic Medical Imaging - Radiology, and Cecile Sanders, ACC Dean of Allied Health Sciences.

 

Citizen's Communication

·        Jennifer Sauter, Executive Director of the Connections Resource Center, expressed appreciation for the assistance and leadership provided through the College's Child Development Program.  She stated the Center was founded by the City of Austin in 1993 and now has its own non-profit status.  She also expressed appreciation for assistance from Trustee Lillian Davis, Executive Vice President Steve Kinslow, Dean Gary Hampton, Professor Julie Todaro, and Stephanie Diina, Coordinator of Resource Development.  Certificates and information packets were presented to Trustees by Ms. Sauter.  Beverly Watts Davis expressed appreciation to Dr. Davis for her continuing efforts on behalf of the Center.

·        Dorothy Barnett, ACC Assistant Professor, distributed the "Rio Review" and invitations to the ACC International Festival to be held at the Rio Grande Campus, April 13, 2000.

·        Beverly Watts Davis expressed appreciation to the ACC Marketing and College Relations Department for an article in the "Hispanic Outlook" magazine.

 

[Trustee Della May Moore arrived at 6:10 p.m.]

 

Reports from Employee Associations

·        Full-Time Faculty Senate - Joe Lostracco, President, spoke regarding the upcoming Literary Festival; requested reinstatement of the Teaching Excellence Award presentation during ACC graduation; and asked the Board to delay discussion of the Substantial Changes to Board Policy item until review by the Faculty Senate.

·        Adjunct Faculty Association - John Herndon, President, invited Trustees to a Candidates Forum on Friday, April 14, 4-6 p.m., at the Eastview Campus.  He expressed appreciation to College President Richard Fonte, Vice President Jerry Miller, and Associate Vice President Gerry Tucker for assistance with adjunct compensation.

·        Professional/Technical Employees Association - Sonia Koerner - No report was presented.

·        Classified Employees Association - Judy Doyen, President, displayed photographs from the recent Classified Employee's Luncheon; expressed appreciation for assistance of Pat Stubbs; highlighted a recent two-hour meeting on professional development with Jerry Miller and Gerry Tucker; and invited Trustees to participate in the April 21 Classified Association Breakfast.

·        Student Government Association - Hector Tristan, Jr., President, expressed appreciation to: Campus Police Chief Paul Williams for his participation in the recent Alcohol Awareness program; Maria Loya, ACC student and first Hispanic woman to be elected as region president for Texas; and Mike Avilla for coordination of the Alcohol Awareness Week activities and his efforts as a human rights advocate.  Mr. Tristan called attention to the Association's new tee shirts; advised that the Association will travel to Corpus Christi on April 8 for elections; and encouraged Trustees to participate in the Candidate's Forum on April 20, 7:30-10:00 p.m., at the Riverside Campus.

 

[Trustee Carol Nasworthy arrived at 6:25 p.m.]

 

Reports to the Board

·        Jerry North, College Internal Auditor, reported that there were no items from Internal Audit's Board Activity Report 0001 (October 1 - December 31, 1999, requiring formal follow up, nor were there any items remaining from prior reports. 

 

ITEMS FOR CONSENT

 

Agenda Item 7209

Minutes of Board of Trustees Meeting on March 6, 2000

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

 

Agenda Item 7210

FY2000 Budget Amendments

Recommendation:  That the Board of Trustees authorize the budget amendments as presented.

 

Agenda Item 7211

Inter-Local Agreement - Texas Association of Community Colleges

Recommendation:  That the Board of Trustees adopt a Resolution to Participate in an Inter-local Agreement Authorizing Cooperative Purchasing with the Texas Community College Cooperative Purchasing Network.

 

Agenda Item 7212

Workforce Education Program:  AAS Degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Recommendation:  That the Board of Trustees approve a new workforce education program leading to an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography.

 

Allen Kaplan moved and Beverly Silas seconded that:

MOTION:  The Board of Trustees approve the Consent Agenda Items 7209, 7210, 7211, and 7212, as presented.

VOTE:  The motion passed unanimously on a vote of 8-0.

The Chair did not vote.

 

[Trustee Rafael Quintanilla left the meeting.]

 

Items for Discussion/Possible Action

 

Agenda Item 7213

Matters Related to Conduct of May 6, 2000, Election

Chair Beverly Watts Davis introduced the item.

College Legal Counsel Myra McDaniel responded to questions from Trustees regarding voting locations for Manor and Leander Independent School Districts.

Allen Kaplan moved and Beverly Silas seconded that:

MOTION:  The Board of Trustees approve an order designating polling places and appointing election officials for the May 6, 2000, General Election.

VOTE:  The motion passed on a unanimous vote of 7-0.

Trustee Rafael Quintanilla was absent from the meeting.

The Chair did not vote.

 

[Chair Davis left the dais.]

 

Agenda Item 7214

Planning Directives (Final Adoption)

The Chair introduced the item.  Trustee Hunter Ellinger provided information regarding the proposed amendments to the preliminary version of the directives about the Master Plan proposal and Trustees discussed the proposed changes. 

 

VOTE on addition of item [6] to Section B, High priority actions to significantly enhance resources for the College and/or students: Expand enrollment in areas where expansion produces significant surpluses, in order to provide funds for other needs, including expansion of high-priority subsidized programs.

The motion was approved by a unanimous vote of 7-0.

Trustee Rafael Quintanilla was absent from the meeting.

Chair Beverly Watts Davis was absent for the vote.

 

VOTE on addition of item [7] to Section B.  High Priority actions to significantly enhance resources for the College and/or students: 

Base the structure of classroom layout and scheduling on a comprehensive analysis and plan that provides principles and benchmarks to optimally balance facility usage, instructional staff levels, and meeting student demand.

The motion was approved by a unanimous vote of 7-0.

Trustee Rafael Quintanilla was absent from the meeting.

Chair Beverly Watts Davis was absent for the vote.

 

VOTE on addition of Section D.  Program Approvals.  To meet the requirement of Policy A-7 for Board approval to "initiate or discontinue a program, to substantially change its scope, or to change it between college-credit and non-credit status", a proposal with supporting analysis shall be submitted to the Board for each program for which initiation or a substantial change in scope is desired.  Any of these proposals that are ready will be considered for approval by the Board at the same time as the Master Plan.

The motion was approved by a unanimous vote of 7-0.

Trustee Rafael Quintanilla was absent from the meeting.

Chair Beverly Watts Davis was absent for the vote.

 

Della May Moore moved and Beverly Silas seconded that:

MOTION:  The Board of Trustees adopt the Planning Directives.

Trustees discussed the proposed Planning Directives.

John Worley moved and Della May Moore seconded:

SUBSTITUTE MOTION:  That the Board of Trustees amend Section A[a]to read:  "Give top priority to [a] incremental expansion of those English as a Second Language, Adult Basic Education, health programs workforce programs, and other workforce programs that do not require a tax subsidy", and adopt the Planning Directives.

Hunter Ellinger requested a Friendly Amendment:

FRIENDLY AMENDMENT TO SUBSTITUTE MOTION:  "Give top priority to [a] Adult Basic Education and English as a Second Language, [b] incremental expansion of those workforce programs presented to the community as justification for requesting increased taxing authority (especially health-professions programs)…"

John Worley moved: 

MOTION:  Section A[c] be amended to read:  "increasing resources directly supporting general instructional programs within the range typical of peer institutions.

The motion failed for lack of a second.

VOTE ON SUBSTITUTE MOTION WITH FRIENDLY AMENDMENT:  The motion passed on a unanimous vote of 7-0.

Trustee Rafael Quintanilla was absent from the meeting

The Chair was absent for the vote.

Dr. Richard Fonte, College President, advised that the Planning Directives will be included in the draft Master Plan, Version 5.

 

Board Planning Directives [as approved]

 

A. Priorities for program/facilities development:

Give top priority to [a] Adult Basic Education and English as a Second Language, [b] incremental expansion of those workforce programs presented to the community as justification for requesting increased taxing authority (especially health-professions programs), [c] expanding accessibility and successful goal completion for students (e.g., via scholarships,

recruitment, advising), and [d] bringing resources directly supporting general instructional programs within the range typical of peer institutions.

 

B. High-priority actions to significantly enhance resources for the College and/or students:

[1] Set/use course-specific guidelines and targets for efficiency and adequacy of scheduling.

[2] Allocate budget, personnel, and facilities resources on objective rather than historical criteria.

[3] Increase sustained program-support contributions from community sources (e.g., city, industry).

[4] Examine and benchmark current program subsidies to identify any misalignments with goals, with plans to correct such misalignments reviewed as part of the next planning cycle.

[5] Identify sites in which expansion of classroom size would produce revenues/savings that would more than cover the annualized increased facilities cost.

[6] Expand enrollment in areas where expansion produces significant surpluses, in order to provide funds for other needs, including expansion of high-priority subsidized programs.

[7] Base the structure of classroom layout and scheduling on a comprehensive analysis and plan that provides principles and benchmarks to optimally balance facility usage, instructional staffing levels, and meeting student demand.

 

C. Board requirements for further information for consideration of the master plan.

Projections of expected expansions of enrollment, revenue, and expense associated with any substantial program initiations or expansions proposed in the draft master plan.

 

D. Program approvals

To meet the requirement of Policy A-7 for Board approval to "initiate or discontinue a  program, to substantially change its scope, or to change it between college-credit and non-college-credit status", a proposal with supporting analysis shall be submitted to the Board for each program for which initiation or a substantial change in scope is desired. Any of these proposals that are ready will be considered for approval by the Board at the same time as the Master Plan.

 

Agenda Item 7215

Policy Review - Preliminary Approval of Proposed Minor/Editorial Changes

Vice Chair Allen Kaplan introduced the item.  Trustee Hunter Ellinger called attention to the summary of comments from Trustees.  This item will appear on the agenda for the April 17 Board Work Session. 

 

[Chair Davis returned to the dais.]

 


Agenda Item 7216

Audit Services Contract

Vice Chair Allen Kaplan introduced the item.  Jerry Miller, Vice President of Business Services, provided information and responded to questions from Trustees concerning the staff recommendation to contract with Garza/Gonzalez & Associates, CPA, for a one-year contract, renewable yearly for a five-year period beginning with fiscal year ending August 31, 2000.  This item will be on the agenda for action at the May 1, 2000, Board meeting.

 

Agenda Item 7217

Bookstore Contract

Mr. Kaplan introduced the item and Steve Kinslow, Executive Vice President for Campus Operations, Student Affairs, and School Relations, provided information and responded to questions from Trustees regarding the recommendation from staff to negotiate the bookstore services contract with Barnes & Noble.  This item will be on the agenda for action at the May 1, 2000, Board meeting.

 

Agenda Item 7218

Network Equipment Maintenance Agreement

Mr. Kaplan introduced the item and Bill Carter, Associate Vice President for Information Technology, provided information and responded to questions from Trustees regarding a proposed one-year Network Equipment Maintenance Agreement with Southwestern Bell Telephone to cover the district's ethernet switches, routers, and ATM switches.  This item will be on the agenda for action at the May 1, 2000, Board meeting.

 

Agenda Item 7219

Draft Master Plan Review

Mr. Kaplan advised that this item would be deferred to the April 17, 2000, Board Work Session and Beverly Watts Davis inquired regarding the College's procedures for crises on campuses.

 

Agenda Item 7220

Policy Review - Substantial Changes and Policy Additions (First Draft Review)

Mr. Kaplan advised that this item would be deferred until the April 17, 2000, Board Work Session.

 

President's Report

No report was presented.

 

Meeting Review

No review occurred.

 

Executive Session

There was no Executive Session.

 


Announcements

·        Trustee Della May Moore advised that the Western Regional Conference of the Association of Community College Trustees would be held in San Antonio in June 2000.

 

Adjournment

Having no motion before the Board, the April 3, 2000, regular meeting of the Austin Community College Board of Trustees was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.


Approved By
                                               

Hunter Ellinger, Secretary