MINUTES

Monthly Work Session - Board of Trustees

March 19, 2001

In accordance with the terms and provisions of the Texas Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551 of Texas Government Code, the Board of Trustees of the Austin Community College District convened in public session at a Board Briefing of the monthly Work Session on Monday, March 19, 2001, at 6:01 p.m. in Room 110 of Downtown Education Center of Austin Community College located at 211 East Seventh Street (Southwest Tower Building), Austin, Texas, with the following members present: Lillian Davis Chair/Presiding Officer; Beverly Silas, Vice Chair; John Worley, Secretary; Beverly Watts Davis [arrived at 6:25 p.m.]; Allen Kaplan; Barbara Mink; Della May Moore; Carol Nasworthy [arrived at 7:35 p.m.]; and Rafael Quintanilla.

Board Briefing Session

Topic: Human Resources Process Review/Payroll System Improvement Update - Mid-Project Report

Dr. Davis advised that the one-half hour Board Briefing on the Human Resources Process Review/Payroll System Improve would conclude at 6:30 p.m. Dr. Steve Kinslow, Executive Vice President, and Toni Neal, SoCo Consulting, Inc., presented an update on the process including information on resolving Focus Group issues, streamlining the HR process; automating faculty contracts; ERS statement; reducing payroll runs; automating benefit vendor payments; and distribution of paychecks/stubs. Dr. Kinslow; Dr. Gerry Tucker, Associate Vice President for Human Resources; and Ms. Neal responded to questions from Trustees. Dr. Tucker invited employees to work with the task force to review hiring guidelines and the hiring process.

Dr. Davis advised that discussion of this briefing topic would be continued at the April Board Briefing session.

Recess

Dr. Davis recessed the Board meeting at 6:32 p.m. and stated the meeting would reconvene immediately in Room 111 of the Downtown Education Center.

Reconvene

Dr. Davis reconvened the March 19, 2001, Board Work Session at 6:35 p.m. in Room 111 of the Downtown Education Center pursuant to Texas Government Code 551.

Agenda Item 7339

Dialogue on Services/Downtown Education Center

Dr. Davis introduced the item. Dr. Elva Allie, Executive Vice President, and Javier Olguin, Downtown Education Center Manager, welcomed dialogue participants. Mr. Olguin stated the primary mission of the Downtown Education Center is to provide training opportunities to the downtown Austin area and to complement the Austin digital district. He presented a report on the history of the Downtown Education Center. He stated that early in 1999, the City Mayor, key Austin officials, and the Downtown Austin Alliance requested that Austin Community College have a more visible presence in downtown Austin. Mr. Olguin said the Downtown Education Center Advisory Board was formed to assist the College in guiding and directing the Center to identify quality programming and to provide assistance in conducting instructor searches.

Mr. Charles Betts, Director of the Downtown Austin Alliance, stated the Downtown Education Center is truly an amenity for any business with staff in the downtown area and is a very desirable and accessible amenity the Alliance likes to promote.

Participants discussed the services and needs of the Downtown Education Center and responded to questions from Trustees.

Dr. Davis recognized Steve Kahle, Chairman of the Downtown Education Center Advisory Board, and presented a plaque to him in recognition of his service and dedication to the Downtown Education Centere.

Dr. Davis expressed appreciation to participants for the valuable information provided to the Board of Trustees.

Agenda Item 7340

Distance Education Learning/ACC - National Trends and Issues for ACC

Dr. Davis introduced Dr. Ron Brey, Associate Vice President for Resources and Technology. Dr. Brey presented a report to the Board of Trustees on distance education and the national trends and issues including: Distance Learning at ACC; Trends and Issues; Current Delivery Modes; Certificates and Degrees; Core Curriculum; Fall 2000 Enrollments and Courses by Session; Student Characteristics; Student Characteristics: Ethnicity; Basis of Admissions; Average Age; Age by Cohort; IVC Classrooms; Early College Start, Virtual College of Texas; Improvement of Student Success; Distance Learning Budge; Master Plan FY 01-03; The Challege to ACC; Future of Distance Learning Delivery Modes; Competition: Technology, Laws and Regulations; Distance Learning Expenditures; Distance Learning Revenue; Criteria to Develop Courses, Certificates and Degrees; and Components of an ACC Distance Learning Business Plan.

Dr. Brey responded to questions from Trustees regarding the distance learning program, including policy and budget needs.

Agenda Item 7341

Health Careers Building Methodology

Chair Davis introduced the item and Steve Kinslow, Executive Vice President, presented information on the building process for the Health Careers building. He asked for feedback from Trustees regarding designation of the scope of authority and evaluation criteria for selecting professional services and selection of the delivery method at the April 2 Board meeting.

Executive Session

There was no Executive Session.

Meeting Review

Trustees commented regarding the meeting.

· What we did well--highly satisfied, very satisfied with people who attended and presentations, can't think of anything to do better; enjoyed distance learning presentation; thought the dialogue was the best ACC has every had, was very impressed with Mr. Olguin's presentation, also impressed with Dr. Brey's presentation, thinks we have a good process for looking at starting a Phase II building; very satisfied, couldn't have done better; enjoyed the meeting and would like for the Downtown Education Center to host their next meeting at the Eastview Campus with food services provided by the Culinary Arts program; excellent meeting and excellent presentation by Dr. Brey, Mr. Olguin is doing an excellent job, Dr. Kinslow's presentation was well thought out, and there are policy questions on technology and distance learning; echoed professionalism of reporting and appreciated it, the kind of material was very superior.

· What can we do better--Board briefings are not long enoug; how can the Board do this better.

Adjournment

Having no motion before the Board, the March 19, 2001, monthly Work Session of the Austin Community College Board of Trustees was adjourned at 9:50 p.m.

Approved By:

John B. Worley, Secretary