MINUTES

Briefing and Work Session - Board of Trustees

April 16, 2001

 

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 at a monthly Board Briefing Session on Monday, April 16, 2001, at 5:45 p.m. in Building 4000, Room 4103, of the Northridge Campus of the Austin Community College located at 11928 Stonehollow Drive, Austin, Texas, with the following members present: Dr. Lillian Davis, Chair/Presiding Officer; Beverly S. Silas, Vice Chair; Dr. John B. Worley, Secretary [arrived at 6:10 p.m.]; Allen Kaplan; Dr. Barbara P. Mink; Della May Moore [arrived at 6:55 p.m.]; Dr. Carol Nasworthy [arrived at 6:30 p.m.]; and Rafael Quintanilla.  Trustees Beverly Watts Davis, was absent.  Also in attendance at the Board Briefing were:  Steve Kinslow, Executive Vice President; Joe Ed Spencer, Interim Vice President; Gerry Tucker, Associate Vice President for Human Resources; and Toni Neal, Consultant, SoCo Consulting, Inc.

 

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.

 

Board Briefing:  SoCo Contracts Update

·       Human Resources Process Review/Payroll System Improvement Update

·       Student Accounting

Chair Davis introduced the item and Dr. Steve Kinslow discussed contracts with SoCo Consulting, Inc., for Human Resources Process Review/Payroll System Improvement and the Student Accounting.  He  called attention to an anaticipated need to shift some of the funds from the Human Resources Process Review/Payroll System Improvement contract to the Student Account contract.  Toni Neal distributed information and spoke regarding the project status of the Cashier and Student Accounting Process Improvement Project with charts which illustrated what functions the Cashier's Office performs for the College; summarized the project status; listed significant issues; and detailed the costs incurred to date and expected to be incurred to complete the project.  Dr. Kinslow and Ms. Neal responded to questions from Trustees.

 

Recess

Dr. Davis recessed the Apil 16, 2001, Board Briefing at 6:15 p.m. and advised the Board Work Session would begin at 6:30 p.m. in Room 4136 of Building 4000.

Reconvene

Dr. Davis reconvened the April 16, 2001, meeting of the Austin Community College Board of Trustees at 6:30 p.m.in Room 4136, Building 4000, of the Northridge Campus of the Austin Community College.

 

Agenda Item 7351

Dialogue with Student Government/Student Life Review/Facilities Implications

Dr. Davis introduced the item and Trustees were introduced to dialogue participants:  Dawn Shestko, Michael Russell, Elizabeth Gutierrez, Nicole Munguia, Jayson Cockroft, Jose Contreras, Jaqi Bushey, and Alex Patino. Dr. Steve Kinslow introduced staff of the ACC Student Activities Office:  Cheryl Richards, Stacey Wooten, Krishna Rhoads, and Kerry O'Connor.  Dr. Kinslow provided an overview of the agenda materials including:  discussion questions; an organizational chart  - student life; research/best practices in student life; revenue source/budget; student organizations; leadership training activities; snapshot of spring events/participation; and student life - facilities and stipends.  The students provided information in response to the following questions:

 

1.     Typically, community college students are working, commuting adults.  What other factors limit student participation in ACC Student Life activities, and how might they be addressed?

2.     What works well for Student Life (Student Activities) at ACC now, and what could be enhanced?

3.     In what ways does Student Life help promote recruitment of new students, and retention of our current students?

4.     Are the resources for Student Life equitably distributed across the campuses?

5.     Have Student Life activities prepared you for leadership roles beyond ACC?

6.     Does Student Life adequately supplement the instructional program/classroom experience for ACC students?

 

Dr. Davis expressed appreciation to dialogue participants for the valuable information provided and stated the Board's desire for additional dialogue with students.

 

Report to the Board:  Quarterly Financial Report Ending February 28, 2001

Dr. Davis introduced the item and Joe Ed Spencer and Leslie Savin, ACC Controller, provided information and responded to questions from Trustees concerning the summary of income items and summary of expenditures and transfers for the period of September 1, 2000, through February 28, 2001. 

 

Agenda Item 7352

Follow-Up on Distance Learning

Dr. Davis introduced the item and Dr. Elva Allie, Executive Vice President, called attention to the information included in the agenda on:  Planning for Distance Learning, Response to Questions from Trustees; and the Distance Learning Glossary.  Ron Brey, Associate Vice President for Instructional Resources, discussed planning for distance learning including:  major roadblocks to success, major competitors, existing ACC complementary assets, and components of ACC's distance learning model, and the conclusion that ACC should create a multi-year plan for the development and implementation of comprehensive distance learning goals for both its credit and continuing education programs.  Trustees discussed distance learning and Drs. Allie and Brey responded to questions from Trustees.

 

Agenda Item 7353

Energy Audit

Dr. Davis introduced the item and Dr. Steve Kinslow provided information regarding the recommendation that the Board of Trustees authorize the administration to contract with Honeywell, Inc., for Phase One of a two-phase project to:  conduct an energy audiot of all ACC buildings; prepare a district-wide Facility Utility Master Plan; and develop a detailed implementation plan including funding mechanisms and potentional rebates.  He indicated that Phase Two, the actual implementation of infrastructure improvements, will be presented to the Board of Trustees at a later date and only after the detailed implementation plan is prepared and accepted by ACC.  He responded to questions from Trustees on the proposed energy audit and facilities infrastructure improvement.  This item will be on the agenda for possible action at the May 7, 2001, Board meeting.

 

Agenda Item 7354

Telecommunicating Equipment and Supplies

Dr. Davis introduced the item and Dr. Steve Kinslow provided information and responded to questions from Trustees regarding the proposed authorization to continue a purchasing agreement with Graybar Electric for telecommunications tools and supplies.  He stated that ACC's telecommunications staff is increasingly doing cabling services themselves, increasing the purchase of supplies.  Dr. Kinslow noted that these services were previouly provided through a cabling service contractor.  He said that since ACC's telecommunications staff is providing the cabling, ACC is getting the cabling done for less cost.    Dr. Kinslow advised that expenditures to date are under $25,000, but would exceed this amount prior to the end of the fiscal year and, therefore, required Board approval.  This item will be on the agenda for possible action at the May 7, 2001, Board meeting.

 

Agenda Item 7355

Board Policy on One College - Values Clarification

Dr. Davis introduced the item and Dr. Worley requested that discussion of this item be deferred since College President Richard Fonte was absent from the meeting.  Trustees agreed with Dr. Worley's request for deferral and Dr. Davis requested additional comments from Trustees regarding proposed language changes to Board Policy C-2, College Organizational Principles.

 

Announcements

There were no announcements.

 

Quick Meeting Evaluation

·       What we did well--satisfied with the meeting; felt the meeting went well; pleased with dialogue discussion.

·        What can we do better--improve setting  for dialogue sessions; broader discussion of student issues.

 

Executive Session

The Board of Trustees of Austin Community College recessed into Executive Session at 8:30 p.m. under Government Code 551.072 regarding the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property.

 

Adjournment

Having no motion before the Board, the April 16, 2001, meeting of the Austin Community College Board of Trustees was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

 

Approved By                                               

John B. Worley, Secretary