MINUTES

Monthly Work Session - Board of Trustees

May 21, 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, May 21, 2001, at 6:40 p.m. in Room 108 of the Pinnacle Campus of Austin Community College located at 7748 Highway 290 West, Austin, Texas, with the following members present: Lillian Davis Chair/Presiding Officer; Beverly Silas, Vice Chair; John Worley, Secretary; Beverly Watts Davis [arrived at 6:55 p.m.]; Allen Kaplan; Barbara Mink; Della May Moore; Carol Nasworthy; and Rafael Quintanilla.

 

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.

 

Agenda Item 7367

Dialogue with Southwest Austin Community

Dr. Davis introduced the item and Trustees and dialogue participants introduced themselves.  Participating in the dialogue with Trustees were:  Jim Pacey, Southwest Austin YMCA Branch Executive Director; Beth Long, Oak Hill Rotary President-Elect; Jim Haviland, reporter with the Oak Hill Gazette, and Dr. Sandy Hurwitz, Oak Hill Rotary Member and owner of Oak Springs Veterinarian Hospital.  Trustees and participants discussed:

1.     What do you consider to be the strengths of the Pinnacle Campus?  The weaknesses?

2.     How well does the Pinnacle Campus respond to the community needs?

3.     Given limited resources, how can ACC continue to meet the expanding needs of employers and individuals within the service area?

4.     How can ACC enhance its relationships with community groups?

5.     How can ACC work with the community to develop additional scholarships?

6.     How can ACC work with community groups to identify the need for literacy programming in Oak Hill/Southwest service area?

7.     Is there a service, program or initiative that the College is not currently involved with but should be?

 

Participants responded to questions from Trustees and expressed appreciation to Austin Community College for locating a campus in the Oak Hill area and encouraged more international education/student exchanges and the need for additional partnerships with the community/businesses.

 

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

 

 

Agenda Item 7368

Report to the Board of Trustees on the Impact of Technology on Learning Process

Dr. Davis introduced Dr. Richard Smith, Dean, Instructional Technology and Faculty Development; Dr. Julie Todaro, Dean, Library Services; and Susan Warner, Director, Instructional Technology Training.  Information was provided regarding Teaching, Learning and Technology; Equity, Access, Preparedness for Students, Faculty, and Institution--Where we need to be…; Where we are now…; and Issues… .  Trustees expressed appreciation for the presentation and discussed the need for a unified technology plan for the College.

 

Agenda Item 7369

Board Planning Activities for the Next Six Months

Chair Davis introduced the item and Richard Fonte, College President, called attention to information in the agenda regarding proposed topics for July 2001 through January 2002 Board meetings.  Trustees stated they would like to see policy deliberations at the first meetings of the months and dialogue sessions at the mid-month meetings.  Dr. Fonte stated his desire to include suggestions from Trustees in the planning topics.  This item will be included on the agenda at the June 4, 2001, Regular Board meeting.

 

Recess

The meeting was recessed by Chair Davis at 8:45 p.m.

 

Reconvene

The meeting reconvened at 8:55 p.m. pursuant to Texas Government Code 551.

 

Agenda Item 7370

Report on Student Fees

Dr. Davis introduced the item and Ingrid Taylor, consultant, provided an addendum to the January 2001 report on "The Ways and Means of Fees" which provided an overview of Austin Community College's fee structure.  She stated the first part of the addendum provides a comparison of existing fees to fee experience in other community colleges.  The comparison permits ACC leadership a valuable perspective in establishing benchmarks for a limited number of fees.  The second part of the addendum provides a macro-level view of the costs versus revenue associated with certain departments within the College.  This view provides a valuable and unique perspective into whether or not fees actually cover the costs of supplies and materials.  She also discussed observations, conclusions, and next steps.

 

Joe Ed Spencer, Interim Vice President for Business Services, provided information regarding the fee analysis.  Dr. Fonte discussed fee recommendations.

 

Trustees expressed appreciation to Ms. Taylor and Joe Ed Spencer for the information provided in the presentation.

 

Executive Session

There was no Executive Session.

 

Meeting Review

Trustees commented regarding the meeting.

·       What we did well--went very well; rated it as a "10"; presentation on technology was very well; it was an excellent meeting; okay; good meeting and finished agenda; good meeting; always impressed with staff presentations.

·       What can we do better--no comments were noted by Trustees.

 

Adjournment

Having no motion before the Board, the May 21, 2001, monthly Work Session of the Austin Community College Board of Trustees was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

 

Approved By                                                      

John B. Worley, Secretary