MINUTES

Board Work Session - Board of Trustees

February 17, 2003

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 Work Session on Monday, February 17, 2003, at 6:00 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: Rafael Quintanilla, Chair/Presiding Officer; Barbara Mink, Vice Chair; Allen Kaplan, Secretary; Lillian J. Davis; John Hernandez; Beverly Silas [arrived at 6:15 p.m.]; and John Worley. Trustees Beverly Watts Davis and Nan McRaven were absent from the meeting.

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.

Public Hearing on State Reductions and Austin Community College

Chair Rafael Quintanilla introduced Ben Ferrell, Vice President of Business Services, distributed information and provided information regarding a proposed State reduction in funds of seven percent which would be a cut of approximately $3.2 million for Austin Community College for Fiscal Year 2003. He presented possible solutions and a proposed Fiscal Year 2003 Budget Revision Plan in response to possible State appropriation reductions. Mr. Ferrell also presented Fiscal Year 2004 scenarios.

Mr. Quintanilla opened the Public Hearing and the following persons spoke:

· Daniel Traverso, Art Department Full-Time Faculty and Taxpayer

· David Correa, Visual Communications

· Summer Kaylor, Viscom Creatives

· James Neece, Student Government Association

· Ray P. Sandoval, Student Government Association

· Scott Stewart, Student Government Association

· Christopher Rios, International Business Student Association

· Mark Goodrich, ACC/AFT

· Roland C. Hayes, Full-Time Faculty/Self

· James “Levi” Barnes, Student Government Vice President

· Betty Edgemond, Citizen

· Marlene A. Williams, Student

· Michael Grisham, Student/Student Government Association

· John Cise, Taxpayer

· Don Morris, Adjunct Faculty Association

· Becky Villarreal, Teacher, ACC

· Bob Rutishauser, Capital Area Education/Careers Partnership

· Christian Balderrrama, Student Government Association/OLA

· John Moss, Homeowner/Student

· Anna Jimenez, Hispanic Student Association/Honors Program

· Melissa Airoldi, Friends of ACC

· Tania Guisberg, ACC Student

· Jennifer Izgnierdo, Student

Several Trustees commented on the proposed State funding cuts and possible actions.

The Public Hearing was closed at 7:30 p.m.

Items for Discussion/Possible Action

Agenda Item 7649

Designating Polling Places and Discussion of Potential Contractual Agreements for the May 3, 2003, Election

Chair Rafael Quintanilla introduced the item and Linda Young, Special Assistant to the President, distributed drafts of the following: Election Agreement, Travis County and the City of Austin; Agreement to Conduct Joint Elections Between the City of Austin and Austin Community College; Agreement by the Leander Independent School District and the Austin Community College District to Hold Joint Election in Certain Voting Precincts on May 3, 2003; Agreement by the Manor Independent School District and the Austin Community College District to Hold Joint Election in Certain Voting Precincts on May 3, 2003; Precinct Numbers/Locations; and Early Voting Runs from Wednesday, April 16, through Tuesday, April 29, 2003. Trustees discussed the anticipated cost of the election, including possible alternatives.

[John Hernandez left the meeting at 8:00 p.m.]

State Comptroller’s Recommendation #8 – Cost Benefit Rationale

Chair Rafael Quintanilla introduced the item and Dr. Richard W. Fonte, College President, provided information. This item will appear on the agenda for action at the March 4, 2003, Board meeting.

Agenda Item 7651

State Comptroller’s Recommendations 1 and 2 – Strengthening Governance/Board Professional Development

Chair Rafael Quintanilla introduced the item and Dr. Fonte stated that Recommendation 1 concerns an annual policy governance workshop. Recommendation 2 concerns continuing education for Board members and having a plan. He stated that Trustees may want to add language Board policy. Trustees discussed the Recommendations.

Agenda Item 7652 – Preliminary Discussion of General Policy Review

Mr. Quintanilla introduced the item and Allen H. Kaplan, Board Secretary, called attention to the results of responses from Trustees and the President concerning review of the current Board policies. They were categorized as good, minor revisions needed, or complete “overhaul” needed. He stated that some of the current policies required no change or only minor changes and Trustees were asked to provide information regarding any minor changes desired. He stated that this process should be completed within a month. A point person was designated for each of the policies requiring “overhaul”. The point person for each of these policies should provide information to Trustees regarding the needed changes. He indicated that the “overhaul” process could take until June or July.

Agenda Item 7653

Dialogue: Shared Governance Discussion/Board Policy C-5

Mr. Quintanilla stated that this discussion would be postponed until March 4, 2003.

Executive Session

There was no Executive Session.

Announcements

· Mr. Quintanilla called attention to the schedule for Trustee visits to the Campuses and requested Trustees to review the schedule and confirm participation.

· Barbara Mink stated that she, Linda Young, and Barry Silverberg represented the College in Orlando at the 2003 Futures Conference on best practices nationwide. She stated the presentation was very good and expressed appreciation to Ms. Young and Mr. Silverberg.

Meeting Review

Trustees commented regarding the meeting:

What we did well: everything worked well; it was exceptional to have so many students participate in the hearing since we usually do not hear from them; really want to thank those who publicized the hearing to the students; it was really good to hear from the students; really glad that we had the hearing; really good to hear from the students—even though the messages were kind of harsh, we really needed to hear it; appreciated hearing from the international students, I heard what they said, and it made a difference to me.

What we can do better: Very frustrated with the whole situation on State appropriations; felt badly that we were unable to have the dialogue on Shared Governance, since they were here and ready to dialogue.

Adjournment

Having no motion before the Board, the February 17, 2003, Work Session of the Austin Community College Board of Trustees was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

Approved By

Allen H. Kaplan, Secretary