MINUTES

Regular Meeting – Board of Trustees

March 4, 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 on Tuesday, March 4, 2003, at 6:02 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 H. Kaplan, Secretary; Lillian J. Davis; John F. Hernandez; Nan McRaven; and John Worley.  Trustees Beverly Watts Davis and Beverly Silas were absent.

 

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

·        There were no recognitions.

 

Citizens Communication

·        Daniel Traverso spoke regarding budget.

·        Betty Edgemond spoke regarding the South Austin Campus Advisory Committee.

·        Mark Goodrich spoke regarding budget.

·        Myra Bradley spoke regarding advocacy issues.

 

Chair Quintanilla commended the associations and affiliates for their input and work on College issues.

 

Reports from Associations

·        Adjunct Faculty Association – Don Morris, President, spoke regarding Association activities; reaffirmed the Association’s commitment to the College and community; and support by the Association for the ACC referendum in May.

·        Classified Employees Association – Judy Green, President-Elect, spoke regarding proposed State legislation regarding College health insurance and social security benefits, and activities of the association.

·        Full-Time Faculty Senate – Stacey Thompson, President, spoke regarding the Downtown Education Center, and requested that the Faculty Senate be involved in any needed contingency plan for Fiscal Year 2004

·        Professional-Technical Employees Association – Marilyn Lee-Taylor, President, spoke regarding Association activities and presented a profile of Franklin Taylor, Campus Manager, Riverside Campus.

·        Student Government Association – James Neece, President, distributed information and spoke regarding the Association’s Resolution concerning the May 3, 2003, Special Election and Association activities.

 

Agenda 7656

Dialogue:  Shared Governance Discussion/Board Policy C-5, Open Communication

Chair Quintanilla introduced the item and Matthew Daude, Department Chair of Philosophy, Religion, and Humanities, and Chair of the College’s Shared Governance Working Group, discussed the work of the Shared Governance Working Group.   Members of the Group, Mr. Daude, and Trustees discussed Board Policy C-5, Open Communication and Information, and suggested revisions for a proposed Board policy and an administrative rule which would include more specific expectations regarding shared governance.

 

[Trustee John Worley left the meeting at 7:20 p.m.]

 

Trustee Community Organization Reports to the Board

·        Board Vice Chair Barbara Mink provided information on a recent meeting of the LBJ Neighborhood Association.

·        Board Secretary Allen Kaplan reported on a recent meeting of the Health Industry Steering Committee.

 

Reports to the Board

·        Report on Achievements and Recognitions – Dr. Steve Kinslow, Executive Vice President, distributed information and recognized recent awards/recognitions received by faculty/programs, staff, students, and Austin Community College.

·        Commendation Report – State Comptroller:  Student Services, Instruction – Dr. Steve Kinslow, Executive Vice President, introduced Kathleen Christensen, Associate Vice President of Retention and Student Services, distributed information and reported on the seven commendations received by the Retention and Student Services department from the State Comptroller.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

 

Agenda Item 7657

Minutes of the January 13, 2003, Regular Meeting;  January 27, 2003, Board Work Session; February 3, 2003, Regular Board Meeting; February 17, 2003, Board Work Session; February 24, 2003, Board Work Session of the Austin Community College Board of Trustees

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

 

Agenda 7658

Board Policy Manual Revisions – Minor Revisions

Recommendation:  That the Board of Trustees adopt minor policy revisions to Board Policies A-5, Service-Area Responsibilities; A-6, Student Goal Achievement; B-4, Board of Trustees Bylaws; B-5 Policy Development and Review; B-6, Monitoring Policy Compliance; B-7, Board Advisory Committees; C-6, College-Community Linkages; C-7, Legal Counsel; G-8 (A-7), Implementation of Fees:

 

POLICY GROUP A: RESULTS TO BE PRODUCED

A-5.  SERVICE-AREA RESPONSIBILITIES

                The College shall provide programs and services to residents of its service area, with priority given to sites within the taxing district.  Local tax funds shall not be used to subsidize out-of-district activities.  The President shall report to the Board annually the extent and financial results of out-of-district activities, includ­ing an appropriate allocation of fixed and indirect program costs.

                All legally-eligible communities are invited to voluntarily join the College’s taxing district and gain the advantages of in-district tuition for their students and participation in election of the Board of Trustees.  Except when approved by Board vote, no specific commitments of facilities or services shall be made to communi­ties considering annexation.  Any such commitments are subject to review and modification by later Boards as part of integrated district-wide planning.

 

The President shall Report to the Board annually the extent and financial results of out-of-district activities, including an appropriate allocation of fixed and indirect program costs.

 

A-6.  STUDENT GOAL ACHIEVEMENT

                Enabling students to meet their educational goals should be the central organizing principle of College activity.  While most of the work on this task will be done by students and faculty as part of the instructional process, the College shall also provide these other needed supports:

 

A. Goal Declaration

                The College shall help students relate their aptitudes and interests to career opportunities and the

Corresponding educational goals (which may or may not include further college education after ACC).

 Accordingly:

 

[1] The College shall provide current information about the career oppor­tunities in its area (including current demand, starting salaries, and career salary prospects), the preparation typically required for success in those careers, and the subsequent success by academic sector of ACC students in job placement and/or university transfer.

        [2] Students shall be assessed as to their preparedness for their goals and informed of the educational

sequences ACC offers that would advance them toward those goals (or of an alternate supplier or method in cases where that would be in the best interests of a student).

        [3] A declaration of educational goal (which may or may not include a degree or certificate) shall be

maintained (and updated at least annually) for each college-credit student to allow analyses of goal attainment.

B.  Advising

        [1] Each college-credit student (except those who at entry declare a clear short-term goal and decline an

advisor) shall be assigned a faculty or staff advisor prepared to assist with the specific educational goal of that student.  For transfer students, this preparation shall include appropriate knowledge about their field and the articulation of ACC courses with their target college.  For workforce students, knowledge of the student's target industry shall be included.  In either case, students requiring remediation under state law shall be given assistance and advice on how to satisfy such requirements while advancing toward their specific goals.

        [2] Students (especially those who have difficulty reaching their goals) shall be advised as to how to learn

effectively at the college level and as to what combinations of preparation, course­load, and non-school activities have been found to be consistent with academic success at ACC.

        [3] Advising and counseling shall reflect a consistent philosophy of operational delivery through­out the

College, with task assignments implementing a coordinated plan allocating resources based on student needs and addressing both campus-specific services and college-wide responsibilities.

C.  Financial Aid

                The College shall fully inform students as to their opportunities for financial assistance to attend college,

                and shall facilitate their use of those opportunities, especially for grants.

D.  Educational Counseling

                The College shall assist students in addressing obstacles to the achievement of their educational goals.

                Accordingly:

                [1] Counseling services shall be focused on enabling educational achievement.  Counselors shall accord­-

ingly work with students (self-referred or identified by faculty or staff as needing attention) so as to help them:

                (a) make good use of the support services available at the College.

                (b) understand how other students with similar problems have successfully resolved them.

                (c) develop work and classroom participation patterns that contribute to successful performance in

school and in their intended career.

        [2] Student-development staff shall ensure that student concerns are brought to the notice of the

responsible authority.  Counselors shall therefore:

(a)     inform the appropriate supervisor when a student reports any action by a College employee that seems contrary to College rules or policy.

(b)     inform students of the College's appeal systems when appropriate, while respecting the responsibility and authority of instructors.

E. Results

        [3] [1] The college shall provide assistance to its students in placement in jobs or further higher education

when they have completed their preparatory work.

 

E. Reports

[2] The President shall make a comprehensive annual report to the Board on the extent and nature of College efforts and results in this area.  It shall list goal-achievement rates by major/program, ethnicity, and gender, and shall describe the participation in and nature of support services in this area.  The report shall also include institutional plans and goals for improving the College's ability to serve students who do not succeed in reaching their declared goals.

POLICY GROUP B: BOARD OPERATIONS

B-4.  BOARD OF TRUSTEES BYLAWS

(formatting changes)

1. General Delegation of Authority for Board Procedure

The Board Chair shall decide any questions of Board proced­ure that are not addressed by, or that require interpretation of, law, Board policy, or specific Board resolutions.

2. Board Officers

The Board shall elect from among its members a Board Chair, who shall preside over Board meetings and shall coordinate policy-development activities and the Board-President relation­ship; a Board Vice-Chair, who shall coordinate the community-linkage activities of the Board and shall preside in the absence of the Board Chair; and a Board Secre­tary, who shall oversee and certify the records of the Board and shall coor­dinate moni­toring of compliance with Board policy.  These offi­cers shall be elected at the first Board meeting after a Trust­ee election is completed, a year later, and when a vacancy in an office exists or is created by Board vote.  No trustee may serve in the same office for more than two of any four consecutive years.

3. Board Meetings

            3.1 Official meetings of the Board can be called, within the notification limits imposed by law, by the Board Chair or by any three Trustees. The Board shall not take a final vote on a topic at the first meeting at which it is discussed or at other than the regular meeting of the month or a recessed continuation, except if the topic could not reasonably have been discussed at a prior meeting or failure to take immediate action will cause significant harm to the College.  This exception does not apply to adoption of a Board policy.

                3.2 The College President and Board Chair shall develop proposed agendas for Board meetings in accord­ance with priorities set by the Board, with final authority on what is included in the agenda and agenda packet resting with the Board Chair.  A motion to place an item on a particular future agenda shall, at the request of any trustee, be placed on the next agenda for determina­tion by Board vote.  The College President shall cause all Trustees to be sent the agenda and all support­ing materials at least 5 days before the meeting, and shall cause all required legal postings of Board meetings.  Only subjects on the agenda shall be considered at a meeting.

                3.3 Robert's Rules of Order shall be used to conduct meetings of the Board and its com­mittees, subject to these bylaws and applicable law.  Final approval of any non-procedural motion requires affirmative votes in a public session from a majority of the full current member­ship of the Board.  For proced­ural motions, amendments, and committee votes, the majorities required by Robert's Rules of Order shall be of members present and voting.

                3.4 The College President shall cause to be kept all legally-required records of Board meetings.  Minutes of the full Board shall accurately reflect the actions taken by the Board and the vote of each Trustee on those actions.  When approved by the Board and signed by the Secretary, the minutes shall become the official record of a meeting.  The Secretary shall have authority over how the decisions and activities of the Board are presented by the College.   

 

B-5.  POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND REVIEW

The Board of Trustees has responsibility for formulating policy for the operation of the College.  Accordingly:

[1] Division of responsibility: The governance activities of the College shall maintain a clear distinction between:

                [a] strategic, values-based policies, which are the responsi­bility of the Board of Trustees,

[b] administrative rules for employees to follow in implement­ing College policies, which are the responsibility

of the President, and

[c] specific tactical decisions made in operating the various sectors of the College, which are the responsibility of various operating units, structures, or positions designated by the President.

[2] Policy development and review:  

In accordance with the policy-governance model of Board operation, the Board itself will set its agenda for

policy develop­ment and review, based on its analysis of the strategic needs of the College after internal and external consultation, including consid­eration of any areas of policy development or revision suggested by the President, employee associations, community, or students.  This policy agenda shall be updated twice a year, and the Board shall conduct a comprehensive review of its policies for relevance, clarity, and appropriateness each biennium.

            The Board Chair has primary responsibility for coordination of the policy-development activities of the

Board, and shall act, with the assistance of the President, to ensure that the policy topics identified as important

by the Board are scheduled for considera­tion, that employee associations are notified of policy-development

activities in a timely manner, and that appropriate supporting information is provided.  Policy-consideration

procedures shall provide each trustee opportunities to include alternative provisions in the agenda materials,

with preliminary selection by Board vote of which, if any, of the competing provisions will be used as the basis

for final consideration and amendment.

[3] Discussion of policy proposals:  

                Proposed policy changes shall be placed on the agenda for discussion at one or more Board meetings prior

to that at which adoption is voted on.  College legal counsel shall report on any significant legal implications of

policy proposals.  The Presi­dent shall report on any significant educational, operational, fiscal, or administrative

implications of policy proposals, including any feedback provided via internal shared governance consultative

structures.  Direct advice to the Board on policy is also appropriate from interested groups or individuals,

including employee associations.

 

B-6.  MONITORING POLICY COMPLIANCE

The Secretary of the Board shall oversee Board-level activity in monitoring compliance with Board policies and directives. This activity, which will com­plement but not replace the over­sight responsibility of the College President, shall be done with­out reference to the personal opinion of the Secretary about the value or correctness of the policies, and shall not extend to any aspect of College operations that is not covered by a current Board policy or resolution.

                The College administration shall provide inform­ation and assistance in this task as requested by the Secretary, subject to an appeal by the President to the Board if any such request is felt to be unreasonable. 

                Other trustees who have questions or concerns about non-compliance should direct them to the Secretary, who shall pursue them at his or her discretion and shall report to the Board on any aspects of college operations found, in his or her judg­ment, to be non-compliant.  If the Secretary does not pursue an issue to the satisfaction of a trustee, the trustee may bring the question to the Board for a vote on whether or not it should be certified as an important monitoring issue.  The Secretary shall give priority to and make reports on any issues that are thus identified by Board vote.

                The President (or Board Chair, for Board activi­ties) shall, for each non-compliance report from the Secretary, provide the Board either a compliance plan, a recommenda­tion for policy modifica­tion, or an explanation of why the practice in question is seen as already being in compliance.  If the Secretary thereafter states in writing that he or she continues to believe that the practice does not comply with Board policy, the question must be put on the Board agenda as soon as practicable for Board decision.  If the Board finds that the practice is not in compliance, it will require the President to achieve compliance. 

Each fall, the President shall also provide the Board an annual schedule of planned routine and special-attention policy-compliance reports.

                Non-compliance reports by the Secretary are only advisory; authoritative Board directives to change col­lege practices can come only from a public Board vote.

 

B-7.  BOARD ADVISORY COMMITTEES

                Board committees consisting of non-Trustees may be established by the Board to advise it on specific issues.  The role of Board advisory committees is to collect,  and sort, and evaluate information and to identify options for Board decision.  Such committees shall not deal with issues for which there is no basis in policy for Board involvement.  The College President shall meet reasonable committee requests for information and assistance, with the mediation of the Board Vice-Chair in resolving any disputes.

                The Board shall each summer, and at other times as needed, decide on the extent and nature of the topics for which it wishes to use the advisory-committee mechanism.  After considering suggestions from trustees, the President, and other interested groups, the Board Chair shall recommend for Board considera­tion a chair, membership, term, and charge for each such committee. 

POLICY GROUP C: COLLEGE OPERATIONS

C-6.  COLLEGE-COMMUNITY LINKAGES

                It is important that the College create and maintain strong com­munity linkages at many levels.  Such linkages should be part of coordinated plans based on principles and priorities adopted by the Board or President.  Accordingly:

A. Communication Linkages:

[1] Staff-community linkages: The President shall ensure that the College maintains a system to receive external information and advice on how the College can best serve its community, especially from sectors that directly deal with the College’s entrants or graduates.  This system shall be structured so as to promote productive College-community interaction.  The President shall also ensure that the College has appropriate representation in relevant community organizations and events.

[2] Board-community linkages: In addition to the activities individual Trustees choose to undertake as elected officials, the Board shall have an organized program of inter­action with the community.  The Vice-Chair of the Board shall coordinate this program, aligning it with a priority list adopted annually by the Board.  The College shall provide electronic dissemination of Board-meeting proceedings, including cable television, whenever feasible.

[3] Citizen communications: Citizens may address the Board according to procedures published by the Board Chair, which shall be uniformly applied so as to provide fair access to all citizens.

B.  Operational Linkages:

                The College shall respond to community needs by creating appropriate partner­ships or contractor-client relationships with community organizations.  Negotiation of such agreements is the responsibility of the President, subject to Board approval if they are multi-year agreements or involve expenditures in excess of the approval limits established in policy G-2, Purchasing.  Pro­posals for partnership agreements should include an economic analysis, and should ensure that each party bears an appropriate share of the costs.

C.  Reports to the Board:

                The President shall report annually to the Board on the nature and extent of linkage activities, on the financial terms and oper­ational results of community partnerships, and on any plans or recommend­ations for changes in this area.

 

C-7.  LEGAL COUNSEL

                The Board of Trustees shall designate an attorney(s) or attorneys to serve in the capacity of legal counsel for the Austin Community College District and to provide the Board independent advice and representation in all legal matters affecting or potentially affecting the Board or the College District.

                College Counsel The attorneys shall be reasonably compensated and shall serve at the pleasure of the Board.  Counsel The attorneys shall be avail­able to handle all legal matters for the Board and admini­stration of the College District, and shall be responsible to the Board.

                Counsel The attorneys shall attend Board meetings when requested by the Board or by the College President and shall be available for consultation with members of the Board, the College Presi­dent, and individual staff members designated by the College President, and shall undertake to represent the Board and the College in all matters referred by the Board and the College President.  When a request for a legal opinion comes from a trustee, counsel the attorneys shall inform all Trustees of the request.

                The College President, in coordination with the College legal counsel, shall cause to be maintained and distributed a College Legal Manual that explains the important legal provisions covering College operations, including those related to the use of copyrighted material.  The President shall keep the Board informed of the status and disposition of any official notices, complaints, and decisions related to College legal or accreditation issues.

POLICY GROUP G: BUDGETING

 

G-8 A-7.  IMPLEMENTATION OF FEES

[1] Student fees must be approved annually by the Board, with justifications, revenue/cost estimates, and proposed changes listed during budget deliberations.

[2] The implementation of a fee shall be guided by a different principle than tuition.  In particular fees shall be assessed to cover identified costs, not to generate revenue.

(a) No course fee for credit classes shall be imposed unless it can be clearly linked to materials, laboratories, services, equipment, or specialized non-classroom-based one-to-one instruction that are unique to that course.  These are completely or partially consumed or used by an individual student during the semester.  Moreover,  such consumption or use must be in such a manner that re-use by future students would be adversely impacted or not possible because of their nature or that requires frequent replacement because of such use or consumption.

(b) In addition to the reason outlined in 2(a) above, no course fee shall be imposed unless it can also be demonstrated that without such a fee, the course would require a subsidy of general revenue funds.  A fee may also be imposed for a credit course for which the college does not receive state reimbursement

[3] The administration shall provide to the board a justification based upon these principles prior to the imposition of any new fee.

 

Trustee Allen Kaplan moved and Trustee Nan McRaven seconded that:

MOTION:  The Consent Agenda be approved as presented.

VOTE:  The motion passed on a vote of 6-0.

FOR:  Lillian Davis, John Hernandez, Allen Kaplan, Barbara Mink, Nan McRaven, and Rafael Quintanilla.

AGAINST:  None.

Trustees Beverly Watts Davis, Beverly Silas, and John Worley were absent.

[Trustee Lillian Davis left the meeting at 8:05 p.m.]

 

Items for Discussion/Possible Action

 

Agenda Item 7659

Matters Related to the Conduct of May 3, 2003, Special Election

Chair Quintanilla introduced the item and Linda Young, Special Assistant to the President and ACC Elections Administrator, distributed information regarding an Order Designating Polling Places and Authorizing Election Agreements for the May 3, 2003, Special Election and cost to Austin Community College for conducting the May 3, 2003, special election, and responded to questions from Trustees.  Ms. Dana DeBeauvoir, Travis County Clerk, presented and distributed information regarding the joint election for May 3.  Ms. Young and Ms. DeBeauvoir responded to questions from Trustees regarding options for conducting the election and the cost of the election. 

 

Trustee Nan McRaven moved and John Hernandez seconded that:

MOTION:  The Board approve Option 2 and that the Chair negotiate the fee with the City of Austin/Travis County and provide information regarding the negotiation at a special Board meeting on March 17, 2003.

Trustees discussed Option 2 and the election cost to Austin Community College.

[Trustee John Worley returned to the meeting at 9:00 p.m.]

VOTE:  No vote occurred since additional information was requested for the March 17, 2003, Special Board meeting.

 

Agenda Item 7660

Selection of Construction Delivery Method – South Austin Campus

Chair Quintanilla introduced the item and Bronson Dorsey, Associate Vice President for Facilities and Operations, provided information regarding the construction delivery method for the South Austin Campus design and construction process. 

Trustee Allen Kaplan moved and Nan seconded that:

MOTION:  The Board of Trustees approve the Construction Manger At-Risk method for the South Austin Campus design and construction process, the method of project delivery, and the scope of administrative authority as recommended by staff.

Mr. Dorsey stated that there would be no expenditures to the College prior to the May 5 meeting.  Staff will evaluate the proposals, short-list them, and provide to the Board three construction managers and three architects to interview at the May Work Session and vote at the June Board meeting.

VOTE:  The motion passed on a vote of 6-0. 

FOR:  John Hernandez, Allen Kaplan, Nan McRaven, Barbara Mink, Rafael Quintanilla, and John Worley.

AGAINST:  None.

Trustees Beverly Watts Davis, Lillian Davis, and Beverly Silas were absent from the meeting.

 

Agenda Item 7661

State Comptroller’s Recommendations 1 and 2:  Strengthening Governance/Trustee Professional Development – Board Policy Changes

Chair Quintanilla introduced the item and Trustees discussed proposed amendments to Board policies to implement recommendations of the State Comptroller.  Trustees discussed the proposed revisions.

Allen Kaplan suggested the following change to the proposed revision to Board Policy B-1 [3], Board Policy Principles:

 

[3] There are no unwritten Board directives.  The only policies, decisions, authorizations, or limitations in effect at the Board level are those explicit­ly listed as policies or active resolutions in the Board minutes or web site after a public vote of adoption.  Individual or collective statements by Trus­tees in any other form have no authority in College operations.  All trustees shall be informed whenever the administration takes actions that address a request or suggestion from a trustee.  When an administrator attributes an action to a Board directive, the relevant written directive(s) must be identified.  All such requests by Trustees at a Board meeting should be provided to the Chair, who will coordinate the requests with the President.

 

Allen Kaplan moved and Nan McRaven seconded that:

MOTION:  The Board of Trustees approve the proposed revisions to Board Policies B-1, Board Policy Principles, and B-2, Duties and Responsibilities - Board of Trustees.

John Worley requested a Friendly Amendment to Board Policy B-1, Board Policy Principles.

FRIENDLY AMENDMENT:

[3] There are no unwritten Board directives.  The only policies, decisions, authorizations, or limitations in effect at the Board level are those explicit­ly listed as policies or active resolutions in the Board minutes or web site after a public vote of adoption.  Individual or collective statements by Trus­tees in any other form have no authority in College operations.  All trustees shall be informed whenever the administration takes actions that address a request or suggestion from a trustee.  When an administrator attributes an action to a Board directive, the relevant written directive(s) must be identified.  All SUCH requests FOR INFORMATION by Trustees at a Board meeting should be provided to the Chair, who will coordinate the requests with the President.

VOTE:  The Motion, as amended, passed on a vote of 6-0.

FOR:  John Hernandez, Allen Kaplan, Nan McRaven, Barbara Mink, Rafael Quintanilla, and John Worley.

AGAINST:  None.

ABSENT:  Trustees Beverly Watts Davis, Lillian Davis, and Beverly Silas were absent.

*****

B-1.  BOARD POLICY PRINCIPLES

                [1] The Board governs primarily through written policies.  The College President shall cause all sectors of the College to be informed of the Board policies relevant to their activities and shall ensure the compliance of College activities with Board policies.  The College President may set additional administra­tive rules, as long as they are consistent with and sup­portive of any Board policies to which they are related.

                [2] The Board may use resolutions rather than policies for limited-term decisions or directives.  Resolutions are limited in effect to the specific items and time periods they address, or for one year if no period is stated.

                [3] There are no unwritten Board directives.  The only policies, decisions, authorizations, or limitations in effect at the Board level are those explicit­ly listed as policies or active resolutions in the Board minutes or web site after a public vote of adoption.  Individual or collective statements by Trus­tees in any other form have no authority in College operations.  All trustees shall be informed whenever the administration takes actions that address a request or suggestion from a trustee.  When an administrator attributes an action to a Board directive, the relevant written directive(s) must be identified.

                [4] To the extent activities in an area are not covered by a current Board policy or resolution or an administra­tive rule, employees should use their own best judgement to act in the interest of the community and students.

                [5] Board policies are to be used only to directly express the decisions of the Board; they are not to be used to simply repeat or ratify either admini­strative rules (which do not require Board approval) or external laws and regulations (which the Board has no power to change).

            [6] When a Board policy or resolution (except one related to Board procedure) has more than one reasonable interpretation, the College President may specify which interpretation the College shall follow, with notification to the Board of any significant policy ambiguities revealed by this process. Should a Board officer or any two other trustees believe that the President’s interpretation of a Board policy is unreasonable, the officer or trustees may request that the reasonability of the President’s interpretation be put on the Board agenda for decision, and the Board Chair must honor the request as soon as possible.  All requests for information from Trustees should be provided to the Chair, who will coordinate the requests with the President.

               [7] The Board shall conduct a policy governance orientation workshop every two years following the

 election of any Trustee.

 

B-2.  DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES, BOARD OF TRUSTEES

                The Board of Trustees has the responsibility for formulating public policy for the operation of the Austin Community Col­lege District.  It functions as the legislative and policy-making body charged with the governance and control of activities within the College District.  The formu­la­tion and adoption of written policy is the basic method by which the Board exercises its leadership in the opera­tion of the College District.  The Board delegates to the President of the College the func­tion of specifying required actions and designing the detailed arrange­ments under which the College will be operated.  The Board maintains and super­vises the College by evaluating informa­tion and recommenda­tions concerning implementation of its policies.  The general responsibilities of the Board are:

                [1] To adopt and periodically review a statement of philosophy that clarifies basic educational beliefs and educational responsi­bilities of the College for the community.

                [2] To determine the quality of professional leadership need­ed to carry out the philosophy and objectives of the College.

                [3] To select and appoint the President of the College, and provide a formal annual performance evaluation based primarily on the effectiveness of the implementation of Board policies.  An informal feedback session will also be provided the President during each summer quarter.

                [4] To establish the policies necessary for supporting operations of the College District.

                [5] To review and take appropriate action on matters relating to site and facilities development.

                [6] To provide ways and means of financial support, approve the annual budget, and review and ap­prove expenditures as provided in College policy.

                [7] To approve courses and programs of study that support community needs.

                [8] To require and review appropriate administrative reports.

                [9] To consider inquiries and requests from citizens and organi­zations on matters of policy, admini­stration, and other items of public concern affecting the College District.

                [10] To serve as a final adjudicating agency for stu­dents, employees, and citizens of the Austin Com­munity College District on matters of Board policy.

                [11] To bear the legal responsibility for all aspects of the operation of the College District.

[12] To choose its officers and advisors, and to plan its own activities and priorities

[13]  To develop an annual professional development plan for Board members.

*****

 

President’s Administrative Report

President Fonte called attention to his letter sent to faculty and staff regarding the speculated seven percent rescission for Fiscal Year 2004.  He stated that if there is no rescission, the College is on target.  However, if there was a rescission, a plan of action would be proposed for May 5. He stated that administrative adjustments for Fiscal Year 2003 would include the proposed non-renewal of the lease for the Downtown Education Center.  This would save three months rent, or approximately $39,000.  Ben Ferrell, Vice President, called attention to the Monthly Financial Statement for January 2003.  He stated that, based upon the best estimates and projections provided in this monthly Financial Report, ACC’s current year budget will have a positive balance of revenues versus expenditures for the current fiscal year and the Minimum Reserves Policy will meet the expectations of the Minimum Reserves Level policy (G-6) of the corrective action plan requirements.  He noted that State appropriations may be reduced by 7%.  If this occurs, there is the possibility of a deficit in the current operating budget, and the Minimum Reserves Level policy requirements (G-6) may not be achieved in the current year.  Mr. Ferrell distributed an FY 2003 Proposed Administrative Budget Revision Plan and stated that this will be presented to the Board at the May 5 meeting.  Mr. Ferrell and Dr. Fonte responded to questions from Trustees.

 

Executive Session

There was no Executive Session.

 

Announcements

There were no announcements.

 

Meeting Review

Trustees commented regarding the meeting: 

What we did well:  enjoyed the meeting, liked talking with faculty and staff on issues; good meeting, particularly enjoyed hearing about student services, congratulated Kathleen Christensen, Maggie Culp, and all of the people for the great job they do, the rest of the meeting was good and we made some progress; liked the dialogue session; it will be good to see a Board policy that was drafted by faculty and staff, this is a different approach; good meeting;

What we can do better:  No comments.

 

Adjournment

Having no motion before the Board, the March 4, 2003, Regular Meeting of the Austin Community College Board of Trustees was adjourned at 9:37 p.m.

 

Approved By

Allen H. Kaplan, Secretary