MINUTES

Board Work Session - Board of Trustees

October 20, 2003

 

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 on Monday, October 20, 2003, at 6:03 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; and John Hernandez.  Trustees Nan McRaven and John Worley were absent from the meeting.  Trustee Beverly Watts Davis resigned from the Board on September 15, 2003, and, therefore, did not attend 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.

 

Items for Discussion/Possible Action

 

Agenda Item 7798

Report on ACC/Austin ISD Relationship

Mr. Quintanilla introduced the item and Dr. Mary Hensley, Associate Vice President for Instructional Support Services, discussed partnerships with independent/consolidated school districts within ACC’s Service Area.  She stated the relationships are important elements of the State’s Closing the Gaps initiatives, and in creating enrollment streams for Austin Community College.  Austin ISD is ACC’s largest in-district ISD and has established important goals for increasing the college-going rate of its graduates as well as their college and career preparation.  She advised that the ACC/AISD relationship has grown and been strengthened through a variety of programs, services, and mutual collaboration.  Dr. Hensley presented the College and Career Preparation Program (CCPP), AISD Demographics/Transition to ACC, Curriculum, School-Based College/Career Activity Prototype, Student Recruitment, AISD Value Added, ACC Value Added, and Summary of Expected Outcomes to ACC.  She introduced Denise Collier, AISD Curriculum and Instruction, and Mark Kincaid, ACC Director for the College and Career Preparation Program.  They discussed the partnership and stated the CCPP began July 1, 2003, and will continue until 2006.  Dr. Hensley, Ms. Collier, and Mr. Kincaid responded to questions from Trustees.  Trustees expressed appreciation for the informative presentation.

 

Agenda Item 7799

State Comptroller’s Report

Mr. Quintanilla introduced the item and Ben Ferrell, Vice President of Business Services, called attention to the two volumes of updated information in response to the State Comptroller’s 2002 Performance Review of Austin Community College.  He called attention to the incorporation of the College’s shared governance process in formulating and reviewing the Comptroller’s recommendations, which in certain cases has lengthened the response time beyond the Comptroller’s recommended timelines.  Dr. Richard Fonte, College President, stated the report would be finalized within the next two weeks and mailed in mid-November.  Trustees discussed the need to receive summary information regarding items for the Board.  Trustees discussed the need for a press conference regarding the savings to the College as a result of the implementation of recommendations.

 

Agenda Item 7800

Facilities Overview

Chair Quintanilla introduced the item and Bronson Dorsey, Associate Vice President for Facilities and Operations, presented a 2003 facilities update including:  background information on what has been accomplished to date; planning process; Master Plan; 2003 bond package; current status of bond projects; Master Plan – next steps; facility condition audit; current facility condition summary; deficiencies by priority; deficiencies by priority and category; future capital renewal costs; funding sources; funding needs; and funding options.  Mr. Dorsey and Dr. Fonte responded to questions from Trustees including the need for timely information on the goals of the College for the next five years; anticipated annexations; anticipated enrollments; anticipation population growth for the Greater Austin area; additional detailed information on the condition audits of the Highland Business Center and Pinnacle Campus;  also condition audit of Rio Grande Campus; presentation on annexation; the need for a mind map presenting scenarios—for selection of the preferred scenario and what buildings are needed.

 

Mr. Dorsey stated that the environmental issues of College facilities would not be known until November or December.  Dr. Fonte stated the Administration would present information in November on annexation and the condition audit of the Highland Business Center and Pinnacle Campus. 

 

Announcements

Mr. Quintanilla stated there would be a Special Board Meeting on Monday, October 27, 2003, 6:00 p.m., to deal with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) report.  Mr. Quintanilla stated a proposed response had been prepared and additional comments were requested.

 

Quick Meeting Evaluation

Trustees commented regarding the meeting: 

What we did well: very good meeting, excellent report put together by Bronson Dorsey, good report on ACC/AISD partnership; think this is something we really need to keep an eye on to see if we can move beyond that, think it is very innovative, good meeting and we are out of here on time; ditto; good meeting, good information; this has been a really exceptional meeting to me, it’s the quality of the macro thinking that goes on with staff and the quality of materials we are getting are really exceptional, this is the kind of work we really need to be doing on these kinds of macro issues, and when we get this kind of quality material and the kind of thinking that is going on—this is what we need to be doing, really appreciate this; good springboard and I appreciate it too. 

What we can do better:  No comments.

Adjournment

Having no motion before the Board, the October 20, 2003, Work Session of the Austin Community College Board of Trustees was adjourned at 8:25 p.m.


Approved By
                                                  

Allen H. Kaplan, Secretary