MINUTES

Regular Meeting – Board of Trustees

February 2, 2004

 

 

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 Monday, February 2, 2004, 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 P. Mink, Board Vice Chair; Allen H. Kaplan, Secretary; Lillian Davis; John Hernandez; Nan McRaven [arrived at 6:10 p.m.]; Beverly Silas; and John Worley.  Trustee Beverly Watts Davis resigned effective October 1, 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.

 

Recognitions

Steve Nelson, Chair of the Austin Community College Foundation stated that the Foundation had reached $3,000,000.   Dr. Matt Winkler, CEO of Ambion, presented a check in the amount of $10,000 to the Austin Community College Foundation to establish a scholarship in the area of Biotechnology.  Dr. Winkler recognized the importance of biotechnology and the provision of biotechnology education by ACC.  Mr. Nelson, Chair Quintanilla, and Dr. Linnea Fletcher, ACC Biology Professor, accepted the check, and Dr. Fletcher expressed appreciation to Ambion, Austin Community College, Board of Trustees and faculty for providing a home for the biotechnology program and the equipment for the center that supplies a pipeline from programs in eight school districts into the College’s program.

 

Citizens Communication

·        Mark Goodrich, ACC/AFT, expressed appreciation to Trustees who attended the Charter celebration on January 30, and spoke regarding future planning and decisions by the College regarding facilities and programs.

 

Reports from Associations

·        Adjunct Faculty Association – Don Becker, President, spoke regarding compensation including creating and meeting compensation targets and health benefits.

·        Classified Employees Association – Judy Green, President, spoke regarding in-district priority registration; the December report from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS); and Association activities.

·        Full-Time Faculty Senate – Daniel Traverso, President, spoke regarding a Resolution passed by the Full-Time Faculty Senate regarding the recent letter of sanction from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.  He also spoke regarding a recent presentation by the Director of Intercollegiate Activities and athletic programs at ACC.

·        Professional-Technical Employees Association – John Kennie, President, spoke regarding the agenda information regarding building and rebuilding of ACC facilities and appropriate budgeting for the required additional staffing; Board’s work schedule; and Association acitivities

·        Student Government AssociationJohn Moss, Treasuer, spoke regarding continuation of changes which were begun last semester including:  a new constitution for greater access to student government; April open elections for executive council; student representation on each ACC campus regarding individual student needs; and a recent Retreat which provided training to work with legislators.

 

Mr. Quintanilla responded to comments concerning the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.  He stated that the Board is extremely concerned regarding the SACS sanction warning and indicated that a response would be prepared and submitted by the College president in response to the report.  He commended the every day good work of college faculty and staff.

 

Reports to the Board

·        Mr. Charles Barnett and Jeffrey Richard presented Opportunity Austin, a report from the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and presented information regarding possible implications related to the College’s master planning initiatives and workforce development efforts.  The report included strategic recommendations including:  capitalizing on existing strengths; recruiting and targeting diverse sectors; stimulating entrepreneurship and new enterprises; marketing Austin effectively; and improving regional competitiveness.

·        Report on Achievements and Recognitions – Mike Midgley, Interim Associate Vice President for Workforce Education, distributed the Kudos Report and called attention to recent awards/recognitions received by faculty/programs, staff, students, and Austin Community College.

·        Financial Report – December 2003 – Ben Ferrell, Vice President for Business Services, called attention to the December 2003 financial report.  He stated the budget continues to predict a positive balance for the year, and the Minimum Reserve Policy was being met.  He indicated that enrollments are below expectations for the year, and adjustments may be necessary in the spring if expenses are not down correspondingly. Mr. Ferrell responded to questions from Trustees.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

Chair Quintanilla introduced the Consent Agenda.

 

Agenda Item 7849

Fee Structure:  Early College Start Program

Recommendation:  That the Board of Trustees continue to waive tuition and fees for the Early College Start (ESC) Program for Fiscal Year 2005.

 

 

Agenda Item 7850

FY03 External Audit/Management Letter

Recommendation:  That the Board of Trustees accept the Fiscal Year 2003 Financial Audit Report.

 

Trustee John Hernandez requested that Consent Agenda Item 7849, Early College Start Fee Structure, be pulled for discussion.

 

Allen Kaplan moved and Beverly Silas seconded that:

MOTION:  The Board of Trustees accept the FY03 External Audit/Management Letter.

VOTE:  The motion passed on a vote of 8-0.

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

AGAINST:  None.

 

Agenda Item 7849

Fee Structure:  Early College Start Program

Trustees discussed the item.

John Hernandez moved and Nan McRaven seconded that:

MOTION:  The Board of Trustees approve waiving tuition and fees for the Early College Start (ESC) Program for Fiscal Year 2005, including dual enrollment for immigrant students within the ACC district who wish to enroll in dual credit classes and that the College forego State reimbursement for the small number of immigrant students.

Trustees discussed the motion and the possible need to change board policy.

Nan McRaven withdrew her second to the motion.

 

Nan McRaven moved and Lillian Davis seconded that:

MOTION:  The Board of Trustees approve waiving tuition and fees for the Early College Start (ESC) Program for Fiscal Year 2005.

VOTE:  The motion passed on a vote of 8-0.

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

AGAINST:  None.

 

Executive Session

The Austin Community College Board of Trustees recessed into Executive Session at 7:22 p.m. pursuant to Government Code 551.074, related to personnel matters including the Presidential Search.

 

Reconvene

The Austin Community College Board of Trustees reconvened in public session at 8:20 p.m. pursuant to Government Code 551.

 

Items for Discussion/Possible Action

 

Agenda Item 7851

In-District Priority Registration

Chair Quintanilla introduced the item and Kathleen Christensen, Associate Vice President for Retention and Student Services, and Bill Carter Associate Vice President for Information Technology, provided information and stated that the College’s In-District Priority Registration Committee including administrative staff, employee organizations, the Student Government Association as well as the College legal counsel recommended that the Board of Trustees not implement an in-district priority registration system.  Dr. Christensen and Mr. Carter responded to questions from Trustees.

 

[Trustee Nan McRaven left the meeting at 8:40 p.m.]

 

Agenda Item 7852

Proposed Purchase:  Facility Management Services and Software

Chair Quintanilla introduced the item and Ben Ferrell, Vice President for Business Services, and Bronson Dorsey, Associate Vice President for Facilities and Operations, provided information regarding the proposed purchase of services and software from 3D/International to assist the Office of Facilities and Operations in the preparation of a state-of-the-art web-based building standards manual, related on-line procedures manual, and the purchase of project management software to integrate with ACC’s currently owned facilities condition assessment database. 

 

This item will be included on the agenda for action at the March 1, 2004, Regular meeting.

 

Agenda Item 7853

Proposed Approval of Owner-Controlled Insurance Program

Chair Quintanilla introduced the item and Ben Ferrell, Vice President for Business Services, provided information regarding a proposed inter-local agreement with the Texas Association of School Boards for Owner-Controlled Insurance Program (OCIP) to provide insurance for ACC construction projects.  He stated that an OCIP is commonly used in construction projects, enabling the owner of a construction project to purchase the necessary insurances required (Worker’s Compensation and Liability) directly, rather than through a construction contractor; relieving the owner of certain related administrative burdens; and by the additional monitoring of project safety by the provider.  An OCIP would also enhance the ability of smaller local/HUB vendors, contractors, and sub-contractors to participate in ACC construction projects by relieving them of the burden to finance insurance coverage.  Savings to ACC were estimated to be in excess of $800,000 based on the total construction values of the May 2003 bond projects.  Mr. Ferrell responded to questions from Trustees.

 

This item will be included on the agenda for action at the March 1, 2004, Regular meeting.

 

Agenda Item 7854

Facilities Master Planning – Pinnacle Campus Report

Chair Quintanilla stated that this item was postponed until the next Board meeting.

 

Agenda Item 7855

Facilities Master Planning – Eastview Campus Report

Chair Quintanilla stated that this item was postponed until the next Board meeting.

 

Agenda Item 7856

Facilities Master Planning – Highland Business Center Report

Chair Quintanilla stated that this item was postponed until the next Board meeting.

 

Agenda Item 7857

Facilities Master Planning – Cypress Creek Report

Chair Quintanilla stated that this item was postponed until the next Board meeting.

 

Trustees discussed the possible need for an additional meeting on February 25, 2004, to discuss Austin Community College facilities.

 

Meeting Review

Trustees commented regarding the meeting: 

What we did well:  good; very good meeting; we adapted well to this one; no comments; I guess it was fine; thought it was good, thought discussion about whether we vote now or later, is this policy or is it not, every time we go through a discussion like that we learn something about that, so I thought it was very worthwhile.

What we can do better:

 

Adjournment

Having no motion before the Board, the February 2, 2004, Regular Meeting of the Austin Community College Board of Trustees was adjourned at 9:06 p.m.

 

Approved By          

Allen H. Kaplan, Secretary