MINUTES

Regular Meeting – Board of Trustees

March 1, 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, March 1, 2004, at 6:02 p.m. in the Board Room (201) 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 7:20 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

There were no recognitions.

 

Citizens Communication

·        Guadalupe Sosa, Chair, South Austin Campus Advisory Committee, spoke regarding in-district registration; budget for South Austin Campus; and contract for construction of South Austin Campus.

·        Mark Goodrich, President of ACC/AFT, spoke regarding the budget process for FY2005 and adjunct benefit law/Senate Bill 1370.

·        Sue Raye, member of Association of Professional-Technical Employees, spoke regarding in-district priority registration.

 

Reports from Associations

·        Adjunct Faculty Association – Don Becker, President, spoke regarding in-district priority registration and health insurance for adjuncts/Senate Bill 1370.

·        Classified Employees Association – Judy Green, President, spoke regarding in-district priority registration; and requested an official reply regarding Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) response.

·        Full-Time Faculty Senate – Daniel Traverso, President, spoke and distributed information regarding suggested changes to Board Policy E-2, Provision of College Facilities; a Resolution passed by the Full-Time Faculty Senate regarding the proposed in-district priority registration; and addition of sections.

·        Professional-Technical Employees Association – John Kennie, President, spoke regarding in-district priority registration; shared governance; hourly employees/under-staffing/compensation; and expressed appreciation to Trustees for participation Association activities.

·        Student Government AssociationBeaux Tschirhart, Association representative, spoke regarding the Student Government Association’s constitution which provides greater access to student government; and introduced Senators Ruth Tanner, Brock Harris, Ramon Perrone.

 

Reports to the Board

·        Report on Achievements and Recognitions – Ron Brey, Associate Vice President for Instructional Resources and Technology, presented the Kudos report and called attention to recent awards/recognitions received by faculty/programs, staff, students, and Austin Community College.

·        Financial Report – January 2004 – Ben Ferrell, Vice President for Business Services, called attention to the January 2004 financial report noting that revenue was down due to additions on health insurance in the amount of $127,000.  He predicted that the College would finish the fiscal year budget year in good shape, although it would be very close, and the Minimum Reserve Policy was being met.  Mr. Ferrell responded to questions from Trustees.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

 

Agenda Item 7861

Minutes of January 12, 2004, Regular Meeting; January 22, 2004, Special Joint  Meeting with the Board of Austin Independent School District; January 26, 2004, Work Session; and February 2, 2004, Regular Meeting

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

 

Agenda Item 7862

Proposed Purchase of Facility Management Services and Software

Recommendation:  That the Board of Trustees approve the 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.  The total cost of $97,620 would be funded from General Obligation Bond proceeds designated for renovation and renewal purposes in the Master Plan:  Building Standards (cost:  $39,550); On-Line Standards Manual (cost:  $34,820); and Project Management Software and Training (cost:  $23,250).

 

Agenda Item 7863

Proposed Approval of Owner-Controlled Insurance Program (OCIP)

Recommendation:  That the Board of Trustees approve an inter-local agreement with the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) for an Owner-Controlled Insurance Program (OCIP) to provide insurance for ACC construction projects at an estimated cost/savings of:

 

Estimated Construction Values -                                   $81,100,000

Estimated Contractors Insurance Costs:                        $ 3,118,955

Estimated ACC Insurance Costs (OCIP):                     $ 2,295,145

Estimated Savings in FY03 Bond Proceeds:                      $823,810

 

Agenda Item 7864

Matters Related to Conduct of May 15, 2004, Board of Trustees Election for Places 4, 5, and 6

Recommendation:  That the Board of Trustees approve an Order setting polling places, election officials, and joint election agreements for the May 15, 2004, general election, with a budgetary consideration to Austin Community College estimated at $450,000.

 

Dr. Lillian Davis moved and Beverly Silas seconded that:

MOTION:  The Board of Trustees approve Consent Agenda Items 7861, Minutes of January 12, 2004, Regular Meeting; 7862, January 22, 2004, Special Joint Meeting with the Board of Austin Independent School District; January 26, 2004, Work Session; and February 2, 2004, Regular Meeting; 7862, Proposed Purchase of Facility Management Services and Software; 7863, Proposed Approval of Owner-Controlled Insurance Program (OCIP); and 7864, Matters Related to Conduct of May 15, 2004, Board of Trustees Election for Places 4, 5, and 6.

Dr. Mink called attention to the revised Order setting polling places, election officials, and joint election agreements for the May 15, 2004, general election for Places 4, 5, and 6 in Agenda Item 7864.

The Motion passed on a vote of 7-0.   

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

AGAINST:  None.

Trustee Nan McRaven was absent for the vote.

 

Items for Discussion/Possible Action

 

Agenda Item 7865

In-District Priority Registration

Mr. Quintanilla introduced the item.

Trustee John Hernandez moved and Allen Kaplan seconded that:

MOTION:  The Board of Trustees accept in-district priority registration.

Trustees discussed the item and Kathleen Christensen, Associate Vice President for Retention and Student Services, responded to questions from Trustees.

Trustee John Worley requested a Friendly Amendment to the Motion:  In-district residents will have a designated period of time allowing them an opportunity to register prior to most out-of-district, out-of-state and foreign students.  Following the priority registration period for in-district students, all others, including in-district, may register.  Out-of-district, out-of-state, and foreign students may register in the priority period only if they need a course, or courses, to graduate at the end of that semester or if before registration they demonstrate that they will suffer a hardship if they are not allowed to register in the priority period.

Mr. Hernandez accepted the Friendly Amendment.

Trustees spoke to the Motion.

VOTE:  The motion failed on a vote of 3-4.

FOR:  John Hernandez, Allen Kaplan, and John Worley.

AGAINST:  Lillian Davis, Barbara Mink, Rafael Quintanilla, and Beverly Silas.

Trustee Nan McRaven was absent for the vote.

 

The agenda was re-ordered.

 

Agenda Item 7867

Rio Grande Property Acquisition

Mr. Quintanilla introduced the item.

Allen Kaplan moved and Barbara Mink seconded that:

MOTION:  That the Board of Trustees approve purchase of the Rio Grande property from Austin Independent School District in the amount of $4.75 million from the 2003 General Obligation bond referendum.

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

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

AGAINST:  None.

ABSTAIN:  John Hernandez.

Trustee Nan McRaven was absent for the vote.

 

Agenda Item 7868

Proposed Resolution in Support of Equity in Learning

Mr. Quintanilla introduced the item and Allen Kaplan provided additional information concerning the support by the American Association of Community Colleges and the Association for Community College Trustees.  This item will be included on the March 1, 2004, agenda for possible action.

 

[Trustee Nan McRaven arrived at 7:20 p.m.]

 

Agenda Item 7869

Program Cost Analysis/Program Priority Declaration

Mr. Quintanilla introduced the item and Dr. Donetta Goodall, Associate Vice President for Academic Programs, and Mike Midgley, Interim Associate Vice President for Workforce Education, presented a report on instructional programs, including a cost analysis report.  As a part of the Master Planning process and in accordance with Board Policy E-1, Master Planning, the Board of Trustees will be asked to declare its program priorities.  This item will be included on the agenda for the April 5, 2004, Board meeting.

 

Executive Session

The Austin Community College Board of Trustees recessed into Executive Session at 7:40 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 8:38 p.m. pursuant to Government Code 551. 

 

Agenda Item 7870

Budget Process

Dr. Barbara Mink, Vice Chair, introduced the item and Ben Ferrell, Vice President for Business Services, reviewed the internal budget process including:  major changes for FY2005, unit level budget process, shared governance review, and executive review and budget proposal calendar.  Mr. Ferrell responded to questions from Trustees.

 

[Mr. Quintanilla returned as Chair at 8:50 p.m.]

 

Mr. Ferrell indicated that the Board would be asked to approve the FY2005 budget at the July 5, 2004, Board meeting.

 

Agenda Item 7866

Discussion and Possible Selection of Final Candidate(s) for College President

Mr. Quintanilla intoduced the item.

Dr. Barbara Mink moved and Allen Kaplan seconded that:

MOTION:  The Board of Trustees select Dr Beverlee McClure, President of Clovis Community College, Clovis, New Mexico, and Dr. Roberto Aguero, Vice Chancellor of Dallas County Community College District, Dallas, Texas, as the two final candidates for President of Austin Community College and invite them to visit Austin Community College and the external community.

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

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

AGAINST:  None.

 

Mr. Quintanilla expressed appreciation to the Presidential Search Advisory Committee and all individuals who assisted in the Presidential search process.

 

Announcements

·         Mr. Hernandez invited attendance at the Metropolitan Breakfast Club meeting on Wednesday, March 3, 7:00-8:30 a.m., with Larry Willoughby, ACC professor of History, as guest speaker.

  • Dr. Mink commended the recent Avant-Garde Event at the Rio Grande Campus.
  • Dr. Mink responded to the earlier request regarding the response of the Board to the SACS Committee.  She stated a broad response to SACS has been developed, actually Board areas of development; have an outline and have researched it through different aspects of ACCT and through other community colleges; would be developing a list of Board responsibilities and Board skills so that the individual development plans of each Board member as well as a comprehensive Board development plan; would be doing a short retreat with the Board at a date to be determined in late March or April; have three positions on the Board in the May election, and the Board would be scheduling a major retreat with the full, intact Board after the elections are secured in mid-summer.  She stated the Board would respond in the short term with individual, as well as Board, professional development plans and with a major retreat again looking at issues of Board meetings, Board operations, problem-solving, College planning processes, Board ethics, and Board issues.

 

Meeting Review

Trustees commented regarding the meeting: 

What we did well:  excellent meeting; good meeting; liked how concise we were tonight; just fine; excellent meeting, not only were we concise, we were productive; apologize for being late to the meeting, but it was a good meeting.

What we can do better:   No comments.

 

Adjournment

Having no motion before the Board, the March 1, 2004, Regular Meeting of the Austin Community College Board of Trustees was adjourned at 8:55 p.m.

 

Approved By          

 

 

 

Allen H. Kaplan, Secretary