MINUTES
Work Session –
Board of Trustees
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, October 17, 2005, at 6:01 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: Dr. Barbara P. Mink, Chair/Presiding Officer; Mr.
John F. Hernandez, Board Vice Chair; Mr. Jeffrey Richard, Secretary; Dr.
Lillian J. Davis; Mr. Allen H. Kaplan; Ms. Nan McRaven;
Mr. Rafael Quintanilla; Ms. Veronica Rivera; and Dr. John Worley.
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
8135
Discussion of
Renewal of Resolution for Advisory Committee on Finance and Budget (ACFB)
Dr. Mink introduced the item and called attention to the need to reauthorize membership and resolution of the Advisory Committee on Finance and Budget and determine if there were topics which should be referred by the Board to the Committee for study. Dr. Mink stated the order in which the items would be ranked would be determined at another meeting.
The following topics were discussed by Trustees:
· Economic model for the College--particularly which programs run a surplus and which programs run a deficit.
· Scholarship financial aid programs and the various economic factors that affect it.
· Committee to put together a model that allows the Trustees’ choice between lease, share, build, or buy.
· Economic model with an objective base rather than an historical base for allocations.
· Possibility of tax exemptions/cap for senior citizens and the disabled.
· Unified analysis of accessibility including class size/scheduling, textbooks, scholarships, etc.
Mr. Hunter Ellinger, member of the Committee, provided information from the Advisory Committee regarding cost allocation. He stated that it would be very helpful for the topics to be listed in the Resolution that Trustees wished to be reviewed by the Committee.
Trustees discussed the need for some Committee replacements and were asked by Dr. Mink to verify their appointment.
Dr. Mink suggested that the “Membership and Chair” portion of the Resolution should be modified for consistency regarding the wording of “may” and “will”.
Dr. Mink stated this item would be included on a future agenda.
Agenda Item
8136
Discussion of
Out-of-District Tuition
Dr. Mink introduced the item and Ben Ferrell, Vice President for Business Services, provided an overview of tuition models and out-of-district tuition model scenarios, including the effect of future annexations on the out-of-district tuition differential. He stated the Board’s Advisory Committee for Finance and Budget (ACFB) studied this issue extensively in FY 2005, and provided a number of tuition policy options for consideration. He called attention to the listing of options and stated one option of their report suggested setting out-of-district tuition at 80% of average cost, with a cap not to exceed the cost of resident tuition at UT Austin and Texas State-San Marcos. The rationale behind this marginal cost approach estimates 20% of College costs are fixed costs of the district and would be required under any circumstance. Therefore, it was not appropriate that these costs be passed on to out-of-district students who have no formal voice in the governance and administration of district affairs. The 80% figure applies to education, administration, and related costs and should appropriately be passed on to out-of-district students. The ACFB believed this option addressed both fairness to taxpayers and to all students regardless of residency. He advised that ACC staff supports this option as reasonable, student oriented, and fair to taxpayers.
Trustees discussed the effect of future annexations, effect to the region, and policy implications.
Dr. Mink expressed appreciation to the Advisory Committee for Finance and Budget and Trustees for their comments and stated this item would be included on a future agenda.
Agenda Item
8137
Discussion of
Prevailing Wage for Construction Projects
Dr. Mink introduced the item and Mr. Ben Ferrell introduced Denise Cheney of the College Legal Counsel. Ms. Cheney provided information from Chapter 2268 of the Texas Government Code, the Davis-Bacon Act, and the Department of Labor-Travis County wage rates. Trustees were advised that Austin Community College meets the wage requirements of the Davis-Bacon Act for construction projects.
Announcements
There were no announcements.
Executive
Session
There was no
Executive Session.
Adjournment
Having
no motion before the Board, the October 17, 2005 Work Session of the Austin
Community College Board of Trustees was adjourned at
Approved By
Jeffrey
Richard, Secretary