MINUTES

Regular Meeting – Board of Trustees

November 7, 2005

 

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, November 7, 2005, at 6:04 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 [arrived at 6:15 p.m.]; Mr. Rafael Quintanilla [arrived at 7:00 p.m.]; 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.

 

Recognitions

·        There were no new employees.

·        Report on Achievements and Recognitions – Dr. Kathleen Christensen, Vice President, presented the Kudos Report and called attention to recent awards/recognitions received by faculty/programs, staff, students, and Austin Community College.

 

Citizens Communication

No one registered for Citizen’s Communication.

 

Reports from Associations

·        Adjunct Faculty Association – Mr. John Herndon, President, spoke regarding an Adjunct Faculty Association meeting to be held on Friday, November 11, 2005, 4:30-6:00 p.m., at the Eastview Campus, and invited attendance.

·        Classified Employees Association – No report was presented.

·        Full-Time Faculty Senate – Dr. Al Purcell, President, expressed appreciation to Dr. Kinslow and the administration for working with the Senate in several areas including the outreach programs at Pflugerville, Round Rock, and San Marcos.

·        Professional-Technical Employees Association – Mr. Jerry North, President, spoke regarding activities of the Association.

·        Student Government AssociationDr. Mink advised that Mr. Charles Maddox, Vice President, was unable to attend the meeting; therefore, no report was presented.  

 

President’s Administrative Report

Dr. Stephen B. Kinslow, President, advised of a training session for ACC supervisors and noted that the Request for Proposal (RFP) for an ACC Foundation consultant was being considered and a staff recommendation would be brought to the Board for consideration.

 

[Trustee Nan McRaven arrived at 6:15 p.m.]

 

Reports to the Board

·        Mr. John Herndon, Adjunct Professor of Developmental Writing, provided information regarding the first-ever student-editor issue of the Rio Review and introduced Paula Hanna, editor of the Rio Review publication.  Ms Hanna expressed appreciation for the assistance of associate editors, assistant editors, and faculty advisors.  She stated that a Publication Party would be held on Thursday, December 1, 7:30 p.m., at the Rio Grande Campus, Gallery Theater, and invited attendance.

·        Facilities Report – September 2005 – Mr. Mullane, Director of Facilities and Construction, provided an update on current facilities projects including:  Eastview Campus – Health Sciences Building ($15,450,000); Eastview Campus – Environmental Work; South Austin Campus ($21,500,000); Cypress Creek Expansion ($25,000,000); Northridge Parking Lot ($580,000); Status of Expansion of US 290 at Oak Hill; Pinnacle Parking Lot ($650,000); Rio Grande Campus ($33,950,000); San Marcos/Hays County; Riverside Renovations; Northridge Student Service Renovations; Facilities Master Plan; and Districtwide Renovations ($3,170,000 total).  Mr. Mullane responded to questions from Trustees.

·        Financial Report – September 2005 -- Mr. Ben Ferrell, Vice President for Business Services, called attention to the September 2005 Financial Statement and noted:  based on current information, the College’s budget was on track and projecting approximately $500,000 increase in Unrestricted Net Assets, and a $600,000 decrease in Total Net Assets; the projected decrease in Total Net Assets was due to the planned transfer from reserves of $2.1 million due to the City of Austin annexation; and Fall 2005 enrollments increased by 4.7% over Fall 2004.  He stated this exceeded the projected growth of 2%; therefore, tuition revenues, tuition waivers, and instructional faculty salaries were all over budget.  Total Revenues was projected at approximately $142.9 million, or $1.4 million over original projections.  Total Expenses were projected at $0.9 million over budget.  In summary, revenues were over budget by $1.4 million and expenses were over budget by $0.9 million.  Therefore, Net Revenues over Expenses were projecting a budget surplus of about $500,000 and a decrease in Total Net Assets of approximately $600,000.  Cash and investments were in line at approximately $97 million, including $71 million in bond proceeds.  Mr. Ferrell responded to questions from Trustees.

·        Policy Compliance Report:  E-6, Investments – Mr. Ben Ferrell introduced Ms. Susan Anderson, of Public Financial Management.  Ms. Anderson provided an investment report for the quarter ending September 30, 2005, including:  Katrina:  Severe Short-Term Impact:  Lasting Effect Unknown; The Economy:  Strong Growth Continued Through Summer; Retail Sales Show Strong Summer; Housing Sector Remains Solid; Hurricanes Have Distorted Otherwise Strong Labor Market; Fed Cautious About Risk of Inflation; Dollar Strengthened Over Summer After Losing Significant Value in First Quarter, Trade Deficit May have Stabilized As Well; Auto Sales Remain Strong, Though Overall Outlook for Manufacturing is Cloudy; Stock Market Had Good Second Quarter After Weak First Quarter; Yield Curve Steepened Post Katrina; Intermediate-Term Interest Rates Turned Upward After Hurricane-Related Rally; Federal Funds Futures Contracts Imply Continued Program of Increases in Overnight Rates; Short-term Rates Continue to Reflect Expectation of Higher Rates; Money Market Spreads Continue to Reflect Fair Value; and the Current Austin Community College Portfolio including a Portfolio Summary, Operating Funds Portfolio Recap, Bond Funds Portfolio Recap, Composite Portfolio, Revenue Fund Series 2005 Portfolio,  Interest and Sinking GO Portfolio, Interest and Sinking Reserve Account Portfolio, Bond Series 2004 Portfolio Composition, Bonds General Obligation Portfolio, Bond 2000 Series Portfolio, Operating Funds Portfolio, Operating Funds Portfolio Performance, and Portfolio Strategy.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

 

Chair Mink introduced the Consent Agenda:

 

Agenda Item 8142

Approval of Minutes of the of the October 3, 2005, Regular Meeting and October 17, 2005, Work Session of the Austin Community College Board of Trustees

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

 

Trustees Jeffrey Richard moved and Lillian Davis seconded that:

MOTION:  The Board of Trustees approve the Minutes of the of the October 3, 2005, Regular Meeting and October 17, 2005, Work Session of the Austin Community College Board of Trustees as presented.

The motion passed on a vote of 8-0.

FOR:  Lillian J. Davis, John F. Hernandez, Allen H. Kaplan*, Barbara P. Mink, Nan McRaven,  Jeffrey Richard, Veronica Rivera, and John Worley.

AGAINST:  None.

ABSENT:  Trustee Rafael Quintanilla was absent for the vote.

*Mr. Kaplan abstained from the vote on the October 3, 2005, minutes since he was absent from the meeting.

 

Discussion/Possible Action:

 

Old Business:

 

Agenda Item 8143

Renewal of Resolution for Advisory Committee for Finance and Budget (ACFB)

Dr. Mink introduced the item and Mr. Ben Ferrell, Vice President for Business Services stated the changes suggested by Trustees at the October 17, 2005, Work Session were made to the Resolution.

 

Trustees John Worley moved and Allen Kaplan seconded that:

MOTION:  The Board of Trustees renew the Citizens’ Advisory Committee for Finance and Budget by Resolution, and Committee appointments for FY 2006.

The motion passed on a vote of 8-0.

FOR:  Lillian J. Davis, John F. Hernandez, Allen H. Kaplan, Barbara P. Mink, Nan McRaven, Jeffrey Richard, Veronica Rivera, and John Worley.

AGAINST:  None.

ABSENT:  Trustee Rafael Quintanilla was absent for the vote.

 

Dr. Mink stated the Board Chair was to appoint the Committee Chair; therefore, she appointed Kathy Schwerdtfeger to continue to serve as Chair of the Advisory Committee for Finance and Budget.

**********

Citizens’ Advisory Committee on Finance and Budget

Staff Recommendation for Resolution

 

The Board hereby establishes a Citizens’ Advisory Committee on Finance and Budget.

 

Purpose

This committee will (1) examine any economic or financial analyses issues of substantial financial impact referred to the committee for its review by the Board, and (2) provide a report of its work at least annually for discussion by the Board.

 

Membership and Chair

                Each Trustee will appoint one person to the committee. The Board Chair will appoint the chair of the Committee. If a vacancy occurs, the Trustee that appointed the member will appoint another person to the Committee for the unexpired term within 30 calendar days after the vacancy occurs.

 

Rules and Procedures

The Committee shall adopt its own rules and procedures including but not limited to attendance,

meeting format, conflict of interest, provided that such do not conflict with policies of the Board of Trustees.

 

Procedure for referring an economic or financial analysis to the Committee

                (1)           If a Trustee submits a request for a Committee review of an economic or financial analysis to the Board Chair by the seventh day before a Board meeting, the request must be put on the Board agenda for discussion.

                (2)           If a Trustee, either in a written message sent to the Board Chair (and copied to all Board members) before the meeting at which the request for review is posted or at that meeting, asks that the request for review of the financial or economic analysis be put to a Board vote, the issue will be put on the agenda of the next regular or specifically-called meeting for a vote. If no Trustee asks for a vote in this manner, the request for review of the economic or financial analysis will be referred to the Committee. If a Trustee asks for a vote in this manner, five Board members must vote for referral to the Committee for a request for review to be referred.

                (3)           When a request for review has been referred to the Committee, the Board Chair will transmit the request for review to the Chair of the Committee and the administration. The Chair of the Committee will then convene the Committee to discuss how the request for review will be handled.

                (4)           If the Committee is of the opinion that its workload will not permit immediate review of all the economic or financial analyses referred to it by the Board, it may accordingly prioritize or decline Board referrals.

 

Items referred to the Committee for FY 2006

 

(1)                 Access to College

a.        Financial Aid and Scholarships

b.       Provision of Textbooks

c.        ECS Course Fee/Enrollment Analysis

(2)                 Economic Model of College operations including

a)       Class Size

b)       65 or Over/Disabled Tax Cap

(3)                 Lease, Buy, Build, or Share model for facilities

(4)                 Review of Policy Compliance of Budgeting Procedures

 

Term of Committee

                Established by this resolution, the Committee will dissolve in one year from the date this Resolution is adopted. (See Policy B-1[2].)

 

Adopted by the Austin Community College Board of Trustees on this _______ day of November, 2005.

 

                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                Barbara Mink, Board Chair

Attest:

 

                                                                               

Jeffrey Richard, Board Secretary

**********

 

FY 06 Advisory Committee on Finance and Budget

 

Trustee:

Appointee:

Jeffrey Richard

Kim Edwards

Lillian Davis

Pete Palazzari

John Hernandez

Gilbert Zamora

Allen Kaplan

Toni Hunter

Nan McRaven

Bob Rutishauser

Barbara Mink

Kathy Schwertfeger (Chair)

Rafael Quintanilla

Richard Bourchard

Veronica Rivera

Dolores Gonzales

John Worley

Hunter Ellinger (Vice Chair)

 

Agenda Item 8144

Naming of Institution and Its Resources

Dr. Mink introduced the item and Dr. Stephen B. Kinslow, College President, stated the intent of the proposed policy was to address clarification of the official college name as annexations occur.  He suggested that the College begin  using Austin Community College District in official publications and, since two other Texas community colleges use the acronym “ACCD” (Alamo and Alvin), that Austin Community College continue to use “ACC” as the acronym.  He suggested that the naming of future campuses built in external communities would generally be named after the geographic area in which the facility was located, i.e., “ACC:  San Marcos Campus”.

 

{Trustee Rafael Quintanilla arrived at 7:00 p.m.]

 

Trustees suggested the following revisions to the proposed policy:

·        Remove Section E of the proposed policy, send “E” and include as a separate policy related to ACC Foundation.

·        Re-title the proposed policy:  C-8, Naming of the Institution.

·        First paragraph of the proposed policy should become the Value Statement.

·        In Section C, last sentence:  delete “San Marcos Campus/ACC” and change to “ACC:  San Marcos Campus”

·        In Section C, second sentence:  delete “city” and add “geographic location”.

·        In Section D, add “group” following “individual”

·        At the end of last sentence in Section D, add:  as outlined in Board Policy E-2, Provision of College Facilities

 

Trustees Allen Kaplan moved and John Hernandez seconded that:

MOTION:  The Board of Trustees approve Sections A, B, C, and D, including the changes proposed by Trustees, and that Section E concerning resources be deleted from C-8, Naming of the Institution.

FRIENDLY AMENDMENT:  Trustee Worley requested a Friendly Amendment to close the parenthesis in Section C.

Trustee Kaplan accepted the Friendly Amendment.

VOTE:  The motion passed on a vote of 9-0.

FOR:  Lillian J. Davis, John F. Hernandez, Allen H. Kaplan, Barbara P. Mink, Nan McRaven, Rafael Quintanilla, Jeffrey Richard, Veronica Rivera, and John Worley.

AGAINST:  None.

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C-8, NAMING OF THE INSTITUTION AND ITS RESOURCES              

 

Value Statement:  To highlight its regional role as reflected in its state-designated Service Area, and to recognize its historic founding within designated boundaries of Austin, Texas, the College will use its founding name, the Austin Community College District.

 

A.  Name of the College

In official publications and other official forms of identification, the College will be promoted as the Austin Community College District, its official name when founded and as recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. 

 

B.  Abbreviation of College Name

The Austin Community College District has historically been referred to as “ACC” and will continue to be to avoid confusion with other public colleges with the same acronym (Alamo Community College District and Alvin Community College District, for example).

 

C.  Naming of Campuses/Centers

The Board of Trustees will approve all names of campuses and centers within the district.  While campuses located within the boundaries of Austin have a variety of campus names, future campuses built in external communities will generally be named after the geographic location city in which the facility is located.  For example, ACC:  San Marcos Campus  San Marcos Campus/ACC.

 

D.  Naming of Buildings

Approval by the Board of Trustees is required to name a college building after any individual, group, or organization as outlined in Board Policy E-2, Provision of College Facilities.

 

 

New Business:

 

Agenda Item 8145

Discussion:  Single Member Districts for Board of Trustees

Dr. Mink introduced the item and Linda Young, Special Assistant to the President for Governmental and Community Relations, and Myra McDaniel, College Legal Counsel, provided information from Texas Education Code which allows for single member configuration or a combination of single member and at-large seats.  Ms. Young provided information concerning the configuration of seats at several Texas metro community college districts.  Ms. Young and Ms. McDaniel responded to questions from Trustees.  Dr. Kinslow stated the information was provided for discussion and suggested that it be a part of the master planning process.  Trustees suggested that the Board should pass a resolution which states the Board supports the single member district concept and that it be included in the master planning process to allow more specificity.

 

Dr. Mink stated this would be included on a future agenda and would be included in the master planning.

 

Agenda Item 8146

Discussion of Board Committees

Dr. Mink introduced the item and Dr. Kinslow stated Board Committees were discussed at the August Retreat.  He stated that staff had provided information from a national study and the pros and cons were also provided.

 

Trustees discussed possible use of specific Board committees, and an ad hoc committee.   Trustees John Hernandez, Rafael Quintanilla, and Allen Kaplan agreed to prepare information on Board Committees and it would be included for discussion on the agenda of a Board Work Session.

 

Agenda Item 8147

Discussion:  Resolution on Plug-In Hybrid Electric Cars

Dr. Mink introduced the item and Mr. Ferrell stated that a request from a citizen asked for a Resolution to be considered by the Austin Community College Board of Trustees regarding the use of hybrid electric cars. 

 

Dr. Kinslow stated the Resolution provided by the citizen included two statements that hybrid cars would be purchased by the College.  The resolution was modified since the Board cannot commit future Boards and the College is unaware of the data on these cars.  He stated that the Resolution submitted to the Board for review does not ask the College President to commit money to this effort.  Trustees agreed to look at the proposed Resolution and review the status of College automobiles.

 

Executive Session

There was no Executive Session.

 

Announcements

Dr. Mink stated the recent Hip Hop Into College event was an amazing event.  Representatives from many area colleges were available and financial information was provided.  She expressed appreciation to those involved with the event.

 

Adjournment

Having no motion before the Board, the November 7, 2005, Regular Meeting of the Austin Community College Board of Trustees was adjourned at 8:29 p.m.

 

Approved By          

Jeffrey Richard, Secretary