MINUTES

MINUTES

Retreat – Board of Trustees

February 24-25, 2006

 

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 Friday, February 24, 2006, at 5:36 p.m. in the Colorado Board Lower Colorado River Authority located at 3700 Lake Austin Boulevard, Texas, with the following members present: Dr. Barbara P. Mink, Chair/Presiding Officer; Mr. John F. Hernandez, Board Vice Chair [arrived at 5:45 p.m.]; Ms. Nan McRaven; Mr. Jeffrey Richard, Secretary; Mr. Rafael Quintanilla; Ms. Veronica Rivera [arrived at 5:44 p.m.]; and Dr. John Worley.  Trustees Lillian J. Davis and Allen H. Kaplan were absent from 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.

 

Discussion/Possible Action:

 

Agenda Item 8184

Legal Update

Dr. Mink introduced the item and Dr. Stephen B. Kinslow, College President; Ms. Linda Young, Special Assistant for Governmental and Community Relations; Mr. Ben Ferrell, Vice President for Business Services; and Ms. Myra McDaniel, College Legal Counsel, provided a legal update on recent legislation applicable to elected officials and their responsibilities including: 

 

·        House Bill 57 - Election changes to two uniform dates per year

·        House Bill 914 - Adds detailing disclosure of relationships with local government officers, provides public access to certain information

·        House Bill 993 - Changes to allow students to make installment payments of tuition and fees for a summer term

·        House Bill 1863 - Termination of a campaign treasurer

·        House Bill 2221 - Transfers annexation responsibilities from counties to Board of Trustees of college districts, and changes process and procedures

·        House Bill 2956 - Changes to allow charging of filing fees for candidates for Board of Trustees positions in districts with population greater than one million

·        Senate Bill 114 – Establishes guidelines for removal of a member of college district board of trustees for failure to attend board meetings

·        Senate Bill 286 – Amended procedures for Open Meetings and Open Records Requests, training requirements for elected officials

·        Senate Bill 1528 -  Changes in definitions and rules regarding Texas residency for the purpose of determination of tuition and fees

·        Dallas County CCD vs. Bolton:  Class action suit over Trustees’ right to set fees

 

Agenda Item 8185

Review:  “Doing Business with ACC” Website Draft

Dr. Mink introduced the item and Mr. Dwayne Cox, Executive Director of Public Information and College Marketing, distributed information and presented recommended changes to the College website.  Dr. Kinslow and Mr. Cox responded to questions from Trustees.

 

Agenda Item 8186

Discussion of FY07 Budget Planning Directives

Dr. Mink introduced the item.  Dr. Kinslow and Mr. Ferrell presented the draft FY07 Budget Planning Directives for Fiscal Year 2007.  Dr. Kinslow stated that each year the Board identifies budget planning directives for the College President, and the President also provides planning directives addressed to staff.  He stated that discussion of the proposed planning directives of the Board and College President would be used in College budget planning activities for Fiscal Year FY07.

 

Dr. Kinslow and Mr. Ferrell responded to questions from Trustees

 

Recess

Dr. Mink recessed the Retreat of the Board of Trustees of Austin Community College at  7:55 p.m. until Saturday, February 25, 2006, at 9:00 a.m.

 

Reconvene

The Board of Trustees of Austin Community College reconvened in public session at 9:20 a.m.. on Saturday, February 25, 2006, pursuant to Texas Government Code 551.

 

Agenda Item 8187

Developmental Education

Dr. Mink introduced the item and Dr. Kinslow; Dr. Donetta Goodall, Vice President for Academic Transfer and General and Developmental Education called attention to the discussion materials for Developmental Education including:

 

·        Developmental Education:  ACC Overview

·        Developmental Education – State Requirements Comparison of Texas Academic Skills Program to Texas Success Initiative

·        Developmental Education – ACC Requirements; Board Policy, D-4, Assessment, Placement, and Developmental Courses; and Administrative Rules

·        Developmental Education:  Research-Based Best Practices

·        Developmental Education Best Practices (Commissioner’s Education Summit)

·        Austin Community College/Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Developmental Education:  Data Profile

·        Effectiveness Update

·        Texas Success Initiative:  Austin Community College’s Developmental Education Plan

 

State legislative mandates require that higher education institutions have a plan for addressing students’ skills deficiencies.  The Development Education Plan must reflect the effectiveness outcomes as identified, measured, and used to improve instruction and address the different aptitudes, learning styles, and educational backgrounds of students requiring support in achieving their educational goals.

 

Dr. Goodall; Ms. Soon Merz, Associate Vice President, Effectiveness and Accountability; Dolores Segura, Chair, Developmental Communications, Mary Leonard, Professor, Developmental Communications;  Nancy Miller, Department Chair, Mathematics; and Gustavo Cepparo, Associate Professor of Mathematics, Developmental Education, discussed the Developmental Education program at Austin Community College and responded to questions from Trustees.

 

Recess

Dr. Mink recessed the Retreat of the Board of Trustees of Austin Community College at 10:30 a.m. for a convenience break.

 

Reconvene

The Board of Trustees of Austin Community College reconvened in public session at 10:48 a.m. on Saturday, February 25, 2006, pursuant to Texas Government Code 551.

 

Agenda Item 8187

Developmental Education (continued)

Trustees and ACC staff continued discussion of developmental education and provided suggestions for strengthening the program.

 

Dr. Mink expressed appreciation to all Retreat participants for the information provided and the connections, relationships, and kinds of caring that folks are bringing to work.  She stated that this was acknowledged and appreciated. 

 

Executive Session

There was no Executive Session.

 

Announcements

Trustee Jeffrey Richard expressed appreciation to Trustees for attendance at the Austin Area Urban League’s 28th Annual Equal Opportunity Day Banquet on February 9.

 

Adjournment

Having no motion before the Board, the February 24-25, 2006, Retreat of the Austin Community College Board of Trustees was adjourned at 11:37 a.m.

 

Approved By

Jeffrey Richard, Secretary