MINUTES

Regular Meeting – Board of Trustees

May 7, 2007

 

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 5, 2007, 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: Mr. John F. Hernandez, Chair/Presiding Officer; Ms. Veronica Rivera, Secretary; Dr. Lillian J. Davis; Mr. Allen H. Kaplan; Dr. James W. McGuffee; Mr. Barbara P. Mink; and Mr. Rafael Quintanilla.  Trustees Nan McRaven and Jeffrey Richard 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.

 

Recognitions

·        Math Competition Awards – Ms. Stephanie Dempsey, Executive Director of the Austin Community District Foundation, and Mr. Mike Dellens, ACC Math Instructor, introduced and provided Scholarships to recent winners of the math competitions.  Mr. Dellens stated that 181 colleges participated in the national competition, and 19 colleges from this   region.  ACC placed 29th in the nation.  Scholarships were presented to the following ACC students:

Sherly Teh                
Michael Susantyo      
Nick Wiz                  
John Cruce                  
Yosua Kristanto          
Matthew Craig            
Darwin Natapradja    
Brian Tholen 
              

Mr. Dellens noted that Matthew Craig had the highest score for the year and received an internship.

 

·          Texas Intercollegiate Press Association Winners – Dr. Kathleen Christensen, Vice President, Student Support and Success System, introduced Ms. Cheryl Richard, ACC Director of Student Life.  Ms. Richard introduced Ms. Athena Newsom, News Specialist, who spoke regarding the efforts and accomplishments of the ACC student newspaper, Accent.  She introduced the 2007 winners of the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association competition from ACC:

 

1st Place — Page One Design, Aaron Bates

1st Place — Feature Page Design, Albert Im

1st Place — Illustration, Albert Im

2nd Place — Page One Design, Aaron Bates

2nd Place — Feature Story, Dustin Hall

2nd Place — Sports Action Photo, Albert Terrazas

3rd Place — Ad Design, Aaron Bates

3rd Place — Print Newswriting, Robert Beckhusen

3rd Place — Feature Story, Dustin Hall

3rd Place — Headline, Albert Im

Honorable Mention — In-Depth Reporting, Robert Beckhusen/Joe Bassi

Honorable Mention — Sports Action Photo, Joey Gidseg

Honorable Mention — Feature Photo, Joey Gidseg

Honorable Mention — Information Graphic, Albert Im

Honorable Mention — Sports Feature, Ben Stratman

Honorable Mention — Sports Feature Photo, Al Terrazas

 

Ms. Newsom introduced Mr. Robert Beckhusen, Acting Editor of Accent, and spoke of his accomplishments.  Mr. Beckhusen expressed appreciation to Trustees and Administrators at ACC, and advised that he chose to enroll at ACC because of the student newspaper.
 

·        New Employees – Ms. Gerry Tucker, Associate Vice President, Human Resources, introduced the new ACC Recruiter, Ms. Rachel Jenkyn.

·        Student Profile - Dr. Kathleen Christensen, Vice President, Student Support and Success System, stated the student to be profiled was unable to attend the Board meeting.

·        Report on Achievements and Recognitions – Ms. Soon Merz, Associate Vice President, presented the Kudos Report and called attention to recent awards/recognitions received by faculty/programs, staff, students, and the Austin Community College District.

 

Citizens Communication

The following persons addressed the Board of Trustees:

 

·        Ms. Marilyn Love, Adjunct Faculty Association, spoke regarding health benefits.

·        Ms. Agnes Robinson, Adjunct Faculty Association, spoke regarding health benefits.

·        Mr. Jim Nelson, President-Elect, Adjunct Faculty Association, spoke regarding health benefits.

·        Dr. Mariana Diaz-Miranda, Director of ACC El Centro, expressed appreciation to participants and staff regarding the recent Dia de la Familia event held at the Riverside Campus

·        Ms. Maria Lyle, Adjunct Faculty Association, spoke regarding health benefits.

·        Mr. Becky Villarreal, ACC/AFA/AFT, spoke regarding adjunct health benefits.

·        Mr. A. J. Hooser, citizen, spoke regarding senior tax freeze and requested establishment of an ACC committee to work with seniors.

 

Reports from Associations

·        Adjunct Faculty Association – Ms. Mary Gilmer, President, Adjunct Faculty Association, spoke regarding new officers of the association; Board Policy F-10, Employee Compensation; shared governance pay; and adjunct health benefits.

·        Classified Employees Association – Ms. Kathy Judge, President, expressed appreciation for the recent breakfast for the association; stated the association raised over $1,000 at the recent silent auction, and stated the money would be donated to ACC’s College Connection scholarships; and spoke regarding Board Policy F-5, Employee Placement/Advancement.

·        Full-Time Faculty Senate – Ms. Linda Welsh, President, spoke regarding faculty reports and recommendations and expressed appreciation to Dr. Stephen Kinslow, College President, and the Leadership Team for aggressively handling the lack of air conditioning at Rio Grande Campus Annex.

·        Professional-Technical Employees– Ms. Judy Van Cleve, President, spoke regarding Board Policy F-5, Employee Placement/Advancement.

·        Student Government Association   Mr. Josh Whitcomb, President, spoke regarding upcoming activities of the Student Government Association.  

 

President’s Report

Dr. Stephen B. Kinslow, College President, welcomed the newly elected officers of the Student Government Association and stated he looked forward to meeting with them.  He called attention to the 2007 ACC Graduation on Thursday, May 10, at the Austin Convention Center.  Dr. Kinslow congratulated ACC’s Fire Academy cadet class which had a 100% retention rate and 100% pass rate.  He stated that the Administration looked forward to the FY08 budget discussions at this meeting

 

Reports to the Board

·        Facilities Update – Mr. Bill Mullane, Director of Facilities and Construction, provided a report on current construction and renovation projects, including GO Tax Bond Projects, Usage of Interest Earnings, Status of District-Wide Renovations and Other Projects.  He responded to questions from Trustees.

·        Financial Report – March 2007 – Mr. Ben Ferrell, Vice President, Business Services, called attention to the information provided including:  (1) the College’s budget was on track and projecting approximately $5.4 million increase in Unrestricted Net Assets, and a $6.0 million increase in Total Net Assets; (2) Fall enrollments were up about 4.2%.  Spring enrollment figures were also up 4.2%.  This exceeds the original projections of 2% growth, and therefore, tuition revenues were projected to exceed budget by $2.0 million; and (3) As for expenses, Adjunct Faculty and Overloads were projected to exceed original FY07 estimates due to the increased enrollments and vacancies in Full-Time Faculty Salaries.  This would be offset by increased tuition revenues and lapsed salaries in Full-Time Faculty.  Total salaries were projected to be over budget by about $0.1 million.

 

In summary, adjusting revenues by $5.6 million and expenses by $0.2 million, Net Revenues over Expenses projected a budget surplus of about $5.4 million and an increase in Total Net Assets of about $6.0 million.  Cash and investments were in line at approximately $103 million, including $43 million in bond proceeds.

 

Mr. Ferrell responded to questions from Trustees.

 

CONSENT ITEMS

 

Mr. Hernandez introduced the items:

 

Agenda Item 8313

Proposed Approval of Minutes of April 2, 2007, Regular Meeting of the Austin Community College District Board of Trustees

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

 

Agenda Item 8314

Texpool Resolution Amending Authorized Representatives

Recommendation:  That the Board of Trustees approve a resolution amending the representatives authorized to make transactions between ACC and its Texpool investment accounts to add Mr. Neil Vickers.

 

Agenda Item 8315

Amendment to Austin Community College Money Purchase Plan

Recommendation:  That the Board of Trustees approve the Austin Community College Money Purchase Plan by adding the following trustees:  Stephen B. Kinslow, Geraldine J. Tucker, and Ben Ferrell.

 

Trustees Barbara Mink moved and James McGuffee seconded that:

MOTION:  The Board of Trustees approve Agenda Item 8313, Minutes of the April 2, 2007, Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Austin Community College District, as presented; Agenda Item 8314, Texpool Resolution Amending Authorized Representatives; and Agenda Item 8315, Amendment to Austin Community College Money Purchase Plan.

VOTE:  The motion passed on a vote of 7-0.

FOR:  Lillian J. Davis*, John F. Hernandez, Allen H. Kaplan*, James W. McGuffee, Barbara P. Mink, Rafael Quintanilla, Veronica Rivera.

AGAINST:  None.

ABSTAINING:  *Trustees Lillian J. Davis and Allen H. Kaplan abstained from the vote on Agenda Item 8313, Minutes of the April 2, 2007, Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees, due to their absence from the April 2, 2007, Meeting.

ABSENT:  Trustees Nan McRaven and Jeffrey Richard.

 

DISUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION

 

Agenda Item 8216

Discussion of Student Forums (Trustee Reports)

Chair Hernandez introduced the item and Trustees Allen Kaplan, Barbara Mink, Veronica Rivera, James McGuffee, and John Hernandez provided information from the Student Forums which they attended. 

 

Dr. Kinslow stated that a listing of the FY08 Student Forums would be created and provided to Trustees for participation.

 

Agenda Item 8317

Policy Compliance Report on D-3, Faculty Workloads

Chair Hernandez introduced the item and Ms Gerry Tucker called attention to the information provided in the agenda including;

·        Board Policy D-3, Faculty Workloads requires that the President report to the Board during the annual budget process on the recent and projected pattern of faculty course loads, including overloads and course load reductions, and on recent and project level of use of adjunct faculty.

·        The Financial Report of March 2007 reported the status of salaries.  The College is within budget for staffing table employees.  Adjunct Faculty and Overloads are projected to exceed original FY07 estimates due to the increased enrollments and vacancies in Full-Time Faculty Salaries.  This would be offset by increased tuition revenues and lapsed salaries in Full-time Faculty.  Total salaries were projected to be over budget by about $0.1 million.

 

Ms. Tucker responded to questions from Trustees.

 

Agenda Item 8318

FY08 Budget Study

·        Projected Revenues

·        Expenses Overview

·        Tuition and Fees (Policy Compliance Report

on Board Policy G-5, Implementation of Fees

Chair Hernandez introduced the item and Mr. Ben Ferrell provided information on the projected revenues and expenses for Fiscal Year 2008 based on interim data from the master planning and budgeting processes including the Budget Planning Directives; Preliminary Revenue and Expense Projections; Fiscal Year 2008-2015 Projected Revenue and Expenses; “Value of One” Reference Guide; Summary of Fee Recommendations for FY08; Course Lab Fee Recommendations; and an Update on FY07 Budget Initiatives.  Dr. Kinslow, Mr. Ferrell, and Mr. Neil Vickers, Director of Finance and Budget, responded to questions from Trustees.

 

Agenda Item 8319

Board Policy C-8, Naming Guidelines

Chair Hernandez introduced the item and Ms. Stephanie Dempsey, Executive Director of the Austin Community District Foundation, called attention to the proposed revisions to the policy. Ms. Linda Welsh, President of the Full-Time Faculty Senate, commented on the policy and the proposed revisions.  Dr. Kinslow and Ms. Dempsey responded to questions from the Trustees.  . 

 

Agenda Item 8320

Board Policy F-5, Employee Placement/Advancement

Chair Hernandez introduced the item and Ms. Gerry Tucker, Associate Vice President of Human Resources, presented proposed revisions Board Policy F-5, Employee Placement/Advancement.  She discussed the proposed revisions and stated the proposed policy was in accordance with the proposed new compensation plan for non-faculty.   Comments were provided by Association Presidents Ms. Kathy Judge, Ms. Judy Van Cleve, and Ms. Linda Welsh.  Ms. Tucker responded to questions from Trustees.

 

Executive Session

There was no Executive Session.

 

Announcements

There were no announcements.

 

Adjournment

Having no motion before the Board, the May 7, 2007, Regular Meeting of the Austin Community College Board of Trustees was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

 

Approved By

Veronica Rivera, Secretary