MINUTES

Regular Meeting – Board of Trustees

June 4, 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, June 4, 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. Nan McRaven, Board Vice Chair; Mr. James W. McGuffee, Board Secretary; Dr. Lillian J. Davis; Mr. Allen H. Kaplan; Ms. Nan McRaven; Mr. Barbara P. Mink; [arrived at 6:14 p.m.]; Mr. Jeffrey Richard; and Ms. Veronica Rivera.

 

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.

 

Election of Board Officers for 2007-2008

Mr. Hernandez introduced the item.  Trustee and Board Secretary Veronica Rivera did not seek re-election as Board Secretary.

Trustee Allen Kaplan moved and Lillian Davis seconded:

MOTION:  That the Board of Trustees of Austin Community College re-elect Trustee John Hernandez as Board Chair, Trustee Nan McRaven as Board Vice Chair, and Trustee James McGuffee as Board Secretary.

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

FOR:  Lillian J. Davis, John F. Hernandez, Allen Kaplan, James McGuffee, Nan McRaven, Rafael Quintanilla, Jeffrey Richard, and Veronica Rivera.

AGAINST:  None.

ABSENT FOR THE VOTE:  Dr. Barbara P. Mink.

Trustee Rivera expressed appreciation for having served as the Board Secretary during the last year and stated that she would provide a final report on her review of Board policies at the Board Retreat in August.  Chair Hernandez expressed appreciation to Trustee Rivera for her service as Board Secretary.

 

Trustee James W. McGuffee became Board Secretary.

 

Recognitions

·        New Employees – Ms. Gerry Tucker, Associate Vice President, Human Resources, introduced Ms. Ann Zaffrann, new Health Sciences Administration Supervisor.

·        Student Profile - Dr. Donetta Goodall, Vice President for Academic, Transfer, and General Education & Developmental Programs, provided information regarding The Free Minds Project, an initiative shared between ACC and The University of Texas at Austin to serve the educational needs of adult students.  Dr. Goodall distributed information and introduced Ms. Sylvia Gale, Project Director.  She also introduced Beloved Alesworth and Abbie Navarrete.  Dr. Kathleen Christensen, Vice President, Student Support and Success System, stated that Victoria Duose, student in the Free Minds Project, was ill and unable to attend the meeting.  Dr. Christensen introduced Abbie Navarrete, former student in the Free Minds Project and an ACC student.  Ms. Navarrete shared information regarding the Project and the very positive effect it has had on her life and the lives of her family, classmates, and instructors. 

·        Report on Achievements and Recognitions – Mr. Mike Midgley, Vice President, Workforce Education and Business Development, presented the Kudos Report and called attention to recent awards/recognitions received by faculty/programs, staff, students, and Austin Community College.

 

Citizens Communication

The following persons addressed the Board of Trustees:

·        Mr. Glen Colby, Round Rock citizen, introduced Round Rock ISD Board Member Mr. Raymond Hartfield, and spoke regarding a grassroots effort to annex Round Rock into the Austin Community College District in May 2008, and a desired ACC campus in the Round Rock area.

·        Mr. Don Morris, ACC Adjunct Faculty, spoke regarding ACC Adjunct benefits.

 

Reports from Associations

·        Adjunct Faculty Association – Ms. Mary Gilmer, President, Adjunct Faculty Association, spoke regarding proposed revisions to Board Policy F-10, Employee Compensation.

·        Classified Employees Association – Ms. Kathy Judge, President, spoke regarding proposed revisions to Board Policy F-5, Employee Placement/Advancement, and Board Policy F-10, Employee Compensation.

·        Full-Time Faculty Senate – Ms. Linda Welsh, President, distributed information and spoke regarding proposed revisions to F-5, Employment Placement/Advancement and Board Policy F-10, Employee Compensation.

·        Professional-Technical Employees– Ms. Judy Van Cleve, President, spoke regarding proposed revisions to Board Policy F-5, Employee Placement/Advancement, and Board Policy F-10, Employee Compensation.

·        Student Government AssociationMr. Josh Whitcomb, President advised that a recent meeting of the Association dealt with goals and plans for the coming year; a leadership retreat for team building; and other Association activities.

 

President’s Report

Dr. Stephen B. Kinslow, College President, spoke regarding a June 4 Leadership Summit for Board Chairs and Presidents sponsored by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Association of Governing Boards, and a Congressional Hearing conducted by Congressman Ruben Hinojosa requesting testimony on the Higher Education Reauthorization Act related to Titles III and V attended by Chair Hernandez and President Kinslow.  Dr. Kinslow also commented on the over 4% increase in Summer enrollment; and the official announcement from Round Rock.  Chair Hernandez comments regarding the discussions during the Leadership Summit concerning ACC’s Early College Start program and annexation successes.  He also stated that Trustees in all of the community colleges were challenged to become more involved in the Legislature.

 

Reports to the Board

·        Facilities Update – Mr. Bill Mullane, Director of Facilities and Construction, provided a report on current construction and renovation projects, GO Tax Bond Projects, Usage of Interest Earnings, Status of District-Wide Renovations and Other Projects.  He also commented on the status of the expansion of the South Austin Campus parking garage; and responses from architect/engineers and construction managers-at-risk for the Rio Grande Campus new parking garage and Rio Grande Campus Gymnasium renovation.  He responded to questions from Trustees.

·        Financial Report – April 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 $2.2 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 $0.3 million.

 

In summary, adjusting revenues by $5.8 million and expenses by $0.4 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 $94 million, including $41 million in bond proceeds.

 

Mr. Ferrell responded to questions from Trustees.

 

CONSENT ITEM(S)

 

Mr. Hernandez introduced the item:

 

Agenda Item 8325

Proposed Approval of Minutes of May 7, 2007, Regular Meeting and May 21, 2007, Work Session of the Austin Community College District Board of Trustees

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

 

Trustees Rafael Quintanilla moved and Lillian Davis seconded that:

MOTION:  The Board of Trustees approve the minutes of the May 7, 2007, Regular Meeting and the May 21, 2007, Work Session of the Austin Community College District, as presented.

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

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

AGAINST:  None.

ABSTAINING:  *Trustees Nan McRaven, Barbara Mink, and Jeffrey Richard abstained from vote on Minutes of the May 21, 2007, Work Session of the Austin Community College District Board of Trustees, due to their absence from the May 21, 2007, Meeting.

ABSENT:  None.

 

DISUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION

 

Agenda Item 8326

Board Policy C-8, Naming Guidelines

Chair Hernandez introduced the item and Ms. Stephanie Dempsey, Executive Director of the Austin Community College District Foundation, provided information regarding Draft Board Policy C-8, Naming Guidelines, Draft Administrative Rule, Naming of Facilities, and Draft ACC Foundation Naming Guidelines.  Ms. Dempsey responded to questions from Trustees.

 

Trustees Allen Kaplan moved and Lillian Davis seconded that:

MOTION:  The Board of Trustees approve the revisions to Board Policy C-8, Naming Guidelines, as presented.

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

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

AGAINST:  None.

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C-8. NAMING GUIDELINES

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.

Naming of facilities and fund raising opportunities will be consistent with the Austin Community College District’s role as a public community college.

 

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 in which the facility is located.  For example, ACC: San Marcos Campus.

D.  Naming of Buildings

     Approval by the Board of Trustees is required to name a college building or facility after any individual, family, organization, foundation or corporation as outlined in Board Policy E-2, Provision of College Facilities.  Final approval rests with the Board of Trustees.

 

E.  Naming of Facilities/Fund Raising Purposes

      The Austin Community College Foundation will follow guidelines for recognition of donors to the Austin Community College District to include naming for campus facilities.  Facilities are defined as buildings, rooms, and internal and external commons areas on college campuses.

 

     When naming considerations arise, the following guidelines will be followed:

[1] Facilities may be named for individuals, families, organizations, foundations or corporations.

[2] Proposed name will be finalized before request is approved.

[3] During the development process, the request shall be treated confidentially; possible naming commitments will be reviewed carefully for full compliance with applicable laws and ethical principles.

[4] Prior to any donor recognition or naming ceremony, 75% of the gift must be received.

[5] Naming commitments prior to this policy will be honored.

[6] Closure or demolition of a facility or renovation of space may result in the termination of named recognition.  Should this occur, an appropriate form of recognition will be provided.

[7] Name may be forfeited if actions of the contributor or named entity call in question the public respect of ACC.  If these actions cause the entity to no longer exist, the Board of Trustees may remove the name from the facility or space.

 

F. Naming/Public Recognition

     The college administration may consider and determine appropriate recognition of individuals who have made a significant contribution to ACC.  Such recognition may include a variety of means, but may not include designation of facilities or any portion of a college facility in the name of an individual.

 

Requests to name facilities or a portion of a facility in honor or any individual, in lieu of a financial contribution in accordance with this policy, require the approval of the Board of Trustees.  Such determinations will not be considered prior to a one-year period following the individual’s last service to the college.

 

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Agenda Item 8327

Proposed Revisions to Board Policy F-5, Employee Placement and Advancement

Chair Hernandez introduced the item and Ms Gerry Tucker, Associate Vice President, Human Resources, called attention to proposed revisions to Board Policy F-5, Employee Placement and Advancement.

 

Trustees Rafael Quintanilla moved and Nan McRaven seconded that:

MOTION:  The Board of Trustees approve the proposed revisions to Board Policy F-5, Employee Placement and Advancement, as presented.

FRIENDLY AMENDMENT:  Trustee Mink requested a Friendly Amendment to the proposed Value Statement to add the word “encouraged” to the first sentence and delete the second sentence.  Trustee Jeffrey Richard requested a Friendly Amendment to the proposed Value Statement to delete the verb “is” and add the verb “are”:

 

“As an educational institution, advanced education and lifelong learning is are valued, encouraged, and supported.  Employees are encouraged to pursue their educational goals in consideration of possible advancement within ACC or exploration of other career interests.”

Trustee Quintanilla accepted the Friendly Amendments.

Trustees discussed the proposed revisions and Ms. Gerry Tucker responded to questions from Trustees.

VOTE:  The motion, as amended, passed on a vote of 8-1.

FOR:  Lillian J. Davis, John F. Hernandez, James W. McGuffee, Nan McRaven; Barbara P. Mink, Rafael Quintanilla, Jeffrey Richard, and Veronica Rivera.

AGAINST:  Allen H. Kaplan.

 

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F-5. PLACEMENT/ADVANCEMENT

Value Statement:

           To ensure market competitive salaries, the compensation program will determine salaries based upon a placement system that recognizes the education and work experiences of employees.

                As an educational institution, advanced education and lifelong learning are valued, encouraged, and supported. 

               

[1] Faculty shall be compensated appropriate to their experience and level of education.  Thus, the President shall establish rules so that:

[a] New faculty will receive one step credit for each year of relevant full-time experience, with a maximum of 10 steps awarded at initial placement. 

[b] Continuing faculty will advance one step for each year of completed full-time experience.

[c] The President may set equivalence rules by which:

                1. Part-time experience may contribute to initial step placement.

2. A portion of relevant work experience may be counted towards increasing the initial education-level equivalent.

[2] Non-faculty regular employees shall be placed, as shown in the staffing table, in a salary grade appropriate to their position and market-based compensation levels, and at a salary appropriate to their education and experience. Accordingly, for such employees:

[a] Initial placement credit for each full-time-equivalent year of relevant previous paid work experience above the minimum requirements for their current job shall be no less than; the minimum of the salary range and no more than the midpoint of the salary range for the appropriate grade level.

[b] Employees advance within the salary range of their salary grade based upon any Board approved annual increase.

[3] Board approval, preferably as part of the budget process, is required for changes in administrative rules on placement if they would change costs by more than $100,000/year.

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Agenda Item 8328

Proposed Approval of Revisions to

Board Policy F-10, Employee Compensation

Chair Hernandez introduced the item and Ms. Gerry Tucker provided information regarding the proposed revisions to Board Policy F-10, Employee Compensation.  She stated that action may need to be postponed until the Administration could review comments expressed during the Association reports. 

Trustees Rivera moved and McGuffee seconded that:

MOTION:  That the Board of Trustees table vote on this item until a Special Board meeting is set prior to the June 18, 2007, Work Session.

VOTE:  The motion passed on a vote of 7-0 with 2 abstentions.

FOR:  Lillian J. Davis, John Hernandez, James W. McGuffee, Nan McRaven, Barbara Mink, Rafael Quintanilla, and Veronica Rivera.

AGAINST:  None.

ABSTAIN:  Allen Kaplan and Jeffrey Richard.

 

 

Agenda Item 8329

FY08 Budget Study

·        Tuition Discussion

·        Technology/Capital Outlay Plan

·        Vendors Over $100,000

·        Compensation Study Results

·        Compensation Recommendations and Benefits

Chair Hernandez introduced the item and Mr. Ben Ferrell called attention to information provided.  Mr. Ferrell and Mr. Neil Vickers, Director of Finance and Budget; Dr. Richard Smith, Associate Vice President, Instructional Resources and Technology, and Mr. Gary Weseman, Interim Vice President for Informational Technology; and Ms. Gerry Tucker, Associate Vice President, Human Resources, provided information and responded to questions from Trustees.  Trustees expressed appreciation for the information provided.

 

Agenda Item 8330

Facilities Recommendations

·        Approve land acquisition for a campus in Round Rock in July 2007

·        Authorize staff to hire an Architect/Engineer firm to begin the design of a campus in Round Rock

·        Reaffirm master plan recommendations for a campus in Round Rock

·        Reaffirm master plan recommendation for a campus in San Marcos

·        Form a Public Facilities Corporation (PFC) to finance new campuses

·        Authorize staff to issue an RFP for land donations and/or purchases in strategic areas with future growth potential

·        Direct staff to develop individual master plans for expansion and renovations at existing ACC campuses

Chair Hernandez introduced the item and Mr. Ben Ferrell and Mr. Bill Mullane, Director, Facilities and Construction, provided information concerning the item.

Trustees Lillian Davis moved and Nan McRaven seconded:

MOTION:  That the Board of Trustees approve the staff recommendations regarding facilities.

Trustees discussed the recommendations.

FRIENDLY AMENDMENT:  Trustee James McGuffee requested a Friendly Amendment to Staff Recommendation 4 to add:  Take Steps Necessary to Form a Public Facilities Consortium (PFC) to finance new campuses.

Trustees Davis and Nan McRaven accepted the Friendly Amendment.

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

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

AGAINST:  None.

 

Executive Session

There was no Executive Session.

 

Announcements

There were no announcements.

 

Adjournment

Having no motion before the Board, the June 4, 2007, Regular Meeting of the Austin Community College District Board of Trustees was adjourned at 8:22 p.m.

 

Approved By

Dr. James W. McGuffee, Board Secretary