MINUTES

Retreat – Board of Trustees

August 14-15, 2009

 

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, August 14, 2009, at 5:50 p.m. in the Board Room (201) of the Highland Business Center of the Austin Community College District located at 5930 Middle Fiskville Road, Austin, Texas, with the following members present:  Ms. Nan McRaven, Board Chair/Presiding Officer; Dr. Barbara P. Mink, Board Secretary; Mr. Raul Alvarez [arrived at 7:05 p.m.]; Mr. John-Michael Cortez; Mr. Allen H. Kaplan; Mr. Tim Mahoney; Dr. James W. McGuffee; and Mr. Jeffrey Richard.  Ms. Veronica Rivera, Board Vice Chair, was absent from the meeting.  Also in attendance were Dr. Stephen B. Kinslow, College President/CEO; Mr. Ben Ferrell; Dr. Mary Hensley; Mr. Mike Midgley; Dr. Kathleen Christensen; Ms. Gerry Tucker; Ms. Soon Merz; Ms. Linda Young; Ms. Brette Lea; Mr. Don Morris; Ms. Dawn Tawwater; Ms. Nicole Bell; and Ms. Cindy Wiseman.

 

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.

 

Chair McRaven welcomed Trustees and participants to the Retreat and stated policy governance principles would be discussed and provided information regarding the goals of the Retreat.

 

Chair McRaven introduced Dr. Walter Bumphus, Professor and Chair of the Department of Educational Administration, A. M. Aikin Regents Chair in Junior and Community College Educational Leadership, The University of Texas at Austin.  Dr. Bumphus introduced Ms. Robin Court, a graduate student in community college leadership from Texarkana.  ACC Trustees and administrators introduced themselves and shared information shared information that others may not know about them.

 

Dr. Bumpus presented information on “From Good to Great:  Qualities of Great Boards” including an overview of policy governance and why it matters; role of Trustees—as a member of the Board and as a representative in the community; do’s and don’ts for Trustees; and personal observations—experiences as a community college president and what board behaviors were helpful and what board behaviors were problematic.  Trustees commented on and responded to the information provided by Dr. Bumphus. 

 

Recess

The Board of Trustees of the Austin Community College District recessed at 7:50 p.m. for a convenience break.

[Trustee Mink left the meeting at 7:50 p.m.]

 

Reconvene

The Board of Trustees of the Austin Community College District reconvened in public session at 8:05 p.m. under the Texas Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code.

 

Dr. Bumphus presented information regarding Aligning Vision and Mission to Master Plan and Budget.  Trustees discussed ACC Board Effectiveness including strengths/weaknesses of self evaluation; strengths Trustees bring to the Board; and the contributions Trustees hope to make.

 

Trustees responded to the question:  “What one thing would cause the Board to go in the weeds”.

Dr. Bumphus stated:  “This Board and CEO have well positioned this College to get where it is.  I hope it continues for a long time.”

 

Trustees suggested topics for upcoming Board Work Sessions.  These included Servant-Leadership, Campus Advisory Committees, Finance, and Legislative Strategies.  Chair McRaven stated the Board Officers would discuss the next steps for professional development and Board needs.

 

Trustees expressed appreciation to Dr. Bumphus for the valuable information presented.

 

Recess

The August 14-15, 2009, Retreat of the Austin Community College District was recessed at 8:40 p.m. on August 14, 2009, until 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 15, 2009.

 

Reconvene

The Board of Trustees of the Austin Community College District reconvened in public session at 8:45 a.m. on Saturday, August 15, 2009, under the Texas Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code, with the following members present:  Ms. Nan McRaven, Chair and Presiding Officer; Dr. Barbara P. Mink, Board Secretary; Trustees Raul Alvarez, John-Michael Cortez, Allen H. Kaplan, Tim Mahoney; James McGuffee, and Richard.  Trustee Veronica Rivera, Board Vice Chair, was absent from the meeting.  Also in attendance were:  Dr. Stephen B. Kinslow, College President; Mr. Ben Ferrell; Dr. Mary Hensley; Ms. Gerry Tucker, Dr. Kathleen Christensen, Ms. Soon Merz, Mr. Neil Vickers, Mr. Bill Mullane, Ms. Linda Young, Ms. Brette Lea, Mr. Don Morris, and Ms. Dawn Tawwater.

 

Chair Nan McRaven commented regarding the Retreat discussions on Friday, August 14, and outlined the anticipated discussions for Saturday, August 15, which would enhance Trustees’ understanding of ACC through review and discussion of College resources and responding to the feedback of new Trustees.

 

Ms. Brette Lea, Executive Director of Public Information and College Marketing, provided an overview of the ACC Web Site including general organization, information of importance to students, the external community, and of importance to employees.

 

Dr. Stephen B. Kinslow provided information regarding the Board Orientation Resource website including general organization; information of importance to new Trustees, information of importance to all Trustees, and community linkages.  He called attention to the College Organizational Reference website.

 

Dr. Kinslow discussed the Shared Governance website and Ms. Gerry Tucker provided information regarding compensation.  Dr. Kinslow called attention to the Student Success Initiative and Ms. Soon Merz discussed the ACC Snapshot, ACC Discipline-Specific Snapshot and the next steps.

 

Mr. Ben Ferrell, Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration, provided financial overview information including access/web, land banking/fiscal capacity.

 

Chair McRaven expressed appreciation to Trustees and administrators for the discussions and the information provided during the Retreat.

 

Executive Session

There was no Executive Session.

 

Adjournment

Having no motion before the Board, the August 14-15, 2009, Retreat of the Austin Community College District Board of Trustees was adjourned at 11:30 a.m.

 

Approved By

Dr. Barbara P. Mink, Board Secretary