REGULAR MEETING
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
April 23, 2009
Minutes
The Board of Trustees of Houston Community College held a Regular Meeting on
Thursday, April 23, 2009 at the HCC Administration Building, Second Floor Auditorium,
3100 Main, Houston, Texas.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Abel Davila, Chair
Neeta Sane, Vice Chair
Diane Olmos Guzman, Secretary
Bruce A. Austin
Yolanda Navarro Flores
Christopher Oliver
Richard Schechter
Dr. Michael P. Williams
ADMINISTRATION
Mary Spangler, Chancellor
Art Tyler, Deputy Chancellor/COO
Renee Byas, General Counsel
Doretha Eason, Executive Assistant to the Chancellor
William Carter, Vice Chancellor, Information Technology
Juan Carlos Reina for Charles Cook, Vice Chancellor, Instruction
Cheryl Sterling, Interim Vice Chancellor, Student Services
Margaret Ford Fisher, President, Northeast College
Fena Garza, President, Southwest College
William Harmon, President, Central College
Zachary Hodges, President, Northwest College
Irene Porcarello, President, Southeast College
Betty Young, President, Coleman College
Willie Williams, Chief Human Resources Officer
Kelly Zuniga, Executive Director, HCC Foundation
OTHERS PRESENT
Jarvis Hollingsworth, System Counsel, Bracewell & Giuliani
Other administrators, citizens and representatives from the news media
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Davila, Chair, called the meeting to order at 4:34 p.m. and declared the Board
convened to consider matters pertaining to Houston Community College as listed on the
duly posted Meeting Notice.
Houston Community College
Regular Meeting –April 23, 2009 – Page 2
PRAYER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mrs. Guzman led the prayer and the pledge of allegiance to the flag.
(Mr. Oliver arrived at 4:36 p.m.)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approval of Minutes for Annexation Committee Meeting of December 8, 2008, Regular
Meeting of December 11, 2008, Special Meeting of December 26, 2008, Special Meeting
of January 9, 2009, Special Meeting of January 10, 2009, Technology Committee
Meeting of January 15, 2009, Committee of the Whole Meeting of January 15, 2009, and
Regular Board Meeting of January 22, 2009
Motion – Mr. Austin moved and Mrs. Guzman seconded. The motion passed with a vote
of 7-0.
HEARING OF CITIZENS
The following citizens were present to speak before the Board:
Amy Reyes, Vice President of the United Student Council
Ms. Reyes announced that an invitation is extended to the Board of Trustees to attend
the United Student Council Annual Gala scheduled for May 29, 2009 at Hotel Zaza.
(Dr. Williams arrived at 4:41 p.m.)
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
• Overview of 2009 Board of Trustees Institute
Mr. Austin provided a report on data and results discussed at the 2009 Board of
Trustee Institute held in March 2009 in Santa Fe, MN.
(Mr. Oliver stepped out at 4:42 p.m.)
Mr. Austin asked Mr. Davila to assist in presenting the data discussed at the BOT
Institute as it relates to ACT scores.
(Mr. Oliver returned at 4:45 p.m.)
(Dr. Williams stepped out at 4:45 p.m. and returned at 4:46 p.m.)
Mr. Davila noted that although HCC is above average, there is room for
improvement. He expressed commendations to the Chancellor for introducing
good programs and to the faculty and administration.
Houston Community College
Regular Meeting –April 23, 2009 – Page 3
Mr. Davila apprised that certain areas should be viewed as priority such as
developmental education, required orientation, advising, supplemental instruction,
offering basic skills and career contextual learning, fast tracking with early
intervention diagnostics and creating a developmental course in workforce
program.
Mr. Austin noted that we must form a collective partnership between secondary
and post-secondary education institutions. He noted that workforce needs the
same preparation as academic courses.
Mr. Davila reiterated that there is a drop-out problem and noted that there needs
to be a solution for community colleges to get involved to prevent dropouts from
high school and from the community college level. He noted that an effort must
take place to ensure that students graduate with a certificate or a diploma and
apprised that with the creativity of the Chancellor, HCC can move in that direction.
Mr. Austin summarized with concepts regarding education rates in China and
India. He noted that a new paradigm needs to be developed and provided
information on the national education statistics regarding fourth and fifth graders.
He noted that the trend must be halted especially as it relates to reading,
mathematics, and science skills.
Mr. Austin reiterated that the Board approved a resolution on College and Career
initiatives.
Mr. Davila expressed appreciation to Mr. Austin and Mr. Schechter, Academic
Committee Chair for focusing on developmental education and creating a Board
monitoring system that will focus on data. He also expressed appreciation to the
Chancellor for being creative in focusing on developmental education.
•
Mr. Davila announced that Metro expressed appreciation to Trustee Diane Olmos
Guzman for her efforts with the East End Rail Corridor on a segment of VIVA
Houston.
•
Mrs. Sane recognized Ms. Parvin Bagherpour, HCC Counseling Department Chair
who received an award of appreciation at the Inaugural Multicultural State-wide
Summit in recognition of her leadership and dedication in the community.
Mrs. Flores expressed that Ms. Parvin Bagherpour is always willing to assist
wherever needed and is a tremendous contribution to the college.
CHANCELLOR’S REPORT
Dr. Spangler provided the following information and recognitions:
•
HCC 2009 Graduation Ceremony is scheduled for May 2, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. at
Minute Maid Park; Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. will be the commencement speaker.
Houston Community College
Regular Meeting –April 23, 2009 – Page 4
•
March for Babies Fundraising campaign began April 6, 2009; HCC has supported
the March for Babies effort for 17 years
•
US Department of Education awarded HCC $285,000 for the EMT program
through the efforts of Congressman Al Green
•
Houston Endowment sponsored the Pathways Initiative for the HCC Foundation
with $1.5 million for the student data system; Developmental Education and P16
content teams which will help support improvements in student preparations
success and degree achievements
•
Texas Asian Leadership Summit was held and Trustee Neeta Sane was the cochair of the summit; more than 50 students were invited and attended the summit
•
Appreciation to the Board for their input regarding the Capital Improvement
Report, which has been distributed to the community
•
HCC Foundation Opportunity 14 Scholarship Campaign won first place honors at
the Council for the Advancement in Support of Education; HCC was the only
community college to receive an award
•
Passion for Fashion luncheon raised over $123,000 for the interior design
program
•
Culinary department won first place in the annual competition sponsored by the
professionals in culinary arts
•
2009 faculty and staff campaign raised over $40,000 for HCC Foundation with
Coleman College raising the most funds; an increase of 33% over last year
•
Ms. Irene Porcarello presented highlights on Southeast College program and
recognition activities, which included the iPhone project that was funded by the
Innovation Fund Grant Program.
The Board expressed appreciation to Southeast College president, faculty and
staff for their efforts on the project that received recognition in the Houston
Chronicle.
•
Erica Chavez is the 2009 Coca Cola Finalist
•
Participants in 2009 Salzburg Seminar were recognized 2009; participants will be
traveling to Salzburg, Austria in July
Houston Community College
Regular Meeting –April 23, 2009 – Page 5
•
Dr. Betty Young was announced as the new President for Coleman College for
Health Sciences
Mr. Davila recessed the meeting at 5:37 p.m. and reconvened at 6:00 p.m.
(Present: Trustees Austin, Davila, Flores, Guzman, Oliver, Sane, and Dr. Williams)
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion - Mrs. Sane moved and Mr. Oliver seconded to approve the consent agenda.
The motion passed with a vote of 7-0. The following items were approved:
1. Approve AAMA Supplemental Adult Education Agreement
2. Approve Investment Report for the Month of January 2009
3. Approve Adoption of Fort Bend County Local Option Exemptions Tax Year 2009
4. Approve Increase and Extension in Student Fees for Technology and Instructional
Equipment Uses
5. Approve Temporary Personnel Agency Services
6. Approve Travel to Salzburg Seminar
7. Approve Renewal of Lease Agreement for 4014 Bluebonnet Drive (Stafford,
Texas)
(Mr. Schechter returned to the meeting at 6:01 p.m.)
TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION
Motion – Mr. Oliver moved and Mr. Austin seconded to approve topics for discussion as
a consent agenda. The motion passed as a vote of 8-0. The following items were
approved:
1. HCC Honorary Degree Recipients for 2009
2. Payment to Thompson and Horton LLP for Professional Services (January 2009)
3. Resolution to Exempt the Assessed Value of 301 Main and 300 Fannin from Ad
Valorem Taxation
4. Personnel Agenda for March and April 2009
5. Amendment to Chancellor's Contract Regarding Deferred Compensation
Houston Community College
Regular Meeting –April 23, 2009 – Page 6
ADJOURNED TO CLOSED SESSION
Mr. Davila adjourned the meeting to Executive Session at 6:02 p.m., notice having
previously been given and reiterated in accordance with Sections 551.071, 551.072,
and/or 551.074 of the Open Meetings Law. Mr. Davila stated that any final action, vote or
decision on any item discussed in Executive Session would be taken up in Open Session
or in a subsequent Public Meeting.
Mr. Davila reconvened the meeting in Open Session at 6:57 p.m. and entertained
motions on pending matters.
(Present: Trustees Austin, Davila, Flores, Guzman, Oliver, Sane, Schechter, and Dr.
Williams)
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business coming before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 6:57 p.m.
Minutes recorded, transcribed & submitted by:
Sharon Wright, Executive Administrative Assistant, Board Services
Minutes Approved as Submitted: