MEETING OF THE
BOARD GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
December 8, 2011
Minutes
The Board Governance Committee of the Board of Trustees of Houston Community
College held a meeting on Thursday, December 8, 2011, at the HCC Administration
Building, 3100 Main, 2nd Floor, Seminar Room A, Houston, Texas.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Bruce Austin, Committee Chair
Eva Loredo, Committee Member
Sandie Mullins, Committee Member
Neeta Sane, Alternate Committee Member
Mary Ann Perez
Richard Schechter
ADMINISTRATION
Mary S. Spangler, Chancellor
Art Tyler, Deputy Chancellor/COO
Renee Byas, General Counsel
Shantay Grays, Interim Executive Officer to the Chancellor
William Carter, Vice Chancellor, Information Technology
Charles Cook, Vice Chancellor, Instruction
Diana Pino, Vice Chancellor, Student Success
Daniel Seymour, Vice Chancellor, Planning and Institutional Effectiveness
Fena Garza, President, Southwest College
Margaret Ford Fisher, President, Northeast College
Zachary Hodges, President Northwest College
Betty Young, President, Coleman Health Sciences
Remmele Young, Executive Director, Government Relations and Sustainability
Willie Williams, Chief Human Resources Officer
OTHERS PRESENT
Jarvis Hollingsworth, System Counsel, Bracewell & Giuliani
Thomas Urban, President, Faculty Senate
Other administrators, citizens and representatives from the news media
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Austin called the meeting to order at 3:12 p.m. and declared the Committee convened
to consider matters pertaining to Houston Community College as listed on the duly posted
Meeting Notice.
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Board Governance Committee – December 8, 2011 - Page 2
REVISIONS TO BOARD BYLAWS AND BOARD GOVERNANCE POLICY
Mr. Hollingsworth apprised that the revision relates to the procurement process. He
apprised that the change is prohibition of receiving contributions during the blackout period.
Mr. Hollingsworth noted that other entities throughout the city have adopted similar
procedures.
Ms. Mullins inquired about the notification process to inform the Board.
The Committee noted that the Board is not aware when a contract is signed.
Mrs. Sane asked if the procurement process includes only those contracts that come
before the Board for approval or does it include those contracts that are under the
Chancellor’s authority.
Dr. Tyler apprised that a possible solution could be if the administration is unable to
negotiate with the first firm, then the efforts would go to the second tier. He noted that there
could be an information item provided to the Board to inform that negotiations are now
under way with the next vendor on the list.
(Mr. Schechter joined the meeting at 3:24 p.m.)
Mr. Hollingsworth informed that the purpose of the blackout period is to protect the Board of
undue distress from vendors.
Mrs. Sane noted that some form of database should be developed to inform the Board.
Dr. Tyler informed that Rogelio Anasagasti has advised that the procurement website will
be available with the contract status.
Mr. Schechter noted that each Trustee is aware when they anticipate holding a fundraiser
and noted that the Trustee could contact Mr. Rogelio Anasagasti to inquire of the listing of
contracts.
Mr. Austin recommended that the item be revisited by the Committee at a later date. He
noted that the overall purpose of the recommendation is to show transparency around the
Board table. He recommended that counsel review the issue. Mr. Hollingsworth noted that
he would review and discuss the policy with administration to identify possible options.
The item was tabled for future discussion.
POLICIES RELATING TO INFORMATION SECURITY AND UNSOLICITED
DEROGATORY COMMUNICATIONS
Mr. Hollingsworth apprised that the purpose of the policy is to determine the handling of
unsolicited derogatory communications. Dr. Spangler noted that often the communication is
distributed throughout the college and noted the purpose of the policy is to protect
administrators and staff regarding unsolicited communications.
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Board Governance Committee – December 8, 2011 - Page 3
Mr. Austin apprised that the governmental agency is responsible for consistently handling
such information. He noted that often personal beliefs may cause one to disregard a
matter.
Dr. Spangler noted that two senior administrators must be involved in the decision
regarding whether the action is warranted.
Mr. Austin noted that the Chancellor’s concern is to protect employees from unnecessary
unsolicited communications.
Dr. Tyler apprised that the policy is based on review of how other institutions handle
receiving of information.
Mr. Schechter noted that the Board is trying to balance fiduciary responsibility to investigate
and where to draw the line.
Mr. Hollingsworth noted that many colleges use a hotline and receive a report periodically
and involve the internal auditors whom report directly to the Chair of the Board.
Mr. Austin noted that the Committee will revisit the issue at a future meeting.
GENDER IDENTITY AND GENDER EXPRESSION
Dr. Diana Pino, Vice Chancellor for Student Success informed that it is recommended that
the term gender be replaced with gender identity and gender expression. She noted that
the revisions apply to the following policies:
• C.2 – Equal Employment Opportunities
• D.1.1 – Equal Educational Opportunities
• G.1 – Discrimination and Harassment
Dr. Pino apprised that the policy protects anyone whose identity and behavior fall outside
the stereotypical gender expectations. She noted that the term gender identity refers to
one’s internal feelings of being male or female and gender expression refers to social and
behavioral characteristics that are culturally associated with maleness and femaleness.
Motion – Mrs. Sane moved and Ms. Loredo seconded. The motion passed with a vote of 40.
NAMING OPPORTUNITY AND REPORT ON NAMING OPPORTUNITY POLICY AND
PROCEDURAL OVERVIEW
Motion – Ms. Loredo moved and Mrs. Sane seconded. The motion passed with 4-0.
Mr. Austin recessed the meeting at 3:59 p.m.
Mr. Austin reconvened the meeting at 6:08 p.m.
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Board Governance Committee – December 8, 2011 - Page 4
REPORT ON PROCEDURES FOR INFORMATION SECURITY AND UNSOLICITED
DEROGATORY COMMUNICATIONS POLICIES
The item was tabled for later discussion.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:08 p.m.
Recorded, transcribed and submitted by:
Sharon R. Wright, Manager, Board Services
Minutes Approved: _________________________________