Executive Council Minutes
July 28, 2009
Present: Alan Scheibmeir, Giles Brown, Jeanie Hardin, and Wendell
Williams.
Absent: David Foster, Gary Paikowski, and Roy Renfro
Guest: Steve Davis
Recorder: Shelle Cassell
Agenda Items
Airline Pilot Certificate – Partnership with Vendor
Jeanie Hardin and Steve Davis presented the preliminary curriculum proposal for a new
Airline Pilot Preparation program that is being explored in conjunction with a third party
vendor, AirSafety Flight Academy (ASFA). Steve reported that each of the proposed
courses meets current WECM or ACGM course descriptions. His research also indicates
that graduates of similar programs have high job placement with regional airlines. While
there is little local demand for such training/employment, occupational outlook sources
project employment opportunities to grow at an average pace through 2016. ASFA will
provide all necessary administrative, instructional and support personnel, as well as
classroom and in-the-field equipment.
GCC has a history of partnering with private entities to teach specific skills through its
continuing education division. This is the first credit program explored based on a private
vendor request. Areas of concern include the college’s lack of academic controls as
required by accrediting agencies (THECB, SACS, Dept. of Education, etc.); the risk of
losing credibility with various agencies through poor transfer performance; loan default
rates; and no compensation for direct services provided. Additionally, administrators are
concerned that the college could be held liable for reimbursing Pell Grant funds and/or
student loans, as well as accidents.
ASFA officials indicate that enrollment will be 100 students in the first few months. GCC
has already offered a proposal to assist with housing the ASFA students. That proposal is
currently awaiting response from ASFA.
The academic program proposal process requires Board approval prior to submission to
the state and accrediting agencies. The full approval process can take 6-12 months.
1 of 3
Action/Motion: The Council unanimously supported a motion by Wendell Williams,
second by Giles Brown, to voice verbal support for the program coming to the area, yet
delay the program application process until the AirSafety Flight Academy organization is
established and has completed one year of operation in Grayson County. Further action:
Dr. Scheibmeir will meet with County Judge Drue Bynum to discuss the financial risks to
the college, prior to presenting the curriculum/partnership proposal to the Board of
Trustees.
Policy Update (DEE) (Local)
Giles Brown presented changes to the wording of Policy DEE, addressing travel-related
expense and reimbursement. In addition to simplifying the language in various sections,
the revised policy sets the reimbursement rate for personal vehicle travel to coincide with
the IRS standard deduction rate. This change allows the college to update its travel
reimbursement rate without waiting to receive Board approval each year.
Action/Motion: The Council made minor edits to the language under “air travel”. The
motion by Giles Brown to accept the proposed policy edits for DEE (Local), seconded by
Wendell Williams, passed unanimously. The updates will be presented to the Board of
Trustees for consideration.
TAPS Transportation Update
Wendell Williams briefly updated members on the progress of the partnership with
TAPS. The formal agreement has been signed by Giles Brown. TAPS service on the
“Viking Route” will begin August 24 and continue through December 11, 2009. The
route provides hourly transportation to a fixed route that includes the Sherman Town
Center and several local apartment complexes that house GCC students. Advertising is
being coordinated with Shelle Cassell and kick off events will soon be announced.
Action/Motion: No action necessary.
SACS Leadership Team Meeting
(Recorded by Debbie Plyler) SACS Leadership Team (EC joined by members Debbie
Plyler, Jean Sorensen, and guest Richard Davis) discussed two topics:
1) College Effectiveness Council Organizational Structure – New Institutional Goals
and Goal Teams
Jean Sorensen reviewed expectations of SACS CS 2.5, 3.3.1, 3.4.1, 3.5.1, and 3.73.
Debbie Plyler proposed four new institutional goals to align with the College’s new
mission and vision. An expanded CEC organizational structure to include four goal
teams was also proposed to ensure compliance with SACS CS and to align resources and
actions with the College’s mission and goals. A proposal was made to approve the
follow-up recommendation from the Student Success Kick-Off Meeting (held June 29,
2009) to appoint the Student Success Goal Team membership. Members of the Student
2 of 3
Success Goal Team are: Paula Cavender, Keri Harvey, Barbara Malone, Stella
Thompson, Patty Pool, Lisa Hebert, Debbie Plyler, and ex-officios Jeanie Hardin, Gary
Paikowski, and Wendell Williams.
Action/Motion: The motion by Jeanie Hardin to accept the four new institutional goals
to replace the six existing goals, the expanded CEC organizational structure to include
four goal teams, and to appoint the members of the Student Success Goal Team, seconded
by Wendell Williams, passed unanimously. The appointment letters will be sent to the
members of the Student Success Goal Team and their first meeting will be scheduled for
mid-August.
2) Strategic Planning Online Accreditation Assignments
Debbie distributed individual reports from Strategic Planning Online to each member of
the SACS Leadership Team asking them to inform her of any organizational members to
be added to their assigned SACS Comprehensive Standards, Core Requirements, and
Federal Regulations. According to the GCC Planning Calendar, the 1st annual audit of
the Compliance Certification is scheduled for November 2009.
3 of 3