Special Meeting April 09,2002
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SPECIAL MEETING
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM
April 9, 2002
Minutes
The Board of Trustees of the Houston Community College System held a Special Meeting
on Tuesday, April 9, 2002, at the HCC System Administration Building, Chancellor’s
Conference Room, 12th Floor, 3100 Main, Houston, Texas.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Abel Davila, Chairman
Jay K. Aiyer, Vice Chairman
Yolanda Navarro Flores, Secretary
Herman Litt, Deputy Secretary
Bruce A. Austin
Herlinda Garcia
James R. Murphy Christopher W. Oliver Michael P. Williams
ADMINISTRATION
Bruce H. Leslie, Chancellor
Jose Villarreal, Vice Chancellor, Economic Development
Jack Daniels, President, Central College
Zach Hodges, President, Northwest College
Miles Bradshaw, General Counsel
Dianne Bynum, Interim Executive Director, Public Information & Marketing
Deborah Christie, Executive Director, HCC Foundation
Isabel Nart, Director of Governmental Relations
Alex Warren, President, Faculty Senate
Brenda Cox, Interim Assistant to the Chancellor
OTHERS PRESENT
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Special Meeting April 09,2002
Eddie Aldrete, Aldrete Communications
Greg Hartman, MGT Inc.
Arturo Michel, System Counsel, Bracewell & Patterson
Other administrators, staff, representatives of the news media and interested citizens
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Davila called the Meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. and declared the Board convened to
consider matters pertaining to the Houston Community College System as listed on the
duly posted meeting notice.
DISCUSSION OF STRATEGIC MARKETING PLAN
The Board discussed the proposed strategic marketing plan developed by consultants
Eddie Aldrete, Aldrete Communications, and Greg Hartman, MGT Inc. The consultants
heard comments and answered questions from the Board Members. Much of the
discussion focused on the organization and management structure of the proposed
marketing operation and striking a proper balance between System and college
functions. According to the consultants, a centralized marketing operation is necessary
for mass communication, while the colleges are more effective with community level
communication.
The consultants pointed out that a successful marketing organization must be serviceoriented and the colleges must facilitate student access into the higher education
experience. They also noted that Board Members play an important role as
spokespersons for the System and the organization must provide appropriate services
and resources to assist them in fulfilling this responsibility.
There was general agreement among the Trustees to approve the plan at the April 25
Board Meeting and authorize the Chancellor to begin implementation and the hiring of
personnel. Implementation will be reviewed periodically by Board committees and
appropriate policies developed.
MEETING RECESSED
Mr. Davila called a recess at 6:10 p.m. for a Board photo session.
MEETING RECONVENED
Mr. Davila reconvened the meeting at 6:50 p.m.
RESOLUTION REQUESTING STATE COMPTROLLER TO CARRY OUT
PERFORMANCE AUDIT ADOPTED
Motion – Dr. Williams moved adoption of a Resolution requesting the Office of the Texas
Comptroller of Public Accounts to carry out a Performance Audit for HCCS at the earliest
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Special Meeting April 09,2002
possible convenience. Mr. Aiyer seconded the motion.
The Board Finance Committee recently reviewed this issue and concluded that the Board
could best demonstrate exemplary fiduciary responsibility by engaging the State
Comptroller’s Office to perform the audit. Dr. Leslie has spoken with the Deputy
Comptroller who acknowledged willingness to take on this project. yes"> The
Comptroller’s Office is authorized by the State of Texas to charge a fee, which would
likely be in the $125 – 150,000 range. Mr. Aiyer, Audit Committee chair, explained that
if a state legislator requests the audit there may be no fee.
Motion – Dr. Williams moved for adoption of the Resolution as amended. Mr. Aiyer
seconded the motion. Motion carried 8-0 (Mr. Oliver had already left the meeting). The
final Resolution is included as an attachment to the Minutes. The Chancellor will advise
the State Comptroller of the Board’s decision and confirm their ability to begin the audit
at the earliest possible opportunity.
ADJOURNMENT TO CLOSED OR EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mr. Davila adjourned the meeting to Executive Session at 6:55 p.m., notice having
previously been given, and reiterated by him, in accordance with the Open Meetings
Law. He 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 7:35 p.m. and
entertained discussion of agenda items.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at
7:36.
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