SPECIAL MEETING
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM
June 24, 2003
Minutes
The Board of Trustees of the Houston Community College System held a Special
Meeting on Monday, June 24, 2003, beginning at 2:00 p.m., at the System
Administration Building, Chancellor's Conference Room 12D11, 3100 Main,
Houston, Texas.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
James R. Murphy, Chairman
Herlinda Garcia, Vice Chairman
Christopher W. Oliver, Secretary
Herman Litt, Deputy Secretary
Jay K. Aiyer
Bruce Austin
Abel Davila
Yolanda Navarro Flores
Michael P. Williams, D.Min.
ADMINISTRATION
Bruce Leslie, Chancellor
Charles Cook, Vice Chancellor, Educational Development
Jose Villarreal, Vice Chancellor, Economic Development
Gloria Walker, Vice Chancellor, Finance and Administration
Irene Porcarello, Deputy to the Chancellor and Interim Vice Chancellor,
Institutional Development
Rosie Barrera, Associate Vice Chancellor, Communications
Michael Kyme, Executive Director, Purchasing
Ted Wiese, Executive Director, Information Technology
Willie Williams, Jr., Interim Director, Human Resources
Miles LeBlanc, General Counsel
OTHERS PRESENT
Arturo Michel, System Counsel, Bracewell & Patterson
Butch Herod, President, Faculty Association
Other administrators, representatives of the news media and interested citizens
CALL TO ORDER
Houston Community College System
Special Meeting – June 24, 2003 – Page 2
Chairman Murphy called the meeting to order at 3:10 p.m. and declared the Board
convened to consider matters pertaining to the Houston Community College System
as listed in the duly posted meeting notice.
BOND/ANNEXATION ELECTIONS
Dr. Richard Murray, political analyst with the University of Houston, gave a report on
a poll recently conducted by the Political Action Committee (PAC) formed by
community leaders to support the college's bond efforts. HCCS received good or
excellent ratings on the job it is doing by 55% of the poll respondents. Only 1% said
the college is doing a fair or poor job and of the 500 citizens polled, 41% said they or
a family member had taken classes at HCCS. Mr. Murray stated the Legislature's
recent passage of a flexible tuition bill is expected to limit access to universities for
many students due to higher tuition costs. Approval of the bonds will enable HCCS
to provide additional capacity and opportunities for these students to receive a
quality education at an affordable price. Voters are not as familiar with annexation
issues. Dr. Murray answered questions from the Board.
Gloria Walker noted that the Board made minor changes to the College
Improvement Plan (CIP), including eliminating the planned extension at the Medical
Center because of other options that have become available and increasing the
Drennan project by 20,000 sq. ft. In view of construction rates on those projects
falling from $170/sq. ft. to $150/sq. ft., all projects can be completed with a bond
issuance of approximately $150.7 million. The CIP contains expanded classroom
space, science and technology centers, laboratories and three Learning Hubs that
will house Student Success Centers. The Centers will provide intensive counseling,
tutoring, financial aid, child care and space to engage students in activities to
enhance retention and to bring the community to the college.
Specific projects to be financed by the bond include the following:
Southeast College - Renovation of the Felix Morales Building and 45,000
square feet for an Advanced Technology Center,
Northeast College - 65,000 square feet for a Science, Engineering and
Technology Building,
Southwest College - Additional 100,000 square feet of classroom, office and
laboratory space at Stafford and West Loop campuses; and a 45,000 square
foot Academic Center at Missouri City, and
Central College - Renovation of the historic San Jacinto Building.
BOND ELECTION CALLED FOR NOVEMBER 4, 2003
Houston Community College System
Special Meeting – June 24, 2003 – Page 3
Motion – Ms. Navarro Flores moved to direct Administration to issue an order for a
bond election on November 4, 2003, in accordance with the College Improvement
Plan, as amended. Motion was seconded by Mr. Austin and carried 9-0.
Chairman Murphy congratulated his colleagues for their support of the bond. He
acknowledged that Houstonians understand the importance of education, and HCCS
is becoming the college of choice. He added that the bond election is especially
timely in view of higher costs and limited access to universities that is likely to occur
due to recent legislation.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to come before the Board, Chairman Murphy adjourned the
meeting at 3:35 P.M.
Minutes Prepared by:
Erica Carmen DelValle, Secretary
Board Services
Reviewed, Finalized and Submitted by:
Christopher W. Oliver, Secretary
Board of Trustees
Minutes Approved as Submitted:
July 24, 2003