SPECIAL MEETING
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM
July 22, 2004
Minutes
The Board of Trustees of the Houston Community College System held a Special
Meeting on Thursday, July 22, 2004, at the System Administration Building, 2nd Floor
Auditorium, 3100 Main, Houston, Texas.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Herman Litt, Chair
Yolanda Navarro Flores, Secretary
Diane Olmos Guzman, Deputy Secretary
Bruce A. Austin
James R. Murphy
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT
Michael P. Williams, D.Min., Vice Chairman
Jay K. Aiyer
Abel Davila
Christopher W. Oliver
ADMINISTRATION
Bruce H. Leslie, Chancellor
Doretha Eason, Deputy to the Chancellor
Charles Cook, Vice Chancellor, Educational Development
Irene Porcarello, Interim Vice Chancellor, Institutional Development
Jose Villarreal, Vice Chancellor, Economic Development
Gloria Walker, Vice Chancellor, Finance and Administration
Johnella Bradford for Diana Castillo, Interim President, Southeast College
Winston Dahse for Sue Cox, President, Southwest College
Margaret Forde, President, Northeast College
Maya Durnovo for Zachary Hodges, President, Northwest College
Patricia Williamson, Interim President, Central College
Rosie Barrera, Associate Vice Chancellor, Communications & Marketing
Willie Williams, Interim Executive Director, Human Resources
Miles LeBlanc, General Counsel
OTHERS PRESENT
Jarvis Hollingsworth, System Counsel, Bracewell & Patterson
Butch Herod, President, Faculty Association
Other administrators, citizens and representatives from the news media
Houston Community College System
Special Board Meeting – July 22, 2004 – Page 2
CALL TO ORDER
Ms. Navarro Flores called the meeting to order at 1:34 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.
Present were Trustees Flores, Olmos Guzman, Austin, and Murphy. Without a quorum
present, the meeting continued for discussion purposes only.
PRESENTATIONS ON PROPOSED BUDGET FOR 2004-2005
Dr. Leslie reviewed the five priority elements of the proposed budget which were
enrollment growth, CT/CE reorganization, annexation, implementation of the capital
improvement program, and supporting college operations. He then turned the meeting
over to the presenters.
Enrollment Growth – Dr. Cook
Dr. Cook pointed out that enrollment for credit students grew from 40,729 in fall 1999 to
48,931 in fall 2002, an increase of 20%. Adult Education enrollment also experienced a
growth period. Growth continued through fall 2003, then dropped off from fall 2002
through fall 2003. Of the number of students who did not return, 35 were in-district and
2,141 were out-of-district, which probably indicates they either went to the new Cy-Fair
College or reacted to the increase in out-of-district tuition and fees. A similar trend was
reflected in contact hours as well. A drop in international students was seen post-9/11
and Gigi Do, Coordinator of International Initiatives, is working with AACC to prepare
materials for enhanced recruiting of foreign students.
In reply to Ms. Navarro Flores, Dr. Cook explained that enrollment figures included only
fall semesters for a more accurate comparison. She asked for a breakdown of spring
and summer figures as well. Mr. Murphy asked if there were any way to track the outof-district students who did not return. Dr. Cook replied it might be possible to work with
the Coordinating Board to track them by social security numbers to see if they enrolled
at other colleges. Transfer students and graduates are currently tracked for job
placement.
Dr. Cook reviewed contact hours for fall 2003 broken out by college/location/program,
with baselines that can be tracked. Additionally, baselines were indicated for each
academic discipline at each college. Therefore, each college can analyze contact hours
in terms of a trend line for four years. With this information strategies can be analyzed
for programs that are out of compliance, or not meeting the required number of
graduates or placement rates. Dr. Cook met with the presidents regarding twelve
workforce programs that are out of compliance and strategies to enhance those
programs. For example, he and Dr. Williamson met to develop strategies for four
construction trade programs at Central College. It was decided to collapse the Building
Trades with Construction Technology and aggressively work with the plumbers and
electrician apprenticeship programs to afford them a pathway to obtain credit hours for
both classroom instruction and on the job training so they can fold into a degree and
certificate program and use new program funds to bring in an industry expert as an
advisor.
Houston Community College System
Special Board Meeting – July 22, 2004 – Page 3
Dr. Cook explained that every workforce program has an advisory committee, with
varying degrees of leadership. An occupational forecast is being conducted to analyze
whether we are training students in jobs that have a current and future demand and
offer good wages and opportunities for advancement. Dr. Leslie added that advisory
committees will be studied during the coming year to determine if there are too many
and how they can be better administered.
Mr. Austin felt that businesses and governmental agencies would be interested in how
we are fostering new manufacturing technology and business development within
certain trades. Ms. Navarro Flores suggested looking to federal agencies for grants to
begin innovative programs in health care in the northeast sector.
Dr. Cook reported that the numbers of graduates and completers reported to the
Coordinating Board grew from 1,700 in 1998-99 to 5,000 in 2002-03. Ms. Navarro
Flores wanted to know which programs were awarding certificates and degrees by
program and ethnicity. Mr. Austin suggested developing a certificate in Small Business
Management and Faith-Based Organizational Management and joint venturing with
federal agencies for continuing education programs. He also felt revenue could be
enhanced by identifying professions that require continuing education credits and
providing programs.
Dr. Cook explained that one strategy under development is bundling courses in a
certificate program to give students an incentive to move beyond one course to a
certificate, and articulate those courses with credit programs to move from a CEU
program to a credit program. He reviewed retention rates by course, fall to spring, and
spring to spring. The data included a System-wide average for each and a targeted
improvement rate. The average baseline in retention from fall to spring is 66.44%, with
a targeted goal of 70%. Although there is room for improvement, Dr. Cook
acknowledged that HCCS is rated among the top five performers in retention measures
among community colleges. Mr. Austin recommended presenting data in a graphic
representation for a more strategic analysis of trends.
CT/CE and Workforce Reorganization – Mr. Villarreal
Mr. Villarreal stated that HCCS submitted a concept paper to the Department of Labor
for funding a program to train foreign-born nurses who reside here, but have language
and credentialing issues. Dr. Leslie spoke on other initiatives for grants in the area of
health career programs. Mr. Austin suggested developing a certificate to train Spanish
speakers to become translators in the medical profession. Mr. Villarreal offered to
include this initiative in the grant proposal to the Department of Labor.
Ms. Navarro Flores recommended pursuing federal grant monies for establishing clinics
and suggested contacting Council Member Shelley Sekula Gibbs. Ms. Olmos Guzman
asked if the budget reflected grant funding offsetting program costs. Ms. Walker
explained that grant funds were reflected in the Restricted Budget which would be
presented later. Dr. Leslie noted that current year revenue from grants is $25 million
and the goal for next year is $25.5 million.
Houston Community College System
Special Meeting – July 22, 2004 – Page 4
Mr. Villarreal explained that by using performance budgeting, a target goal of $7.9
million (not counting state reimbursement) for CT/CE programs was set for next year. A
baseline of $5.2 million is projected for this year. Growth of 20% is projected for contact
hours, from 2.1 million to 2.4 million. The reorganization of CT/CE will focus on five
major economic clusters: health, energy, financial services, transportation and
manufacturing/construction. The cluster model will establish a regional approach to
corporate training/continuing education and workforce programs.
Additional programs will be developed that are eligible for state reimbursement and
funding under the Texas Workforce Commission. State reimbursement and grants will
be sought to pay tuition, resulting in an increase in enrollment and contact hours. The
Foundation and resource development functions will be linked to industry clusters to
identify training needs in various industries.
(Mr. Litt arrived at 2:38 p.m. and took the chair. With his arrival a quorum was
achieved.)
Mr. Austin asked if specific cluster projects could receive funding and Dr. Leslie
explained they could and the Workforce Deans and CT/CE directors have gone through
business planning training. Funds will be allocated on the basis of a sound business
plan. Ms. Olmos Guzman suggested a quarterly review of the business plans and a
SWAT analysis of the marketing of programs to reinforce Trustee buy-in for the new
economic model.
Mr. Murphy requested clarification of the increase in revenue from $5.2 million to $7.9
million. Mr. Villarreal explained the numbers were based on tuition and fee revenue
projections from the colleges. Mr. Litt asked if a comparison had been made with
workforce programs at comparable community colleges. Mr. Villarreal answered that
HCCS is in the top tier, although some colleges are doing a better job. Mr. Litt asked
that the data be sent to all the Trustees Mr. Austin recommended implementing a
recognition program for faculty and staff who have demonstrated innovation. Dr. Leslie
offered to draft a letter from Mr. Austin to the Foundation.
RECESS CALLED
Mr. Litt called a recess at 3:15 p.m. in order to convene the Regular Board Meeting. He
stated the Special Meeting would be reconvened following the Regular Meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
The Special Meeting was reconvened and adjourned at 7:46 p.m.
Reviewed and Submitted by:
Yolanda Navarro Flores, Secretary
Board of Trustees
Minutes Approved as Submitted:
August 26, 2004
Reliable Transcription Services
July 28, 2004