MEETING OF THE LEGAL/LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE
ON VALUES/ETHICS
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM
August 15, 2005
Minutes
The Legal/Legislative Committee on Values/Ethics of the Board of Trustees of the Houston
Community College System held a Meeting on Monday, August 15, 2005, at the System
Administration Building, Chancellor’s Conference Room, 12th Floor, 3100 Main, Houston, Texas.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Bruce Leslie
Yolanda Navarro Flores
Diane Olmos Guzman
Abe J. Bryant
Iona Cha
Linda Comte
Ana Hnat
MEMBERS ABSENT
Jay K. Aiyer, Chair
Michael P. Williams, D.Min.
Crystal Bonner
Winston Dahse
GiGi Do
Grace Koo
Joanne Lin
J. C. Reina
Connie Stone
Thomas Urban
Jyoti Wagle
Mike Edwards
Butch Herod
Reynaldo Garay
Susan Goll
Michael Kyme
OTHERS PRESENT
Debbie Sharp, Manager, Employee & Organizational Development
Jarvis Hollingsworth, System Counsel, Bracewell & Giuliani
Miles LeBlanc, General Counsel
Gloria Walker, Vice Chancellor, Finance & Administration
Willie Williams, Interim Executive Director, Human Resources
CALL TO ORDER
Ms. Navarro Flores called the meeting to order at 3:02 p.m. and declared the Committee convened
to consider matters pertaining to the Houston Community College System as listed on the duly
posted meeting notice.
GENERAL DISCUSSION AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS
Dr. Leslie summarized the last meeting for the benefit of those who were absent. Cindy Vanover
with The Methodist Hospital (TMH) gave a review of Robert Barrett’s Cultural Transformation
Tool (CTT) for identifying institutional values. TMH has used this tool for seven years, although
they developed their values statement before acquiring the assessment tool. They continue using
CTT as a means of testing behaviors of departments concerning values and improving
management by determining any dissonance among units. They have also found it useful in
Houston Community College System
Legal/Legislative Committee on Values/Ethics – August 15, 2005 – Page 2
maintaining progress on achieving the values. Although Ms. Vanover highly recommended CTT,
Dr. Leslie wanted further information in order to brief the Board.
A subcommittee composed of Debbie Sharp, Linda Comte and Connie stone was appointed to
compare and assess the suitability of CTT and other tools. Debbie Sharp reported they reviewed a
web-based tool offered by the Hagberg Consulting Group and Cultural Scan by Benchmark
Communications of New York.
Debbie spoke with Richard Barrett, author of the Cultural Transformation Tool, who advised that
HCC get seven cuts of the data – 1 for each college plus the System administration. He also
suggested capturing demographic data from departments for use later if desired. HCC’s cost was
estimated at $7,250 ($2,000 for the survey set-up fee, including the overall report and 7 data cuts
@ $750 per cut).
The subcommittee recommended Barrett’s Cultural Transformation Tool based on the relatively
low cost, ease of use, capability to customize with the language of higher education, and TMH’s
positive report.
Further discussion took place and Ms. Navarro Flores requested clarification of the outcomes of
determining values. Debbie Sharp explained that we need a values statement to attract and retain
students and employees, increase productivity and customer satisfaction and ensure that ethics
permeate our culture.
The Cultural Transformation Tool uses three surveys, which determine personal, institutional and
desired values for the institution. It is important that the survey results and further steps are
communicated to all employees.
Further discussion yielded the following points:
 Communication is an important element of the process
 Inclusiveness – everybody should participate in the survey
 Need incentives to encourage participation
 Annual surveys are needed to discern alignment at the department level
 Bring the system culture and group culture into alignment
 We must be serious about effecting change
 We must use this tool as a mechanism to drive us in a new direction
Thomas Urban discussed the importance of identifying principles and related values. Dr. Leslie
suggested we look at values first and then determine ethical principles to support them. Ms.
Navarro Flores emphasized that the process must not be perceived as punitive.
Dr. Leslie recommended forming two subcommittees to implement the values survey and ensure a
communication process. There was consensus to appoint the subcommittees.
Motion – J. C. Reina made a motion to proceed with Barrett’s CTT survey and Ana Hnat
seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Houston Community College System
Legal/Legislative Committee on Values/Ethics – August 15, 2005 – Page 3
Motion – Ms. Olmos Guzman moved to forward the recommendation to the Committee of the
Whole for approval on the Consent Agenda.. Ms. Navarro Flores seconded the motion. The
motion carried unanimously.
The subcommittees were appointed with the following members:
SURVEY
Debbie Sharp, Chair
Ana Hnat
JoAnn Lin
J. C. Reina
Abe Bryant
Thomas Urban
Iona Cha
Linda Comte
COMMUNICATIONS
Connie Stone, Chair
Jyoti Wale
Michael Edwards
Susan Goll
Butch Herod
Grace Koo
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:24 P.M.
Minutes Recorded & Submitted by:
Sharon Wright, Executive Administrative
Assistant, Board Services
Minutes Transcribed by:
Linda Gray, Records Officer
Board Services
Minutes Approved as Submitted:
October 27, 2005