REGULAR MEETING
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM
August 25, 2005
Minutes
The Board of Trustees of the Houston Community College System held a Regular Meeting on
Thursday, August 2005 at the System Administration Building, Second Floor Auditorium, 3100
Main, Houston, Texas.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Michael P. Williams, D.Min., Chairman
Yolanda Navarro Flores, Vice Chairman
Diane Olmos Guzman, Secretary
Bruce A. Austin, Deputy Secretary
Jay K. Aiyer
Abel Davila
James R. Murphy
Christopher W. Oliver
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT
Herman Litt
ADMINISTRATION
Bruce H. Leslie, Chancellor
Charles Cook, Vice Chancellor, Educational Development
Irene Porcarello, Vice Chancellor, Institutional Development
Jose Villarreal, Vice Chancellor, Economic Development
Gloria Walker, Vice Chancellor, Finance and Administration
Sue Cox, President, Southwest College
Margaret Ford, President, Northeast College
Fena Garza, President, Southeast College
William Harmon, President, Central College
Zachary Hodges, President, Northwest College
Willie Williams, Interim Director, Human Resources
Miles LeBlanc, General Counsel
Rosie Barrera, Associate Vice Chancellor, Communications
OTHERS PRESENT
Jarvis Hollingsworth, System Counsel, Bracewell & Giuliani
Other administrators, citizens and representatives from the news media
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Regular Meeting – August 25, 2005 – Page 2
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Williams called the meeting to order at 2:35 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.
PRAYER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mr. Murphy led the prayer and pledge of allegiance to the flag.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion - Mr. Austin moved approval of the minutes from the Board Governance and Operations
Committee Meeting of June 14, 2005, Special Joint Meeting of HCC and HISD Board of
Trustees of June 20, 2005, Legal/Legislative (Values/Ethics) Committee of June
21,2005,Committee of the Whole Meeting of June 23, 2005, Marketing Committee Meeting of
June 27, 2005, Special Board Meeting of June 29, 2005, Regular Board Meeting of June 29,
2005, Annexation Committee Meeting of July 19, 2005, Legal/Legislative (Values/Ethics)
Committee Meeting of July 25, 2005, and the Special Board Meeting of July 28, 2005.
Ms. Navarro Flores seconded the motion. Motion carried 8-0.
APPROVAL OF PRIOR BOARD MINUTES
Motion – Mr. Murphy moved approval of minutes from July 19, 2001 through October 19, 2002.
Ms. Navarro Flores seconded the motion, which carried 8-0
AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS
Exemplary Workforce Programs – Dr. Cook announced that the Coordinating Board awarded
exemplary status to 25 HCC workforce programs, representing the largest number ever certified
as exemplary at any of the other 50 community and technical colleges in the state. To achieve
exemplary status a workforce program must meet 17 measures and standards and exceed the
standards in at least five categories. The Board was invited to visit a photo gallery on the 12th
floor with pictures of award recipients “in action” in their respective programs. Dr. Leslie
commended Dr. Cook, Dr. Charles Hebert, presidents, workforce deans, department chairs,
faculty and staff whose efforts made this achievement possible Dr. Hebert presented the awards
to the chairs and directors of the 25 exemplary programs.
Program
1. AccountingR
2. Audiovisual Technologies
Audio Recording/Video Prod.
Broadcast Technology
3. Automotive Technology
4. Business AdministrationR
5. Business TechnologyR
6. Child DevelopmentR
7. Computer Information Sciences
8. Computer Programming
9. Criminal Justice
10. Drafting and Design Technology
11. Emergency Medical TechnologyR
12. Fashion DesignR
Chair/Director
Marina Grau
HCC College
Southwest
Scott Gehman
Marcelo Gonzalez
Van O’Neal/Carl Clark
Rudy Soliz
Willie Caldwell
Joan Wyde
Ken Busbee
Ken Busbee
Johnny Sessums
Frank Ortiz
Marion Cole
Kay King
Northwest
Southwest
Northeast
Northeast
Southeast
Central
Southwest
Southwest
Northeast
Northeast
Southeast
Central
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Regular Meeting – August 25, 2005 – Page 3
13. Fashion MerchandisingR
14. Finance (Banking)
15. Fire Protection and Safety Tech
16. Fire Science/Firefighting
17. Interior Design
18. Marketing, Management and Research
19. Medical Assisting
20. Nuclear Medicine Technology
21. Pharmacy Technician
22. Physical Therapist Assisting
23. Respiratory Therapy
24. Real Estate
25. Technical Communication
Kay King
Earl Smith
Johnny Sessums/Rufus Summers
Johnny Sessums/Rufus Summers
Kay King/Dennis McNabb
Rudy Soliz
Tomye Geringer
Glenn Smith
Elizabeth Johnson Wilroy
Jan Myers
Romar Reyes
Alex Binkley
John Corley/Pat Porcynaluk
Central
Central
Northeast
Northeast
Central
Northeast
Coleman
Coleman
Coleman
Coleman
Coleman
Southwest
Southwest
(R Programs rated Exemplary in previous evaluation)
NISOD Awards - Dr Cook announced the winners of the 2005 NISOD Award for Outstanding
Teaching. NISOD is a national organization for institutional and staff development. Faculty members
are selected by their peers.
Instructor
Alta Cate
Suzette Brimmer
Melinda Payne
Chandra Mittal
Gary LeBlanc
Helen Jones
Fausto Vergara
Loris Bradshaw
Linda Lackey
Steven Dessens
Pietro (Tony) Pitts
Program
Geology
Fashion Merchandising
English
Biotechnology
Government
Guided Studies
Spanish
Business Technology
Vocational Nursing
Chemistry
Accounting
HCC College
Central
Central
Northeast
Northeast
Northwest
Northwest
Southeast
Southeast
Coleman
Southwest
Southwest
Recognition of Special Guests - Dr. Williams recognized Bessie Swindle, HCC honorary degree recipient
and Community Liaison for Congressman Al Green, who was seated in the audience.
ACCT Awards – Dr. Williams announced that Trustee Bruce Austin was selected as the recipient of the
prestigious ACCT 2005 Western Region Trustee Leadership Award. Mr. Austin will accept the award at
the Western Regional Caucus at the ACCT Annual Community College Leadership Congress in Seattle,
Washington in September. Mr. Austin was the sole nominee from the Western Region for the
Association Award.
Dr. Leslie recognized John Corley, Drama Professor, who received the ACCT 2005 Western Region
Faculty Member Award. Dr. Corley was also the sole nominee for the Association Award from this
region.
The Trustees congratulated the faculty award recipients and Mr. Austin.
Procurement Award – Dr. Leslie reported that the HCC Procurement Department received the
2005 Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award to be presented at the National
Conference of the Southwest Supply Chain Forum in November. This is the second time HCC
has received this award. The Chancellor congratulated Michael Kyme, Gloria Walker and the
Procurement staff for their efforts.
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Regular Meeting – August 25, 2005 – Page 4
Staff Development Award – The Chancellor announced that members of the HCC Human
Resources training staff are recipients of a national award from the National Association of
Organizational and Staff Development. Willie Williams, Connie Stone and Deborah Sharp will
accept their awards at the national conference in Quebec.
Recognition of Michael Edwards – Dr. Leslie recognized Michael Edwards as outgoing president
of the Faculty Senate for 2004-2005 and as the originator of the Eagle Project, a recruitment
project in which college teams go into the community to meet individually or in groups with
potential students and community members. Mr. Edwards presented his idea to the Chancellor’s
Executive Team, which responded quickly to implement the project. Dr. Leslie stated the Eagle
Project would be continued.
Mr. Edwards called the volunteers of the Eagle Project forward to be recognized. He explained
the volunteers went door-to-door and met over 3,000 prospective HCC students. Door hangers
were left on approximately 800 homes with information on HCC. Dr. Leslie added that current
HCC students also participated in this effort. A call center was set up to follow up with every
potential student.
RESOLUTION ADOPTED ON BEHALF OF MICHAEL EDWARDS
Motion – Mr. Aiyer made a motion to adopt a Resolution from the Faculty Senate commending
Michael Edwards for exemplary service to all members of the HCC family. Ms. Navarro Flores
seconded the motion. Motion carried 8-0.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
No report was given.
HEARING OF CITIZENS
Dr. Williams gave preface to the hearing of citizens and asked registered speakers to come
forward. There was no response and the meeting continued.
FINANCE REPORT
Ms. Walker reviewed the Financial Report for the month ending July 31, 2005. She anticipated
ending the year with a surplus.
APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA
Motion – Mr. Oliver moved approval of the Consent Agenda. Ms. Navarro Flores seconded the
motion. Dr. Williams explained that all items in the Consent Agenda had been discussed in
committee.
Mr. Murphy wanted to clarify the Board’s prior discussion on tuition and fee exemptions and
waivers. He recalled the Board requested a multi-year plan for out-of-district tuition and called
for a review of both in-district and out-of-district dual credit programs and the need to make
adjustments to those programs or recognize the potential deficits.
Motion carried 8-0.
The following items were approved:
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Regular Meeting – August 25, 2005 – Page 5
1. Procedures for annexation by petition and election
2. Petition for annexation into the HCC District
3. Extension of Copy Center Services and Lease of Facilities through December 31, 2011
4. Renewal of Lease Agreement with the Quail Valley Station LLC for 5,600 sq. ft. of floor
space for the Missouri City Adult Learning Center located at 1661-1681 Cartright Road,
Missouri City, Texas, for the period September 1, 2005 – August 31, 2008
5. Investment Report for June 2005
6. Authorization to negotiate a contract with PTG to program the Student Financial Aid
Disbursement Cards, including the purchase of encryption software that is required by
Bank One/Chase
7. Authorization to approve the purchase of ceiling-mounted projector systems from CCS
Presentations for classrooms, skills labs and Human Resources
8. Authorization to negotiate and execute a revenue-generating contract with Unique
Financial Solutions to provide Automatic Teller Machines (ATM) services at various
HCC facilities
9. Renewal of risk management insurance for fiscal year 2005-2006
10. Student Tuition and Fee Exemptions and Waivers for fiscal year 2005-2006
11. Agreement with Verizon to provide UPS (uninterruptible power supply) systems to
replace the currently installed, aging systems that support HCC voice communication
services (Nortel Meridian Telecommunications System) at the college campuses
12. Planning Calendar for 2005 for maintenance and operating and debt service taxes for
fiscal year 2005-2006
13. Purchase of 2,150 hours of online tutoring services from Smarthinking, Inc. to be
available on a 24/7 basis for use by HCC Distance Education students
14. Renewal and upgrade of licenses for WebCT for a period one year for use by the HCC
Distance Education Offices and the College Curriculum Innovation Centers
15. Sixty-day extension of the current contract with Strategic Networking Corporation (SNC)
for professional services on IT strategic planning and IT Governance Council for the
period September 1 to October 31, 2005
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Regular Meeting – August 25, 2005 – Page 6
16. Authorization to proceed with implementation of the values assessment process
recommended by the Values/Ethics Committee utilizing the Cultural Transformation
Tool
TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION
FACILITIES
LEASE EXTENSION FOR THE POWER CENTER APPROVED
Motion – Mr. Murphy made a motion to authorize the Chancellor to negotiate a lease agreement
with Pyramid Community Development Corporation, d/b/a The Power Center, for a term not to
exceed three years, with increases in the lease rate not to exceed 10%, which can be cancelled at
the end of each fiscal year or earlier at no additional costs for any reason by giving thirty (30)
days advance written notice. Mr. Aiyer seconded the motion.
The Power Center offers rental space of 2,280 sq. ft. of floor space at 12401 South Post Oak
Road, for the period September 1, 2005 through August 31, 2008. Current lease cost is $2,26.50
per month plus utilities.
Dr. Leslie explained that a two-month extension would give administration an opportunity to
identify an alternative location for the Certified Nurse’s Aid program. The build out costs would
be approximately the same as the lease for the first year, with a positive cash flow thereafter.
Ms. Navarro Flores suggested modifications to the language of the agreement.
Motion carried 8-0.
LEGAL/LEGISLATIVE
ORDER CALLING TRUSTEE ELECTIONS ADOPTED
Motion – Ms. Navarro Flores made a motion to adopt an Order calling for Trustee elections (and runoff
elections, if necessary) in geographic districts 4, 5, and 9 of the Houston Community College System on
November 8, 2005, and to authorize the Chancellor to take the necessary steps to comply with the election
laws. Mr. Murphy seconded the motion.
Mr. Hollingsworth advised the term of office would run from January 1, 2006 through December 31,
2011. Anyone residing in those districts and desiring election to any of these positions must file in
writing with the Board Services Office no later than September 7, 2005, asking that their names be
officially placed on the ballot for the geographic district in which they reside. That person is then entitled
to have their name listed on the ballot. Only qualified voters may run for the office of Trustee.
Information on polling places for the election and early voting are available from the Board Services
Office. If an incumbent is unopposed, that person will be designated as elected to that office by the Board
Secretary and the Board Chairman.
Motion carried 8-0.
WAIVER OF POLICY REGARDING INTERIM POSITIONS APPROVED
Motion – Mr. Davila motioned that the Board, pursuant to HCCS Policy BE (Local), waive
HCCS Policy DC (Local), which requires that all exempt positions shall be advertised
concurrently for ten (10) working days for both internal and external applicants, with respect to
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Regular Meeting – August 25, 2005 – Page 7
the positions of (1) Associate Vice Chancellor of Human Resources (formerly Executive
Director of Human Resources), (2) Vice Chancellor of Student Success (formerly Vice
Chancellor of Institutional Development) and (3) Deputy to the Chancellor, and approve filling
the positions on a permanent, full-time basis with the current interim employees. Mr. Oliver
seconded the motion.
Dr. Leslie recommended waiving current policy in order to appoint Irene Porcarello as Vice
Chancellor for Student Success and Willie Williams as Associate Vice Chancellor of Human
Resources.
The Chancellor explained that the duties would change somewhat. The Board approved the
position of Vice Chancellor for Information Technology last month, which opened up
opportunities to focus on student success. Until the IT position is filled, Irene Porcarello will
remain in charge. He plans to reallocate the Communications Office under the Student Success
Division to focus on marketing and recruitment. The Police Department will be moved from
Finance and Administration to Student Success in order for that department to take a larger role
in customer service.
Since the Vice Chancellor for Student Success will assume additional duties until other positions
are permanently filled, Mr. Aiyer and Ms. Navarro Flores expressed concern that this would
place too heavy a load on the Vice Chancellor. Dr. Williams asked the Chancellor to move
forward with his plan, but ensure that efficiency is maintained.
Motion carried 8-0.
FINANCE
ITEM ON FINANCING ADDITIONAL DEBT CAPACITY WITHDRAWN
The recommendation was withdrawn upon the advice of System Counsel, due to inadequate
public notice. Mr. Murphy reported the Finance Committee met to address a potential shortfall
in the 2004 CIP and other capital needs subsequently identified. The Financial Advisors and
staff recommended that the Board consider a Maintenance Tax Note. The Committee voted to
recommend the MTO to the full Board, which will be done at the next meeting. The Committee
discussed alternative funding such as TIRZ and historical tax credits. In a separate motion staff
was directed to investigate these opportunities and report to the Board. At this time, the Board is
not calling for a tax increase. Dr. Leslie added that Trustees Austin and Olmos Guzman
suggested some strategies on economic development.
PAYMENT TO BRACEWELL & GIULIANI
To be considered following Closed Session.
PROPOSED BUDGET FOR 2005-2006
To be considered following Closed Session.
RENEWAL OF CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS WITHDRAWN FROM
DISCUSSION
Item withdrawn by the Chancellor.
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Regular Meeting – August 25, 2005 – Page 8
CONTRACT TO PURCHASE CATALOGS APPROVED
Motion – Mr. Oliver moved to authorize the Chancellor to enter into a contract with Richmond
Printing for the purchase of HCC 2005-2006 Catalogs. Per discussion in the Committee of the
Whole, administration is evaluating the bid specs and will provide findings at the Regular Board
Meeting. Mr. Murphy seconded the motion, which carried 8-0.
RESOLUTION TO ENTER LEASE WITH OPTION TO PURCHASE PUBLIC SAFETY
INSTITUTE FACILITIES APPROVED
Motion – Mr. Aiyer moved to approve the notice of intention to enter into lease with an option to
purchase the Public Safety Institute Facilities and the Resolution approving publication of notice.
Mr. Oliver seconded the motion.
Motion carried 8-0.
HEARING OF CITIZENS
Dr. Williams stated a registered speaker desired to speak.
Jay Jackson spoke on behalf of the United Youth Council about bringing an athletic program to
HCC. He stated athletics are a great way to build character and gain recognition for HCC. He
has met with Dr. Harmon who is currently developing a proposal for an athletic program.
ADJOURNMENT TO CLOSED OR EXECUTIVE SESSION
Dr. Williams adjourned the meeting to Executive Session at 3:38 p.m., notice having previously
been given and reiterated by him in accordance with Sections 551.071 of 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.
Dr. Williams reconvened the meeting in Open Session at 5:34 p.m. and entertained motions on
pending matters.
Present were Trustees Williams, Aiyer, Austin, Murphy, Oliver, and Olmos Guzman.
PERSONNEL AGENDA APPROVED
Motion – Mr. Oliver moved approval of the Personnel Agenda as presented. Ms. Olmos
Guzman seconded the motion, which carried 6-0.
PROPOSED BUDGET ADOPTED FOR FY 2005-2006
Motion – Mr. Austin moved approval of fiscal year 2005-2006 Proposed Budget for Current
Restricted Funds and for Current Unrestricted Funds. Ms. Navarro Flores seconded the motion,
which carried 6-0.
PAYMENT TO BRACEWELL & GIULIANI APPROVED
Motion - Mr. Murphy moved approval of payment to Bracewell & Giuliani LLP for professional
services rendered for the period June 1 through - 30, 2005 in the amount of $76,854.46 and for
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Regular Meeting – August 25, 2005 – Page 9
professional services rendered for the period July 1 – July 31, 2005, in the amount of $93,299.23.
Mr. Oliver seconded the motion, which carried 6-0.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:37 p.m.
DINNER
Following adjournment, the Board of Trustees met for dinner in the Chancellor’s Conference
Room on the 12th floor, where they may discuss System business but will not take action on
such business.
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