MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM
November 17, 2005
Minutes
The Board of Trustees of the Houston Community College System met as a Committee of the
Whole on Thursday, November 17, 2005, at the System Administration Building, Seminar Room
A, Second Floor, 3100 Main, Houston, Texas.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Michael P. Williams, Chairman
Yolanda Navarro Flores, Vice Chairman
Diane Olmos Guzman, Secretary
Bruce A. Austin, Deputy Secretary
Jay K. Aiyer
Herman Litt
James R. Murphy
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT
Abel Davila
Christopher W. Oliver
ADMINISTRATION
Bruce H. Leslie, Chancellor
Doretha Eason, Deputy to the Chancellor
Charles Cook, Vice Chancellor, Educational Development
Jose Villarreal, Vice Chancellor, Economic Development
Gloria Walker, Vice Chancellor, Finance & Administration
Sue Cox, President, Southwest College
Margaret Ford, President, Northeast College
Fena Garza, President, Southeast College
William Harmon, President, Central College
Butch Herod for Zachary Hodges, President, Northwest College
Marsal Stoll, President, Coleman College of Health Sciences
David Cross for Willie Williams, Associate Vice Chancellor, Human Resources
Carole Keeney Harrington, Interim Associate Vice Chancellor, Communications
Remmele Young, Director of Government Relations
Miles LeBlanc, General Counsel
OTHERS PRESENT
Jarvis Hollingsworth, System Counsel, Bracewell & Giuliani
Dwight Boykins, Federal Government Relations Consultant, Boykins & Schneider
Mary Schneider, Federal Government Relations Consultant, Boykins & Schneider
Randhir Sahni, Facilities Space Programming Consultant, Llewelyn-Davies Sahni
Other administrators, citizens and representatives from the news media
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Committee of the Whole – November 17, 2005 – Page 2
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Williams called the meeting to order at 2:41 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.
ACADEMIC AND STUDENT SERVICES
REPORT ON HCC INSTITUTE FOR CIVIC ENGAGEMENT (ICE)
Dr. Cook reported that Dr. Robert Putman, Harvard professor and social capital advocate, would
be the featured speaker at the ICE inaugural event on December 1, 2005 at the HCC West Loop
campus. HCC is collaborating with Rice University, Greater Houston Partnership, Annenburg
Challenge and the Harris County Department of Education to bring this event to some 300
community leaders. Trustee Austin will moderate a small group discussion at Rice University on
Dr. Putnam’s research and the implications for Houston. Chairman Williams commended Mr.
Austin for spearheading the civic engagement initiative at HCC.
REPORT ON PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COORDINATING BOARD
HCC will host four field representatives from the Coordinating Board to recruit students
throughout the Gulf Coast region. The Coordinating Board will provide the funds for HCC to
hire and house these individuals. A van equipped with the necessary resources will be used to
recruit students at individual high schools.
REPORT ON ACADEMIC PREPARATION OF STUDENTS
Mr. Austin reviewed a report from Dr. Cook on HCC’ involvement in student academic
preparation prior to college. The report provided information on such initiatives as the Title V
Grant, HCC-HISD partnerships, Achieving the Dream, and others.
Mrs. Navarro Flores asked for a report on partnerships with community-based organizations in
terms of recruitment and retention. Ms. Olmos Guzman requested a report on the effectiveness
of community partners to ensure they are meeting contract requirements. Dr. Leslie
acknowledged the requests.
Dr. Leslie reported on the College Connections pilot program. HCC is working with HISD and
other school districts to enroll high school seniors at HCC. Each college will work with targeted
high schools from January through March. Once enrolled in the program, students will receive
career guidance and other student services. The goal is to have all participating high school
seniors pre-enrolled to attend HCC by next fall. Dr. Cook added that additional funding for the
program might be available from the Coordinating Board.
FACILITIES
REPORT ON STATUS OF VARIOUS PROJECTS
Administration and the respective project managers presented status reports on the 2004 capital
improvement program and other associated projects. Gloria Walker reported that all facilities
have been programmed except for the San Jacinto Building.
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Committee of the Whole – November 17, 2005 – Page 3
John Demby with PGAL, gave a status report on the construction program management for the
eleven CIP projects. Eight of those project are in the schematic design phase, including Central
College Learning Hub and Science Building; Northeast College Learning Hub; Northeast
College Science and Technology Building; Southeast College Learning College; Felix Morales
renovation project; Southwest College Learning Hub, classrooms, and parking project;
Southwest College/Missouri City Academic Center; Southwest College West Loop Build out
project. The San Jacinto Building renovation project and the Southwest College Academic
Center are in the programming phase. The Northeast College Pinemont Center expansion project
may need to be relocated. The respective architects made a brief presentation on each project
and responded to questions and comments from Trustees. The full report is available in the
HCC Board Services Office.
LEGAL/LEGISLATIVE
FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE REPORT
Mary Schneider reported that appropriations requests for the HCC Public Safety Institute (PSI)
and other projects did not make it through Appropriation subcommittee markup. However, she
and Mr. Boykins expressed optimism at future funding opportunities. The federal legislative
team, Dr. Leslie and Remmele Young, met with members of the Texas congressional delegation
in Washington earlier this month to seek support for the Public Safety Institute and other
earmark requests. The federal team also assisted in scheduling a meeting with Houston Fire
Department officials. As a result, Chief Boriski and City Council member Adrian Garcia
provided letters of support for the PSI.
FINANCE
FINANCE ITEMS MOVED TO CONSENT AGENDA
The Trustees considered the Finance agenda with the exception of items withdrawn for
consideration at a subsequent meeting or set aside for further discussion or consideration
following closed session. The Audited Annual Financial Report and the contract with the
Principle Partnering Group were moved to the Regular Agenda for December 6, 2005.
Motion: Dr. Williams made a motion to recommend the following Finance items for approval by
the full Board at the Regular Meeting of December 6, 2005. Mr. Austin seconded the motion,
which carried 7-0.
1. Extension of contract with DeerWin Solutions Group, Inc./Suilenroc Tax Systems, LLC
for mailing-filing services
2. Adoption of changes to the Investment Policy and Resolution
3. Payment to Bracewell & Giuliani for professional services rendered for the period
October 1 – 31, 2005
4. Investment Report for the month of October 2005
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Committee of the Whole – November 17, 2005 – Page 4
ELECTRICITY AND ENERGY SERVICES CONTRACT
Recommendation: Authorize the Chancellor to negotiate and execute a contract with the vendor
that provides the best value to supply electrical energy and consulting services to HCC.
Mr. Aiyer suggested using a consultant to provide more options for HCC. Ms. Walker stated
that it might be possible to enter into a contract directly with TXU at a lower price.
Motion – Dr. Williams made a motion to recommend approval to the full Board at the Regular
Meeting of December 6, 2005. Mr. Aiyer seconded the motion.
Amended Motion – Mr. Austin made a motion to authorize the Chancellor to negotiate and
execute a contract with the vendor in the range of $.08 - .09/kwh. Any issues that might arise
would be addressed by the Chancellor; Vice Chancellor, Finance & Administration; Board
Chairman; and Chairman of the Finance Committee. Dr. Williams seconded the motion, which
carried 7-0. The amended motion will be placed on the Consent Agenda for the Regular Meeting
of December 6, 2005.
EXTENSION OF CONTRACT FOR FACILITIES PROGRAMMERS TO INCLUDE
MASTER PLAN OF DRENNAN PROPERTY
Recommendation - Authorize the chancellor to negotiate and extend the contract of the Joint
Venture team, Facilities Programming, Perspectiva and Llewelyn-Davies Sahni, to master plan
the Drennan property for a cost not to exceed $116,000.
Motion – Mrs. Navarro Flores made a motion to recommend approval to the full Board at the
Regular Meeting of December 6, 2005. Ms. Olmos Guzman seconded the motion.
Mr. Murphy asked the status of the agreement with HISD on construction of the Drennan
facility. The Chancellor replied that HCC would construct the shell and HISD will perform the
build out on the inside and common space. The agreement with HISD will be completed before
construction begins. Ms. Olmos-Guzman recommended that administration look into additional
funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Motion carried 7-0.
WAIVER OF TUITION AND FEES FOR DUAL CREDIT STUDENTS
Recommendation – That HCC adopt a policy waiving partial (50%) tuition and fees, excluding
the out-of-district fee, for dual credit students who attend private or home schools.
Motion - Dr. Williams made a motion to recommend approval to the full Board at the Regular
Meeting of December 6, 2005. Mr. Litt seconded the motion.
The Trustees discussed whether private or home school students should be eligible for the
waiver. Dr. Williams felt that private school students should not be, unless they were designated
as socio-economically disadvantaged. Mr. Murphy questioned why these students should not
receive a full waiver, as do public school students.
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Committee of the Whole – November 17, 2005 – Page 5
Dr. Leslie explained that HCC recently signed an agreement to provide dual credit courses to the
seven high schools in the Catholic Diocese of Galveston-Houston. Since it is difficult to obtain
information on the economic status of public school students, he felt this was an opportunity to
begin adjusting the rate. He added that HCC would receive reimbursement from the state for the
dual credit students.
Motion to Amend - Mrs. Navarro Flores made a motion to amend the original motion. Mr. Litt
seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
Amended Motion - Mrs. Navarro Flores made an amendment to the main motion to waive 100%
of tuition and fees, excluding the out-of-district fee, for dual credit students who attend private or
home schools. Mr. Aiyer seconded the amended motion, which carried 6-0. Dr. Williams
abstained. The amended motion will be placed on the Consent Agenda for December 6, 2005.
(Trustee Aiyer left the meeting at 5:05 p.m.)
Administration was asked to investigate whether means test data could be obtained from public
schools to determine the social-economic level of students. Dr. Leslie acknowledged the
directive.
MOU WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON AND CITY OF HOUSTON
Recommendation - Approve a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between HCC, the
University of Houston System and the City of Houston to facilitate future development of a
world-class, professionally trained workforce for the City of Houston.
Motion – Dr. Williams made a motion to recommend approval to the full Board at the Regular
Meeting of December 6, 2005. Mr. Litt seconded the motion.
Mr. Murphy asked Dr. Leslie to clarify the University of Houston’s role in the agreement. Dr.
Leslie explained that some employees may decide to pursue a baccalaureate degree from a senior
institution.
Motion carried 6-0.
WAIVER OF TESTING FEE FOR COLLEGE CONNECTIONS
Recommendation – Approve the waiver of the $25 testing fee for students in designated high
schools as part of the pilot implementation of College Connections.
Motion – Dr. Williams made a motion to recommend approval to the full Board at the Regular
Meeting of December 6, 2005. Ms. Olmos Guzman seconded the motion.
Dr. Leslie noted that College Connections is modeled after a program initiated by Austin
Community College, which resulted in a 20% increase in the enrollment of high school
graduates. The motion carried 6-0.
Houston Community College System
Committee of the Whole – November 17, 2005 – Page 6
ADJOURNMENT TO CLOSED OR EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mr. Murphy adjourned the meeting to Executive Session at 5:14 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. He reconvened the
meeting in Open Session at 5:21 p.m. and entertained motions on pending matters.
Present were Trustees Williams, Austin, Litt, Murphy, Navarro Flores, and Olmos Guzman.
PURCHASE OF PROPERTY ON DIXIE DRIVE
Recommendation - Authorize the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor of Finance and Administration
to negotiate and execute a contract for the purchase of property located on Dixie Drive, under the
terms discussed in closed session.
Motion – Dr. Williams made a motion to recommend approval to the full Board at the Regular
Meeting of December 6, 2005. Mr. Austin seconded the motion, which carried 6-0.
PURCHASE OF PROPERTY AROUND AND ON NORTHLINE MALL
Recommendation - Authorize the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor of Finance and Administration
to negotiate and execute contracts for the purchase of various acres of property located around
and on Northline Mall according to the terms discussed in closed session.
Motion – Dr. Williams made a motion to recommend approval to the full Board at the Regular
Meeting of December 6, 2005. Mrs. Navarro Flores seconded the motion, which passed 6-0.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Committee, Dr. Williams declared the
meeting adjourned at 5:23 p.m.
Minutes Recorded & Submitted by:
Sharon Wright, Executive Admin. Assistant, Board Services
Minutes Transcribed by:
Linda Gray, Board Services
Minutes Approved as Submitted:
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