MEETING OF THE
ACADEMIC/STUDENT SUCCESS COMMITTEE
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM
February 16, 2006
Minutes
The Board of Trustees of the Houston Community College System held a Meeting of the
Academic/Student Success Committee on Thursday, February 16, 2006, at the System
Administration Building, Seminar Room A, Second Floor, 3100 Main, Houston, Texas.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Abel Davila – Committee Chair
Bruce A. Austin – Committee Member
Richard Schechter – Committee Member
Yolanda N. Flores
Diane O. Guzman
Dr. Michael P Williams
ADMINISTRATION
Bruce H. Leslie, Chancellor
Doretha Eason, Deputy to the Chancellor
Charles Cook, Vice Chancellor, Educational Development
Irene Porcarello, Vice Chancellor, Student Success
Jose Villarreal, Vice Chancellor, Economic Development
Gloria Walker, Vice Chancellor, Finance & Administration
Margaret Ford, President, Northeast College
William Harmon, President, Central College
Butch Herod for Zachary Hodges, President, Northwest College
Willie Williams, Associate Vice Chancellor, Human Resources
Carole Keeney Harrington, Interim Associate Vice Chancellor, Communications
Patti Carlton, Interim Executive Director, HCC Foundation
Miles LeBlanc, General Counsel
OTHERS PRESENT
Jarvis Hollingsworth, System Counsel, Bracewell & Giuliani
David Wilcox, President, Faculty Senate
Other administrators, citizens, and representatives of the news media
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Davila called the meeting to order at 1:48 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.
Houston Community College System
Academic/Student Success Committee – February 16, 2006 – Page 2
APPROVE AGREEMENT BETWEEN HCC AND CRST
Dr. Leslie pulled the approval of the agreement with CRST due to technical issues that
needed to be addressed.
DISCUSSION ON CLUSTER PROGRAM
Dr. Leslie presented a PowerPoint presentation on HCC Cluster Program. He informed the
Board that Deans, Directors of Continuing Education, and Department Chairs have been
working on the Cluster model. He noted that the State of Texas is moving towards a cluster
model and recently the Governor announced the State’s clusters. Secondly, HCC is focusing
on changing the way business is conducted with a focus on customers and breaking down
territorial barriers that exist between various entities in the System.
Dr. Leslie provided the following overview of the cluster program:
•
Definition of Cluster – a collective of similar companies with varied needs;
emphasizing large dominate groups of industries
•
HCC Charge and Opportunities – HCC charge is to serve all the needs; the ideal of the
cluster is to serve the primary industry and the suppliers as well. HCC has had a
vertical approach in the past such as providing nurses for the hospitals but needs such
as custodians, insurance personnel, drivers, and hospitality/greeters, etc have been
over looked
•
Six clusters identified by HCC - energy, health, construction/manufacturing,
business/finance, public service and transportation
•
Three Components – the model presumes a close working relationship between
continuing education, workforce programs, and college development
•
Summary – (1) Clusters are a proven means of supporting industry (2) HCC Clusters
support the Governor’s model and will bring improved images, increases in the
number of customers served, and greater revenues/resources to HCC (3) the Cluster
model replaces the current territorial approach and emphasizes customer service
through collaboration across the System (4) the Cluster model integrates Continuing
Education and Workforce programs and development (5) Clusters will be coordinated
by a Cluster Director who depends on accountability of the Presidents, Workforce
Deans, Continuing Education Directors, Department Chairs, and Faculty for
successful response to needs and (6) a legacy opportunity for HCC
Dr. Leslie informed the Committee that the action steps include:
•
Employment of Cluster Directors (two positions are currently being filled for the
Health and Energy Clusters)
Houston Community College System
Academic/Student Success Committee – February 16, 2006 – Page 3
•
Establish leadership for the construction/manufacturing Cluster (a grant is available
for the construction/manufacturing Cluster)
•
Develop business plans for the Clusters in conjunction with Cluster Advisory
Committees and college teams
•
Develop time schedule to employ Cluster Directors for remaining Clusters
•
Establish program development networks with each Cluster
•
Hold partnering workshops and connection conference
•
Develop small business network
•
Establish Science/Math Institute
•
Develop marketing/recruitment strategies
Mr. Davila asked how feasible is the change according to the physically plans with facilities,
and does HCC have the capabilities to transition facilities to move from one cluster to the
next. Dr. Leslie noted that some cases may require clearing programs to make more room for
labs; however, it will depend on the program.
Mr. Austin asked if core academic skills are being reviewed for the Clusters. Dr. Cook stated
that at a Achieving the Dream conference he attended in January, there was discussion on the
creation of a freshmen year experience course, which would be a college level course that
addresses the core academic skills of reading, writing, speaking, critical thinking, and
problem solving to introduce students to college level material.
Trustee Flores arrived at 2:34 p.m.
Dr. Williams arrived at 2:35 p.m.
Dr. Ford interjected that critical thinking is vital in reviewing the curriculum for the
workforce programs. Dr. Cook informed that it is an absolutely essential to integrate all the
academic basics as well as the workforce basics.
Trustee Guzman asked what will compose the small business component. Dr. Ford stated that
small business component is the instructional component, which is the same as any other
workforce areas that prepare the student with tools necessary to apply for business loans to
start a small business.
Trustee Schechter asked what additional cost would be incurred with the Clusters. Dr. Leslie
stated that the only cost built in at this time is for the two Cluster Directors for Health and
Energy; the Construction/Manufacture Cluster is funded by the grant. He noted that business
plans are being developed; therefore, if programs are identified, the business plan must
include the cost and revenue opportunities including donations and/or grants.
Houston Community College System
Academic/Student Success Committee – February 16, 2006 – Page 4
Trustee Schechter asked how harsh will performance be measured. Dr. Leslie stated it has
already started in continuing education and will be included in the Cluster model. Trustee
Davila stated he would like to see policy with the criteria for evaluating the process and
Cluster Director production. Mr. Schechter asked if there is any way to build in bonus or
incentive. Dr. Leslie noted that the Cluster Director will be dependent on the Presidents,
Deans, and Faculty to response to the customer needs.
The following information is requested to be presented for discussion on the next
Academic/Student Success Committee meeting agenda:
•
•
•
•
Evaluate of top 100 classes
Enrollment Growth
Dual Credit/Distant Learning
Overview of Faculty (five to ten year plan for faculty recruitment)
Trustee Schechter requested a seminar discussing the current leading edge opportunities to
change the mind set for families with no college background. Is there anything HCC can do
creatively to assist in this role? Dr. Cook informed that HCC is implementing the Mobil Gold
Center that is trailer equipped with ten laptops and satellite internet connection. The center
will be taken on-site to high schools, malls, and shopping centers and will be used to
complete recruitment, financial aid applications, career exploration scholarship applications,
etc.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Committee the meeting adjourned at 3:02
p.m.
Minutes recorded, transcribed, and submitted by:
Sharon Wright, Executive Administrative Assistant, Board Services
Minutes Approved as Submitted: March 29, 2006