MEETING OF THE BOARD GOVERNANCE & OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM
April 20, 2006
Minutes
The Board of Trustees of the Houston Community College System held a Meeting of the Board
Governance & Operations Committee on Thursday, April 20, 2006, at the System
Administration Building, Seminar Room A, Second Floor, 3100 Main, Houston, Texas.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Diane Olmos Guzman (Chair on behalf of Dr. Williams)
Bruce A. Austin
OTHER TRUSTEES PRESENT
Jay K. Aiyer
Yolanda Navarro Flores
Richard Schechter
ADMINISTRATION
Bruce H. Leslie, Chancellor
Doretha Eason, Deputy to the Chancellor
Irene Porcarello, Vice Chancellor, Student Success
Fena Garza, President, Southeast College
Butch Herod for Zachary Hodges, President, Northwest College
Cheryl Peters for William Harmon, President, Central College
Willie Williams, Associate Vice Chancellor, Human Resources
Carole Keeney Harrington, Interim Associate Vice Chancellor, Communications
Miles LeBlanc, General Counsel
OTHERS PRESENT
Jarvis Hollingsworth, System Counsel, Bracewell & Giuliani
Carolyn Hanahan, Policy Consultant, Feldman & Rogers
David Wilcox, President, Faculty Senate
Other administrators, citizens, and representatives of the news media
CALL TO ORDER
Ms. Olmos Guzman called the meeting to order at 3:00 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.
APPROVE RECOMMNEDATION FOR ADOPTION REVISED GOVERNANCE
POLICIES
The Board reviewed the recommended governance policies revisions.
Houston Community College System
Board Governance & Operations Committee – April 20, 2006 – Page 2
Mr. Austin asked if they are consistent with other policies. Carolyn informed that they are
consistent with policies throughout the State.
Mr. Austin suggested that Counsel research the accreditation for the ACCT Governing Board to
review their policies concerning governing board as well as their legal analysis to be
incorporated in to the governance policies. Carolyn informed that they were incorporated in the
Finance and Operation policies which have been approved. Mr. Austin asked if the governing
boards differ from administration. Carolyn stated “yes”.
Mrs. Guzman discussed the accountability "conflict disclosures" need clarification. Carolyn
informed that at the last meeting the Board had questions relating to the conflict disclosure and
noted that in a meeting with Miles LeBlanc and Jarvis Hollingsworth, it was concluded that the
policy on conflict section be deleted.
Mr. Austin recommended that notes are placed in the document to define some of the words.
The Committee concluded that foot notes would be convenient and sufficient.
Mr. Austin stated he has concerns with the abuse of the office section because a member who is
an attorney could be persuasive; therefore, if done knowingly, this is abuse of office. Jarvis
informed that these policies will be the judging mechanism for the Trustees. Mr. Austin stated
he asked the question since boards are coming under scrutiny because they are unaware of
negligence. Jarvis mentioned that there are three ways to violate (1) knowingly committing, (2)
unknowingly, (3) not supervising someone who has authority.
Mrs. Guzman recommended that the other Board members are given the opportunity to review
the policies; therefore, no recommendations will be submitted to the full Board on the item at
this time.
Mr. Davila asked for clarification for the special election due to vacancy. Mr. Hollingsworth
stated that the Board bylaws provide for both; however, there may not be an appointment option
depending on the time of the vacancy.
Mr. Austin asked if legal counsel should begin preparing for the election relating to vacancy
since there is the possibility that a vacancy may be forthcoming with one Board member running
for State election in November.
Mr. Austin asked if a video clip could be completed by Counsels and Human Resources that with
the changes to provide a more user friendly format.
Trustee Aiyer arrived at 3:48 p.m.
DISCUSS AND APPROVE PROPOSED REVISIONS TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
BYLAWS
Mr. Hollingsworth mentioned that a communications policy relating to editorials, etc. is
forthcoming which will be provided at the next meeting and recommended that the discussion of
the bylaws revisions is tabled in order to include the communication portion.
Houston Community College System
Board Governance & Operations Committee – April 20, 2006 – Page 3
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:56 p.m.
Minutes Recorded, transcribed, and submitted by:
Sharon Wright, Executive Administrative
Assistant, Board Services
Minutes Approved as Submitted:
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