MEETING OF THE BOARD GOVERNANCE & OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM
May 18, 2006
Minutes
The Board of Trustees of the Houston Community College System held a Meeting of the Board
Governance & Operations Committee on Thursday, May 18, 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)
Richard Schechter
OTHER TRUSTEES PRESENT
Yolanda Navarro Flores
Abel Davila
ADMINISTRATION
Bruce H. Leslie, Chancellor
Doretha Eason, Deputy to the Chancellor
Charles Cook, Vice Chancellor, Instruction
Irene Porcarello, Vice Chancellor, Student Success
Jose Villarreal, Vice Chancellor, College Advancement & Performance
Gloria Walker, Vice Chancellor, Finance & Administration
Winston Dahse, Interim President, Southwest College
Margaret Ford, President, Northeast College
Fena Garza, President, Southeast College
Zachary Hodges, President, Northwest College
Carole Keeney Harrington, Interim Associate Vice Chancellor, Communications
Willie Williams, Associate Vice Chancellor, Human Resources
Remmele Young, Executive Director, Government Relations
Miles LeBlanc, General Counsel
OTHERS PRESENT
Jarvis Hollingsworth, System Counsel, Bracewell & Giuliani
Carolyn Hanahan, Rogers and Feldman
Other administrators, citizens, and representatives of the news media
CALL TO ORDER
Mrs. Guzman called the meeting to order at 3:15 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
Board Governance & Operations Committee – May 18, 2006 – Page 2
DISUCSS AND RECOMMEND FOR ADOPTION REVISED HCCS GOVERNANCE
POLICIES
Carole Hanahan noted that the latest revision of the policy included the noted comparison with
ACCT and SACS. She also noted that there is not an objection for single district.
Mr. Schechter apprised of his concerns with section A.8.2 on Gifts. He asked if there is a
reporting requirement should someone provide food, lodging and/or transportation. The only
noted requirement is that the vendor must report. Mr. Aiyer noted that there may not be a State
law; however the board could limit themselves and set a ceiling. Mr. Schechter suggested that
either a ban of such gifts be established or a full disclosure is required. Mr. Hollingsworth noted
that some institutions have maintained legal definitions on the item and established their own
reporting requirements on certain gift amounts as well. Mr. Davila asked for a recommendation
from Counsel. Mr. Hollingsworth noted that the requirements could be included in the Board’s
bylaws; however, in order for it to apply to Administration, it would need to be in the policies.
Mr. Austin suggests that the policies are set according to the law.
Committee recommended that Counsel bring several recommendations relating to the civil
disclosure law for the Board’s review. Mr. Hollingsworth stated he would provide samples from
other institutions to the Committee at the next meeting.
Mr. Davila motioned to amend the recommendation to adopt the policies subject to the inclusion
of a disclosure policy for section A.8.2 on Gifts.
Mrs. Guzman ruled that the motion provided by Mr. Davila was out of order since he was not on
the Board Governance Committee.
Motion - Mr. Schechter motioned that the item is deferred until the next committee meeting.
Mrs. Guzman seconded. Motion passed 2-0.
APPROVE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR POLICY REVISIONS TO SMALL BUSINESS
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Motion – Mrs. Guzman moved to approve the revisions of the SBDP with the addition that a
pool of mediation firms and rotate on as needed basis as it relates to the Contract with the
Mediation Firm. Mr. Schechter seconded the motion. The motion passed 2-0.
Mr. Schechter asked if this brings us in compliance with the ABA Model Procurement Code.
Mr. Austin recommended that the issue is not discussed in that respect. Mike Kyme noted that
the Model Procurement Code was tabled. Mr. Schechter stated that the ABA Model
Procurement Code should be brought back at the next Committee meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:00 p.m.
Minutes Recorded, transcribed, and submitted by:
Sharon Wright, Executive Administrative
Assistant, Board Services
Houston Community College System
Board Governance & Operations Committee – May 18, 2006 – Page 3
Minutes Approved as Submitted:
__________________________________