REGULAR MEETING
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM
October 26, 2006
Minutes
The Board of Trustees of the Houston Community College System held a Regular Meeting on
Thursday, October 26, 2006 at the System Administration Building, Second Floor Auditorium,
3100 Main, Houston, Texas.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Jay Aiyer, Chair
Yolanda Navarro Flores, Vice Chair
Diane Olmos Guzman, Secretary
Bruce A. Austin, Deputy Secretary
James R. Murphy
Christopher W. Oliver
Richard M. Schechter
Dr. Michael P. Williams
ADMINISTRATION
Norman Nielsen, Interim Chancellor
Doretha Eason, Deputy to the Chancellor
Miles LeBlanc, General Counsel
William Carter, Vice Chancellor, Information Technology
Charles Hebert for Charles Cook, Vice Chancellor, Educational Development
Irene Porcarello, Vice Chancellor, Student Success
Gloria Walker, Vice Chancellor, Finance & Administration
Winston Dahse, Interim President, Southwest College
Margaret Ford, President, Northeast College
Reynaldo Garay for Fena Garza, President, Southeast College
William Harmon, President, Central College
Maya Durnovo for Zachary Hodges, President, Northwest College
Marsal Stoll, President, Coleman College
Willie Williams, Associate Vice Chancellor, Human Resources
Carole Keeney, Interim Associate Vice Chancellor, Communications
Mike Kyme, Executive Director, Purchasing and Procurement
Remmele Young, Executive Director, Board
OTHERS PRESENT
Jarvis Hollingsworth, System Counsel, Bracewell & Giuliani
David Ross, President, Faculty Senate
Other administrators, citizens and representatives from the news media
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Regular Meeting – October 26, 2006 – Page 2
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Aiyer, Chair, called the meeting to order at 4:30 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
Dr. Williams led the prayer and pledge of allegiance to the flag.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approval of Minutes from the Board Governance and Operations Committee Meeting of
September 14, 2006, Special Meeting of September 14, 2006, Committee of the Whole Meeting of
September 14, 2006, Board Search Committee Meeting of September 21, 2006 and Regular Board
Meeting of September 21, 2006.
Motion – Mr. Austin moved approval of the Minutes as presented. Mrs. Flores seconded the
motion. The motion carried 5-0.
HEARING OF CITIZENS
Mr. Aiyer gave preface to the Hearing of Citizens and asked if there were any registered speakers
to come forward.
There were no citizens to come before the Board.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Mr. Aiyer gave preference for the Trustees to provide narratives on information discussed at the
ACCT Congress, October 11-14, 2006 in Orlando, Florida.
Mrs. Flores recognized Dr. Doretha Eason who was recipient of the Western Region Board
Professional Staff. She informed that several Trustees attended the conference and requested that
the Communications Department begin a campaign that would provide a platform for more
publications by HCC Board, Faculty, Administration, and Staff in news and periodicals.
(Mr. Schechter arrived at 4:39 p.m.)
(Mr. Oliver arrived at 4:42 p.m.)
CHANCELLOR’S REPORT
Report on Restoration Project at HCC Central College
Dr. Harmon informed that Alan Finger, President of the San Jacinto Alumni Association, has
agreed to spearhead a committee to raise funds for Restoration Project for green space at Central
College. Mr. Finger presented a brief presentation and possible renderings for the green space at
Central College. He noted that since funds were not available for green space, the alumni have
agreed to assist in a fundraiser for the green space. The Alumni are dedicated to raising
approximately four million dollars. Mr. Finger requested the college assistance in raising funds.
(Mrs. Guzman arrived at 4:46 p.m.)
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Regular Meeting – October 26, 2006 – Page 3
Mr. Oliver stated that he would be interested in seeing how both the ideas provided by the College
and those presented by the San Jacinto Alumni could be implemented.
Dr. Harmon stated that funding will make the determination as to which plan will be utilized and
noted that the CIP did not include funding for the green space. He stated that the green space
funding will be raised privately.
Mr. Schechter thanked Mr. Finger for his efforts and all those participating in the Restoration
Project for HCC Central College. He also thanked Dr. Harmon for taking the lead on the project.
Dr. Harmon acknowledged Kelley Zuniga and Rahdi Shani for their efforts on the project.
Mr. Murphy thanked Dr. Harmon and stated that a facility of this type is important. He noted that
he is proud to see the project moving forward.
Mrs. Flores noted that the fundraising for the restoration project shows the appreciation the
community has for HCC.
Report on HCCS Certificate Medical Assisting Program Accreditation
The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) voted on
September 15, 2006 to award continuing accreditation to the HCCS Certificate Medical Assisting
Program. A recent peer review conducted by the Curriculum Review Board of the American
Association of Medical Assistants Endowment (CRA-AAMAE) and the Commissioner’s Board of
Directors recognized the program’s compliance with the nationally established accreditation
standards.
Faculty Senate Report
David Ross, President of Faculty Senate. He reported the following concerns of the Faculty:
(1) Inauguration of Home-growing Tutoring Programs – he noted that the Faculty Senate
developed its own HCC on-line tutoring program that is more cost efficient than that of the
proprietary programs.
(2) Permanent Chancellor Selection Process – the process must involve the major stakeholders
in the college especially the Faculty. Mr. Ross urged the Board to involve the staff and
Faculty in the process as well as the community.
Financial Statement
Mrs. Walker presented the financial statement for the month ending August 31, 2006. Mrs. Walker
informed that there is an anticipated surplus of $369,659. She noted that the surplus was achieved
after recording four critical expense items that were placed on the books prior to the closing of the
fiscal year which included (1) advertising campaign at a cost of $706,000 (2) three months
expenditures for CampusWorks at $558,000 (3) first portion of the debt service payment on the
maintenance tax notes for Central Plant at $265,268 and (4) PSI revenue bond debt service for the
month of August at $312,539. Mrs. Walker informed that in order to comply with the ten percent
financial stability policy, $20,225,864 needs to be retained in the operating fund balance which
would result in available funds in the amount of $10,524,959 for other expenditures. She noted
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Regular Meeting – October 26, 2006 – Page 4
that administration is recommending that the surplus of approximately $8 million be transferred to
the unexpended plant fund and the operating fund contingency to cover items previously identified.
Mr. Austin commended the fiscal administration on the upgrade of the bond rating.
Mr. Aiyer apprised the Board of the bond rating agency meeting he attended was informative. Mr.
Aiyer noted that the college bond rating increased two grade levels. He thanked the Board,
administration, and staff for their efforts and noted that Mrs. Walker did an excellent job in
presenting the financial aspect of the college to the rating agency. Mrs. Walker noted that one of
the concerns with the rating company was the annexation status and noted that Mr. Aiyer assured
the rating agency that the college was moving positively into the direction of annexation. Mr.
Aiyer further noted that according to the financial advisory, the rate increase was one of the most
significant in the college’s history.
Mr. Schechter asked if action is needed on the proposed disbursement of the surplus funds. Dr.
Nielsen informed that administration will present recommendations for allocating the surplus funds
at the November 2006 meeting and noted that administration is requesting that the surplus funds
are placed in the unexpended plant fund and a portion of the funds be utilized for expenses
mentioned in the financial report.
Mr. Murphy requested that administration provide a scenario of how the funds will be utilized and
what is anticipated for the current fiscal year budget funds that were allocated for some of the
expenses that will be covered with the surplus funds.
Mr. Schechter requested a report that shows the factors contributing to the ten percent enrollment
increase.
APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA
Motion – Mr. Murphy moved approval of the Consent Agenda. Mr. Oliver seconded the motion.
The motion carried 8-0. The following items were approved on the consent agenda:
A. Board Governance & Operations
1. Approve Recommendation on Faculty Hearing Officer
B. Finance
1. Approve Reclassification of Surplus Property and Authorize Administration to Solicit Bids
on Potential Surplus Property
2. Approve Houston Community College System Investment Policy
3. Approve Investment Report for the Month of September 2006
4. Approve Depository Bank Services and Authorize Administration to Negotiate Contracts
(Project #06-35)
5. Approve Landscaping and Grounds Maintenance Services (Project #06-34)
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Regular Meeting – October 26, 2006 – Page 5
6. Approve Tractor Trailers with Sleeper Cabs Services (Project #06-27)
7. Approve Promotional Products Services (Project #06-07)
8. Approve Sign Language Interpretive and C.A.R.T. Services (Project #06-13)
9. Approve Payment to Bracewell and Giuliani for Professional Services for September 2006
TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION
A. Board Search Committee
1. REPORT FROM THE BOARD SEARCH COMMITTEE
Mr. Austin presented a status report on the Chancellor search. The report provided the
following:
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Status report that displayed the imperativeness of the timeline
Publications where the search announcement was advertised
Search schedule
Search Consultant update
Questions to assist the Board in conducting an institutional review
Population data
Various scenarios to consider with assumptions
Comparison of other community colleges
Community College funding
Mr. Austin noted that the Board Search Committee is amicable to the concerns presented by
the Faculty Senate.
The Board entered a discussion as it relates to the Chancellor search:
Dr. Williams stated that the Board is privileged to have Trustees such as Mr. Austin who is
knowledgeable. He also noted that documentation is needed from institution research that is
vital in making decisions. He noted that the next Chancellor will have the opportunity to lead
HCC to become a national model.
Mrs. Guzman commended Mr. Austin. She reiterated Dr. Williams’ recommendation to
expand the Board Search Committee to include junior Board members. She also noted that at
least one female should be added to that committee. Mr. Aiyer noted that the Board Chair has
the liberty of appointing members to the Board Search Committee since it is a special
committee.
Mrs. Flores commented on the proposed structure and asked if it was based on what was
utilized previously for the Interim Chancellor. Mr. Austin informed that it is somewhat based
on the previous search; however, there were some revisions.
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Mrs. Flores asked for clarification on the process for the search. Mr. Austin apprised that the
Search Committee would choose approximately seven semi-finalists and the Board would
interview the seven semi-finalists. Mr. Murphy apprised that the Blue Ribbon Committee
would only be used from an advisory standpoint and the Board would conduct the interviews
to narrow the selection to two finalists.
Mr. Schechter commended Mr. Austin on the presentation. He asked Dr. Nielsen if the
representation of twenty-five people was the average for a Blue Ribbon Advisory Committee
from a national standpoint. Dr. Nielsen informed that the number varies according to the size
of the college and district. He noted that committee structure is to make certain all districts are
represented on the committee. Mr. Murphy apprised that the College Presidents will be
utilized to suggest who should represent the community-at-large.
Mr. Austin noted that confidentiality statements should be signed by all persons serving on the
Blue Ribbon Advisory Committee.
Dr. Williams stated that it is important to make certain that the persons selected to represent
the community are diverse.
Dr. Nielsen informed that two community forums conducted by Narcisa Polonio will be held at
Central and Southwest West Loop campuses and the remaining colleges will be represented by
the community person selected to serve on the Blue Ribbon Advisory Committee.
Mr. Schechter noted that the level of participation is not equivalent for those representing the
community for Central and Southwest College since they would not have a community person
on the Blue Ribbon Advisory Committee.
The Board concluded to increase the Blue Ribbon Advisory Committee to twenty-seven
persons in order to include community representation from Central and Southwest.
Mr. Austin noted that the Chancellor will hold a retreat on December 1, 2006 so that the Board
could provide their input on the expectations of the Chancellor.
B. Finance
2.
APPROVE THE MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION PROPERTY TAX RATE
AND DEBT TAX RATE FOR YEAR 2006
Motion – Dr. Williams motioned and Mr. Austin seconded that the property taxes be decreased
by the adoption of a tax rate of $.095175. The motion passed with a vote of 8-0.
Motion – Mr. Murphy moved to amend the motion to include lowering the M&O tax rate by
additional .07 percent. Mr. Austin seconded.
Dr. Williams asked administration to address what effects this amended motion will have on
time sequence. Mrs. Walker informed that October 26, 2006 is the final date to adopt the tax
rate. She noted that any revisions to the rate should have been discussed at the meeting held
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Regular Meeting – October 26, 2006 – Page 7
on September 14, 2006. She further noted that if the Board chooses to go through the process
again in order to post the lower rate, the two public hearings notices will have to be posted.
Mr. Murphy withdrew his motion and Mr. Austin withdrew his second.
Vote: The motion passed with a vote of 7-1 with Mr. Murphy opposing.
(Mr. Oliver, Dr. Williams left the room)
Mr. Aiyer yielded to Mr. Schechter to provide comments on his attending the ACCT Congress in
Orlando, FL. He noted that in discussion with a couple of other community colleges, their agendas
included the most important issues or concerns to the Board.
Mr. Aiyer recommended appointing a committee consisting of Mrs. Guzman, Mr. Schechter, and
Mr. Austin to devise a recommendation to the Board as it relates to the strategic planning process
for the College. Mr. Austin recommended that the strategic planning process is reviewed by the
Board to take into consideration the process discussed with SACS.
Mrs. Guzman noted that she agrees that the Board is under utilized and noted that the agenda
presented by Mr. Schechter was student success driven. She recommended having a student board
member for the purpose of voicing their concerns; however, the student member would not have
voting privileges.
Mr. Hollingsworth noted that the Board Chair can appoint a special sub-committee to address the
issues. Mr. Aiyer noted that he would appoint a special committee to address these concerns.
ADJOURNED TO CLOSED SESSION
Mr. Aiyer adjourned the meeting to Executive Session at 6:15 p.m., notice having previously been
given and reiterated in accordance with Sections 551.071, 551.072, and/or 551.074 of the Open
Meetings Law. Mr. Aiyer 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.
Mr. Aiyer reconvened the meeting in Open Session at 7:15 p.m. and entertained motions on
pending matters.
(Present: Trustees Aiyer, Austin, Flores, Guzman, and Schechter)
C. Personnel
3. PERSONNEL AGENDA
Motion – Mr. Schechter moved approval of the Personnel Agenda. Mrs. Flores seconded
the motion, which carried with a vote of 5-0 (Dr. Williams and Mr. Oliver were not
present at the time of the vote).
(Mr. Oliver and Dr. Williams returned)
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Regular Meeting – October 26, 2006 – Page 8
Motion - Dr. Williams moved and Mrs. Flores seconded approval of the consulting and
separation agreement with HCCS employee Ralph Vincent Hamilton. The motion passed
with a vote of 7-0.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business coming before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 7:18 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, transcribed & submitted by:
Sharon Wright, Executive Administrative Assistant, Board Services
Minutes Approved as Submitted: