MEETING OF THE
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS/STUDENT SERVICES COMMITTEE
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM
April 17, 2008
Minutes
The Academic Affairs/Student Services Committee of the Board of Trustees of the
Houston Community College System held a meeting on Thursday, April 17, 2008, at the
System Administration Building, 3100 Main, 2nd Floor Seminar Room A, Houston,
Texas.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Bruce Austin, Committee Chair
Neeta Sane, Committee Member
Richard Schechter, Alternate Member
Diane Olmos Guzman
ADMINISTRATION
Mary S. Spangler, Chancellor
Art Tyler, Deputy Chancellor/COO
Doretha Eason, Executive Assistant to the Chancellor
Bill Carter, Vice Chancellor, Information Technology
Charles Cook, Vice Chancellor for Instruction
Irene Porcarello, Vice Chancellor for Student Success
Winston Dahse, Interim President, Southwest College
Margaret Ford, President, Northeast College
Fena Garza, President, Southeast College
William Harmon, President, Central College
Maya Donover for Zachary Hodges, President, Northwest College
Marsal Stoll, President, Coleman College
Daniel Arguijo, Associate Vice Chancellor, Communications
Willie Williams, Associate Vice Chancellor, Human Resources
Mike Kyme, Executive Director, Procurement
OTHERS PRESENT
Maureen Singleton, Counsel, Bracewell & Giuliani
Linda Koffel, President, Faculty Senate
Other administrators, citizens, and representatives of the news media
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Austin called the meeting to order at 3:16 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.
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Academic Affairs/Student Services Committee – April 17, 2008 - Page 2
REPORT FROM DR. BYRON MCCLENNEY ON HCC ACHIEVING THE DREAM
INITIATIVES AND RETENTION DATA
Dr. Spangler introduced Mr. Bryon McClenney who is HCC’s coach for the Achieving
the Dream Foundation. She noted that HCC is a founding member of the program.
She further noted that she along with several Trustees attended the 2008 Board
Institute for Achieving the Dream.
Dr. McClenney apprised that he was elated to witness the Board’s discussion on audits
and its role because he would like to suggest that the same discussion about student
success in HCC is just as essential as the discussion on financial audits.
Dr. McClenney provided Achieving the Dream information and highlighted points of
focus such as the percent of the interim students who must take one or more remedial
courses, how many complete the remedial sequence, how many make it through the
gatekeeper courses such as philosophy.
(Mrs. Flores arrived at 3:35 p.m.)
Dr. McClenney provided the following points:
1. National imperative states, in effect, America’s community colleges must be more
successful
2. There has been lengthy mention of Closing the Gap initiative in Texas and there
is no way the goals that Texas must achieve can be accomplished without
successful community colleges
Mr. Schechter asked if the students have been followed into the gatekeeper courses.
Dr. Cook noted that the students are followed into the gatekeeper classes.
Mrs. Guzman inquired how do you tract those students who may drop out in the tenth
grade but later receive their GED and enroll in HCC.
Dr. McClenney state the college could do an internal review to see how many GED
students are attending HCC.
Dr. Spangler expressed that it seems that the short-term classes hold the students
attention more and asked if there could be more of these types of courses. Dr.
McClenney stated that it is important to empower the faculty and caution discussing
what should be mirrored throughout.
Dr. Cook provided information from the Office of Institutional Research that included a
review of the following:
1. Successful Course Completion (First Fall for each AtD Cohort)
2. Semester-to-Semester Persistence (First Fall of each AtD Cohort)
3. Fall-to-Fall Persistence and Awards (Fall 2002 - 2005 AtD Cohort)
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Academic Affairs/Student Services Committee – April 17, 2008 - Page 3
Mr. Schechter thanked the Board Chair for inviting Dr. McClenney for the discussion.
He also expressed appreciation to Dr. McClenney for stating that the Board should be
as just as concerned with the academics as it is with the audits. Dr. McClenney
referenced the book “Making the Grade”, which the Board Chair received at the Board
Institute in Santa Fe, MN. He also apprised that the Achieving the Dream data could be
used in comparison with other large community colleges.
Mr. Schechter asked if there is data that shows how the students do after leaving HCC.
Dr. Cook apprised that there is software where students can be tracked throughout their
career upon leaving HCC.
Mr. Austin recessed the meeting at 4:12 p.m.
Mr. Austin reconvened the meeting at 4:29 p.m.
ENROLLMENT REPORT ENDING MARCH 31, 2008
Dr. Tyler presented a comparative enrollment report for spring 2008. The report
reviewed the unduplicated enrollment by career type within location comparing as of
April 18, 2007 to April 16, 2008.
Dr. Williams asked for a historical view. Dr. Spangler stated that report is in progress.
Mr. Austin stated that a subcommittee might be needed to deal with dual enrollment
credit education and what it is costing for the program. He noted that the audit shows
that there is debt and it must be paid; therefore, a consideration must be made as to
how to increase the revenue possibly through enrollment.
Mr. Austin solicited volunteers to serve on the dual enrollment subcommittee. Dr.
Williams volunteered to chair, Trustees Schechter and Sane volunteered to serve on the
committee.
Mr. Austin noted that an avenue for dealing with the debt must be identified as it relates
to the Public Facility Corporation debt associated with Hayes Rd. and Northline
campuses.
Dr. Williams noted that the administration is responsible for determining a financial
model and apprised that he would like to see the strategic financial plan if one is
available. Dr. Tyler mentioned that this will be discussed during the budget and
financial workshop scheduled for Friday, April 18, 2008.
Mr. Austin asked that the subcommittee meet with Dr. Cook on the cost of dual
education.
Mrs. Flores mentioned that the purpose of the dual credit program was to provide an
opportunity for students to attend college who would not be able to otherwise.
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Academic Affairs/Student Services Committee – April 17, 2008 - Page 4
Mr. Schechter asked that a comparison be completed as it relates to competitors
enrollment. Dr. Cook noted that the state comparison is on the OE date; therefore, a
reciprocal exchange would need to be established with the other institutions.
Mr. Austin asked the Chancellor, Dr. Cook, Dr. Seymour, and the Presidents to provide
a report on enrollment data to the Academic committee.
HONORARY DEGREE FOR GRADUATION COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER
Motion - Mr. Schechter motioned to approve the honorary degree for the graduation
commencement speaker. Mrs. Sane seconded the motion.
Amended Motion - Mr. Schechter amended the motion to include also bestowing an
honorary degree to Crystle Stewart, Miss USA. Trustee Sane seconded the motion.
The motion passed with vote 3-0.
Vote on Main Motion - The motion passed 3-0.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT AND DUAL CREDIT
Mr. Austin noted that this item is a part of the quarterly enrollment report. Mr. Dahse
and Dr. Cook provided a report on the pilot program. Dr. Tyler noted that a possible
solution for the computer lab issue is to utilize computers that are not being used.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:57 p.m.
Recorded by:
Sharon R. Wright, Executive Administrative Assistant, Board Services
Transcribed and submitted by:
Sharon Wright, Executive Administrative Assistant, Board Services
Minutes Approved: