MEETING OF THE
ATHLETICS COMMITTEE
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM
August 18, 2008
Minutes
The Athletics Committee of the Board of Trustees of the Houston Community College
System held a meeting on Monday, August 18, 2008, at the System Administration
Building, 3100 Main, 2nd Floor Seminar Room A, Houston, Texas.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Neeta Sane, Committee Chair
Dr. Michael P. Williams, Committee Member
Mills Worsham, Committee Member
Abel Davila, Alternate Member
Yolanda Navarro Flores, Board Chair
ADMINISTRATION
Mary S. Spangler, Chancellor
Art Tyler, Deputy Chancellor/COO
Renee Byas, General Counsel
Doretha Eason, Executive Assistant to the Chancellor
Bill Carter, Vice Chancellor, Information Technology
Charles Cook, Vice Chancellor for Instruction
Cheryl Sterling, Interim Vice Chancellor, Student Services
Daniel Seymour, Interim Vice Chancellor, Planning & Institutional Effectiveness
Margaret Ford Fisher, President, Northeast College
William Harmon, President, Central College
Fena Garza, President, Southwest College
Maya Durnovo for Zachary Hodges, President, Northwest College
Irene Porcarello, Interim President, Southeast College
Willie Williams, Associate Vice Chancellor, Human Resources
OTHERS PRESENT
Maureen Singleton, Counsel, Bracewell & Giuliani
Brad Deutser, Consultant, Yaffe|Deutser
Catherine Campbell, Consultant, Yaffe|Deutser
Mary Page, President, Faculty Senate
Other administrators, citizens, and representatives of the news media
CALL TO ORDER
Mrs. Sane called the meeting to order at 6:07 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.
(Mrs. Flores stepped out at 6:07 p.m.)
Houston Community College System
Athletics Committee – August 18, 2008 - Page 2
DEVELOPMENT OF ATHLETICS PROGRAM
Dr. Harmon provided a status report on the development of athletic and/or recreational
programs at HCC. He apprised that several meetings have taken place since the Board
approved the recreational fee and noted that the most critical meeting was the one with
the City’s Parks and Recreation Department because the college is challenged in regards
to facilities. He noted that the Parks and Recreations Department has approximately fiftysix (56) community centers throughout the Houston City district and informed that the
negotiations were to develop a partnership that would allow the development of leagues
and the utilization of the athletic facilities associated with the community centers. He
noted that the negotiations have not been completed. Dr. Harmon apprised that the
second meeting held was with the Student Life Coordinators (SLC) who would be
responsible for developing initial recreational or intramural programs. He noted that the
aspects for the program would need to be developed during the fall in order to implement
in the spring. He noted that intramural programs could be offered in the fall that would be
financed by the student activity fee, which could be used and would be in compliance.
(Mrs. Flores returned at 6:10 p.m.)
Dr. Harmon noted that the approval of the recreation fee of up to $6.00 would allow the
students to continue to offer cultural activities programs relieving some of the burden from
the student activity fee. He apprised that some areas have been identified to seek some
level of participation from the student; however, definitive information would not be
available until the students return for the fall semester.
(Mr. Worsham stepped out at 6:11 p.m.)
Dr. Williams asked how Northwest college is funding their activities.
mentioned that Northwest sports are funded by the student activity fee.
Dr. Harmon
(Mr. Worsham returned at 6:12 p.m.)
Dr. Harmon recommended that the Student Life Coordinator for Northwest be given the
special assignment to develop intramurals throughout the district because of his level of
experience.
Mrs. Flores recommended that Northeast College representatives have a leadership role
in development of the program as well.
Dr. Williams recommended utilizing the individual at Northeast College in conjunction with
the person suggested by Dr. Harmon. He noted that there must be a contact person of
contact to be held accountable and responsible for the deliverables.
Mr. Davila inquired if the organizational structure has been reviewed for intramural sports
to determine positions to be created and the budget associated with the program.
Dr. Harmon apprised that these items must be developed and the fall semester would be
utilized for development to allow the implementation in the spring semester.
Houston Community College System
Athletics Committee – August 18, 2008 - Page 3
Mrs. Sane asked if a draft detail plan to include what would be offered and the budget
could be provided by the next committee meet in September.
Mr. Davila recommended that a consultant be hired for the development.
Mrs. Sane asked for details and clarification regarding the aforementioned partnership
opportunities. She stated that efforts should be taken to make sure that HCC student’s
recreation fee is spent only on HCC students for their teams and programs. Dr. Harmon
noted that it might be more efficient and economical if the college partners with Parks and
Recreations as opposed to approaching individual entities regarding the rental of their
facilities and apprised that a cost comparison may need to be developed.
Mrs. Sane mentioned that report provided focuses on outreach and enrollment; however,
the report needed should focus on an athletic plan development with a budget.
Dr. Williams apprised that what is needed is a person designated with the expertise to
deliver a plan to be presented within the timeframe for implementation by spring 2009
semester. Dr. Williams noted that his concerns are relating to the risk management and
insurance issues.
Mr. Worsham associated with Dr. Williams and advised that a consultant needs to be
engaged to develop the overall program and then the various individuals could be
identified to implement.
Motion - Dr. Williams moved to hire a consultant to develop a plan for the athletic
program. Mr. Worsham seconded the motion.
Dr. Williams clarified that the consultant needs to be the person who develops the plan
and could be internal or external; however, the plan must be of a quality for
implementation and include a timeline.
Dr. Williams mentioned that the two persons identified from Northeast and Northwest
should be approached. Mr. Davila recommended that administration meet with the two
persons identified for possible development of the plan.
Vote - The motion passed with vote of 3-0.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:27 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:
October 23, 2008