MEETING OF THE
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM
August 18, 2008
Minutes
The Information Technology 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
Abel Davila, Committee Chair
Mills Worsham, Committee Member
Yolanda Navarro Flores, Board Chairwoman
Neeta Sane
Dr. Michael P. Williams
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
Cheryl Sterling, Interim Vice Chancellor, Student Success
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
Mary Page, President, Faculty Senate
Other administrators, citizens, and representatives of the news media
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Davila called the meeting to order at 6:27 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.
GLOBAL TIMES, INC CONSULTING CONTRACT
Mr. Bill Carter apprised that a contract was completed with Global Times Inc in July 2008
and provided an overview of some of the tasks that were completed under the contract,
which included website, network equipment replacement, construction projects
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Information Technology Committee – August 18, 2008 - Page 2
(implemented West Loop, Missouri City, and Central), disaster recovery site, as well as a
business continuity plan.
Mr. Davila informed that Mr. Carter created a plan for the technology department and
announced that Global Times Inc was present to provide an overview of the project.
Mr. Bobby Singh with Global Times Inc. provided a review of the IT Long Term Strategy
(Phase I and II) and provided an overview of the proposed next steps for the department
(Phase III), which would include:
1. Revising and refreshing the current long-term strategy developed to reflect the
changing technology and new needs of the college
2. Continuing tactical deployments to reinvigorate network infrastructure
3. Continuing to build to provide ubiquitous access and improve user experience
4. Maximizing the ROI for information technology investments
5. Deliver IT services to users comparable to an outsourced IT provider
Mr. Singh also presented items for continuation support in Phase 3 with cost estimates.
Mrs. Sane asked Mr. Bill Carter to rate the quality of services of each deliverable of the
project. Mr. Carter responded that the quality of the services is great and noted that the IT
infrastructure of the college is possibly one of the best in the country as verified by AT&T
who have inquired on doing a white paper on it. He noted that there is a disaster recovery
site in place with a triple redundancy. Mr. Carter noted that the overall rating would be a
B+. He noted that the IT department has taken over and is now in charge of the network.
(Dr. Williams stepped out at 6:45 p.m.)
Mrs. Sane noted that she has received many good comments from the community that they
are pleased with the services being provided.
Mr. Davila asked if the administration technology from the other colleges integrated to the
main system. Mr. Carter noted that the campuses are mostly instructional and noted that IT
does not have authority over the servers on the campuses. He noted that the servers are
run by the campuses and the instructional departments.
Mrs. Flores recommended reviewing the development of the plan. Mr. Davila noted that
the effort should be to make certain that all areas are secured and on the same page.
(Dr. Williams returned at 6:54 p.m.)
Mr. Worsham asked for the timeline for completion. Mr. Singh informed that there is a fiveyear plan with a twelve-month suggestive proposal.
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Information Technology Committee – August 18, 2008 - Page 3
ADJOURNED TO CLOSED SESSION
Mr. Davila adjourned the meeting to Executive Session at 6:58 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. Davila 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. Davila reconvened the meeting in Open Session at 7:25 p.m. and entertained motions
on pending matters.
(Present: Trustees Davila, Flores, Sane, Williams, and Worsham)
Motion – Mrs. Flores moved to authorize the Chancellor to extend the contract with GTI
Services in consultation with Board Counsel up to and not to exceed $1.5 million. Mr.
Worsham seconded the motion. The motion passed with a vote of 3-0.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY GOALS AND STRATEGIES
Mr. Carter provided an overview of Information Technology's Goals and Strategic Plan for 20082009. He elaborated on the following goal and strategies:
1. Provide secure and reliable access to College information resources
2. Advance the use and capability of technology within the college community
3. Foster a professional environment that promotes teamwork and information sharing
within IT
4. Promote an environment that encourages open communication with HCC
stakeholders
5. Sustain a proactive approach to respond to College institutional and business needs
6. Ensure effective leadership management and operations of all IT staff and services
7. Utilize quality assurance measures to encourage continuous improvement of IT
service
(Mr. Davila stepped out at 7:35 p.m.)
Mrs. Sane noted that it is often mentioned that there is increased diversity of the institution
and although her request is not directly related to IT, she would like to see the requested
breakdown on diversity. Mrs. Flores mentioned that she is considering creating an Ad Hoc
Committee to address some of the diversity issues. She noted that a report could be
provided by administration similar to the one submitted to the EEOC annually, which could
be utilized as a starting point for discussion on how diverse the college is.
(Mr. Davila returned at 7:40 p.m.)
Mr. Davila apprised that he has requested a breakdown for each department and not just
IT. He noted that it should be an institutional goal to make certain the college represents
every community. He requested that the information include the recent hires. Dr. Spangler
apprised that the information is available for dissemination to the Board.
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Information Technology Committee – August 18, 2008 - Page 4
TECHNOLOGY REPLACEMENT PLAN
Mr. Carter presented an overview of the Technology Replacement Plan with
recommendations for replacement. He noted that the Board requested a technology
replacement plan in the spring of 2007. He noted that the information outlined the
replacement plan for the college for the next several years. He also noted that the
recommendations outlined the essence of the plan.
Dr. Tyler noted that this fiscal year funding for the technolgy replacement plan was included
as a part of the budget process that was approved by the Board. He noted that each year
the replacement cost would be a part of the budget process.
Mr. Davila asked if a percentage of funds allocated for technology updates. Dr. Tyler
apprised that would be driven by the plan and not a percentage. Dr. Spangler mentioned
that the recommendations discuss the cost that would be set aside for replacement.
Mr. Davila requested a powerpoint presentation that would provide a brief synopsis to
include the top ten points the of the department the five year goal plan, cost/savings, and a
highlight or spotlight of IT. Mr. Carter noted that he could prepare the requested
information.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:55 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