MEETING OF THE
BOARD GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM
February 21, 2008
Minutes
The Board Governance Committee of the Board of Trustees of the Houston Community
College System held a meeting on Thursday, February 21, 2008, at the System
Administration Building, 3100 Main, 2nd Floor Seminar Room A, Houston, Texas.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Dr. Michael P. Williams, Committee Chair
Abel Davila, Committee Member
Diane Olmos Guzman, Committee Member
Bruce Austin
Neeta Sane
Mills Worsham
ADMINISTRATION
Mary S. Spangler, Chancellor
Art Tyler, Deputy Chancellor/COO
Doretha Eason, Executive Assistant to the Chancellor
Marshal Stoll, President Coleman College
OTHERS PRESENT
Jarvis Hollingsworth, Counsel, Bracewell & Giuliani
Linda Koffel, President, Faculty Senate
Other administrators, citizens, and representatives of the news media
CALL TO ORDER
Dr. Williams called the meeting to order at 2:55 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.
NAMING POLICY
Dr. Spangler apprised that currently there are naming guidelines in place; however,
there was not a policy.
The committee recommended that there should be a board policy book developed. Mr.
Austin noted that it was requested that the policy should be placed on-line for access.
Mr. Hollingsworth noted that the college had previously utilized the TABS policy
guidelines; however, the Board recommended discontinuing the use of the policies.
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Board Governance & Policy Committee – February 21, 2008 - Page 2
The committee discussed streamlining all policies and having them available on-line.
Dr. Spangler noted that the recommendation is to have a naming policy drafted for the
Board to approve.
Dr. Williams noted that the marketing opportunities should not be overlooked. He noted
that the he would suggest that naming would continue with the Willie Lee Gay Hall as a
mode.
SMALL BUSINESS POLICY
Mrs. Guzman mentioned that she asked to place the item on the agenda. She noted
that Congresswomen Shelia Jackson-Lee asked for the status on the small business
incubator. She noted that the small business procurement policy approved in 2005 was
ten pages and was reduced in 2006; however, the current policy has been reduced to
two lines.
Mr. Michael Kyme, Executive Director of Procurement and Purchasing, informed that
the small business policy was the same in 2005; however, the procedures have not
been reduced.
Mr. Davila informed that if the policy is not aligned with what is expected to be
produced, then the policy needs to be revised to reflect the desire of the Board.
(Mr. Worsham arrived at 3:16 p.m.)
Dr. Tyler apprised that there is one person who oversees the compliance side of the
small business program. He noted that there has been a discussion to review how to
refrain a continuing education piece.
Dr. Williams noted that there has not been a discussion on what type of program the
Board would like to see.
Mr. Austin stated that there was a review of the ABA Model Procurement Code.
(Mr. Worsham let the room at 3:19 p.m.)
Dr. Williams asked if the Board’s focus is to only do 35 percent participation. Mr. Austin
noted that he has consistently noted that there has to be a bifurcation of the two small
business issues. He noted that there is a tendency to want to mesh the two together.
He noted that there is a desire for the procurement to continue to hold forums on how to
do business with the college.
(Mr. Worsham returned at 3:25 p.m.)
(Mrs. Flores arrived at 3:26 p.m.)
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Board Governance & Policy Committee – February 21, 2008 - Page 3
Dr. Williams asked if there was anyone at the college who knows the concept of the
small business program. She noted that there a separate program under continuing
education that can be discussed further.
Mrs. Guzman noted that there is a missing piece that was voted on in 2003. Dr. Tyler
noted that that piece is the compliance portion. He noted that Jackie Swindle is
currently working with the procurement department to gather data and work with the
small business participants to make certain they are in compliance.
ADJOURNED TO CLOSED SESSION
Dr. Williams adjourned the meeting to Executive Session at 3:32 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. Dr. Williams 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.
(Present: Trustees Austin, Davila, Guzman, Sane, Williams, and Worsham)
Dr. Williams reconvened the meeting in Open Session at 3:36 p.m. and entertained
motions on pending matters.
Mrs. Guzman recommended a revision to the small business policy because there is a
serious issue with small business participants not getting paid.
Dr. Tyler noted that there are issues where the small business participant is contract
with a subprime; therefore, the invoices are not received by HCC.
Mrs. Flores asked if there is consideration to review the possibility of changing the small
business policy to address some of the issues including the one on potential legal
liability.
Dr. Williams recommended reviewing the small business policy in the future.
Mr. Austin recommended administration conduct an analysis on the small business
advocacy by reviewing the Texas Administration Code Title I (Part V, Chapter 3) i.e.,
goals, certifications, HUB contracting plans, master protégé programs and secondly,
review business development programs with entrepreneurial educational functions in
comparison to what other colleges are doing (i.e., Small Business Development Centers
units, stand alone entrepreneur education).
Motion – Mr. Davila motioned to adopt Mr. Austin’s recommendation. Mrs. Guzman
seconded the motion. The motion passed with a vote of 3-0.
Dr. Williams requested feasibility of the Board of Trustees creating a Board award as a
counterpart to the Chancellor’s medallion to recognize educational leadership in
excellence on a national, regional, and local level and the individual recognized on an
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Board Governance & Policy Committee – February 21, 2008 - Page 4
annual bases would come to the college to make a lecture presentation about their
area.
Dr. Williams announced that the ACCT Western Regional nominating committee has
endorsed Trustee Guzman’s candidacy for regional director seat on ACCT Board of
Directors. The election will be held at the annual congress in New York City in October
29 – November 1, 2008.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:54 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: