MEETING OF THE
BOARD GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM
May 15, 2008
Minutes
The Board Governance Committee of the Board of Trustees of the Houston Community
College System held a meeting on Thursday, May 15, 2008, at the System
Administration Building, 3100 Main, 2nd Floor Seminar Room A, Houston, Texas.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Dr. Michael P. Williams, Committee Chair
Neeta Sane, Alternate Member
ADMINISTRATION
Mary S. Spangler, Chancellor
Doretha Eason, Executive Assistant to the Chancellor
Fena Garza, President, Southeast College
Zachary Hodges, President, Northwest College
OTHERS PRESENT
Jarvis Hollingsworth, Counsel, Bracewell & Giuliani
Linda Koffel, President, Faculty Senate
Dwight Boykins, Consultant, dBoykins
Other administrators, citizens, and representatives of the news media
CALL TO ORDER
Dr. Williams called the meeting to order at 3:31 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.
REVISIONS TO THE BOARD POLICIES AND BYLAWS
Mr. Jarvis Hollingsworth, Counsel, apprised that several meetings will be necessary to
discuss the recommended revisions to the Board policies and bylaws. He noted that
the last review of the entire bylaws by the Board was in February 2002; however, there
were some revisions to certain sections in 2005. He provided a redlined copy of the
bylaws that included the changes adopted since February 2002 and proposed changes.
The Committee discussed the following proposed recommended revisions:
Mission Statement
Mr. Hollingsworth apprised that there were no recommended changes to the mission
statement; however, he noted that this is the Board’s mission statement and not the
statement for the institution.
Houston Community College System
Board Governance & Policy Committee – May 15, 2008 - Page 2
Dr. Williams recommended that the Board’s mission statement be reviewed so that it is
aligned with the mission statement for the institution.
Article A – Ethics, Section 2: Code of Conduct
Counsel recommended revisions in paragraph 2 to include senior staff. Dr. Spangler
recommended that the behavior of employees be included as a part of the Code of
Conduct. Dr. Williams recommend that the Chancellor wordsmith and review with
Counsel to include in the revisions.
Article A - Section 3: Prohibited Communications
The Committee discussed the Request for Proposal process and recommended
possibly posting a listing of the RFPs on the Board’s website page.
Mr. Hollingsworth apprised that the items of concern if the RFPs are posted to the
Board’s webpage would be the issuance of the RFP, due date for response, and if the
vendor submits a response prior to the due date.
Dr. Williams apprised that the language should be as clear as possible.
Article B - Powers of the Board, Section 1: Authority (c)
Dr. Williams suggested that clarification is provided as it relates to the level of appeal to
the Board.
Mr. Hollingsworth recommended reviewing the HR policies and noted that he will review
the Chair’s script relating to hearing of citizens.
The committee reviewed proposed changes of Article C through Article D and
concluded to end review of the revisions and commence at the next meeting with Article
E.
NAMING POLICY
Dr. Williams recommended tabling for discussion at the Committee of the Whole
meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:00 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: