MEETING OF THE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE February 19, 2009 Minutes The Legislative Committee of the Board of Trustees of the Houston Community College held a meeting on Tuesday, February 19, 2009 at the HCC Administration Building, 3100 Main, 2nd Floor, Seminar Room B, Houston, Texas. COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT Diane Olmos Guzman, Committee Chair Mills Worsham, Committee Member Bruce Austin Neeta Sane Richard Schechter ADMINISTRATION Mary S. Spangler, Chancellor Art Tyler, Deputy Chancellor/COO Renee Byas, General Counsel Margaret Ford Fisher, President, Northeast College Fena Garza, President, Southwest College Bill Harmon, President, Central College and Interim President, Coleman College Zachary Hodges, President, Northwest College OTHERS PRESENT Kim James, Counsel, Bracewell & Giuliani Dwight Boykins, Consultant, Boykins and Schneider Mary Schneider, Consultant, Boykins and Schneider Catherine Campbell, Consultant, Yaffe|Deutser Other administrators, citizens, and representatives of the news media CALL TO ORDER Mrs. Guzman called the meeting to order at 1:39 p.m. and declared the Committee convened to consider matters pertaining to Houston Community College as listed on the duly posted Meeting Notice. REPORT ON LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES FOR STATE AND FEDERAL LEVELS Status of Stimulus Proposal Remmele Young provided an overview of the stimulus package approved by Congress and signed by the President entitled “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009” with the following highlights: Houston Community College Legislative Committee – February 19, 2009 - Page 2 • • • • • Bill includes spending and tax provisions Total amount: $789.5 billion Less than Senate bill ($838 billion) Less than the House bill ($819 billion) Funding covers fiscal years 2009-2010 The components for community colleges are as follows: • • • • • • • Pell Grant American Opportunity Tax Credit State Fiscal Stabilization Fund Department of Labor Job Training Programs Trade Adjustments Assistance National Science Foundation Health Professions Training Mr. Young mentioned that there was an increase in Pell Grant effective July 1, 2009. The increase will provide a positive student increase. Mr. Young noted that the American Opportunity Tax credit has replaced the Hope Scholarship tax credit of $1800 to a new maximum credit of $2,500, which covers 100% of student’s first $2,000 and then 25% of the next $2,000. This is a temporary tax credit that includes eligible expenses such as books and other expenses related to course work. Mr. Young mentioned that the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund total amount is $53.6 billion to be distributed according to the formula, based on the state’s general and school aged population. Mrs. Guzman asked if any of the funds would be used for infrastructure. Mr. Young mentioned that HCC proposed projects would be under facilities modernization of the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund. He noted that the funds cannot be used for new facilities or to increase endowments. Mr. Young mentioned that the legislation is unclear about the amount of overall physical relief to public institutions, but the amount should be substantial. Mr. Young discussed the Department of Labor Job Training Programs. $3.95 billion funding which will go directly for training and employment and apprised that the Workforce Investment Act Programs include dislocated workers, adult workers and youth workers. Mr. Austin mentioned that he is concerned about the college’s GIS capabilities. He noted that the college should be in position to deal with job loss. He noted that the youth program should be connected to HISD and should be career oriented. He noted that a tremendous amount of funds are spent with the state workforce commission that could be used for funding youth programs and career training. Houston Community College Legislative Committee – February 19, 2009 - Page 3 Mr. Schechter asked if the college has developed a plan to tap into the areas that are providing funding under the stimulus plan. Mr. Young mentioned that the bill will be reviewed to identify areas where the college would be able to acquire some of the funding. Mrs. Guzman suggested reviewing the possibilities of seeking funds for a particular area such as nursing where there is a known short fall. Dr. Spangler mentioned that it has been noted that education is the driver to the economic turnaround and that the other areas will naturally move to the forefront. (Mr. Schechter stepped out at 2:01 p.m.) Mr. Young discussed competitive grants for job training, research, and labor exchange. Ms. Guzman asked if this will be done through competitive grants. Mr. Young mentioned that some of it will definitely be done through competitive grants. Mr. Young apprised that the National Science Foundation has allocated $100 million with $60 million (Robert Noyce Scholarship), $25 million (Math & Science Partnerships), $15 million (Professional Science Master’s Programs). He noted that generally the programs are not ideal for community colleges, but likely beneficial from a Math & Science perspective. Mr. Austin mentioned that math and science is an area where a different pedagogy should be developed to reach students and suggested identifying ways to crosspollinate to reach the students. (Mr. Schechter returned at 2:10 p.m.) Dr. Spangler apprised that Mr. Austin’s suggestion is something to consider for the next phase of innovative program funding. Mr. Young advised that the final comments on the stimulus package are to position HCC to compete for relevant funds. Mrs. Guzman suggested to possibly have a link from HCC website to receive legislative alerts through ACCT. Mr. Young apprised that he would take the responsibility to make certain the links are available to provide updates and tracking capabilities. Dr. Spangler apprised the Board of the 2.5% state budget reduction request for fiscal year 2009. She noted that the college did respond via memorandum informing that the reduction would impact the summer semester program. (Mrs. Sane arrived at 2:17 p.m.) Houston Community College Legislative Committee – February 19, 2009 - Page 4 Mr. Dwight Boykin informed that HCC was the only community college on the list to receive funding for the nursing program from the 2009 budget cycle and funding should be forthcoming. Mr. Schechter asked if a periodic report could be provided to the Board that shows what is being done to get funding under the stimulus package. Dr. Spangler mentioned that as information becomes available, it would be forwarded to the Board. Mrs. Guzman recommended that a report be provided to the Board on a continuous basis. Mr. Young apprised that Congressman Green recommended that the college review environmental concerns. ADJOURNMENT With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:30 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: