REGULAR MEETING
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM
January 22, 2009
Minutes
The Board of Trustees of the Houston Community College System held a Regular
Meeting on Thursday, January 22, 2009 at the System Administration Building, Second
Floor Auditorium, 3100 Main, Houston, Texas.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Abel Davila, Chair
Neeta Sane, Vice Chair
Diane Olmos Guzman, Secretary
Bruce A. Austin
Yolanda Navarro Flores
Richard Schechter
ADMINISTRATION
Mary Spangler, Chancellor
Art Tyler, Deputy Chancellor/COO
Renee Byas, General Counsel
Doretha Eason, Executive Assistant to the Chancellor
William Carter, Vice Chancellor, Information Technology
Charles Cook, Vice Chancellor, Vice Chancellor for Instruction
Daniel Seymour, Interim Vice Chancellor, Planning and Institutional Effectiveness
Cheryl Sterling, Vice Chancellor, Student Services
Margaret Ford Fisher, President, Northeast College
Fena Garza, President, Southwest College
William Harmon, President, Central College/Interim President, Coleman College
Zachary Hodges, President, Northwest College
Irene Porcarello, President, Southeast College
Willie Williams, Associate Vice Chancellor, Human Resources
OTHERS PRESENT
Jarvis Hollingsworth, System Counsel, Bracewell & Giuliani
Mary Page, President, Faculty Senate Association
Other administrators, citizens and representatives from the news media
CALL TO ORDER
Mrs. Flores, Chairwoman, called the meeting to order at 4:26 p.m. and declared the
Board convened to consider matters pertaining to the Houston Community College
System as listed on the duly posted Meeting Notice.
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Regular Meeting – January 22, 2009 – Page 2
Mrs. Flores announced that the Board Officers for 2009 were elected at a Special
Meeting held on Friday, January 9, 2009. The Officers were elected as follows:
Chairman
-
Trustee Abel Davila
Vice Chair
-
Trustee Neeta Sane
Secretary
-
Trustee Diane Olmos Guzman
Deputy Secretary -
Trustee Christopher Oliver
Mrs. Flores turned the gavel over to Mr. Davila, Board Chair for 2009.
Mr. Davila acknowledged Mrs. Flores and her outstanding leadership as the 2008 Board
and announced that a reception was held prior to the meeting to honor her leadership
for 2008. He also provided a review of some of the accomplishments during Mrs. Flores
leadership, which included:
Elected to ACCT 2008 Diversity Committee
Alief Annexation
Tax Decrease
New Facilities
State of the College (Economic Impact)
HCC Foundation launched Opportunity 14
Mr. Davila invited the Board to express their appreciation.
Mrs. Flores expressed appreciation to her colleagues, administration, and Board
Services for their support during her tenure as Board Chair for 2008. She noted that it
was a tremendous opportunity to serve as the Board Chair of one of the largest
community colleges in the nation. She noted that what makes it good is the people
associated with HCC from the bottom to the top and noted the purpose is helping
others. Mrs. Flores noted that the reason this has been a good year is because the
HCC family works together. She also expressed appreciation to her family and friends
who attended the reception in support.
PRAYER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mr. Austin led the prayer and pledge of allegiance to the flag.
(Mrs. Flores stepped out at 4:47 p.m.)
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Regular Meeting – January 22, 2009 – Page 3
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approval of Minutes for Special Meeting of October 6, 2008, Athletics Committee
Meeting of October 9, 2008, Annexation Committee Meeting of October 16, 2008,
Communications/Community Outreach Committee Meeting of October 16, 2008,
Legislative Committee Meeting of October 16, 2008, Special Meeting of October 16,
2008, Committee of the Whole Meeting of October 16, 2008, Regular Meeting of
October 23, 2008, and Special Meeting of October 27, 2008.
Motion – Mr. Austin moved and Mrs. Guzman seconded. The motion passed with a vote
of 5-0.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Mr. Davila announced a Board Retreat is scheduled for Friday, January 30, 2009 at
12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m., 3100 Main, 12th Floor in the Chancellor’s Conference room.
(Mrs. Flores returned at 4:49 p.m.)
CHANCELLOR’S REPORT
o HCC Excellence Leadership Excellence Institute - announcement and
Introduction of the participants in the HCC Excellence Leadership Excellence
Institute Cohort for 2009, which is a nine month intense program to prepare a
strong pipeline of individuals ready to assume possible future leadership roles.
o Salzburg Seminar – Participants from Salzburg, Australia will be hosted in
February 4-7, 2008.
o Federal Stimulus Package Update – $825 billion fiscal recovery package was
unveiled, which expects passage before February 16, 2009. Community
Colleges requests included a recovery plan funding for the following:
Maintaining access and affordability ($3 billion to cover an estimated
Pell Grant funding shortfall)
Enhance community college infrastructure ($5 billion)
Prepare for high-paying and high-demand jobs ($1.5 billion)
o Comparative Study Analysis - CFO completed a comparative study for Spring
2007 versus Spring 2009 with regards to cash payment versus payment plans,
which shows a 110% increase in students making on-line payments.
o Spring Enrollment – Broke the 60,000 student mark, the increased to 60,462
students enrolled for the Spring.
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Regular Meeting – January 22, 2009 – Page 4
o
Open New Facilities – Southwest Stafford Campus (120,000 square feet) and the
Northeast College Learning HUB/Classroom facility (47,000 square feet)
o Black History Month – Dr. Harmon presented a status report on the planning of
the Black History Committee. He noted that the theme is “We Must Affirm: Out of
Many, We Are One”. The following have been outlined in addition to activities
identified at the various campus:
o Documentary in Black In America narrated by Soledad O’Brien
o Common Book Panel – Central College (Audacity of Hope)
o Black History Gala will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2009 at the
Hyatt Houston Downtown (Soledad O’Brien will be the keynote speaker)
o Faculty Senate Report - Mary Page, President of the Faculty Senate expressed
special thanks to Trustee Flores for her support during 2008 as Board Chair.
She also expressed excitement of working with Mr. Davila, Board Chair for 2009.
She expressed appreciation to the Board on behalf of the faculty for the faculty
salaries increase. She noted that of the three recommended phases, two have
already been addressed.
Ms. Page announced that faculty conference will be held on January 29, 2009.
o Financial Report – Dr. Tyler apprised of the final numbers for November 2008
and noted revenue increased by 10.9% above the same time last year and
expenses posted were 1.4% lower than at the same time last year.
Mr. Schechter noted that tuition and fees have increased which reflect credit
hours increase of approximately 10% and expressed tribute to the Chancellor,
Dr. Tyler and the presidents for the increase in enrollment.
Mr. Schechter asked if there is a reason for the decrease in extended learning
and if there is a plan to correct the decrease. Dr. Tyler apprised that it was
known that there would be some hits to the challenges during the month of
Hurricane Ike. He noted that efforts are being reviewed as to how to correct.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion – Mrs. Flores moved and Mrs. Guzman seconded to approve the consent
agenda excluding item A.1. The motion passed with a vote of 6-0. The following items
were approved:
1. Renewal of Utilities Brokerage Services Contract
2. Investment Report for the Month of October 2008
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Regular Meeting – January 22, 2009 – Page 5
3. Investment Report for the Month of November 2008
RENEWAL OF UTILITIES BROKERAGE SERVICES CONTRACT
Motion – Mr. Schechter moved and Mrs. Sane seconded to approve.
Mr. Schechter asked if an evaluation was conducted on the performance provided. Dr.
Tyler acknowledged that an analysis was completed and the firm did a great job.
Mr. Schechter asked if the analysis was more detailed than a general form. Dr. Tyler
apprised that he worked directly with the firm on weekly basis or more. He affirmed this
is the renewal of a good firm.
Mrs. Flores noted that she would like to see some sort of template that would allow for a
standard that would apply to all the contracts to be provided to the Board. She
requested that the information be included in the Board’s agenda books.
Mrs. Guzman reiterated that she would like to see the small business participation for
contracts that are awarded. She echoed the request of Trustee Flores. Dr. Tyler noted
that the small business participation is included in the CIP reporting and acknowledged
that the information could be provided.
Vote – The motion passed with a vote of 6-0.
TOPIC FOR DISCUSSION
Motion – Mrs. Sane motioned and Mrs. Guzman seconded. The motion passed with a
vote of 6-0. The following items were approved:
Amendments to Urban Redevelopment Interlocal Agreement
Personnel Agenda for January 2009
ADJOURNED TO CLOSED SESSION
Mr. Davila adjourned the meeting to Executive Session at 5:24 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 6:03 p.m. and entertained
motions on pending matters.
(Present: Trustees Austin, Davila, Flores, Guzman, Sane, and Schechter)
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business coming before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 6:03 p.m.
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Regular Meeting – January 22, 2009 – Page 6
Minutes recorded, transcribed & submitted by:
Sharon Wright, Executive Administrative Assistant, Board Services
Minutes Approved as Submitted: