MEETING OF THE
BOARD GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
October 15, 2009
Minutes
The Board Governance Committee of the Board of Trustees of Houston Community
College held a meeting on Thursday, October 15, 2009 at the HCC Administration
Building, 3100 Main, 2nd Floor Seminar Room A, Houston, Texas.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Richard Schechter, Committee Chair
Diane Olmos Guzman, Committee Member
Bruce Austin
Neeta Sane
Mills Worsham
ADMINISTRATION
Mary S. Spangler, Chancellor
Art Tyler, Deputy Chancellor/COO
Renee Byas, General Counsel
Doretha Eason, Executive Assistant to the Chancellor
Daniel Seymour, Vice Chancellor,
Fena Garza, President, Southwest College
Bill Harmon, President, Central College
Zachary Hodges, President, Northwest College
Irene Porcarello, President, Southeast College
Betty Young, President, Coleman College
Willie Williams, Chief Human Resources Officer
OTHERS PRESENT
Jarvis Hollingsworth, Counsel, Bracewell & Giuliani
Bennie Ables, President, Faculty Senate
Other administrators, citizens, and representatives of the news media
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Schechter called the meeting to order at 2:54 p.m. and declared the Committee
convened to consider matters pertaining to Houston Community College as listed on the
duly posted Meeting Notice.
BOARD MONITORING REPORT
Mr. Schechter noted that a draft monitoring reports list will be presented to the board.
He noted that if no changes are recommended, the list should be presented for approval
before the end of the year.
Dr. Spangler noted that some of the reports may not be presented as a formal report to
the Board but may be presented as a part of the monthly board letter. Mr. Schechter
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Board Governance Committee – October 15, 2009- Page 2
noted that the Board Chair and Chancellor can decide which reports will be provided as
a part of the agenda.
Mr. Hollingsworth noted that the monitoring reports schedule is inclusive as part of the
board review policy. Mr. Schechter noted that the Board Chair, Governance Chair, and
Chancellor should review the item.
Mr. Austin asked if there should be flexibility regarding situational issues to allow action
or planning to be developed in a timely manner.
Mr. Schechter noted that the crime report should be reviewed twice a year at a
minimum. Mr. Schechter noted that the language “as needed” should be added in
regards to the crime report.
Mrs. Sane inquired about including an athletic report. Mr. Schechter apprised that
athletics will be inclusive under the academic/student services committee, but it could
be added to the list as an annual report.
Mrs. Guzman mentioned that there may be a need for a customer service report based
on student feedback. Mr. Schechter noted that this could be inclusive with the
Community College Survey of Student Engagement (CCSSE) report.
Mrs. Sane asked how Student Learning Outcomes (SLO) will be monitored. Dr. Cook
noted that the SLO is conducted via program reviews and noted that it is provided in
conjunction with the SACS report. Mr. Schechter asked if they would be assessed
annually. Dr. Cook noted that each course will require an assessment and noted that it
is a continuous process. He noted that the academic dashboard would not be able to
capture the SLO information.
Mrs. Guzman noted that the colleges are being held accountable as noted at the ACCT
Congress as it relates to completers. Dr. Cook noted that the information regarding
completers will be provided via the academic dashboard.
Mrs. Guzman asked how GED students are captured relating to next steps. Dr. Cook
noted that an innovation program fund grant recipient has developed a program and will
review the effort of identifying the next steps for students.
HCC HISTORICALLY UNDERUTILIZED BUSINESS (HUB) POLICY
Mrs. Guzman noted that she requested the item be added to the agenda. She noted
that the state mandates four-year institutions to have HUB programs and noted that it
would be appropriate for HCC to adopt such a program. She noted that HCC would be
a trendsetter in implementing a HUB program. She recommended holding a session
that would comprise of various chambers and business groups to see how ideas and
needs could be applied that would be similar to a HUB.
Mr. Schechter asked where the college is as it relates to such efforts. Dr. Spangler
apprised that there is a person responsible for monitoring the small business
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Board Governance Committee – October 15, 2009- Page 3
compliance. Dr. Tyler noted that two law schools graduates have been hired to assist
with the compliance efforts.
Mr. Austin noted that hat the state is prepared to conduct a new study to determine the
effectiveness of HUB programs and apprised that information has been forwarded to the
Deputy Chancellor. He recommended that the committee utilize the Texas A&M
program model and consider adopting the program or similar measures for HCC. He
noted that the college should be advocating that all programs are accessible by vendors
within the community. He noted that historically community colleges have been most
important at furthering business development in communities when they are involved
with Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) or working in business development
for start-up businesses. Mr. Austin further noted that community colleges have the
ability to teach the courses that start-up businesses need.
Mr. Austin noted that the college could be held in significant error by establishing quotas
as opposed to goals for small business participation. He noted that Mrs. Guzman has
been recommending that the Board establish goals and hold the Chancellor
accountable.
Mrs. Sane noted that she appreciates the concept presented by Mr. Austin. She noted
that the ACCT Equity Awards will recognize efforts in the area mentioned by Mrs.
Guzman. She noted that the item could be a part of the diversity and inclusive program,
currently under development by the Chancellor.
Mrs. Guzman noted that she agrees that quotas should not be set but goals should be
established. She apprised that the Board formally acting on the HUB item would show
that the college is open and inclusive.
Dr. Tyler noted that the information provided by Mr. Austin has been received and
apprised that the college will visit the University of Texas, Texas A&M and some local
government and county policies to establish best practices.
Mr. Schechter summarized that the recommendations presented are (1)
recommendation by Mrs. Sane to include the item as a part of the diversity program
under development by the Chancellor and (2) recommendation by Mrs. Guzman to
establish a separate program.
Dr. Spangler noted that she would prefer to have an opportunity to review the results,
which will be provided by the compliance areas, before implementing a policy.
(Mr. Worsham arrived at 3:38 p.m.)
Mr. Schechter noted that the item is really a business issue and inquired of a timeline
from Dr. Tyler. Dr. Tyler noted that there could be an update at the November meeting.
Mr. Schechter noted that the item should be on the Board Governance Committee
agenda for November.
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Board Governance Committee – October 15, 2009- Page 4
HCC NAMING OPPORTUNITY POLICY
Mrs. Guzman noted that she wanted to make certain that a process is in place so that
funding will be filtered back to the community where the building is located.
Dr. Spangler noted that the attached draft was presented over a year ago; however,
there was no action taken and noted that the draft was developed pro bono by one of
the Foundation Board Members. Dr. Spangler noted that the edits were to note who
would make the decisions regarding naming of buildings.
Mr. Austin recommended before the final draft is produced, other institution policies be
reviewed as well. Dr. Spangler noted that there has been some research; however,
most institutions informed that they did not have a policy in place, but HCC would
research again.
Mr. Schechter noted that the item should be placed on the Board Governance
Committee agenda for November 2009.
Mr. Austin noted that Bracewell & Giuliani might have a depository that could be
reviewed for recommendations.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:50 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: