MEETING OF THE
ACADEMICAFFAIRS/STUDENT SERVICES COMMITTEE
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
May 20, 2010
Minutes
The Academic Affairs/Student Services Committee of the Board of Trustees of Houston
Community College held a meeting on Thursday, May 20, 2010, at the HCC
Administration Building, 3100 Main, 2nd Floor, Seminar Room A, Houston, Texas.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Richard Schechter, Committee Chair
Bruce Austin, Committee Member
Eva Loredo, Committee Member
Sandie Meyers
Mary Ann Perez
Dr. Michael P. Williams
ADMINISTRATION
Mary S. Spangler, Chancellor
Art Tyler, Deputy Chancellor/COO
Doretha Eason, Executive Assistant to the Chancellor
Renee Byas, General Counsel
Charles Cook, Vice Chancellor, Instruction
William Carter, Vice Chancellor, Information Technology
Daniel Seymour, Vice Chancellor, Planning and Institutional Effectiveness
Margaret Ford Fisher, President, Northeast College
Fena Garza, President, Southwest College
William Harmon, President, Central College
Zachary Hodges, President, Northwest 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 2:15 p.m. and declared the Committee
convened to consider matters pertaining to Houston Community College as listed on the
duly posted Meeting Notice.
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Academic/Student Services Committee – May 20, 2010 - Page 2
TEXTBOOK UPDATE
Dr. Cook provided an update on the textbook options and apprised that less than one
percent of the market is digital; however, the market share is predicted to be twenty
percent over the next couple of years. He noted that the recommendation that would
provide immediate action is to give students multiple options such as digital books, rental
of hard copy textbooks, digital lease, and open source with print options. He noted the
options would provide students with a range and possibly lower the cost for textbooks.
Mr. Austin recommended providing the report to the procurement department so that it is
included as a component of the Request for Proposal (RFP).
Dr. Cook apprised that the RFP would be brought to the Board in August 2010.
Mr. Austin recommended a comparison study of students using the Kindle with other
student learning groups such as transfer track, workforce track, and certificate students.
(Mrs. Meyers arrived at 2:24 p.m.)
Dr. Cook noted that approximately thirty percent of students do not purchase textbooks
due to the cost.
Mr. Austin asked which technique best gets the interest of the students to achieve
course learning expectations. Dr. Cook noted that the fact that students were involved in
the pilot programs provided a sense that they are interested and it is having a direct
impact.
Mr. Schechter referenced the memorandum provided by Dr. Cook and asked what the
college is doing to assist the faculty and adjunct faculty to adapt to new delivery models.
Dr. Cook noted that a center for Teaching and Learning Effectiveness has been
established. He noted that faculty champions have been utilized to teach the courses.
(Dr. Williams arrived at 2:43 p.m.)
Mr. Austin recommended the development of a communications piece on the website to
inform of teaching updates.
Mr. Schechter recommended setting aside time on the academic committee agenda to
allow for informative updates.
UPDATE ON INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVES
Mr. Schechter noted that there have been several questions regarding international
initiatives such as the cost and status of the programs.
Dr. Spangler apprised that Mrs. Loredo along with Mrs. Perez and herself just returned
from Qatar. She provided an overview of the projects status from March 2007. A status
was provided on the following projects:
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Academic/Student Services Committee – May 20, 2010 - Page 3
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Saigon Institute of Technology
U.S.-Brazil Exchange Network (CEFETS)
Salzburg Global Seminar
King Saud University/Riyadh Community College
AACC/CEAIE 2009 Vocational Education Leadership Training Program (VELT)
Community College of Qatar
Mr. Austin asked for the objective of the international programs and asked why the
college is involved in these types of programs. Dr. Spangler noted the purpose is to
provide a broader comprehensive view of the world to our students. Mr. Austin asked if
the learning objectives include linguistic studies. Dr. Spangler apprised that international
components span across the curriculum. Mr. Austin asked if the students involved in
international studies are being prepared to be international ambassadors. Dr. Spangler
noted that the objective is to develop a curriculum to provide a global and international
focus.
Mr. Austin noted that he would be more interested in the international languages for the
studies as well as an understanding of the customs and usage of the populations. Dr.
Spangler noted that these concerns are a given under the international studies and
apprised that the effort is to reach beyond the local community. Dr. Cook noted that
several international study programs are under development that will provide a real world
format. He noted that enrollment in foreign language courses are growing and noted that
the international efforts are infusing the curriculum.
Mr. Schechter asked to what extent does the international initiative contribute to the new
global studies format.
Dr. Williams noted that the two are deeply imbedded and not necessarily quantified. He
noted that there are international study efforts; however, some are strictly entrepreneurial
opportunities. He noted that the entrepreneur part is unsolicited. He noted that the
question then becomes the value of these initiatives where the cost for these efforts can
be quantified.
Mr. Austin noted that a review of economic development in foreign countries was
conducted and noted that the more they learned about the difficulties in educating these
communities should allow for more advanced experience in local urban communities.
Mrs. Meyers asked how the funds will be disbursed and how are the students tracked to
determined who is participating and what are the benefits to the college and the local
community.
Dr. Williams asked if the issue of the funds could be discussed at the next Academic
Committee meeting to allow the administration time to review.
Mrs. Meyers asked what percentage of the students are taking advantage of the
international opportunities. Dr. Williams noted that the most academically motivated
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students will take advantage of the opportunities. Dr. Cook noted that there are far too
few students taking advantage of the international opportunities and noted that the
students have to be educated on the opportunities.
Dr. Williams associated with Mr. Austin and noted that language is one of the issues. Dr.
Spangler apprised that the opportunities are not just relating to the students but also
provides an opportunity for faculty as well.
Mr. Austin associated with Mrs. Meyers and noted that even though the future has to be
engaged with international programs; however, there needs to be balance. He inquired
where is the same passion for local workforce development.
Dr. Williams noted that the first priority should be to provide academic excellence and
workforce development locally; however, it does not mean that there could not be an
opportunity for international programs.
Dr. Harmon apprised that the City of Houston focuses on international opportunities. Dr.
Williams noted that there is often the feeling that there is not a need to move beyond the
state; however, there is value in viewing other parts of the world.
Mrs. Meyers apprised that it is not about parochialism and noted that the list for
international initiatives is getting longer. She noted that there must be a balance.
Mr. Schechter noted that there is not a quarrel regarding the entrepreneurial aspect. He
asked if there is too much time spent on the international initiatives versus the total time
spent by faculty and staff on local programs. Dr. Spangler noted that approximately 544
hours over the past two years have been spent on international initiatives versus 2.6
million hours per year of staff time annually spent on local priorities.
(Mr. Austin stepped out at 3:34 p.m.)
Mr. Schechter noted that it is less than .001 percent of faculty/staff time spent on
international initiatives.
(Dr. Williams stepped out at 3:36 p.m.)
Mrs. Loredo apprised that Qatar is dealing with the same issues as the U.S. in that
students are not coming out of high school with the ability to enter the university;
therefore, there is concern on how to get youth motivated to continue higher learning
especially given the rich economic culture.
Mrs. Meyers requested the administrative hours involved in international projects per
project.
POLICY REGARDING REVENUES FROM INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVES
The item was postponed for discussion at the next Academic Committee meeting.
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ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:39 p.m.
Minutes recorded, transcribed & submitted by:
Sharon R. Wright, Manager, Board Services
Minutes Approved:
June 29, 2010