REGULAR MEETING
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
May 27, 2010
Minutes
The Board of Trustees of Houston Community College held a Regular Meeting on
Thursday, May 27, 2010, at the HCC Administration Building, Second Floor Auditorium,
3100 Main, Houston, Texas.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Dr. Michael P. Williams, Chair
Neeta Sane, Vice Chair
Sandie Meyers, Secretary
Bruce A. Austin
Yolanda Navarro Flores
Eva Loredo
Christopher W. Oliver
Mary Ann Perez
Richard Schechter
ADMINISTRATION
Mary Spangler, Chancellor
Art Tyler, Deputy Chancellor/COO
Renee Byas, General Counsel
William Carter, Vice Chancellor, Information Technology
Charles Cook, Vice Chancellor, Instruction
Diana Pino, Vice Chancellor, Student Services
Margaret Ford Fisher, President, Northeast College
Fena Garza, President, Southwest College
William 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
Kim James, System Counsel, Bracewell & Giuliani
Bennie Ables, President, Faculty Senate
Other administrators, citizens and representatives from the news media
CALL TO ORDER
Dr. Williams, Chair, called the meeting to order at 4:23 p.m. and declared the Board
convened to consider matters pertaining to Houston Community College as listed on the
duly posted Meeting Notice.
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Regular Meeting – May 27, 2010 – Page 2
PRAYER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mrs. Meyers led the prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approval of Minutes from Special Meeting of April 8, 2010; Academic Affairs/Student
Services Committee Meeting of April 15, 2010; Committee of the Whole Meeting of April
15, 2010; Technology Committee Meeting of April 22, 2010, and Regular Meeting of
April 22, 2010.
Motion – Mrs. Sane moved and Mrs. Meyers seconded. The motion passed with a vote
of 8-0.
HEARING OF CITIZENS
The following citizen(s) requested to speak before the Board:
1. Heather Perry (Closed Session)
AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS, AND RECOGNITIONS
The check presentation from the Houston Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure was
postponed.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Dr. Williams expressed appreciation to the administration for allowing him the
opportunity to be the commencement speaker for HCC Commencement on Saturday,
May 15, 2010 at Reliant Park. He extended warm wishes to each graduate as they
continue pursuit of their educational and career endeavors.
CHANCELLOR’S REPORT
Dr. Spangler provided the following information and recognitions:
•
Graduation – Congratulations to the 3,343 students who were awarded associate
degrees or certifications and the 100 students who earned their GED in 2010.
•
Student Awards – Sheldon Springs was awarded over $40,000 in scholarships
and financial aid to attend the prestigious American Musical and Dramatic
Academy in Los Angeles. Eric Williams recently auditioned in New York for the
Pilobolus Dance Theater and won a much coveted summer internship. He will
appear in 32 performances at the Joyce Theater in New York, which is
considered the premier venue for modern dance.
•
Joint Admissions Project – HCC/University of Houston Joint Admissions project
has 1,200 applicants in less than a 6-month period. Six advisors have conducted
over 1600 advising sessions. The bi-lateral institutional collaboration will lead to
expanding the Joint Admissions Programs to all HCC Colleges in Spring 2011.
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Regular Meeting – May 27, 2010 – Page 3
•
District Award – HCC won a Crystal Award at the American Marketing
Association event for the recruitment campaign.
•
Grant Awards – HCC received a $445,000 United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA) grant and an additional $40,000 for student scholarships.
The grant is a collaboration with Dallas Community College District, St. Edwards
University, Texas A&M at Corpus Christi, Delmar College and HCC to recruit
Hispanics into higher education.
HCC also received a USDA grant for $245,000, which was authored by Dr.
Tineke Berends.
The total grants received from the USDA is $730,000.
•
Faculty Recognition – Sandra Gin of Central College was nominated for a
Daytime Emmy for “Cristina’s Court” in the Outstanding Legal/Court Program
category. This is the third consecutive nomination for the show after two winning
seasons. The red carpet awards will be held in Las Vegas on June 27, 2010 and
televised live on CBS.
•
Faculty Senate – Dr. Bennie Ables expressed appreciation to Dr. Williams for his
energetic and motivational speech at the commencement ceremony. She
announced that there are students advancing to various four year institutions and
acknowledged that it is a compliment to HCC faculty.
•
Finance Report – Dr. Tyler apprised that the reimbursement was received from
the state. He noted that the college continues to experience a healthy financial
status. He noted that the governor announced that all junior colleges will be
asked to return 5% of biennium appropriations funding. He apprised that the
funds have already been set aside.
•
Enrollment News – HCC has reached 72,000 students enrolled.
Dr. Williams expressed condolences to Mrs. Nancy Coats and Family in the passing of
Mr. William Coats. He expressed appreciation to Mr. Coats for his untiring efforts and
support to the HCC Foundation.
Mrs. Flores expressed commemoration in recognition of our veterans and
acknowledged that she received a note to continue the recognition of the veterans.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion – Mr. Austin moved and Mrs. Perez seconded to approve the consent agenda
items A.1 through A.5. The motion passed with a vote of 7-0-1 with Mrs. Flores
abstaining. The following items were approved:
1. Settlement of Pending Litigation
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Regular Meeting – May 27, 2010 – Page 4
2. Resolution Authorizing Condemnation Proceedings
3. Mediated Settlement Agreement for Real Property
4. Investment Report for the month of March 2010
5. Monthly Finance Report for the month of April 2010
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PRELIMINARY OFFICIAL STATEMENT AND
ISSUANCE OF SENIOR LIEN REVENUE BONDS
Motion – Mr. Austin moved and Mrs. Sane seconded to approve.
Mrs. Meyers asked how long could the funding exist based on current operations. Dr.
Tyler noted that the funding would hold for approximately seven years; however, the
Board would have to review other mechanisms for long-term funding. He noted that
after seven years the Board would have to consider whether to utilize operating funds or
reserves.
Mrs. Meyers asked if currently the funding would be from operating funds. Dr. Tyler
apprised that the first option would be to raise tuition, fees or taxes as well as possibly
consider going out for another bond.
Vote – The motion passed with vote of 6-1-1 with Mrs. Meyers opposing and Mrs. Flores
abstaining.
ADJOURNED TO CLOSED SESSION
Dr. Williams adjourned the meeting to Executive Session at 4:43 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. Dr. Williams 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. Oliver arrived after adjournment to closed session at 4:44 p.m.)
Dr. Williams reconvened the meeting in Open Session at 7:21 p.m. and entertained
motions on pending matters.
(Present: Trustees Austin, Flores, Loredo, Meyers, Oliver, Perez, Sane, Schechter, and
Williams)
PERSONNEL AGENDA FOR MAY 2010
Motion – Mr. Oliver moved and Mr. Austin seconded. The motion passed with a vote of
9-0.
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Regular Meeting – May 27, 2010 – Page 5
RESOLUTION OF CENSURE
Mrs. Perez read a resolution of censure by the Board as it relates to the grievance filed
by Dr. Art Tyler against HCC Trustee Yolanda Navarro Flores regarding comments and
conduct directed towards him.
Mr. Sane apprised that she was recusing herself from the vote and left at 7:24 p.m.
Motion – Mrs. Meyers moved and Mr. Oliver seconded. The motion passed with a vote
of 7-1-0 with Mrs. Flores opposing.
Mrs. Flores apprised that she was under the impression that the released information
was public information. Dr. Williams advised that the document was attorney client
privilege information which had not been reviewed by the Board.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business coming before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 7:26 p.m.
Minutes recorded, transcribed & submitted by:
Sharon Wright, Manager, Board Services
Minutes Approved as Submitted:
June 29, 2010