MEETING OF THE
EXTERNAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
April 14, 2011
Minutes
The External Relations Committee of the Board of Trustees of Houston Community College held a meeting on Thursday, April 14, 2011, at the HCC Administration Building, 3100
Main, 2nd Floor, Seminar Room A, Houston, Texas.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Sandie Mullins, Committee Chair
Mary Ann Perez, Committee Member
Richard Schechter, Committee Member
Bruce Austin
Eva Loredo
Christopher W. Oliver
Neeta Sane
ADMINISTRATION
Mary S. Spangler, Chancellor
Art Tyler, Deputy Chancellor/COO
Doretha Eason, Executive Assistant to the Chancellor
Daniel Seymour, Vice Chancellor, Planning and Institutional Effectiveness
Fena Garza, President, Southwest College
Margaret Ford Fisher, President, Northeast College
William Harmon, President, Central College
Irene Porcarello, President, Southeast College
Betty Young, President, Coleman College
Willie Williams, Chief Human Resources Officer
Remmele Young, Executive Director, Government Relations
OTHERS PRESENT
Kimberly James, System Counsel, Bracewell & Giuliani
Alan Ainsworth, President, Faculty Senate
Other administrators, citizens and representatives from the news media
CALL TO ORDER
Ms. Mullins called the meeting to order at 2:17 p.m. and declared the Committee convened to consider matters pertaining to Houston Community College as listed on the duly posted
Meeting Notice.

Houston Community College
External Relations Committee – April 14, 2011 - Page 2
REPORT ON CURRENT LEGISLATIVE DISCUSSIONS
Mr. Remmele Young provided an overview of the legislative topics regarding General
Appropriation Bill (House Bill 1 and Senate Bill 1) as follows:
•
HB 1 passed the House on April 3, 2011 as substituted
•
HB 1 moved to Senate Finance for “mark-up”
•
Senate “mark-up” expected to end by April 15, 2011
•
Senate will pass its version of the bill (SB1)
•
Conference committee will convene to reconcile the difference in HB1 and SB1
•
Governor will sign or veto General Appropriation Act
•
HB 1 provides no funding for enrollment growth
•
HB 1 restores funding to four de-funded community colleges which cost HCC about
$2.5 million
•
Transfer $140 million from base formula funding by proportionately reducing funding for all other community colleges to increase group health insurance (HEGI)
•
General revenue fund contribution to TRS/ORP not to exceed 6% of each district’s unrestricted general revenue appropriations
(Mr. Oliver arrived at 2:27 p.m.)
Mr. Young noted that currently over 250 bills are being tracked and provided an overview of the relevant policy considerations:
•
Employee benefits – HB1/SB1
•
Guns on campuses - HB 750/SB 354
•
Annexation – HB 2433 /SB 1226
(Mr. Schechter and Mrs. Perez stepped out at 2:37 p.m.)
(Mrs. Perez and Mr. Schechter returned at 2:38 p.m.)
Mr. Austin asked if there is anyone to assist with the proposed annexation bill. Mr. Young apprised that assistance could be engaged.
Mr. Young continued with an overview of the relevant policy considerations as follows:
•
Non-core courses funding restrictions – SB 850
•
Redistricting (Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, etc.)
•
Parity in weighting grades for dual credit courses
•
Junior college participation in TRS
•
Financial management training for governing board members – HB 1206
•
Proportionality (new issue in Senate Finance)

Houston Community College
External Relations Committee – April 14, 2011 - Page 3
Mr. Young expressed appreciation to the following:
•
Governing board for advocacy work
•
Dr. Spangler for testimony before House Subcommittee on appropriation and Senate
Finance
•
Presidents for testimony on annexation
•
Faculty and staff for subject matter expertise
•
Policy advisors for advocacy expertise
COMMUNITY COLLEGE ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS TRUSTEES MEMBERSHIP FOR
2011
The committee discussed joining Community College Association of Texas Trustees
(CCATT).
Mr. Austin noted that members of CCATT composed of elected officials where as Texas
Association of Community Colleges (TACC) is represented with hired individuals.
Motion – Mrs. Perez moved to approve and Mr. Schechter seconded. The motion passed with a vote of 3-0.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:54 p.m.
Recorded, transcribed and submitted by:
Sharon R. Wright, Manager, Board Services
Minutes Approved: _________________________________