MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
December 8, 2011
Minutes
The Board of Trustees of Houston Community College met as a Committee of the
Whole on Thursday, December 8, 2011, at the HCC Administration Building, 2nd Floor,
3100 Main in Seminar Room A, Houston, Texas.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Richard Schechter, Chair
Mary Ann Perez, Vice Chair
Eva Loredo, Secretary
Bruce Austin
Sandie Mullins
Christopher W. Oliver
Neeta Sane
ADMINISTRATION
Mary S. Spangler, Chancellor
Art Tyler, Deputy Chancellor/COO
Renee Byas, General Counsel
Shantay Grays, Interim Executive Officer to the Chancellor
Fheryl Prestage for William Carter, Vice Chancellor, Information Technology
Charles Cook, Vice Chancellor, Instruction
Diana Pino, Vice Chancellor, Student Success
Daniel Seymour, Vice Chancellor, Planning and Institutional Effectiveness
Fena Garza, President, Southwest College
Margaret Ford Fisher, President, Northeast College
William Harmon, President, Central College
Zachary Hodges, President Northwest College
Irene Porcarello, President, Southeast College
Betty Young, President, Coleman Health Sciences
Remmele Young, Executive Director, Government Relations and Sustainability
Willie Williams, Chief Human Resources Officer
OTHERS PRESENT
Jarvis Hollingsworth, System Counsel, Bracewell & Giuliani
Thomas Urban, President, Faculty Senate
Other administrators, citizens and representatives from the news media
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Schechter, Chair, called the meeting to order at 4:00 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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Committee of the Whole – December 8, 2011 - Page 2
ADJOURNED TO CLOSED SESSION
Mr. Schechter adjourned the meeting to Executive Session at 4:00 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. Schechter 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. Schechter reconvened the meeting in Open Session at 4:29 p.m. and entertained
motions on pending matters.
(Present: Trustees Austin, Loredo, Mullins, Perez, Sane, and Schechter)
ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGINEERING SERVICES, SAN JACINTO BUILDING
RENOVATION, CENTRAL COLLEGE (PROJECT NO. 11-40)
Motion – Ms. Loredo moved and Mrs. Sane seconded.
Ms. Mullins inquired if a system architect is available to do the project. Dr. Tyler
apprised that the project is a historical building and noted that a special expertise skillset is needed.
Ms. Loredo inquired if the firm is local. Dr. Tyler apprised that the firm is local and most
of the architects have attended one of the schools in Texas.
Vote - The motion passed with vote of 6-0.
INVESTMENT REPORT FOR MONTH OF OCTOBER 2011
The action item was postponed for presentation at Regular meeting.
MONTHLY FINANCE REPORT FOR OCTOBER 2011
The action item was postponed for presentation at Regular meeting.
DIFFERENTIAL TUITION FOR HEALTH SCIENCES
Mr. Schechter apprised that the item is one of the recommendations from the budget
discussion. He noted that Dr. Betty Young would provide an overview of opportunities
regarding differential tuition.
Dr. Young provided a list of Texas Community Colleges who are offering differential
tuition. She noted that the cost varies from institution to institution anywhere from $1 to
$700 and she noted that the differential tuition would be covered by financial aid. Dr.
Young provided an overview of a similar program at Aims Community College.
(Mr. Oliver joined the meeting at 4:36 p.m.)
Dr. Young informed that approval of the item would allow an Enterprise Fund program
to purchase equipment and start new programs. She noted that the projected revenue
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Committee of the Whole – December 8, 2011 - Page 3
from the differential tuition would be approximately $400,000 over three semesters,
based on current enrollment.
Mrs. Sane inquired of the tuition at various community colleges offering the differential
tuition. Dr. Young informed that the tuition ranges anywhere from $1 to as much as
$700.
Dr. Young apprised that various scenarios were reviewed to determine the differential
tuition at Coleman. She noted that the focus was to identify additional funds to allow for
the purchase of equipment.
Mr. Oliver inquired if it is normal to face the various challenges such as the need for
updated equipment. Dr. Young apprised that other institutions are facing the same issue
and that the college is required to have current equipment.
Mrs. Sane recommended reviewing the option of identifying areas to possibly allow for
more of an increase in the differential tuition. Dr. Young apprised that the proposal
identifies three tiers that include:
Tier 1: Salary upon graduation less than $35,000
Differential tuition $25 per semester
Tier 2: Salary upon graduation more than $35,000 but less than $50,000
Differential tuition $75 per semester
Tier 3: Salary upon graduation more than $50,000
Differential tuition $150 per semester
Mr. Schechter apprised that the program could not go into effect until the summer or fall
semester. He recommended that the item be placed on the Budget Committee agenda
for January or February 2012.
REPORT ON CONTINGENCY EXPENSES
Dr. Tyler noted that the Board requested a report on contingency expenses for fiscal
year 2010-2011. He apprised the Board that the contingency funds are different from
funds that are in the reserve. He noted that the report displays the original estimates
and final allocations.
(Ms. Perez stepped out at 5:09 p.m.)
(Ms. Mullins stepped out at 5:09 p.m.)
Mr. Schechter briefly recessed the meeting at 5:09 p.m. due to a lack of quorum.
(Ms. Perez returned at 5:11 p.m.)
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Committee of the Whole – December 8, 2011 - Page 4
Mr. Schechter reconvened at 5:11 p.m. with the establishment of a quorum.
(Ms. Mullins returned at 5:12 p.m.)
Mr. Oliver noted that given the dwindling of resources, there must be a cognizance that
the funds are not available as they have been in previous years. Dr. Tyler apprised that
is the reason for the position chill.
Dr. Tyler noted that the contingency fund has been added to the financial statement as
requested by the Board.
SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (CIP/NON-CIP REPORT)
Mr. Remmele Young provided a report on the small business compliance for CIP/NonCIP contract reports and entertained questions from the Board.
Mr. Schechter apprised that his concern is regarding a prime who has received
payment; however, has not complied with the small business agreement. Mr. Young
apprised that the Compliance Department will give adequate notice to the firm with
reasonable time to cure the defect. He noted that some firms are not in compliance;
however, the Compliance Department is scheduled to contact the firms in an effort to
bring them in compliance.
UPDATE ON STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS
Dr. Daniel Seymour apprised that the last update included the data on completion and
noted that rather than reduplicate the report, he would provide a presentation on the
Completion Agenda.
(Ms. Mullins left at 5:36 p.m.)
Dr. Seymour noted that the report is titled “Time is the Enemy” conducted by Complete
College America. He noted that there was a concern regarding the negative press
relating to dropout rates at community colleges.
Mr. Schechter recessed the meeting at 5:49 p.m. and reconvened at 5:51 p.m.
(Trustees Present: Austin, Loredo, Mullins, Oliver, Perez, Sane and Schechter)
Mr. Schechter noted that one of the critical factors is the number of students leaving
before earning a degree to attend other institutions.
Dr. Seymour apprised that there is a need to identify how to improve number of
students graduating. He noted that accountability is in, but funding is out. He provided
an overview of the efforts to address the issue through the strategic plan focusing on
the architect of achievement.
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Committee of the Whole – December 8, 2011 - Page 5
Mr. Schechter requested that the administration present to the Board in January the
steps identified for improving the retention rate.
Dr. Seymour informed that the new strategic plan will identify how the college will
attempt to combat the issue of retention. Dr. Spangler informed that this will be
presented in February 2012.
Mr. Austin noted that task is to target the result. He noted that this will at least provide a
point of direction as to where the college is headed. He noted that in lieu of the
discussion of a bond, there must be a necessity message resonating with the
community.
Mrs. Sane apprised that the Board would like to see the framework of the strategic plan
along with the finances associated with it to show the efforts that will be used to address
the items.
Mr. Schechter apprised that the Chancellor has the responsibility to present the plan to
the Board. He noted that presently the Board is unable to evaluate because nothing is
available for the Board to use as a gage.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:08 p.m.
Recorded and Submitted by:
Sharon R. Wright, Manager, Board Services
Minutes Approved: