MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
May 12, 2011
Minutes
The Board of Trustees of Houston Community College met as a Committee of the
Whole on Thursday, May 12, 2011, at the HCC Administration Building, 2nd Floor, 3100
Main in Seminar Room A, Houston, Texas.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Richard M. Schechter, Chair
Mary Ann Perez, Vice Chair
Eva Loredo, Secretary
Bruce Austin
Sandie Mullins
Christopher W. Oliver
Dr. Michael P. Williams
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
Daniel Seymour, Vice Chancellor, Planning and Institutional Effectiveness
Margaret Ford Fisher, President, Northeast College
Fena Garza, President, Southwest College
Zachary Hodges, President, Northwest College
Irene Porcarello, President, Southeast College
Betty Young, President, Coleman College
Remmele Young, Executive Director, Government Relations
Kelly Zuniga, Executive Director, HCC Foundation
Willie Williams, Chief Human Resources Officer
OTHERS PRESENT
Jarvis Hollingsworth, System Counsel, Bracewell & Giuliani
Clarence Grier, RBC
Alan Ainsworth, President, Faculty Senate
Other administrators, citizens and representatives from the news media
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Schechter, Chair, called the meeting to order at 4:28 p.m. and declared the Board
convened to consider matters pertaining to Houston Community College as listed on the
duly posted Meeting Notice.
Houston Community College
Committee of the Whole – May 12, 2011 - Page 2
INVESTMENT REPORT FOR MARCH 2011
Motion – Mrs. Perez moved and Ms. Loredo seconded. The motion passed with a vote
of 6-0.
MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT FOR APRIL 2011
Motion – Mr. Oliver moved and Mr. Austin seconded. The motion passed with a vote of
6-0.
Dr. Tyler informed that one major area of savings is in the area of utilities due largely to
the energy savings project implemented.
PROPOSED STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS
Dr. Seymour provided an overview of the proposed process as it relates to the strategic
plan. He noted that the strategic plan process will begin with a discussion at the
Chancellor’s retreat scheduled for May 20, 2011 as well as a city-wide discussion
scheduled for July 2011.
(Dr. Williams arrived at 5:35 p.m.)
Dr. Seymour mentioned that the methodology for implementation involves a
communication plan as well as link planning and budgeting. He noted that the process
timeline is approximately three months. He apprised that Board input will be sought
regarding the goals, mission, and values. He noted that the plan will be generated by
September 2011.
Mr. Austin noted that it has been requested that a comparative analysis be conducted
with regards to what other community colleges and private entities are doing. He noted
that this would provide a matrix.
Dr. Williams noted that there are other entities across the nation who have addressed
some of the same concerns and noted that HCC is not unique in regards to problems
faced. He noted that it would be a good measure to review how others are handling the
problems. Dr. Seymour noted that once the themes are developed, the best practices
could then be reviewed from a national standpoint.
Mr. Schechter recommended a discussion be held in a retreat setting to allow reporting
to the Board on the theme and noted that the Board should possibly be given the
opportunity to provide input before the final plan is presented for approval.
Mr. Schechter requested that the plan be modified to provide for the Board’s input on
the front end. He mentioned that the process should come under the Board Governance
Committee.
REAL ESTATE TRANSACTION LOCATED IN DISTRICT VI
Dr. Tyler requested that the item be pulled and placed on the Regular meeting agenda.
Houston Community College
Committee of the Whole – May 12, 2011 - Page 3
REPORT FROM APPOINTED COMMITTEES
Mr. Austin provided a report on the discussion held by the Board Governance
Committee and noted that the following recommendation will be presented to the full
Board regarding the reduction of Board expenses:
•
Set the annual allocation for the Trustee Community Activity Fund at $4,000.00
per Trustee
•
Set conference attendance to five per Trustee according to the approved
conference list
•
Conduct a biennium review at the end of fiscal year 2011-2012 and sunset
review at the end of fiscal year 2012-2013
Mr. Schechter inquired if the item requires amendment of the bylaws. Mr. Hollingsworth
noted that there is not a need to amend the bylaws since there is a sunset review
included in the recommendation.
ADJOURNED TO CLOSED SESSION
Mr. Schechter adjourned the meeting to Executive Session at 6:00 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 8:52 p.m. and entertained
motions on pending matters.
(Present: Trustees Austin, Loredo, Mullins, Perez, Oliver, Schechter, and Dr. Williams)
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:53 p.m.
Recorded and Submitted by:
Sharon R. Wright, Manager, Board Services
Minutes Approved: