REGULAR MEETING
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
November 17, 2011
Minutes
The Board of Trustees of Houston Community College held a Regular Meeting on
Thursday, November 17, 2011 at the HCC Administration Building, Second Floor
Auditorium, 3100 Main, Houston, Texas.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Richard Schechter, Chair
Mary Ann Perez, Vice Chair
Eva Loredo, Secretary
Bruce A. Austin
Sandie Mullins
Christopher Oliver
Neeta Sane
ADMINISTRATION
Mary Spangler, Chancellor
Art Tyler, Deputy Chancellor/COO
Renee Byas, General Counsel
Shantay Grays, Interim Executive Assistant to the Chancellor
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
Warren Hurd for Margaret Ford Fisher, President, Northeast College
Fena Garza, President, Southwest College
William Harmon, President, Central College
Virginia Parras for Zachary Hodges, President, Northwest College
Irene Porcarello, President, Southeast College
Betty Young, President, Coleman College
Willie Williams, Chief Human Resources Officer
OTHERS PRESENT
Derrick Mitchell, System Counsel, Bracewell & Giuliani
Thomas Urban, Faculty Senate President
Other administrators, citizens and representatives from the news media
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Schechter, Chair, called the meeting to order at 4:03 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 – November 17, 2011 – Page 2
PRAYER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mr. Austin led the prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
(Mr. Oliver stepped out at 4:04 p.m.)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approval of Minutes from Academic Affairs/Student Services Committee Meeting of
October 6, 2011, Board Governance Committee Meeting of October 6, 2011,
Committee of the Whole Meeting of October 6, 2011, Special Meeting of October 6,
2011, Regular Meeting of October 20, 2011.
Motion – Mr. Austin moved and Mrs. Sane seconded to approve the minutes.
Vote – The motion passed with a vote of 7-0.
(Mr. Oliver returned at 4:06 p.m.)
AWARDS AND PRESENTATIONS
•
Check Presentation by Richard Torres on behalf of Wells Fargo for teller training
program
•
Check Presentation by Dr. Thomas Urban along with the Bedicek-Orman
committee
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Ms. Perez recognized and thanked the Communications Department staff and Dr. Irene
Porcarello on the successful job fair at Southeast campus.
Mr. Schechter expressed congratulations to Christopher W. Oliver on his re-election to
HCC District IX and Trustee Elect G. Carroll Robinson on his election to District IV.
Mr. Oliver thanked his colleagues for all their support.
CHANCELLOR’S REPORT
Dr. Spangler provided the following information and recognitions:
•
U.S. Department of Agriculture Grant – Houston Community College was
awarded at $245,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The grant is
for enhancing the ability Hispanic serving institutions to support underserved
students and develop a skilled American workforce.
•
2011 Star Award – Deborah Hardwick along with Trustees Loredo, Perez, and
Sane received the 2011 Star Award for the In-house Online Tutoring Program.
This is only the second time that HCC has won the Star Award which is awarded
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Regular Meeting – November 17, 2011 – Page 3
to institutions that contribute to closing the gaps in all four goals: student
participation, student success, academic excellence, and research.
•
International Student Enrollment – OPEN DOOR, a publication of Institute of
International Education, reported HCC is number one among all community
colleges in the nation for enrollment of international students again this year;
current enrollment is 6,261, not including approximately 1,000 undocumented
student who are not counted. HCC is ranked number 6 among all institutions of
higher education for enrollment of international students.
•
University of Houston Downtown (UHD) Joint Efforts – The Chancellor’s Cabinet
held a joint meeting with Dr. Flores’ leadership team where substantive issues
were discussed and 5 priorities have been identified. HCC and UHD are going to
work together to advance concretizing joint admissions/reverse transfer
agreements, establishing more academic articulation agreements, including a
new Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS), signing the Gator
Guarantee, identifying a shared HCC/UHD location for upper division degree
opportunities, and sharing best practices engaging faculty/advisors/staff to
strengthen partnerships toward the completion agenda.
•
International Education Week Policy Forum – Dr. Spangler participated as a
panelist in a policy forum on Capitol Hill during November’s International
Education Week (IEW). The forum was jointly sponsored by NAFSA:
Association of International Educators and Goucher College to highlight the
value of study abroad and promote a policy conversation about how to make it
the norm, rather than the exception. Dr. Spangler was invited to represent
community colleges because of HCC’s leadership in internationalizing
community college education. The forum included remarks by two Senators to
focus on the importance of providing U.S. students with access to global
educational opportunities, successful models for increasing study-abroad
participation, and what more needs to happen on a national level to ensure that
many more students have the opportunity to study abroad.
FACULTY SENATE REPORT
Thomas Urban noted that the Faculty Senate is pleased with the recommendations
brought to the Board in regards to full-time and adjunct faculty.
Mr. Schechter recessed the meeting at 4:24 p.m. due to technical difficulty with
recording of the meeting because of power problems. The meeting was reconvened at
4:34 p.m.
(Present: Trustees Austin, Loredo, Mullins, Perez, Sane, and Schechter)
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Regular Meeting – November 17, 2011 – Page 4
Dr. Urban continued with the faculty senate report. Dr. Urban apprised that faculty is
now in conversation with administration in the development of the new strategic plan.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion – Mr. Austin moved and Ms. Perez seconded to approve the consent agenda
with the exception of agenda items B.8 and B.12. The motion passed with a vote of 6-0.
The following consent agenda items were passed:
•
Revisions to Board Bylaws and Governance Policy
•
Minors and Relatives on HCC Property Policy
•
Employee Assistance Program Services (Project No. 11-33)
•
Welding Equipment (Project No. 12-06)
•
Method of Project Delivery for Construction of New Parking Garage (Southeast
Campus)
•
Public Hearing Senate Bill 1, Amendments to Property Tax Code 11.253 for
Goods-in-Transit
•
Acceptance of Gifts and Donations from Cisco
•
Sign Language Interpreter Services (Modification Additional Funding)
•
Copy Center Services Contract Extension (Not to Exceed 6 Months)
•
Charter Bus Services
•
Stafford Campus Renovations Building B (Project No. 12-07)
MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES (PROJECT NO. 1205)
Motion – Ms. Mullins moved and Ms. Perez seconded to approve.
(Mr. Oliver joined the meeting at 4:36 p.m.)
Ms. Mullins asked if the three-year term is typical for a marketing contract. Dr. Tyler
informed that it is typical. Ms. Mullins inquired of the percentage of decrease or
increase. Dr. Seymour informed that it is about the same.
Vote – The motion passed with vote of 7-0.
PROPOSED OPERATING BUDGET (UNRESTRICTED FUNDS) FOR 2012-2013
Motion – Mr. Oliver moved and Mr. Austin seconded to approve the proposed operating
budget for 2012-2013.
Mr. Schechter apprised that the budget has been vetted by the Board on multiple
occasions and asked Dr. Tyler to elaborate on the proposed budget.
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Regular Meeting – November 17, 2011 – Page 5
Dr. Tyler informed that the Board adopted the 2011-2012 budget at an earlier date;
however, the Board chose to hold off on adoption of the 2012-2013 budget. He noted
that there was a gain in revenue due to the restructuring of debt that has allowed the
opportunity to present the budget for approval. Dr. Tyler noted that input on the budget
was provided from representation throughout the system-wide. He apprised that there is
a possible increase in utilities due to the scheduled opening of additional facilities (San
Jacinto Building and Stafford Building).
Mr. Oliver inquired about the anticipated additional cost of expenditures. Dr. Tyler
apprised that the recommendation does not include increase pay for professional staff
and administrators.
Ms. Mullins requested a report regarding tracking of expenses in regards to number of
new students anticipated as well as a report regarding expenditures for HCC facilities
that are not in the taxing district.
Ms. Mullins inquired about the marketing cost and asked if the cost reflected is in-house
or funds paid on the contract. Dr. Tyler informed that the expense portion is for the
operational marketing campaign.
Mr. Oliver inquired if the Budget Task Force is still in place. Dr. Spangler informed that
the task force is still in place and informed that it has been reformed and named the
College Transformation Advisory Council.
Mr. Schechter noted that he would recommend continuing the process of having a
Board Budget sub-committee that will allow for the Board to revisit the budget concerns
throughout the year.
Ms. Perez inquired as to the usage of contingency that is remaining in the previous
fiscal year budget. Dr. Tyler apprised that the contingency funds are attributed to
various funding of such items as maintenance and unforeseen expenses. He noted that
any remaining funds are placed in the reserve. He noted that each of the presidents has
$50,000 contingency funds to use as needed and noted that the funds are to cover
unforeseen expenses.
Mr. Oliver requested a schedule that reflects the contingency funds expenses for the
budget year.
Mrs. Sane asked if the budget recommended for approval is a working document and if
there will be adjustments throughout the year. Dr. Tyler noted that there will be multiple
opportunities for the Board to review the budget and make necessary adjustments.
(Mr. Oliver stepped out at 5:10 p.m.)
Dr. Tyler apprised that there must be resources to support the initiatives of the college.
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Regular Meeting – November 17, 2011 – Page 6
Ms. Loredo informed that there have been several meetings to allow for discussion of
the budget and apprised that there must be an effort to make certain all the funds are
not generated through tuition and fees. She asked that more consideration be given to
campus funding. Ms. Loredo asked if the colleges received any of the unused
contingency funding. Dr. Tyler provided an example of how allocation was provided to
allow for additional classes to be offered at the colleges.
Mr. Austin recommended that the contingency expense schedule be presented through
the Board Budget sub-committee.
Vote – The motion passed with vote of 7-0.
Mr. Austin took a point of personal privilege to recognize the Board and Board
Governance Committee for reshaping the concept of the ethics of the Board. He noted
that the Board has even implemented an ethics and financial training session.
Mr. Schechter noted that the item approved on the consent agenda regarding the
Revisions of the Board Bylaws and Governance Policies was a result of the
recommendation he presented in May 2011 to review efforts to strengthen the
procurement and ethics of the Board.
Mr. Schechter noted that the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Committee was impressed with the efforts taken by the Board regarding the
procurement process.
ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 2011
Motion – Mr. Oliver moved and Ms. Mullins seconded.
Ms. Leslie Berardo, Gainer, Donnelly & Desroches, noted that the audit was given and
unqualified (clean) opinion. She noted that there was an increase in savings on the
revenues and noted that the refinancing of the bond was very positive for the college.
Mrs. Sane informed that the Audit Committee reviewed the Audit Report and expressed
appreciation to the external auditors.
Vote – The motion passed with a vote of 7-0.
MONTHLY FINANCE REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER 2011 AND INVESTMENT
REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER 2011
Motion – Mr. Austin moved and Mrs. Sane seconded to accept the monthly finance and
investment reports.
Dr. Tyler apprised that there was an amendment to the ending balance from last year.
He noted that September’s numbers are not usually indicative of how the year will end.
(Mr. Oliver stepped out at 5:28 p.m.)
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Regular Meeting – November 17, 2011 – Page 7
Vote – The motion passed with vote of 6-0.
HEARING OF CITIZENS
The following citizens signed up to speak before the Board:
1. Daniel Arp
2. Wisdom Muofhe
3. Dave Wilson
Mr. Muofhe addressed the Board regarding the vacant Student Life Coordinator position
at Central College. Mr. Schechter requested that the Chancellor or her designee contact
Mr. Muofhe regarding student life coordinator concerns.
(Mr. Oliver returned at 5:42 p.m.)
Mr. Wilson requested that the Board address the issue as to why the Board purchased
the property in District VI.
Mr. Schechter apprised that Counsel advised that he is not able to discuss the issue
because it was not on the agenda. He noted that the item addressed at the next
meeting as a part of the Chairman’s Report.
ADJOURNED TO CLOSED SESSION
Mr. Schechter adjourned the meeting to Executive Session at 5:44 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 6:36 p.m. and entertained
motions on pending matters.
(Present: Trustees Loredo, Mullins, Perez, Sane, Oliver, and Schechter)
PERSONNEL AGENDA FOR NOVEMBER 2011
Motion - Mr. Oliver moved and Ms. Mullins seconded. The motion passed with a vote of
6-0.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business coming before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 6:36 p.m.
Minutes recorded, transcribed & submitted by:
Sharon Wright, Manager, Board Services
Minutes Approved as Submitted: