MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
April 12, 2012
Minutes
The Board of Trustees of Houston Community College met as a Committee of the
Whole on Thursday, April 12, 2012, at the HCC Administration Building, 2nd Floor, 3100
Main in Seminar Room A, Houston, Texas.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Mary Ann Perez, Chair
Bruce Austin, Vice Chair
Neeta Sane, Secretary
Yolanda Navarro Flores
Christopher W. Oliver
Carroll G. Robinson
Richard Schechter
ADMINISTRATION
Mary Spangler, Chancellor
Renee Byas, General Counsel
Shantay Grays, Interim Executive Officer 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
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 Health Sciences
Remmele Young, Executive Director, Government Relations and Sustainability
Willie Williams, Chief Human Resources Officer
Kelly Zuniga, Executive Director, HCC Foundation
OTHERS PRESENT
Jarvis Hollingsworth, System Counsel, Bracewell & Giuliani
Lisa Eason, President, COPA
Thomas Urban, President, Faculty Senate
Other administrators, citizens and representatives from the news media
CALL TO ORDER
Ms. Perez, Chair, called the meeting to order at 4:07 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 – April 12, 2012 - Page 2
DESIGN-BUILD SERVICES SOUTHEAST COLLEGE PARKING FACILITY
(PROJECT NO. 12-20)
Motion – Mr. Robinson moved and Mr. Schechter seconded. The motion passed with
vote of 5-0.
Motion – Mr. Schechter moved and Mr. Robinson seconded to approve items 2 and 3
as consent items.
Mr. Robinson noted that the funds are coming out of Fund 3 and inquired if the funds
are budgeted. Dr. Spangler apprised that there is approximately $14 million dollars in
Fund 3.
Mr. Robinson informed that his inquiry was if revenue in Fund 3 was different from funds
budgeted for operations. Mrs. Karla Bender informed that Fund 3 is budgeted.
Mr. Austin noted that the inquiry is what is the fund balance, if the fund is budgeted, and
how many transactions have been charged to this account.
Mrs. Bender informed that a balance could be provided; however, Fund 3 also consists
of auxiliary funds allocated for various department that are revenue-generated funds
that cannot be used.
Mr. Robinson requested the amount in Fund 3 that is not allocated and can be used.
Mrs. Bender informed that the information will be provided.
Withdraw motion – Mr. Schechter and Mr. Robinson withdrew the motion.
Motion - Mr. Schechter moved and Mr. Robinson seconded that the following items be
placed on the agenda for the Regular meeting as topic for discussion and/or action:
•
Method of Project Delivery for Construction of Community and Athletic Fields,
Missouri City Campus, Southwest College
•
Method of Project Delivery for Construction of Community and Athletic Fields,
South Campus, Central College
Vote – The motion passed with a vote of 5-0.
METHOD OF PROJECT DELIVERY FOR BUILD-OUT ALIEF HAYES CAMPUS,
NORTHWEST CAMPUS
Motion - Mr. Schechter moved and Mr. Robinson seconded.
Mr. Robinson inquired if the item is a part of the commitment to Alief in relation to the
annexation. Dr. Spangler informed that the item is a build-out of the second floor
regarding the UT-Tyler partnership. Mr. Dahse informed that the space will also be
available for HCC usage as well.
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Committee of the Whole – April 12, 2012 - Page 3
Mr. Schechter and Mrs. Sane inquired if the funding is a part of the Maintenance Tax
Note (MTN) projects funding approved by the Board. Mr. Dahse informed that part of
build-out is on the MTN the list
Mr. Austin recommended including a proforma notating revenues sources.
Withdraw – Mr. Schechter and Mr. Robinson withdrew the motion.
The Board concluded to place the item on the agenda for the Regular meeting as a
topic for discussion and/or action.
INCREASE IN STUDENT TUITION FOR COURSE REPEATERS
Motion- Mr. Austin moved and Mr. Schechter seconded.
Dr. Cook noted that the state no longer provides funding for repeaters. He noted that
the request is to make certain tutorials and software are financed.
(Mr. Oliver arrived at 4:26 p.m.)
Mr. Robinson noted that he is used to backup documentation regarding action items. He
noted that a fee structure is not attached neither is the basis for the new fee amount, the
number of tutors, nor the cost of the tutors. He noted that the fee numbers may be too
low or high and the information is insufficient to make a decision.
(Mrs. Flores arrived at 4:31 p.m.)
Dr. Pino noted that a process has been implemented to place a hold on students
accounts until they meet with a counselor.
Mr. Austin informed that one of the discussions at the Board of Trustee Institute (BOT)
was that most of the repeaters are in Algebra. He noted that there may be a mismatch
regarding the kind of math that is really needed for work area.
Mr. Robinson inquired which classes are repeated and if they are developmental or
non-developmental courses. Dr. Cook informed that they are non-developmental
students and informed that prep labs have been implemented to provide tutorial
assistance.
Mr. Robinson inquired how much revenue is generated now and how it is spent. Mrs.
Bender informed that the amount collected currently is $4,436,350 and Dr. Cook noted
that it is spent on tutorial assistance.
Mrs. Sane inquired of the number of students who will fall through the cracks if they
have to pay an additional fee. Dr. Cook noted that financial aid will cover the repeated
course; however, students are required to show academic progress under financial aid.
Dr. Seymour noted that the discussion is a part of the national debate on completion
and is a form of tough love to require students to be more focused.
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Committee of the Whole – April 12, 2012 - Page 4
Mrs. Flores inquired if a record is kept on how bad the student fails and inquired of the
safeguards in place to prevent them from failing the second time. Dr. Cook noted that
there is a prevention mechanism to identify students early enough to see why. He noted
that if it is a childcare issue or mental issue, then working with an agency to help meet
those needs is an option.
Mr. Schechter inquired as to how students are notified of additional cost for repeating
the course. Dr. Cook and Dr. Pino apprised that the information has been placed in the
catalogs, course syllabi and will be implementing pre-enrollment sessions and utilizing
Connect Ed.
(Mr. Schechter stepped out at 5:02 p.m.)
Mr. Robinson requested an analysis of the courses students are failing to include what
high schools they are coming from and if there is a correlation between the high schools
and courses failed. Dr. Cook noted that the course information could be provided and
noted that there is a mechanism in place through Houston Pathways Grant and the
career academies with ISDs.
Mr. Austin noted that there needs to be a comparison as to why students are doing so
well in early college. Dr. Cook informed that the students in early college are higher
academic students.
(Mr. Schechter returned at 5:08 p.m.)
Mrs. Flores inquired of the number students. Mr. Schechter informed that the estimation
is 900 instances of repeats. Dr. Cook noted that the number is approximately 2800 for
one semester and apprised that the column is mis-titled.
Vote - The motion failed with vote of 4-3 with Trustees Flores, Robinson and Sane
opposing.
ADOPTION OF FORT BEND AND HARRIS COUNTY LOCAL OPTION EXEMPTIONS
TAX YEAR 2012
Motion – Mrs. Sane moved and Mrs. Flores seconded. The motion passed with vote of
9-0.
PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS, AWARDS, AND APPAREL (PROJECT NO. 11-37)
Motion – Mrs. Flores moved and Mrs. Sane seconded.
Mr. Oliver inquired who the recommended firms are. Mr. Rogelio informed that they are
local firms. He noted that Jack Nadel and Buffalo Specialty are incumbent firms.
Mr. Robinson referenced the small business development report and noted that small
business participation is important to him. He noted that one of the recommended firms
is an incumbent on the non-compliance list. Mr. Robinson noted that he is not voting for
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Committee of the Whole – April 12, 2012 - Page 5
anybody on the non-compliance listing. He noted that all departments need to be
communicating with each other.
Mr. Robinson inquired about the budgeted amount for the current promotional items and
apprised that $600,000 appears to be a lot for promotional items. He noted that he
would like the budgeted amount from the approved budget to be listed on the item.
Mr. Robinson noted that he has previously requested Procurement to advertise in more
publications. Mrs. Bender informed that the advertising budget for the year was $1.4
million.
(Mr. Robinson stepped out at 5:13 p.m.)
Mr. Rogelio recommended postponing approval of the item.
(Mr. Robinson returned at 5:16 p.m.)
The item was tabled for future discussion.
ADJOURNED TO CLOSED SESSION
Ms. Perez adjourned the meeting to Executive Session at 5:18 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. Ms. Perez 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.
Ms. Austin reconvened the meeting in Open Session at 7:23 p.m. and entertained
motions on pending matters.
(Present: Trustees Austin, Flores, Oliver, Robinson, Sane, and Schechter)
PROPOSED SETTLEMENT WITH ARTHUR ELLIS FOR CAUSE NO. 2010-66349;
ELLIS, ARTHUR V. HCC; IN THE 11TH DISTRICT COURT OF HARRIS COUNTY,
TEXAS
Motion – Mrs. Sane moved to approve as discussed in closed session. Mr. Oliver
seconded. The motion passed with vote of 5-0-1 with Mrs. Flores abstaining.
LEGAL RESEARCH SERVICES CONTRACT
Motion – Mr. Oliver moved and Mrs. Sane seconded.
Mrs. Flores inquired if the paralegal department has access to the services. Mrs. Byas
informed that they could but it would not provide any additional savings.
Dr. Spangler informed that the contract is less than $100,000 and it is presented for
Board approval because it is a multi-year contract. Mr. Hollingsworth informed that
currently the Chancellor has authorization to approve up to $100,000 and informed that
the Chancellor would like authority for multi-year contracts up to $100,000.
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Committee of the Whole – April 12, 2012 - Page 6
Mr. Austin informed that the review of the multi-year contract under $100,000 should
come before the Board.
Vote – The motion passed with vote of 6-0
HCC HONORARY DEGREES FOR 2012
Motion – Mr. Oliver moved and Mrs. Sane seconded. The motion passed with a vote of
6-0.
The following items were moved to the Regular Board meeting scheduled for Thursday,
April 19, 2012 as Topics for discussion and/or action:
•
Investment Report for Month of January 2012
•
Investment Report for Month of February 2012
•
Monthly Finance Report for March 2012
•
Small Business Development Program: CIP/Non- CIP Report
•
Report on Black History Gala Resolution of Support
•
Report on Higher Standard of Conduct and Ethical Behavior to Govern HCC
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Recorded and Submitted by:
Sharon R. Wright, Manager, Board Services
Minutes Approved: