SPECIAL MEETING
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
July 12, 2012
Minutes
The Board of Trustees of Houston Community College held a Special Meeting on
Thursday, July 12, 2012 at the HCC Administration Building, 3100 Main, 2nd Floor,
Seminar Room A, Houston, Texas.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Mary Ann Perez, Chair
Bruce Austin, Vice Chair
Neeta Sane, Secretary
Yolanda Navarro Flores
Eva Loredo
Carroll G. Robinson
Richard Schechter
ADMINISTRATION
Mary Spangler, Chancellor
Art Tyler, Deputy Chancellor/COO
Renee Byas, General Counsel
Shantay Grays, Interim Executive Officer to the Chancellor
Charles Cook, Vice Chancellor, Instruction
Daniel Seymour, Vice Chancellor, Planning and Institutional Research
Margaret Ford Fisher, President, Northeast College
Fena Garza, President, Southwest College
Bill Harmon, President, Central College
Zach Hodges, President, Northwest College
Irene Porcarello, President, Southeast College
Willie Williams, Chief Human Resources Officer
Remmele Young, Executive Director, Government Relations and Sustainability
OTHERS PRESENT
Jarvis Hollingsworth, System Counsel, Bracewell & Giuliani
Karun Sreerama, ESPA Corp
Gene Locke, Bond Counsel, Andrews Kurth
Clarence Grier, Financial Advisor, RBC Capital
CALL TO ORDER
Ms. Perez, Chair, called the meeting to order at 12:20 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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Special Meeting – July 12, 2012 - Page 2
SOUTHEAST CAMPUS INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS (PROJECT NO. 1232)
Motion – Mr. Robinson moved and Mrs. Sane seconded.
Dr. Tyler apprised that the item is one of the infrastructure projects that the Board
approved over a year ago. He noted that the competitive sealed bid method was
approved for the project and that the improvements will upgrade the utilities and some
of the parking that has been ineffective in handling the sewage and waste.
Mr. Robinson inquired if the projects could be provided in a format that indicates award
date and status. He also inquired if legal counsel will review the contract before its
signed and executed.
Ms. Loredo inquired of the improvements to the new workforce building and asked why
they were not included in the original bid. Dr. Tyler informed that some of the
infrastructure improvements including the sewage and water lines were needed since
the resource center and library were built. He noted that because the workforce
building, the volume of wastewater is inadequate for the size of the buildings.
(Mrs. Flores arrived at 12:25 p.m.)
Dr. Tyler apprised that the usage has more than doubled because of the increase in the
number of students. He informed that a campus wide upgrade is needed.
Vote – The motion passed with a vote of 6-0-1 with Trustee Flores abstaining.
CONSIDER AMENDEMENT TO ADD BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FISCAL
YEAR 2012-2013
Motion – Mr. Robinson moved and Ms. Loredo seconded.
Dr. Tyler apprised that the Board approved the following items at the Special meeting
held on June 22, 2012:
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New Advisors ($800,000)
Salary Increase – All Full-time Faculty & Staff (2%)
Increase Adjunct Faculty Rate – Masters & PhD (3%)
Dr. Tyler provided an overview of the following recommendations for the Board’s
consideration:
• Increase Waivers (In-district Students):
o Developmental Education for Level 1 & 2 ($450,000)
o Dual Credit and Early College ($600,000)
 Initiation of additional Dual Credit for North Forest
 New class of seniors for Alief
 Additional sections for HISD, Missouri City and Stafford
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Special Meeting – July 12, 2012 - Page 3
•
•
Create a Trust Fund to Endow Dual Credit ($5M)
Estimated Fund Balance Year-end - 08/31/2012 ($48.1M)
Dr. Tyler recommended that the creation of the trust fund be developed over a ten (10)
year period with the first installment of $5 million initiated on September 1, 2012, and he
noted that the Board would determine future installments annually during the budget
process. He informed that a funding stream has been identified for these CEU hours.
Dr. Tyler also apprised that the recommendation for funding the Minority Male Initiative
program on a permanent basis would allow more students to attend the programs.
Mr. Schechter recommended that the motion be withdrawn and the items be considered
individually.
Mr. Robinson withdrew his motion and Ms. Loredo withdrew the second.
Ms. Perez informed that the items would be considered individually. The items were
considered as follows:
INCREASE WAIVERS (IN-DISTRICT STUDENTS)
• Developmental Education for Level 1 & 2 ($450,000)
• Dual Credit and Early College ($600,000)
o Initiation of additional Dual Credit for North Forest
o New class of Seniors for Alief
o Additional sections for HISD, Missouri City, Stafford
Motion – Mr. Robinson moved and Ms. Loredo seconded.
Mr. Schechter requested more information on developmental education I and II. Dr.
Cook informed that intensive English I and II are being moved from SCH instruction to
CEU instruction to comply with the state’s cap on the number developmental education
hours.
Dr. Tyler noted that it is his understanding that the students would not be able to receive
financial aid. He apprised that the history of students who were in SCH and CEU
experience a loss in Pell Grant funding.
Mr. Schechter inquired of the deadline for approving. Dr. Tyler informed that students
still have to pay the tuition and fees. Dr. Cook noted that the college does have authority
to waive the CEU tuition.
Dr. Tyler apprised that the headcount reimbursement does not cover one hundred
percent of the cost. He noted that the students are in the bottom level of developmental
education.
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Special Meeting – July 12, 2012 - Page 4
Ms. Loredo inquired if the funding is available to the students who have to repeat a
course. Dr. Tyler informed that the waiver would not be available to repeaters. He
apprised that the repeaters process would not be changed.
Mr. Schechter inquired if the waiver would be a complete waiver for dual credit for any
student. Dr. Tyler noted that the waiver would only apply to those students who are indistrict. He informed that the presidents have identified a new formula to make certain
there are enough students in the dual credit classes and they have asked for additional
funds to allow the opportunity to work with the high schools to add more sessions.
Mr. Schechter inquired if there will be any dual credit in-district students who will be
paying. Dr. Tyler appraised that the students who are enrolled in dual credit and are indistrict will not pay a fee.
Mrs. Flores inquired how the sessions are going to be determined. Dr. Tyler apprised
that the presidents will review and determine the needs and informed that those needs
will be prioritized based on funding.
Vote – The motion passed with vote of 7-0.
Mr. Austin requested information on the taxing jurisdiction and noted that he would like
to know how many sections will be given for each college. Dr. Tyler informed that he
would provide the information.
Mr. Robinson requested the dual credit information for current programs funded.
CREATE A TRUST FUND TO ENDOW DUAL CREDIT ($5M)
Motion – Mr. Robinson moved and Mrs. Flores seconded.
Mr. Robinson reiterated that he requested that enterprise efforts be added to the fund
creation. Dr. Tyler apprised that there is approximately $1 million of unfunded mandates
that are required to be waived. He noted that there is approximately $2 million in
waivers for the inmate program and $5 million in dual credit that were approved by the
Board.
Mr. Austin apprised that a business plan model would need to be developed regarding
the enterprise effort. Mr. Robinson informed that he is recommending the enterprise
item be included as part of the approval because he would like to review opportunities
for operating charter schools.
(Mrs. Flores stepped out at 12:56 p.m. and returned at 12:57 p.m.)
Mr. Hollingsworth apprised that a motion is not needed for administration to review
avenues regarding the request from Mr. Robinson to add the enterprise development.
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Special Meeting – July 12, 2012 - Page 5
Mrs. Sane inquired if there has been consideration of how the State will respond to the
trust fund being developed in terms of funding allocation. Dr. Tyler informed that the
need for reduction in funding at the community colleges level is due to state providing
funding for Medicaid and K-12 programs. He noted that even though the college earned
funds from the state, it was not full funding and there was no funding for growth. He
noted that the cost of benefits has been transferred to the colleges. He informed that a
portion of base funding will be placed in momentum points.
Mr. Austin inquired how the trust would be implemented without creating a sinking fund.
Dr. Tyler apprised that a sinking fund would have to be created with a very broad
definition of use.
Mr. Robinson noted that he would withdraw the request and appraised that the
withdrawal will increase the fund balance to $53.1 million.
Motion Withdrawal - Mr. Robinson withdrew his motion and Mrs. Flores withdrew the
second.
PERMANENT FUNDING FOR MINORITY MALE INITIATIVE (MMI)
Motion – Mr. Austin moved and Ms. Loredo seconded.
Mr. Schechter apprised that he has some concerns in lieu of the complaints regarding
the MMI program.
Mr. Robinson informed that a MMI committee meeting will be held in August or
September.
Mr. Schechter requested that the item be postponed until the MMI Committee meeting
is held in August so that there is vetting through the committee.
Mrs. Sane noted that there are several other initiatives such as the Hispanic and Asian
initiatives. She inquired why one initiative is selected over another.
Dr. Tyler informed that the initiative emerged because the minority male is one of the
lowest performing groups. He noted that the efforts focus on STEM education and
apprised that the program is a national program that has been endorsed by American
Association of Community Colleges (AACC). Dr. Tyler noted that most urban community
colleges are engaging in similar programs.
Mr. Robinson reiterated that the Foundation is scheduled to identify a strategy for
assisting with the fundraising efforts on behalf of the other programs mentioned by
Trustee Sane.
Mrs. Flores noted that she would like to see a resolution to some of the questions that
have been presented regarding the MMI program.
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Special Meeting – July 12, 2012 - Page 6
Mr. Robinson advised that he would notify the Board regarding the committee meeting.
Motion withdrawn - Mr. Austin withdrew the motion and Ms. Loredo withdrew the
second.
Mr. Schechter requested information regarding the benefit of the program. Mr. Robinson
noted that the information will be a part of the report to be presented to the MMI
Committee.
Mr. Austin recommended connecting to the Four H program.
(Mrs. Flores left at 1:24 p.m.)
Mr. Austin noted that learning outcomes should also include presentation skills.
ADDITIONAL PROJECT FOR PHASE I OF LONG-RANGE FACILITIES AND
FINANCE PLAN
Motion – Mr. Robinson moved and Mr. Schechter seconded.
(Ms. Perez stepped out at 1:26 p.m.)
Dr. Tyler informed that the Board requested that administration work with the master
planner to identify projects regarding the $70 million allocated for additional projects. Dr.
Sreerama and Dr. Tyler provided the following overview of Proposed Facilities Upgrade
2012 Bond Program:
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Northeast College, $73 million
o Northline instructional, parking and multi-use space
o North Forest area early college and workforce buildings
o Pinemont facility replacement
Southeast College, $42.5 million
o Southeast campus site acquisition and improvements
o Felix Fraga facility improvements and site acquisition
Central College, $48 million
o Central campus building renovations and parking garage
o South campus workforce building
Coleman College, $120 million
o New healthcare educational and early college building
Southwest College, $78.5 million
o West Loop campus facility upgrade
o Braes Oaks area new campus and building
o Stafford new workforce building
o Missouri City entrepreneurship training center and new facility
Northwest College, $63 million
o Alief campus improvements
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Special Meeting – July 12, 2012 - Page 7
o West side new campus
Mr. Austin recommended that the college articulate a message regarding workforce and
noted that the message should inform of the community needs for the facilities. He
noted that the message needs to be expressed through the Communications
Department.
Vote – Motion passed with vote of 6-0.
ADJOURNED TO CLOSED SESSION
Ms. Perez adjourned the meeting to Executive Session at 1:32 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. Perez reconvened the meeting in Open Session at 2:31 p.m. and entertained
motions on pending matters.
(Present: Trustees Austin, Loredo, Perez, Robinson and Schechter)
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business coming before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 2:31 p.m.
Minutes recorded, transcribed & submitted by:
Sharon Wright, Manager, Board Services
Minutes Approved as Submitted:
September 20, 2012