MEETING OF THE
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS/STUDENT SERVICES COMMITTEE
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
October 18, 2012
Minutes
The Academic Affairs/Student Services Committee of the Board of Trustees of Houston
Community College held a meeting on Thursday, October 18, 2012 at the HCC
Administration Building, 3100 Main, 2nd Floor, Seminar Room A, Houston, Texas.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Eva Loredo, Committee Chair
Bruce A. Austin, Committee Member
Mary Ann Perez
Carroll G. Robinson
Richard Schechter
ADMINISTRATION
Mary S. Spangler, Chancellor
Art Tyler, Deputy Chancellor/COO
Renee Byas, General Counsel
Shantay Grays, Chief of Staff
William Carter, Vice Chancellor, Information Technology
Charles Cook, Vice Chancellor, Instruction
Diana Pino, Vice Chancellor, Student Success
Margaret Ford Fisher, President, Northeast College
William Harmon, President, Central College
Virginia Parras for Zachary Hodges, President, Northwest College
Irene Porcarello, President, Southeast College
Betty Young, President, Coleman College
Remmele Young, Executive Director, Government Relations & Sustainability
Willie Williams, Jr., Chief Human Resources Officer
OTHERS PRESENT
Tod Bisch, President, Faculty Senate
James Walker, President, COPA
Other administrators, citizens and representatives from the news media
CALL TO ORDER
Ms. Loredo, Chair called the meeting to order at 2:33 p.m. and declared the Committee
convened to consider matters pertaining to Houston Community College as listed on the
duly posted Meeting Notice.
(Trustee Robinson joined the meeting at 2:34 p.m.)
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Academic Affairs/Student Services Committee – October 18, 2012 - Page 2
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING (BSN) DEGREE OR TRANISTION PROGRAM
Motion – Mr. Austin moved and Ms. Loredo seconded.
Dr. Young provided an overview of the need for the degree program to include the following
drivers of change:
•
•
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Industry Demand
Magnet Status Hospitals
Robert Wood Johnson Institute of Medicine’s “Future of Nursing” Report
Dr. Young noted that the magnet hospital mandate will be required and noted that the
expectation will be for 80% of bedside nurses to have bachelor degrees. She informed that
the need is driven by the nursing shortage in Texas and apprised that to achieve the
recommendation there will need to be approximately 67,000 nurses.
(Mr. Schechter joined the meeting at 2:37 p.m.)
Dr. Young apprised that Coleman College has an advantage because of its medical center
location and noted that this means that it is imperative that Coleman is able to offer the
degree. She informed that the degree could be offered at Coleman College for under
$10,000. Dr. Young mentioned that Coleman has nine individual faculty members who are
qualified to teach in the BSN program.
Dr. Young apprised that Coleman is part of a grant program Consortium for Advancing
Baccalaureate Nursing Education in Texas (CABNET) with the purpose of creating a core
curriculum for bachelor degree in nursing and noted that there are several other institutions
that Coleman partners with including The University of Texas School of Nursing, University
of Houston-Victoria at Sugar Land and Cinco Ranch, Prairie View A&M, Texas Women’s
University and The University of Texas Medical Branch online program.
Dr. Young informed that letters of support have been secured in support of Coleman
College offering the Bachelors Science Nursing Program.
Mr. Austin inquired of the analysis for the need of the Board support to engage the
legislature and Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) and HCC’s authority.
Dr. Young apprised that authority could be sought through the Texas Administrative Code
Coordinating Board. Mr. Austin clarified his inquiry referred to transparency in providing
information to seek approval materials.
Dr. Tyler noted that once the Board has expressed support of proceeding, a white paper
would be developed. Dr. Young apprised that the documents would be revised to include
the information regarding authority.
Mr. Austin inquired of the criteria utilized for those institutions that have implemented the
BSN program. Dr. Young apprised that the criterion was utilized in preparing the proposal
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and noted that Brazosport, Midland, and South Texas are two-year institutions that have
been approved to offer the Bachelors Science in Nursing.
Mr. Robinson inquired of the cost for administering the program. Dr. Young provided a
conservative pro forma on the projections. She noted that projected recommended tuition is
$134.60 per credit hour, which is significantly lower than competitors.
Mr. Schechter recommended tuition and fees be in line with other intuitions for at least the
first few years to limit opposition.
Dr. Cook inquired if everyone would go through the Associate Degree Nursing Program
(ADN). Dr. Young noted that all would go through ADN and apprised that there will not be
empty seats because other cohorts will be eligible.
Mr. Austin apprised that his concern is regarding the slippery slope and referenced the
fashion program. He informed that it is imperative that exiting of the program is
demonstrated. He also recommended couching in language that does not imply duplication
of efforts.
Dr. Cook apprised that the college would have to make a substantive change with the
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) because it will move the college
from a two-year to a four-year institution. He informed that a name change may have to be
considered.
Mr. Schechter noted that research should be completed to see the legislature driving forces
approving the institutions that have evolved to four-year institutions.
Mr. Robinson apprised that he presumes that additional information will be provided to the
Board prior to requesting a vote because there are other factors that must be considered.
Dr. Young apprised that the degree would offer a six month residency model for new
graduates. She informed that the model would address the workforce need voiced by
medical employers.
Mr. Robinson noted that there is a prerequisite that has not been decided. He informed that
administration should decide which of the three models mentioned will be the
recommended model.
Mr. Austin apprised that the legislature will probably inquire if there is an alternative
measure to meet the objective without destroying the character of the community college.
He also informed that the issue is if it can firmly be stated that there is no alternative way to
meet the governmental objective.
Dr. Young will work with Drs. Spangler, Cook and Tyler to address the pros and cons
regarding the four-year status, SAC’s issues, and requirements for four-year institutions.
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(Trustee Perez joined the meeting at 3:15 p.m.)
Ms. Loredo requested the projected cost for the program to the college. Dr. Yong provided
a handout regarding costs and contributions.
Mr. Austin noted that he would like to see the implementation without causing interruptions
of the current college operations.
Mr. Schechter informed that sufficient faculty would be required and inquired of the
additional faculty that would be needed. Dr. Young apprised that four faculty members
would be needed; however, current faculty could teach some of the courses.
Mr. Schechter inquired of the space needed for the program and inquired if Coleman could
operate the program in the current facilities. He inquired if discussion has been held with
hospitals regarding residency. Dr. Young informed that discussions have been held and
apprised that the program could be operated in the current facility; however, the residency
portion would be delivered at area hospitals.
Mr. Schechter noted that if all hospitals are moving to the magnet hospitals, would the ADN
program be phased out. Dr. Young apprised that the ADN program would allow students to
be admitted to the BSN program and opt out after completing the ADN. She informed that
there would still be job offerings for students completing the ADN program.
Mr. Austin noted that although a preliminary analysis has been presented; however, there
needs to be a more detailed analysis.
Mr. Robinson apprised that because of the underlining fundamental issues he is not ready
to support the item at this time. He informed that there is a model for independence for the
six colleges. He noted that there needs to be in-depth conversation because there could be
a policy matter.
Mr. Austin apprised that HCC has not fully evolved as a community college as other
community colleges are spawning the concept of careers and business and industries. He
informed that there is still a need to address demands of businesses regarding workforce.
Motion – Mr. Austin moved that the item be studied further given the ideas germinated from
discussion entailed in the meeting to include the policy concept. Ms. Loredo seconded. The
motion passed with a vote of 2-0.
REDUCED TUITION FOR ADULT EDUCATION STUDENTS CONCURRENTLY
ENROLLED IN SKILL TRAINING
Motion – Mr. Austin moved and Ms. Loredo seconded.
Dr. Cook apprised that the grant program has been in place and has been successfully
conducted for two years; however, the participants do not qualify for grants while
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completing their GED. He noted that the Foundation has identified funds that would be
available to assist the students while they complete their GED.
Mr. Austin requested that an overview be provided to the Board regarding the Skill Summit
that was held. Dr. Cook apprised that Dr. Burrillo is developing the information and noted
that it will be provided to the Board.
Ms. Perez informed that the reduction is a good effort because it allows students to
complete their GED and pursue additional degrees. Mr. Austin recommended that the
marketing efforts focus of the program.
Mr. Austin referenced the book on Adult Career Pathways and noted that there are adults
who have not completed high school. He apprised that an effort should be made to work
with ISDs regarding the issue. Dr. Cook informed that discussions are in place with HISD
regarding dropout initiative.
Vote – the motion passed with a vote of 2-0.
NEW ASSOCIATE OF ARTS (AA) DEGREES
Motion – Mr. Austin moved and Ms. Loredo seconded.
Dr. Cook noted that there was a minor change to the curriculum that includes giving
students the option to take a 2000 level English course as a liberal arts elective. He
apprised that the business degree includes a field of study and informed that students
completing the program would be allowed to transfer to a four-year institution.
Mr. Austin inquired as to what is being done to create a block model because one issue
raised noted that students do not know what courses they should be taking. Dr. Pino noted
that the new advising model requires that the student indicate what courses they are taking
and require that they choose a degree plan by the end of their first semester. She noted
that the effort is a part of the reorganization program.
Mr. Austin recommended reviewing options that will allow the students to receive
information on smart phones etc. Mr. William Carter apprised that there are a lot of new
software/applications available for devices and noted that the effort is to be device
agnostic.
Vote – The motion passed with a vote of 2-0.
UPDATE ON ATHLETICS
Dr. Pino provided an update of the recreational sports of the college. She noted that there
has been some growth in the intermural sports with 1300 students, which is an increase
from last year. She informed that total participation for the fall semester was 1600
students.
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Dr. Pino provided highlights to include district men’s soccer team, Northwest men’s
basketball team, and tennis. Dr. Pino apprised that the college is moving forward regarding
efforts for multi-purpose fields.
Ms. Loredo inquired of the cheerleader efforts. Dr. Pino informed that the cheerleader
efforts are under development and that currently it is more of a cheer squad.
Mr. Robinson requested if the championship teams could be presented at the Regular
meeting. Dr. Pino noted that efforts will be made to present the championship teams.
Mr. Robinson inquired if the scholarships are tracked relating to academic scholarships
recipients and if so, can a list be publicized. Dr. Pino informed that the information could be
tracked.
Ms. Loredo expressed appreciation to everyone for their support of the Hispanic
Scholarship Council luncheon.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:03 p.m.
Recorded, transcribed and submitted by:
Sharon R. Wright, Manager, Board Services
Minutes Approved:
November 15, 2012