REGULAR MEETING
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
October 25, 2012
Minutes
The Board of Trustees of Houston Community College held a Regular Meeting on
Thursday, October 25, 2012 at the HCC Administration Building, Second Floor
Auditorium, 3100 Main, Houston, Texas.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Mary Ann Perez, Chair
Bruce A. Austin, Vice Chair
Yolanda Navarro Flores
Eva Loredo
Carroll G. Robinson
Neeta Sane
Richard Schechter
ADMINISTRATION
Mary 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
Julian Fisher for Fena Garza, President, Southwest College
Cheryl Peters for William Harmon, President, Coleman College
Zachary Hodges, President, Northwest College
Irene Porcarello, President, Southeast College
Betty Young, President, Coleman College
Dan Arguijo, Chief Communications Officer
Winston Dahse, Chief Administration Officer
Ron Defalco, Chief Financial Officer
Willie Williams, Chief Human Resources Officer
OTHERS PRESENT
Jarvis Hollingsworth, System Counsel, Bracewell & Giuliani
Tod Bisch, Faculty Senate President
James Walker, President, COPA
Clarence Grier, RBC Capital Markets
Other administrators, citizens and representatives from the news media
Houston Community College
Regular Meeting – October 25, 2012 – Page 2
CALL TO ORDER
Ms. Perez, Chair, called the meeting to order at 4:15 p.m. and declared the Board
convened to consider matters pertaining to Houston Community College as listed on the
duly posted Meeting Notice.
PRAYER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mr. Robinson led the prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
(Mr. Austin arrived at 4:16 p.m.)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approval of Minutes from the Academic Affairs/Student Services Committee Meeting of
September 13, 2012, Board Governance Committee Meeting of September 13, 2012,
Committee of the Whole Meeting September 13, 2012, Special Meeting of September
13, 2012, and Regular Meeting of September 20, 2012.
Motion – Mr. Schechter moved and Ms. Loredo seconded to approve the minutes. The
motion passed with a vote of 7-0.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
•
Resolution in Memoriam of Texas State Senator Mario Gallegos, Jr.
Ms. Perez read a resolution in memoriam of Texas State Senator Mario
Gallegos, Jr. who passed away on Tuesday, October 16, 2012.
Motion – Mr. Austin moved and Ms. Loredo seconded to approve the resolution in
memoriam of Texas Senator Mario Gallegos, Jr. The motion passed with a vote of 7-0.
•
Public Service Announcement
Trustee Perez read a public service announcement reminding viewers that
General Election is on Tuesday, November 6, 2012.
CHANCELLOR’S REPORT
•
Educational Engagement Activities
Mayor Annise Parker, HISD Superintendent Terry Grier and Dr. Mary Spangler
participated in Majic 102.1 FM’s “Sunday Morning Live” with Marcus Davis
responding to questions about each of the respective bond referendums. The
guests were invited back to provide quarterly progress reports to the community
if bond referendums are successful.
•
Houston Texans Educational Partnership Scholarships
The Texans earned two more scholarships for the HCC Field of Opportunity
Program with the win against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, October 21,
2012, which brings the number of scholarships to ten. HCC students will benefit
from the players’ hard work and contribution to the HCC Foundation.
Houston Community College
Regular Meeting – October 25, 2012 – Page 3
•
National Society of Collegiate Scholars
National Society of Collegiate Scholars Induction Ceremony was held on
September 28th at the West Loop Campus. Board Chair, Mary Ann Perez was
the keynote speaker and inducted into the Society. A total of 1,000 students
were eligible for membership and 200 students attended with their families.
•
Financial Reporting Award
The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada
(GFOA) presented the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial
Reporting to Ronald E. Defalco CFO/Controller of HCC. His direct reports who
provide the hands-on leadership and expertise that enable the results are Nandy
Baldonado, Daryl Brown, Brian Malone, and Frederica Watson.
•
HCC Athletics Achievement
On Sunday, October 21st, the HCC soccer team defeated Lone Star-North Harris
to win the league championship and claimed an automatic seat in the National
Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) regional tournament. This is
the 4th tournament invitation in the college’s history, and HCC is the only twoyear school to such this honors.
•
HCC and The University of Texas-Tyler Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU)
On Tuesday, October 23rd, HCC and The University of Texas-Tyler held an
informal breakfast to sign the MOU Agreement between the two institutions for
the new engineering program at the Alief campus. Dr. Rod Mabry, President
with The University of Texas-Tyler and members of his leadership team were
present, along with Trustees Perez, Sane and Schechter. The agreement opens
doors of opportunity for HCC engineering students who are prepared to transition
to upper division courses in Engineering.
•
Faculty Senate Report
Dr. Tod Bisch noted that because of deadlines, the PEP revision task force was
unable to make substantial changes to the PEP; however, some areas that can
be changed to enhance the instrument have been identified. He noted that the
Policy and Procedure Committee will work with Dr. Cook to review for
implementation.
Dr. Bisch announced that Dr. Chichwen (Joanne) HSU, Department Chair for
Psychology, Sociology and Anthropology received the Outstanding Asian and
Pacific Islander Award presented by the organization of Chinese Americans
Greater Houston Chapter. He also announced that the Bedichek Orman’s “A
Night in Transylvania” auction was a huge success.
Ms. Perez announced that the U.S. Secretary of Labor, Hilda Solis hosted the Economy
and the Workforce: A Conversation on Education and Training at Southeast College.
Houston Community College
Regular Meeting – October 25, 2012 – Page 4
Ms. Perez recognized Dr. Irene Porcarello for her hard work and dedication to the
Magnolia Park Oral History Project.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion – Ms. Loredo moved and Mr. Robinson seconded to approve the consent
agenda. The motion passed with a vote of 7-0. The following items were approved:
•
Contract Extension for External Audit Services from July 13, 2013 to December
31, 2013
•
Electrical Power Services (Project No. 12-24)
(Mrs. Flores stepped out at 4:38 p.m.)
NEW ASSOCIATE OF ARTS (AA) DEGREES IN BUSINESS AND ENGLISH
Motion – Mr. Schechter moved and Mrs. Sane seconded.
Mr. Schechter asked Dr. Charles Cook to explain the nature of the item. Dr. Cook
informed that in the past only generic degrees were offered; however, the Associates of
Arts in English and Business provide students a clear path for transferring into
baccalaureate degree programs.
Mr. Schechter announced that the courses are clearly laid out and noted that
counselors should be readily available to students so that they are not taking excessive
courses.
Ms. Sane inquired if counselors would be available. Dr. Diana Pino apprised that
counselors would be available. She informed that Career Coach is a new resource
available to students that allow students to explore career opportunities and HCC
programs.
Vote – The motion passed with a vote of 6-0.
REDUCED TUITION FOR ADULT EDUCATION STUDENTS CONCURRENTLY
ENROLLED IN SKILL TRAINING
Motion – Mr. Schechter moved and Mr. Robinson seconded.
Mr. Schechter informed that the item was pulled for further elaboration on the item. Dr.
Cook noted that the request is to reduce the tuition for GED students and asked that a
grant is available for the students to acquire job skills concurrently.
(Mrs. Flores returned at 4:44 p.m.)
(Mrs. Flores left at 4:44 p.m.)
Houston Community College
Regular Meeting – October 25, 2012 – Page 5
Dr. Cook announced that the decision is to continue the program and to reduce the
tuition for GED students with the anticipation of an expansion. He noted that assistance
has been provided by the HCC Foundation.
Mrs. Sane inquired of the impact of the reduction. Dr. Cook apprised that additional
state reimbursement would be received.
Mr. Robinson inquired of the efforts and opportunities available with state and federal
agencies to receive additional funding.
Ms. Loredo informed that there was an extensive discussion of the item in the Academic
Affairs Committee meeting.
Vote – The motion passed with a vote of 6-0.
TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION:
INVESTMENT REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST 2012 AND MONTHLY
FINANCE REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER 2012
Motion – Mr. Schechter moved and Ms. Loredo seconded.
Dr. Art Tyler noted that the college’s investments continue to be positive. Dr. Tyler
reiterated the acknowledgment of the Investment and Financial Department. He
apprised that the team has been a leader in making a difference in difficult times.
Mr. Robinson inquired of the rate of return. Dr. Tyler informed that $86,896 was made
last month bringing the yearly total to $829,000 equaling to approximately 35 basis
points, and he apprised that everything is liquid and safe.
Dr. Tyler apprised that in reference to the financial report, the balance is currently being
audited by the financial auditors. He informed that the 21.2% reserve exceeds the
Board required 9%-11%. He noted that looking forward, the college will be entering
another year of uncertainty; therefore, the college continues to be cautious.
Mr. Robinson inquired of the auxiliary fund balance. Dr. Tyler apprised that it is $8.6
million on the non-operating. He noted that there is a continuous improvement on the
net regarding the Qatar contact.
Mr. Robinson inquired of the enrollment status. Dr. Tyler informed that it is
approximately 5% below fall 2011 and 2.85% below fall 2010. He noted that there has
been a change in that students are not allowed to enroll after the first class day. He
informed that there has been a review that shows students who enroll late are not
successful. Dr. Tyler apprised that there are multiple starts to assist students to allow
them to enroll. He noted that the mandate requiring students to have the meningitis shot
has had an effect on the enrollment because some students refuse to receive the
Houston Community College
Regular Meeting – October 25, 2012 – Page 6
vaccination. Dr. Tyler informed that as the economy picks up, enrollment in continuing
education has decreased.
Mr. Robinson inquired of the Information Technology security cost. Dr. Tyler apprised
that the information could be provided.
Vote – The motion passed with a vote of 6-0.
ADJOURNED TO CLOSED SESSION
Ms. Perez adjourned the meeting to Executive Session at 4:58 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 5:41 p.m. and entertained
motions on pending matters.
(Present: Trustees Loredo, Perez, Robinson, Sane, and Schechter)
HEARING OF CITIZENS
The following citizen(s) spoke before the Board:
•
Daniel Arp
•
Barbarann LaCourse
PERSONNEL AGENDA FOR OCTOBER 2012
Motion – Mr. Robinson moved and Ms. Loredo seconded. The motion passed with a
vote of 5-0.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business coming before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 5:52 p.m.
Minutes recorded, transcribed & submitted by:
Sharon Wright, Manager, Board Services
Minutes Approved as Submitted:
November 15, 2012