Meeting on August 27,1998
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM
REGULAR MEETING OF
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
August 27, 1998
Minutes
nd degree requirements. This sometimes causes anxiety and programs such as this are helpful in
rectifying deficiencies. If instructors lack the requisite background to prepare students, students are illprepared to enter the workforce. He encouraged administration to expand this program and encourage
faculty members to pursue advanced degrees. The Chancellor replied we are doing just that. Motion
carried 9-0.
AWARDS AND PRESENTATIONS
a. Faculty Recognition Award - The Chancellor presented the faculty award for outstanding service
to Roger Boston, Computer Science Technology instructor, Southwest College. Mr. Boston was
the first academic chairman of the computer science department at HCCS and the first
community college instructor in the nation to hold an endowed chair -- the Rockwell Chair -which he has used to further the role of computer technology nationally and around the world. He
created the first on-line computer course in 1988 and has moved on-line instruction to the cutting
edge, recently directing a statewide STARLINK conference live on the internet. In spite of his
many activities , he continues to make teaching his top priority.
b. Resolution Honoring Mayor Leonard Scarcella - Mr. Murphy presented a Resolution to Mayor
Leonard Scarcella, City of Stafford, acknowledging the naming of the Stafford Science and
Technology Center in his honor. A committee chaired by Mr. Murphy selected Mayor Scarcella
for this honor, due to his efforts on behalf of bringing the Stafford MSD into the HCCS tax base
and promoting HCCS in the Stafford community. Mayor Scarcella stated that Stafford residents
have not been disappointed and HCCS has served them extremely well.
He expressed appreciation to the Board and the Chancellor and accepted the resolution on behalf
of the citizens of Stafford and in recognition of the partnership between the City of Stafford and
HCCS. He stated the citizens of Stafford voted overwhelmingly to come into the HCCS district
because of the outstanding educational opportunities offered. He expressed additional thanks to
Dr. Sue Cox, Larry Mers, Fena Garza, Heather Korb, and former interim-Chancellor Dr. James
Harding.
NEW OR UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. Approval of Payment for Board Expenses - Motion No. 829 - Mr. Murphy moved approval of a
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request from Trustee Oliver to attend a seminar on Site-Based Budgeting in Boston,
Massachusetts, and receive payment for allowable expenses. Mr. Russell seconded the motion.
Motion carried 8-0 (Mr. Austin was out of the room)
CHANCELLOR'S REPORT
a. Financial Activity Report - Diana Taylor reported that by year-end unrestricted funds will total
approximately $47 million. We have a cushion of about $27 million at this point. Regarding
revenue, we have exceeded tax collections from budgeted to actual by $2.8 million. Tuition and
fees show an increase of $249,000; however $852,000 has been added to revenue by the
technology fee, resulting in a net loss of $661,000. She added numbers are looking much better
for the upcoming year. On the expense side, we have 12% remaining of the expenditure budgets
through the end of the year. It is anticipated we will not spend the entire budget and we will be
able to continue with capital projects as well as return some to the fund balance.
Ms. Taylor announced an Employee Development Services Department is developing training
and educational activities for employees in all non-discipline based areas. We have begun a new
employee orientation program with the theme, "You're joining the A+ Team."
b. Faculty Exchange Program - the Chancellor reported that several years ago HCCS signed an
articulation agreement with a university in China. One of the goals of that agreement was a
faculty exchange program. We have been able to send one of our faculty to Heilongjiang
University for a summer. During the next academic year we will host a visiting professor from
China, Professor Suli Sun, who will be teaching at Central College and working with the System
on an international curriculum.
c. Marketing Plan - Dr. Burgos-Sasscer reported on the development of a marketing plan geared to
needs of industry and other groups, to be used by the System and the colleges. She called
attention to a wallet-size ÒFact SheetÓ which will be utilized for outreach. A Marketing Plan for
Public Information has been implemented and a short-term marketing plan is being implemented
to target special groups. These include senior citizens, international students, virtual students,
reverse transfer students, concurrent enrollment students, adult learners, re-entry and career
change, and county and city government employee. We can quickly market to these groups and
identify where we have increased enrollment. Results up to this point have been rewarding. The
Chancellor then presented a proposal for creating an integrated marketing plan for the whole
System, to be implemented within the next few months. Ultimately there will be marketing plans
for all the Colleges as well. Enrollment is up 5.2 per cent, she reported.
Mr. Murphy commented on the absence of employers as a target group, since they are capable
and willing to pay for training. He encouraged contacting human resource managers for this
marketing effort. Dr. Burgos-Sasscer explained that the corporate community was pulled as a
target group from that plan because a special marketing plan for the business community is under
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development.
Mrs. Garcia commented that we must take into consideration the different programs at the
various colleges and as we look toward the future, we must stress equity among the colleges.
There are many variables in play and these must be acknowledged.
Mr. Oliver remarked that he would like to see marketing expanded to include the public at large,
in order to increase awareness of the college. The Chancellor replied that the first plan under
Public Information targets the public.
Mr. Russell noted that marketing a service is much harder than marketing a product. Mr. Fonteno
called attention to the enrollment report discussed earlier, and asked where the number of 50,000
students is reflected. Dr. Burgos-Sasscer explained that the number is 55,000 is reflected over a
period of time. This is significant because this is a base year where the state will reimburse us on
the number of credit students. Since the appropriation has gone up, our increase in credit
programs is very important.
Mr. Murphy asked for clarification of the enrollment report, stating that the numbers did not add
up. Mr. Henderson asked that such a report be provided.
AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Enrollment Enhancement - Mrs. Garcia reported that she will be studying how the
Enrollment and Marketing committees can work together. She will make a report at the
next Board Meeting.
b. Facilities - Mr. Murphy reported that the committee is studying System standards and long
and short-term needs. Page Southerland Page has been quite helpful to them. The next
meeting will be on September 15 and he invited Board Members and staff to attend and
offer input. The committee will soon be addressing critical issues and the Hwy. 288 matter
is very much at the forefront of their discussion.
c. Finance - Mr. Austin distributed an article projecting that by the year 2005 a majority of
citizens will be low income and lower-educated. That is not the type of citizenry that
creates a healthy tax base. We have window of opportunity to change the future or wait till
the future comes to us. He cautioned we are only 17 months away from the year 2000 and
implored that we do not let the future pass us by. Mr. Austin will also furnish a video tape
to be copied and distributed to the other Board Members.
d. Revenue Enhancement - Mrs. Smith reported the committee is studying revenue, out-ofdistrict tuition and fee increases, enterprise funds and how best to market them; and
forming partnerships with communities and corporations.
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e. Naming of Buildings/Southeast - Mrs. Garcia is looking at any other buildings in that area
that are owned by the college for purposes of naming. She is also studying the possibility
of a new facility.
HEARING OF CITIZENS
a. Dr. Reynaldo Garay, President of TACHE Houston, stated that TACHE has presented a
list of issues to the Chancellor which they feel need to addressed to correct perceived
inequities and injustices being perpetrated and condoned throughout HCCS. The issues
presented focus on alleged misapplication by upper-level administrators of policies
dealing with hiring, promotions, and terminating of HCCS employees. The organization
feels this was done to circumvent the hiring committee's selection process, intimidate
employees and coerce them into passive compliance and terminate employees without due
process or just cause. He indicated that the Chancellor has assured him she will look into
these matters and encouraged her to aggressively resolve any injustices. Dr. Garay noted
he plans to follow up with the Chancellor next week to see what has been done. With
those expectations, he remarked that TACHE supports the extension of the Chancellors
contract.
b. James Galvan called for a response to his previous request for an investigation into his
application and subsequent interview for a position with HCCS. He also called for HCCS
Board Meetings to be broadcast on HCC-TV. Mr. Henderson indicated that a written
response would be forthcoming. Mr. Galvan informed the Board that he will continue
attending Board Meetings until he gets satisfaction.
c. Minister Quanell X, with the New Black Muslim Movement, voiced concern over tax
dollars being spent on legal fees and lawsuits. He stated that tax dollars should be spent to
educate students; maintain college facilities; and hire faculty, staff and administration. He
urged that the Chancellor's contract be examined closely to determine if she is meeting
goals and objectives. Minister X questioned a newspaper article statement that employee
morale is up and asked if perhaps they are afraid to come forward for fear of reprisal. He
then asked for a response to several questions:
1) Has the Board explored the reason for the rash of lawsuits filed against the college and
has the Board or administration taken any action to alleviate this recurring problem;
2) How many lawsuits are pending against HCCS;
3) How much money has been paid in litigation in the past five years;
4) Does HCCS have a problem obtaining Triple-A insurance;
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5) Is HCCS really prepared to come to taxpayers with another bond election;
6) Based on articles and talking with employees, he alleged racism is alive at HCCS. What
does the Chancellor propose to correct this problem immediately.
Mr. Henderson assured Minister X that a written response would be provided.
d. Robert Cross, Director of Training, Plumbers' Apprenticeship Program, stated he was
speaking on behalf of the Apprenticeship Training Association of Texas - Houston
Chapter (ATAT). He distributed a proposal from ATAT that HCCS require all of it's
building and construction contracts and subcontractors to employ apprentices registered
with the Department of Labor and requested Board support.
As a point of clarification, Mr. Henderson noted that when specific requests are made by
speakers, either in the form of action or questions to be addressed, it is not the policy of
the Board to answer at the Board table, but to refer the matter to administration for a
written response to the speaker and to apprise the Board of the response. Mr. Austin added
that responses to speakers should be documented for the record, since the Board is
supportive of citizens.
e. Elizabeth Spates, stated that she served as an HISD-HCCS Board Member for seven years
and understands the Board's mission. She stated she was present to address the extension
of the Chancellor's contract. She questioned a recent article claiming improved employee
morale and asked that the Board survey employees, without interference from the
Chancellor or administration, on working conditions and relations with the Chancellor.
Mrs. Spates further commented that she is against affirmative action, racism, segregation
and discrimination. She suggested that the letter of the law be followed to prevent any
type of discrimination on ethnicity, gender or national origin. She alleged that she has
heard that discrimination is taking place at HCCS and asked the Board to look into this.
Mrs. Spates commented that the Board is elected and she has every right to speak . She
then read a series of questions and requested a timely response:
1) How many consultants have been employed and how many have been paid over and
under $25,000;
2) How many department chairs are there now ; how many department chairs are teaching
classes. If they are not, are they acting as administrators? How many of these chairs
started with 3 or more weeks of vacation time. Didn't this double the number of
administrators;
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3) How many extended contracts and increased salaries have you done without Board
approval;
4) How many teaching department chairs are teaching classes during the day for overload
pay -- extra pay. Where were they teaching in the past and were these regular class loads
-- isn't this considered double dipping? If so, is this against the law or Board policy;
5) In the past two years how many employees have been put on administrative leave for
extended periods, who are earning $40,000 or more and for what purpose;
6) What is the breakdown of the ethnicity as it relates to administrators of HCCS; and
7) Is HCCS really complying with the Equal Employment Opportunity guidelines.
Mrs. Spates expressed concern that Board Members have not all had access to information
and inclusion in the process around the Board table and urged an end to this practice. Mrs.
Spates announced she planned to make HCCS a "lightning rod" for the Black community,
adding that she writes a weekly article for the Forward Times, one of the leading Black
newspapers, so that the public will be aware of what the college is doing.
Mr. Henderson noted that Mrs. Spates would be provided with a coordinated response to
her questions.
Mrs. Spates added that she would like to have the backup information for the agendas for
her newspaper articles. She also expressed concern about a representative on the Board
whom she stated would be challenged in the next election.
Mr. Davila stated that after hearing Mrs. Spates remarks, he would like to recommend that
an independent audit be performed by State Comptroller John Sharp.
ADJOURNMENT TO CLOSED OR EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mr. Henderson adjourned the meeting to Executive Session at 6:55 p.m., notice having been
previously given, and reiterated by him in accordance with the Open Meetings Law. He stated
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. Oliver reconvened the meeting in Open
Session at 8:30 p.m., and entertained motions on matters pending.
CHANCELLOR'S SALARY INCREASED BY 5% FOR THE 1998-99 CONTRACT YEAR
Motion No. 830 - Mr. Austin made a motion to approve Agenda Item 12.a.14, by providing for a
salary increase of 5% to the Chancellor under the existing contract for the 1998-99 contract year.
Mr. Murphy seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-1. Those voting in favor of the motion were
Trustees Smith, Murphy, Oliver, Fonteno, Austin and Garcia. Mr. Davila voted in opposition to
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the motion. Trustees Henderson and Russell had already left the meeting.
AMENDMENTS TO CHANCELLOR'S CONTRACT APPROVED
Motion No. 831 - Mrs. Garcia made a motion to approve Agenda Item 12.a.13, by amending the
Chancellor's contract to extend its term to July 31, 2002; change the renegotiation date to July 31,
2001; and provide for future compensation increases to be at the discretion of the Board. Mr.
Austin seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-1. Those voting in favor of the motion were
Trustees Smith, Murphy, Oliver, Fonteno, Austin and Garcia. Mr. Davila voted in opposition to
the motion. Trustees Henderson and Russell had already left the meeting.
HIRING POLICIES WAIVED
Motion No. 832 - Mrs. Smith made a motion to approve Agenda Item 12.A.10. to waive the
hiring policy for persons to be considered for selection as director and administrative assistant for
board services. Mr. Austin seconded the motion.
Mr. Davila stated that he did not support this policy, because we continue to override policies that
exist within the System, and at the same time he felt the people in these positions are probably
doing a great job in serving the Board, given them direction.
Motion carried 6-1. Those voting in favor of the motion were Trustees Smith, Murphy, Oliver,
Fonteno, Austin and Garcia. Mr. Davila voted in opposition to the motion. Trustees Henderson
and Russell had already left the meeting.
REMAINDER OF PERSONNEL AGENDA APPROVED
Motion No. 833 - Mr. Murphy moved approval of the remainder of the Personnel Agenda. Mr.
Davila seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0, with Mr. Davila abstaining.
SCHEDULING OF NEXT MEETING The next regular meeting will be held at 4:00 p.m., on
Thursday, October 22, 1998, at 22 Waugh Drive.
ADJOURNMENT With no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was
adjourned at 8:35 p.m.
Minutes Prepared By:
Linda Gray, Administrative Assistant Board Services Office
Reviewed, Finalized and Submitted By:
John Fonteno, Jr., Secretary Board of Trustees
Minutes Approved as Submitted on September 17, 1998
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