The Board of Trustees of the Houston Community College System held a R...HCCS Administrative Center, Board Room, 22 Waugh Drive, Houston, Texas
REGULAR MEETING
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM
October 24, 2000
Minutes
The Board of Trustees of the Houston Community College System held a Regular Meeting on October 24, 2000 at
the HCC John B. Coleman Center, 1900 Galen Drive, Houston, Texas
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Bruce A. Austin, Chairman
James R. Murphy, Vice-Chairman
Herman Litt, Secretary
Abel Davila
Herlinda Garcia
Christopher W. Oliver
Carol H. Smith
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT
Michael P. Williams, Deputy Secretary
W. F. Russell
ADMINISTRATION
Bruce H. Leslie, Interim Chancellor
Sue Cox, President, HCC-Southwest
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The Board of Trustees of the Houston Community College System held a R...HCCS Administrative Center, Board Room, 22 Waugh Drive, Houston, Texas
Jack E. Daniels, President, HCC-Central
Margaret Forde, President, HCC-Northeast
Zachary Hodges, President, HCC-Northwest
Sylvia Ramos, President, HCC-Southeast
Charles Cook, Vice Chancellor, Educational Development
Jose Villarreal, Vice Chancellor, Economic Development
Pat Williamson, Vice Chancellor, Institutional Development
Steve Gonzalez, Exec. Director, Marketing &Public Information
Gloria Walker, Executive Director, Accounting Operations
Brenda Cox, Interim Asst. to the Chancellor
OTHERS PRESENT
Kelly Frels, Bracewell & Patterson
Arturo Michel, Bracewell & Patterson
Other administrators, staff, representatives of the news media and interested citizens
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Austin called the Meeting to order at 4:25 p.m., and declared the Board convened to consider matters pertaining
to the Houston Community College System as listed on the duly posted meeting notice.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion Mr. Murphy made a motion to amend the minutes of the Regular Meeting of August 1, 2000, to indicate that
the motion for lease of space in Alief was defeated since five votes are required for approval regardless of the
number of trustees present and constituting a quorum. Mr. Litt seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
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The Board of Trustees of the Houston Community College System held a R...HCCS Administrative Center, Board Room, 22 Waugh Drive, Houston, Texas
Motion Mr. Oliver moved approval of the minutes of the Special Meeting of July 26; the Regular Meeting of August
1, as amended; and the Chancellor Search Committee Meeting of August 3, 2000. Mr. Davila seconded. Motion
carried 7-0.
APPOINTMENT OF INTERIM CHANCELLOR
Motion Mr. Murphy moved to approve the appointment of Dr. Bruce H. Leslie as Interim Chancellor for HCCS. Mrs.
Garcia seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
Dr. Leslie expressed his appreciation to the Board, staff and faculty and pledged to make students and the
community his top priority. Mr. Austin commended Dr. Cook for his service as Acting Chancellor.
AWARDS AND PRESENTATIONS
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Faculty Recognition Award Dr. Leslie recognized Thomas Hoar, Accounting Instructor, Workforce
Development, Southwest College.
HEARING OF CITIZENS
Mr. Austin gave preface to the Hearing of Citizens and invited duly registered speakers to present their comments.
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Dr. Reynaldo Garay appeared on behalf of TACHE to ask the Board to ensure that personnel policies and
procedures are enforced and that administrators are held accountable for adhering to said policies.
APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA
Motion - Mr. Oliver moved approval of the consent agenda, with the exception of Item Nos. C.9, C.10, D.12, D.13
and F.15, which were set aside for further discussion. Mrs. Smith seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0. The
motion included approval of the following items:
Instructional Matters
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Approved Health Careers Affiliation Agreements, Southeast College;
Approved the offering of a workforce program in Carpentry and submission of application for a Level One
Certificate Program to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board;
Purchasing of Materials and Services
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Approved payment to Bracewell & Patterson for professional services rendered for the period August 16
through September 15, 2000;
Approved the purchase of four hematology analyzers for the Medical Laboratory Technician program,
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The Board of Trustees of the Houston Community College System held a R...HCCS Administrative Center, Board Room, 22 Waugh Drive, Houston, Texas
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Southeast College;
Approved the purchase of Emergency Medical Services textbooks for the EMS program, Southeast College;
Approved and ratified an affiliation agreement between HCCS and the Houston Academy of Medicine,
Texas Medical Center Library for library services for 2000-01;
Awarded the contract for printing of the HCCS class schedule for the 2000-01 academic year to Greater
Houston Publishers;
Awarded the contract for purchase of passenger and cargo vehicles to Mac Haik Chevrolet Inc.;
Fiscal Matters
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Approved the Investment Report for the month of September 2000;
Approved and ratified the 2001 Texas Association of Community Colleges (TACC) legislative agenda;
Approved and ratified acceptance of gifts and donations received to date;
Renewed the contract with Pagenet for pager services for the 2001 school year; and
Approved the purchase of instructional materials for the Plumbers Apprenticeship Program contracted by
HCC-Central College.
DESIGN-BUILD CONTRACT FORM APPROVED AS METHOD OF CONTRACTING
Motion - Mrs. Smith made a motion to approve the Design-Build contract form as the method of contracting for
construction of the ABE/GED classrooms to be constructed at Central College and the classroom and day care
facility to be built at Katy Mills. Mr. Murphy seconded the motion.
Mr. Davila sought assurance that proper procedures would be followed under this type of contracting. The
Chancellor responded that all projects would be managed very closely and would follow appropriate bid procedures.
Mr. Austin asked legal counsel to provide the Board with information on methods of contracting under state law.
Motion carried 7-0.
INCREASE IN TUITION AND FEES APPROVED, EFFECTIVE SPRING 2001
Motion - Mr. Murphy moved to approve the following tuition and fees increases, effective Spring 2001: General Fee
increase of $1/1/1 for in-district/out-of-district/and out-of-state students; tuition increase of $3/3/3 for in-district/out-ofdistrict/and out-of-state students; and an increase of $5 in out-of-district fees for out-of-district students.
Tuition and fee increases shall be fixed and collected as authorized by and for any of the available purposes under
Section 130.123 of the Texas Education Code, in the manner in which these tuition charges and fees have
previously been fixed and collected. The revenue from tuition and fees and their increases will be pledged to the
payment of revenue bonds issued under Section 130.123 of the Texas Education Code and the Board will approve
the recommendation through a resolution and order prepared by its attorneys. Mrs. Smith seconded the motion.
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The Board of Trustees of the Houston Community College System held a R...HCCS Administrative Center, Board Room, 22 Waugh Drive, Houston, Texas
Dr. Leslie explained that the proposed increase in tuition and fees plus revenue generated from the recent tax
increase would not entirely cover the budget shortfall of approximately $1.9 million. He proposed a combination of
tuition and fee increases and the implementation of internal strategies to reduce expenditures for the System and
cover the gap. Discussion ensued on alternate scenarios for increasing tuition and fees and the financial
implications to students and taxpayers. The Chancellor was asked to provide a report on strategies aimed at
reducing costs.
Motion carried 5-1-1, with Mrs. Garcia opposed and Mr. Oliver abstaining. Trustees Austin, Davila, Litt, Murphy and
Smith voted in favor of the recommendation.
REMARKS FROM MR. LITT
Mr. Litt expressed his appreciation to the HCCS faculty and staff for their support during his recent illness.
REVISIONS TO THE 2000-01 BUDGET APPROVED
Motion Mrs. Garcia moved approval of the revision of the approved 2000-01 budget to reflect increases in the ad
valorem tax revenue ($7.8 million) based on the adopted tax rate of $.082333; other sources for the 2% salary
increase ($1.4 million) coming from the operating fund balance; tuition and fees revenue ($2.1 million); and the
implementation of a combination of cost savings measures as outlined in the September 2000 Revenue
Enhancement report, coupled with the postponing of certain position vacancies to effect a balanced budget for
fiscal year 2001. Mr. Davila seconded the motion.
Mrs. Garcia asked to clarify the intent of her vote. She reaffirmed her confidence in Dr. Leslie and in his ability to
implement positive measures to promote the institutions financial stability.
Motion carried 6-1, with Mrs. Garcia voting in opposition.
REAFFIRMATION OF BOARD POLICIES TABLED FOR NEXT MEETING
Mr. Austin asked that reaffirmation of policies and procedures on Board oversight of financial matters be tabled until
the next meeting. He explained that Dr. Leslie was reviewing these policies and would have a recommendation for
the next meeting.
2001 HCCS LEGISLATIVE AGENDA WITHDRAWN FROM CONSIDERATION
The recommendation to adopt the 2001 HCCS legislative agenda was withdrawn by the Chancellor to allow him
time to review the agenda and meet with legislators, association leaders and key staff members. He also sought the
Boards participation in drafting an agenda. Trustees Austin, Litt, Murphy, and Davila volunteered to serve on a
legislative committee. Dr. Leslie will make a final recommendation in November.
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The Board of Trustees of the Houston Community College System held a R...HCCS Administrative Center, Board Room, 22 Waugh Drive, Houston, Texas
CHANCELLORS REPORT
a. Financial Report Dr. Leslie asked for feedback from the Board on the new format of the financial report.
Mrs. Walker reported that the revenue budget was revised to reflect the adoption of the tax rate resulting in
projected ad valorem tax revenue of $51.7 million. Tuition and fees were projected higher than anticipated;
therefore the approved revenue budget for tuition and fees will not change. She noted an increase in
revenue over last year due to the 4% increase in semester credit hours.
ADJOURNMENT TO CLOSED OR EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mr. Austin adjourned the meeting to Executive Session at 5:40 p.m., notice having previously been given, and
reiterated by him, in accordance with the Open Meetings Law. He 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. He
reconvened the meeting in Open session at 8:00 p.m. and entertained motions on pending matters.
PERSONNEL AGENDA APPROVED AS AMENDED
Motion Mr. Litt moved approval of Items
1 4 of the Personnel Agenda. Mrs. Smith seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0 (Mr. Oliver left following closed
session).
VALIDITY OF STUDENTS FEES TO BE ESTABLISHED
Motion - Mr. Murphy made a motion that the Board authorize its attorneys to file any legal claim necessary to
establish the validity of its student fees. Mrs. Smith seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
SEPARATION AGREEMENT APPROVED FOR FORMER CHANCELLOR
Motion - Mr. Davila moved to approve the separation agreement for former Chancellor, Dr. Ruth Burgos-Sasscer,
on the terms discussed with the attorneys in closed session. Mrs. Garcia seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
ESTABLISHMENT OF NEXT MEETING DATE
The Chancellor was asked to identify a suitable meeting date for November and December.
ADJOURNMENT
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The Board of Trustees of the Houston Community College System held a R...HCCS Administrative Center, Board Room, 22 Waugh Drive, Houston, Texas
With no further business to come before the Board, Mr. Austin adjourned the meeting at 8:01 p.m.
Minutes Prepared By:
______________________________
Linda Gray, Administrative Assistant
Board Services
Reviewed and Submitted by:
______________________________
Herman Litt, Secretary
Board of Trustees
Minutes Approved as Submitted:
______________________________
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