August 21, 2000 Minutes
SPECIAL MEETING OF
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM
August 31, 2000
Minutes
The Board of Trustees of the Houston Community College System held a Special
Meeting on August 31, 2000, at the HCCS Administrative Center, 22 Waugh
Drive, 2nd Floor Boardroom, Houston, Texas.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Bruce A. Austin, Chairman
Michael P. Williams, D.Min, Deputy Secretary
Herlinda Garcia
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT
James R. Murphy, Vice Chairman
Herman Litt, Secretary
Abel Davila
Christopher W. Oliver
W. F. Russell
Carol H. Smith
ADMINISTRATION
Ruth Burgos-Sasscer, Chancellor
Charles Cook, Vice-Chancellor, Academic Development
Sue Cox, President, Southwest College
Jack Daniels, President, Central College
Margaret Forde, President, HCC-Northeast College
Sylvia Ramos, President, HCC-Southeast College
Jose Villarreal, Vice Chancellor, Economic Development
OTHERS PRESENT
Kelly Frels, Bracewell & Patterson
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August 21, 2000 Minutes
Arturo Michel, Bracewell and Patterson
Other administrators, staff and representatives from the news media
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Austin called the Meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. and declared the Board
convened to consider matters listed on the duly posted meeting notice.
SACS Special Committee Visit
The Board Members discussed the upcoming visit by the Southern Association of
Colleges and Schools (SACS) special committee. The special committee is
charged with reviewing evidence of institutional compliance with Section 6.1
(Organization and Administration) of the Criteria for Accreditation. Dr. Cox who
is a member of the Southern Association Commission provided insight into the
procedures and possible outcomes of the visit.
She explained that a special committee interviews staff, reviews documentation
and issues a report which may or may not contain recommendations. The
institution has an opportunity to respond to any recommendations. SACS Criteria
and Review committees can agree that all recommendations have been
answered satisfactorily or that additional follow-up is needed. The Commission
can issue a private notice to the institution or can publicly place the institution
on warning until remedial action is taken. A third possibility would be probation
and/or expulsion. Each phase has time limits and specific requirements.
Mrs. Garcia requested clarification of the relationship and legal authority of the
Coordinating Board, SACS and the Legislature. Dr. Cox explained that each is an
independent entity. SACS is commissioned by the federal government to serve
as the gateway for federal funding. The Chancellor was directed to provide Board
Members with the legal authority of each entity. Dr. Williams commented that he
anticipated the SACS visit with enthusiasm since there are important issues that
need to be addressed.
Mr. Austin inquired about the status of the self-study. Dr. Cox replied that the
self-study is on schedule. The committees are in place and proceeding with their
assignments. No problems are anticipated.
Adjournment
Mr. Austin adjourned the meeting at 5:24 p.m.
Minutes Prepared By:
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August 21, 2000 Minutes
Linda Gray, Administrative Assistant
Board Services
Reviewed, Finalized and Submitted by:
Herman Litt, Secretary
Board of Trustees
Minutes Approved as Submitted on February 22, 2001
HCCS Home | Board of Trustees
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