Athens Technical College
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
Athens, GA
February 15, 2011
10:30 A.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Ms. Patricia Barron
Mr. Fred Boatwright
Mr. Bill Cabaniss
Mr. Terry Chandler
Mr. Vince Dooley
Mr. Stephen Felker, Jr.
Mr. Don Fortson, Chair
Mr. Ed Geddings
Dr. Mixon Robinson
Ms. Carol Williams
Ms. Pet Williams
MEMBERS ABSENT
Mr. Scott Hardigree
GUESTS
Ms. Beth Crowley, 2011 GOAL Winner
Ms. Jacqueline Guy, 2011 GOAL Finalist
Mr. Daniel Stewart, 2011 GOAL Finalist
Mr. Aaron Wagoner, 2011 GOAL Finalist
Mr. Ross Wise, 2011 GOAL Finalist
Mr. Yancey Gulley, Director of Student Activities
Ms. Carol Harrison, Chief GED Examiner
Mr. Tony Suess, Construction Management Program Chair
CALL TO ORDER/WELCOME
Chair Don Fortson called the meeting to order at 10:30 a.m. welcoming everyone
to the February Board Meeting.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
Yancey Gulley introduced the 2011 GOAL finalists. The first GOAL finalist, Beth
Crowley, is in the Physical Therapist Assistant Program and was nominated by Dr.
Ellen O’Keefe and Diana Carman. The second GOAL finalist, Jacqueline Guy, is
in the Culinary Arts Program and was nominated by Chef Michael Swaim. The
third GOAL finalist, Daniel Stewart, is in the Biotechnology Program and was
nominated by Dr. Jeff Rapp. The fourth GOAL finalist, Aaron Wagoner, is in the
Radiography Program and was nominated by Donald Summers. Mr. Gulley also
introduced Ross Wise who was also chosen as a finalist but had to drop out due to
other education commitments. He is in the Physical Therapist Assistant Program
and was nominated by Dr. Ellen O’Keefe and Diana Carman.
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February 15, 2011
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Dr. Tydings congratulated all the finalists. She then announced the 2011 GOAL
winner who is Beth Crowley. Dr. Tydings congratulated Ms. Crowley.
Dr. Joyce Sansing introduced the guest for the February meeting. Topic: “The
Future of Construction is at Athens Tech, Tony Suess, Program Chair for
Construction Management”. Mr. Suess has been the Program Chair for
Construction Management since the program began in July, 2010 at the Walton
County Campus.
The goal of the Construction Management Program is to exploit the Paradigm Shift
in construction. The idea is to establish a new program that focuses on skill sets,
flexibility and adaptation, the language of the learner, and adapting to changing
financial situations. The students are able to work outside in real life settings in
different weather conditions.
The program provides training in different areas including safety, professional tool
use, interior and exterior finishing, framing and covering, construction materials,
and print reading. It emphasizes flexibility of skills, use of technology, personal
and professional growth, critical thinking, and project-based, hands-on activities.
For the future he wants to build a network of graduates and increase community
involvement and participation including an advisory committee membership of
building inspectors, Builder’s Association, utility companies, and businesses.
He currently has four students in his class.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Fortson called for approval of the January minutes for the Local Board. After
reviewing, there were no changes. Ed Geddings made a motion to approve the
minutes and Vince Dooley seconded the motion with the remainder of the board in
agreement. The minutes were approved.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
Dr. Joyce Sansing presented the board members with handouts of two new
associate degree programs for approval. The first degree is Applied Technical
Management which has the general education component students need at the
college level as well as specified courses in management which will allow them to
go into the business field. This is a standard program within the Technical College
System of Georgia. The second degree is in Business Administration which will
be appealing to students who want a general business degree. This is an
institutionally developed program. We do not yet have the capability to put forward
a new program request with semester hours. It will be converted in the system in
August with the semester conversion.
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February 15, 2011
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Dr. Sansing asked the board for approval of the Applied Technical Management
and Business Administration degrees. Patricia Barron made a motion to approve
and Bill Cabaniss seconded the motion with the remainder of the board in
agreement. The Applied Technical Management and Business Administration
degrees were approved.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Mr. Barrow gave board members an update on Economic Development. The
Manufacturer’s Appreciation Luncheon will be held in Atlanta on April 28 th. Mr.
Barrow passed out a handout with the 2011 Manufacturer of the Year
Nominations. The companies include Berry Plastics, Hitachi Automotive Systems,
Pharma Tech, and Power Partners.
SD Automotive Group announced that they will open a facility in Hart County
which will employ twenty-five people. They are a German designer and
manufacturer of precision machine tools. This is their first business to open in the
United States.
Moeller Tech started up recently in Elberton. They make injection molded plastic
parts for the automotive industry.
Zero Loft will start up in Elberton and employ about twenty-five people. They
make glass products that are fused to fabrics to make insulation.
Goodyear in Walton County is looking at an expansion of eighteen to twenty
people.
FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
Ms. Thomas presented the Budget Amendments. There is only one amendment
this month which is $59,625 in operating funds for the new Elberton Building. Ms.
Thomas asked the board for approval of the Budget Amendments. Patricia Barron
made a motion to approve the Budget Amendments and Terry Chandler seconded
the motion with the remainder of the board in agreement. The Budget
Amendments were approved.
Ms. Thomas presented the Financial Report as of January 31, 2011. Local
revenue generated to date is $8,112,950 which is 86% of our anticipated revenue.
The renovation and repair funds for the 600 building are spent. The bids are back
on the 300 building and we are prepared to award the contract next week.
OFF-CAMPUS OPERATIONS
Dr. Siefferman gave the board members an update on the Coggins Center Ribbon
Cutting held on February 1st. There was a good turnout. The building was named
after Frank Coggins who donated 42 acres of land to the college in which the
Elberton Campus is located. Commissioner Jackson spoke at the event. Dr.
Siefferman thanked the board members who attended.
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February 15, 2011
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STUDENT AFFAIRS
Ms. Daniel introduced Carol Harrison, Chief GED Examiner. Ms. Harrison was
awarded the 2010 GED Chief Examiner of the Year Award for the State of Georgia
and received an award for having the largest growth in the number of candidates
tested. Ms. Daniel presented Ms. Harrison with a token of appreciation.
The quarter to semester conversion is still on track. Caroline Angelo, Director of
Registration and Records, is working on having summer and fall schedules in
Banner by March 4th which will enable students to register for both semesters.
The Degree Works program will be running by April 15th.
Ms. Daniel gave board members a handout with key dates including Spring
Fling/Earth Day on April 21st, Honor’s Day on May 19th, and Graduation on June
9th.
PRESIDENT'S REPORT
Dr. Tydings presented the President’s Report. She announced that Athens
Technical College has been accepted to participate in Achieving the Dream. A
national announcement will be made in March. Dr. Smith briefly explained
Achieving the Dream.
The property acquisition for the Walton County Campus has been re-voted on due
to some verbiage that needed to be changed. It has gone back to the State
Properties Commission.
There are some issues with the land swap with the hospital. She cannot accept
land which involves tenants. The COMPASS building has four tenants and three
of them just signed three year leases.
She attended the EAGLE Awards Luncheon in Atlanta last week which honors
Adult Education students.
She will be doing a presentation to the Walton County Chamber tomorrow.
She will be meeting with the new State Agriculture Commissioner, Gary Black,
next month to discuss Pest Control Testing.
Athens Technical College’s Phi Theta Kappa Chapter will be hosting the state Phi
Theta Kappa Convention at the Classic Center on March 10th and 11th.
Legette & Platt donated a trailer to the Athens Tech Foundation to be used in the
Truck Driving Program at Walton County.
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February 15, 2011
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She participated in an informative conference call with Johnny Isakson last week.
It was announced that there will be cuts to Pell funding. Students will receive an
$875 cut in Pell and will no longer be able to get year round Pell. We have over
2,000 students receiving Pell. There will also be an 8% cut to Perkins funding.
ADJOURNMENT
Being no further business, Chair Fortson adjourned the meeting with appropriate
motion and second at 12:00 p.m. Lunch was served immediately afterwards.
_______________________________________
Flora W. Tydings, President
Rebecca Allen
Administrative Assistant
2/15/11
Next scheduled Board Meeting: March 15, 2011.
* Denotes action items that require a vote for approval by the local board.