Athens Technical College
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
Athens, GA
May 18, 2010
10:30 A.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Ms. Patricia Barron
Mr. Fred Boatwright
Mr. Bill Cabaniss
Mr. Frank Christa, Chair
Mr. Vince Dooley
Mr. Stephen Felker, Jr.
Mr. Don Fortson
Mr. Ed Geddings
Mr. Scott Hardigree
Ms. Carol Williams
MEMBERS ABSENT
Mr. Kenny Beck
Ms. Pet Williams
GUESTS
Dr. Mixon Robinson, Athens Orthopedic Clinic
Mr. Darrell Brewer, Director of Student Activities
CALL TO ORDER/WELCOME
Chair Frank Christa called the meeting to order at 10:30 a.m. welcoming everyone
to the May Board Meeting.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
Mr. Christa asked Ms. Andrea Daniel to introduce the guest for the May meeting.
Topic: “Skills USA and Other Student Activities, Mr. Darrell Brewer, Director of
Student Activities”. Ms. Daniel introduced Mr. Darrell Brewer who is the Director of
Student Activities.
Mr. Brewer discussed his job as Director of Student Activities. He plays a key role
in establishing a connection for students with the college outside the classroom.
There are twenty-three student organizations on campus including the Athens
Tech Student Advisory Council, ATC Rotoract Club, Alpha Beta Gamma, National
Technical Honor Society, and student organizations within programs of study.
We have a campus activities board which allows students to be involved in
planning events such as Spring Fling and Earth Day as well as being involved in
the financial aspect of student activities. Student organizations are involved in
community service including participating in the American Cancer Society Relay
for Life, American Red Cross Blood Drive, the Northeast Georgia Food Bank Food
Drive and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Light the Night. There are
student recognition events including Honor’s Day, Georgia Occupational Award of
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Leadership (GOAL), All USA Academic Team, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society,
and SkillsUSA.
SkillsUSA is a new student recognition event that Athens Technical College
competed in for the first time this year. Its membership includes approximately
15,000 school chapters in fifty-four states and territories and serves more than
300,000 members annually. It serves students enrolled in career and technical
education training programs at high schools and colleges. Students compete
locally within a program of study and then go on to compete at the state level. Our
students brought back two gold medals and one silver medal this year.
Mr. Brewer is also responsible for other duties which include preparing student
and faculty/staff ID cards, providing students with datebook, and assisting students
at graduation.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Christa called for approval of the April minutes for the Local Board. After
reviewing, there were no changes. Patricia Barron made a motion to approve the
minutes and Bill Cabaniss seconded the motion with the remainder of the board in
agreement. The minutes were approved.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
Dr. Sansing confirmed with board members the programs going into the new
Elbert County Technical and Industrial Building. The programs include plumbing,
welding, electrical construction and maintenance, industrial systems technology,
and diesel equipment technology. Dr. Sansing asked the board for approval of the
programs going into the new Elbert County Technical and Industrial Building. Ed
Geddings made a motion to approve the programs and Vince Dooley seconded
the motion with the remainder of the board in agreement. The above programs
were approved to go into the new Elbert County Technical and Industrial Building.
Dr. Joyce Sansing presented two Technical Certificates of Credit (TCC) to the
board for their approval. The first is a technical certificate of credit in Social Work
– Eligibility Determination Specialist which will provide students training in
consultation and technical assistance associated with Medicaid benefits. The
Social Work Assistant program has been at Athens Technical College for two
years and enrollment has continued to increase. There is a need in our service
area for employees at Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS)
offices. Dr. Sansing asked the board for approval of the TCC in Social Work –
Eligibility Determination Specialist. Don Fortson made a motion to approve the
TCC and Patricia Barron seconded the motion with the remainder of the board in
agreement. The TCC for Social Work – Eligibility Determination Specialist was
approved.
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Dr. Sansing presented the second TCC in Landscape Design to the board for
approval. Representatives from the College of Environment and Design at UGA
approached us about facilitating an opportunity with them involving our drafting
program. UGA has to turn away 70 – 100 students each year who are seeking
admission into their Bachelor of Landscape Architecture program. They asked us
to offer a TCC to provide an alternate transfer route for students into their bachelor
program. The classes will be provided through our drafting program and UGA is
working with us to provide necessary faculty. Dr. Sansing asked the board for
approval of the TCC in Landscape Draftsman. Stephen Felker made a motion to
approve the TCC and Carol Williams seconded the motion with the remainder of
the board in agreement. The TCC for Landscape Draftsman was approved.
FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
Ms. Kathryn Thomas presented the Budget Amendments.
The Budget
Amendments include a 3% reduction in state funds and a 5% reduction in adult
education state funds.
Ms. Thomas asked for approval of the Budget
Amendments. Ed Geddings made a motion to approve the Budget Amendments
and Bill Cabaniss seconded the motion with the remainder of the board in
agreement. The Budget Amendments were approved.
Ms. Thomas presented the Financial Report as of April 30, 2010. We have
expended 78% of our state and local funds. Our local revenue has generated
$9,095,000.
INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT
Dr. Larry Siefferman updated the board members on the Institutional
Advancement office. He will be conducting interviews on Thursday and Friday for
the Director of Institutional Advancement position. There were twenty-one
applications and they are conducting eight interviews.
Dr. Siefferman updated the board on donations of $500 or more that has been
received since his last report to the board:
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Grainger Foundation donated $5,000 for twenty auditorium seats.
Pinnacle Bank donated $1,000 for four auditorium seats.
Linda Schramm donated $1,000 for two tables at Puttin’ on the Ritz.
Dan Gunnels made a $500 pledge payment on his donation.
Donations of $500 made for tables at Puttin’ on the Ritz:
o Walton EMC
o Ritz Carlton
o Linger Longer Development Company
o Foundry Park Inn and Spa
o Athens Chef Association
o Athens Janitorial Supply
o Center Stage Catering
o Piedmont College
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o Thornton Brothers, Inc.
o Strategic Ventures Group
o Athens Convention and Visitors Bureau
o Bensons, Inc.
Athens Technical College employees donated $4,386 for the first quarter of
this calendar year.
Local board member per diem contributions totaled $2,036 for the first
quarter of this calendar year.
Wachovia/Wells Fargo Foundation donated $5,000 to the Adult Education
Scholarship Enhancement Campaign for GED testing fees. The donation
is unrestricted and can be used in any of our ten service counties.
Janet Hutchinson donated $500 for GED testing fees in Walton County.
Rodney Jones with United Insurance Company of America donated $500
for GED testing fees in Wilkes County
Dr. Siefferman updated the board on the donor brick campaign. To date sixty-nine
bricks have been sold. Dr. Siefferman thanked Frank Christa for purchasing two
bricks this morning and Don Fortson for purchasing one brick.
Brick donation forms are going to be included in the graduates’ diploma covers as
well as a letter inviting them to join the Alumni Association.
Sixty-seven auditorium seats for the new Elbert Technical and Industrial Building
have been sold to date.
The Athens Technical College Alumni Association is having their third meeting on
Friday. There are sixteen directors on the Alumni Association Board of Directors.
They are going to elect officers at the meeting.
INSTITUTIONAL EFFECTIVENESS
Dr. Dan Smith presented on the Q2S Leadership Summit held last week in Atlanta.
The conversion from the quarter system to the semester system is in the best
interest of the students. It will provide many benefits to students including
additional instructional time, more in-depth coverage of material, and assistance in
transferring to other institutions.
There will be a five week trial period from July 6, 2011 to August 12, 2011. The
earliest start date is August 22, 2011. There will be fifteen weeks of instruction
(seventy-five days) and one week of final exams.
Legislation has approved a carryover bill which includes carrying over up to 15%
of tuition collected. We also have a $5 per credit hour increase in tuition beginning
July 1st. Tuition transfer from quarter hour to semester hour will be 1.5 quarter
hour = 1 semester hour which will be $75 per semester hour.
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There are many things to do in order to complete the conversion from the quarter
system to the semester system including developing a new academic calendar,
revising curriculum, establishing student learning outcomes, updating catalogs,
rearranging clinicals, and completing the substantive change process. In order to
help with the conversion the vice presidents have joined a steering committee.
Dr. Smith asked the board members to complete a performance evaluation on Dr.
Tydings.
PRESIDENT'S REPORT
Dr. Tydings presented the President’s Report. The Elberton building is on
schedule and coming out of the ground. We have a mid-September move in date.
She is working on retrofitting the Paul Broun Building where the health science
programs were located. There will be an Academic Advisement Center, a tutorial
center, and a for profit external testing center.
Legislation has been passed that allows a local board of education to directly
transfer property to a state government. It is awaiting the Governor’s signature.
We will then own the Walton Career Academy which will be renamed the Athens
Technical College Walton County Center. We will have utilization of the entire
facility and will be able to offer new programs. We will also be able to use
operating money as well as renovation and repair money on the facility.
Jimmy Hogg has been hired part-time to work on high school dual enrollment
which will still be offered in Walton.
She is attending the grand opening for the new General Mills facility in Walton
County tomorrow.
She will be attending the GOAL competition next week in Atlanta.
The mascot has been chosen and will be revealed at the faculty/staff meeting on
June 11th.
Kenny Beck has informed her that he is retiring from the board. Dr. Tydings asked
the board members to consider a replacement from Madison County.
Dr. Tydings informed board members that this was Mr. Christa’s last meeting. Dr.
Tydings presented Mr. Christa with a resolution.
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NEW BUSINESS
Chair Christa informed board members that Dr. Mixon Robinson would be
replacing him on the board as a representative of Oconee County. Dr. Robinson
was officially sworn in by Patricia Barron. A photo was taken of the swearing in
and a group photo was taken of the board members.
ADJOURNMENT
Being no further business, Chair Christa adjourned the meeting with appropriate
motion and second at 12:00 p.m.
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Flora W. Tydings, President
Rebecca Allen
Administrative Assistant
5/19/10
Next scheduled Board Meeting: September 21, 2010.
* Denotes action items that require a vote for approval by the local board.