Athens Technical College
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
Athens, GA
January 19, 2010
10:30 A.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Mr. Kenny Beck
Mr. Fred Boatwright
Mr. Bill Cabaniss
Mr. Frank Christa, Chair
Mr. Don Fortson, Vice Chair
Mr. Ed Geddings
Mr. Scott Hardigree
Ms. Carol Williams
Ms. Pet Williams
MEMBERS ABSENT
Ms. Patricia Barron
Mr. Vince Dooley
Mr. Stephen Felker, Jr.
GUESTS
Mr. Ken Roberts, Program Chair for Electronics Technology and Ms. Jill Turenne,
Program Chair for Electrical Construction and Maintenance.
CALL TO ORDER/WELCOME
Chair Frank Christa called the meeting to order at 10:30 a.m. welcoming everyone
to the January Board Meeting.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
Mr. Christa asked Dr. Joyce Sansing to introduce the guests for the January
meeting. Topic: “Green Technology TCCs, Mr. Ken Roberts, Program Chair for
Electronics Technology and Ms. Jill Turenne, Program Chair for Electrical
Construction and Maintenance”. Dr. Sansing introduced Mr. Ken Roberts who has
been the Program Chair for Electronics Technology for eight years and Ms. Jill
Turenne who has been the Program Chair for Electrical Construction and
Maintenance for two years.
Mr. Roberts and Ms. Turenne presented a PowerPoint presentation on the new
Green Technology TCCs being offered at Athens Technical College.
Environmental technology is the application of environmental sciences to conserve
the natural environment and resources. It helps curve negative impacts on the
environment.
Athens Technical College is going green by offering two Technical Certificates of
Credit (TCCs). The first will be a Green Technology TCC for Alternative Energy
and Green Technology Systems which will consist of wind turbines, generators,
solar power, and solar technology. The second will be a Green Technology TCC
for the Photovoltaic Systems Installation and Repair which will consist of systems
components, solar installations, and economic analysis. Students who complete
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January 19, 2010
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this TCC can take a certification for solar installers from the North American Board
of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP).
The Electronics Technology Program and Electrical Construction and Maintenance
Program jointly applied and received a $100,000 Green Jobs Training Grant
funded by the Athens-Clarke County Department of Human and Economic
Development. Funds from this grant will be used to purchase trainers, equipment,
and supplies for the initial start-up of the two technical certificates.
The Green Technology area continues to grow. There is a projected 19%
increase in employment for the eleven occupations related to these programs
between 2008 and 2015.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Christa called for approval of the November minutes for the Local Board. After
reviewing, there were no changes to be made. Carol Williams made a motion to
approve the minutes and Don Fortson seconded the motion with the remainder of
the board in agreement. The minutes were approved.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
Mr. Jerry Barrow reported on Economic Development Services. There have been
rumors regarding the closing of the Walton Career Academy (WCA). The Walton
County Board of Education is looking at ways to cut costs from their budget which
includes pulling dual enrollment high school students out of the WCA. The Walton
County Board of Education will make a final decision in February. Athens
Technical College will continue to offer classes but will no longer offer dual
enrollment classes to the high school students. The College will begin paying
costs related to the WCA in which the Walton County Board of Education has
been paying. Other Career Academies in the State are experiencing the same
challenges.
Mr. Barrow updated the board on companies in the area that are hiring. Ritz
Instrument Transformers is opening a new manufacturing facility in Hartwell and is
hiring fifty people. Star Bronze and Granite opened in Elberton and is hiring a few
people.
Power Partners announced they are laying off seventy people.
Work Ready testing and Work Keys profiles and assessments are doing very well.
FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
Ms. Kathryn Thomas presented the Budget Amendments. The Technical College
System of Georgia (TCSG) has swapped our state funds and stimulus funds. A
Work Ready Grant from the Atlanta Regional Commission was added to the
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January 19, 2010
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budget. Ms. Thomas asked for approval of the Budget Amendments. Ed
Geddings made a motion to approve the Budget Amendments and Carol Williams
seconded the motion with the remainder of the board in agreement. The Budget
Amendments were approved.
Ms. Thomas presented the Financial Report as of December 31, 2009. We have
expended 51% of our state and local funds. Local revenue generated to date is
$5,735,000 which is 83% of our anticipated revenue. We plan to spend the
renovation and repair funds on a project before they expire in June.
Ms. Thomas informed the board members that they should have received the audit
report in the mail. The board members confirmed they received it and had no
questions regarding the report. The faculty and staff were commended on their
excellent report.
INSTITUTIONAL EFFECTIVENESS
Mr. Dan Smith handed out the FY–2009 Fact Book to the board members. The
book contains the College’s goals and objectives, enrollment data, and graduation
data. Enrollment has increased to 6,400 students. Approximately seventy
counties are represented in our student body. The Alumni Outcomes Survey is
included in the Fact Book which contains information about our graduates and job
placement.
Mr. Smith handed out Service Area County Profiles which contains information
about students in our service area including where they live and work.
Mr. Smith also handed out information to the board members containing their
individual logins and passwords to our Intranet site which will provide them access
to our accreditation information. The board members were also provided login
information to the KMS website which provides information about our benchmarks.
STUDENT AFFAIRS
Ms. Andrea Daniel reported on Student Affairs. Unduplicated enrollment for
Winter Quarter is 5,084 which is a 1,200 student increase from last Winter
Quarter. This is a 30.6% increase which is the largest percent increase the
College has experienced in a given quarter.
Eighty-five students attended Tech on Tuesday and over half of them turned in
admissions applications.
Computerized COMPASS testing is now being offered to students who are
applying for admissions to the College.
Financial Aid had a successful HOPE audit.
A Banner upgrade is scheduled to an 8.0 version.
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January 19, 2010
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Ms. Daniel updated the board members on the smoking policy. Since the policy
was enacted almost a year ago there have been approximately six warning letters
sent each month to students and one $50 fine issued.
PRESIDENT'S REPORT
Dr. Tydings presented the President’s Report. She is going to Atlanta tomorrow to
see Commissioner Ron Jackson present his legislative presentation to the House
and Senate.
The Governor’s budget was kind to us and the cuts were not as bad as expected.
The Governor has asked teachers and state employees to take three additional
furlough days before June. We are waiting to see what it means for us.
We are working on the next Capital Outlay presentation which is due February
15th. Our project is the Economic Development Emerging Technologies Building.
Dr. Tydings let the board members know she will be back at Athens Technical
College full-time on February 15th when the new President begins at Central
Georgia Technical College.
The new Life Science Building is still two weeks ahead of schedule and it is going
well.
The closing on the Yellow Freight Building took place in December. Shipping and
Receiving and Maintenance will move to the building. Their current building will be
turned into additional classroom space.
ADJOURNMENT
Being no further business, Chair Christa adjourned the meeting with appropriate
motion and second at 12:00 p.m. Lunch was served immediately following the
meeting.
_______________________________________
Flora W. Tydings, President
Rebecca Allen
Administrative Assistant
1/20/10
Next scheduled Board Meeting: February 16, 2010.
* Denotes action items that require a vote for approval by the local board.