Athens Technical College
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
Athens, GA
November 17, 2009
10:30 A.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Ms. Patricia Barron
Mr. Kenny Beck
Mr. Fred Boatwright
Mr. Bill Cabaniss
Mr. Frank Christa, Chair
Mr. Vince Dooley
Mr. Stephen Felker, Jr.
Mr. Don Fortson, Vice Chair
Mr. Scott Hardigree
Ms. Carol Williams
Ms. Pet Williams
MEMBERS ABSENT
Mr. Ed Geddings
GUESTS
Ms. Carol Rayburn Cofer, Workforce Development Director for the Northeast
Georgia Regional Commission
Ms. Thea Ellenberg, Program Chair for Interior Design
CALL TO ORDER/WELCOME
Chair Frank Christa called the meeting to order at 10:30 a.m. welcoming
everyone to the November Board Meeting.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
Mr. Christa asked Jerry Barrow to introduce the first guest for the November
meeting. Topic: “WIA Performance Measures, Carol Rayburn Cofer, Workforce
Development Director for the Northeast Georgia Regional Commission”. Mr.
Barrow introduced Carol Rayburn Cofer, who is the Workforce Development
Director for the Northeast Georgia Regional Commission.
Ms. Cofer works with Athens Technical College to provide training to people who
are seeking employment. Some of the assistance and services for Athens
Technical College students include money for tuition, books, daycare, and
transportation. Each year, money is allocated by Congress to the State of
Georgia through the Workforce Investment Act. The State of Georgia then
allocates the money to the twenty workforce areas in the state. Ms. Cofer works
with the Department of Labor, who is the state agency that administers the
workforce investment money that comes to her program.
The program has funds available to provide assistance to people who are not
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November 17, 2009
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employed and need skills in order to become employed, as well as displaced
workers who are seeking employment. The predominant service delivery system
to adults is through the Individual Training Account (ITA) which is a voucher
system that links people who need training to a list of eligible providers. There
are also funds provided for assistance to youths who are economically
disadvantaged.
The program runs from July 1 to June 30 each year and serves twenty workforce
areas in Northeast Georgia. Approximately 1,300 people were served in 2008.
The program paid out $1.1 million in wages to youths in 2008 which in turn
helped the economy by the youths buying items with the money.
This year approximately $1.4 million in state funds was provided for a summer
youth work experience program in the twelve county region.
Mr. Christa asked Dr. Joyce Sansing to introduce the second guest for the
November meeting. Topic: “The Italy Connection, Thea Ellenberg, Program Chair
for Interior Design”. Dr. Sansing introduced Thea Ellenberg, who is the Program
Chair for Interior Design.
Ms. Ellenberg presented a Power Point presentation on a study abroad trip to
Italy. She, along with nine students and another faculty member, visited Rome,
Florence, Venice, Levanto, and Milan for two weeks during September. The
students were able to choose between two classes to take during the trip, the
history of interiors and architecture or art appreciation. The students participated
in a scavenger hunt and were required to keep a sketchbook and journal during
the trip.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Christa called for approval of the October minutes for the Local Board. After
reviewing, there were no changes to be made. Bill Cabaniss made a motion to
approve the minutes and Carol Williams seconded the motion with the remainder
of the board in agreement. The minutes were approved.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
STUDENT AFFAIRS
Ms. Andrea Daniel reported on Student Affairs. Ms. Daniel spoke about the 2010
USA Today All USA Community College Academic Team and 2010 Coca Cola
All State Community College Academic Team. This initiative is a joint venture
between the Coca Cola Foundation, USA Today, and Phi Theta Kappa. Dr.
Tydings approved the first All Athens Academic Team which members have to
meet the same requirements as the scholarship recipients. Students have to
have a 3.5 – 4.0 GPA, taking associate level courses, completed 48 quarter
hours, and provide information regarding campus and community involvement.
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November 17, 2009
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Five students were chosen to be members of the All Athens Technical College
Academic Team. Ms. Daniel introduced the members: Kathleen Roberts, John
Phillips, Kay Lloyd, Melissa Collins, and Eunice Padilla. Kathleen Roberts and
John Phillips will represent Athens Technical College in Atlanta in March.
Ms. Daniel presented the academic team members with a $50 gift card from the
Book Store.
Ms. Daniel presented the board members with Athens Technical College
Christmas ornaments.
FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
Ms. Kathryn Thomas presented the Budget Amendments. There is a grant from
Atlanta Regional Commission in connection with the Biotechnology grant we
received last year which will allow us to provide more training to high school
students. There is a grant from the Department of Behavioral Health Central
State Hospital for IOTIS to provide online training. There are also funds from
NEGA Regional Commission to provide GED and vocational preparation in
Clarke, Elbert and Walton Counties. Ms. Thomas asked for approval of the
Budget Amendments. Patricia Barron made a motion to approve the Budget
Amendments and Stephen Felker seconded the motion with the remainder of the
board in agreement. The Budget Amendments were approved.
Ms. Thomas presented the Financial Report as of October 31, 2009. We are
currently at 33% expended on our budget, which is where we should be. Local
revenue generated to date is $3,903,000 which is 70% of anticipated revenue. A
portion of the renovation and repair monies expire on June 30, 2010. There are
bids out for some renovations and repairs that will take place in January.
INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT
Dr. Siefferman updated the board on Institutional Advancement. Puttin’ on the
Ritz will be February 9, 2010. He informed board members that they will receive
a Save the Date card in the mail.
Dr. Siefferman updated the board on the donations the Foundation received in
September and October:

The Chipman Union Foundation made their second $15,000 payment of
their $60,000 pledge. This is in support of the Greene County Shuttle
Bus.

W.W. Grainger, Inc. donated $4,000 to support the Grainger Scholarship
for the 2009 – 2010 academic year. Two students received $2,000
scholarships.

Clyde and Jean Adams donated $5,000 for the Coggins Center building in
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November 17, 2009
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Elberton.

The Walton County Health Care Foundation donated $2,100 for the
Educational Access Fund and $750 for the Firemen’s Assistance Fund.
Both funds support Walton County students in a health care program of
study. The Firemen’s Assistance Fund supports active-duty firemen who
are pursing their EMT certification.

Donations are still coming in for auditorium seats in the Coggins Center.
Joe and Katherine Fernandez donated $1,500 for six seats; Nancy
Stangle donated $1,000 for four seats, and the Elberton Rotary Club
donated $250 for one seat.
Dr. Siefferman announced that the first Legacy Annual Campaign will kick off in
January, 2010. The campaign will have a new look and will provide flexibility for
new opportunities for the college. An employee contribution campaign has
already begun.
There will be a donor brick campaign for people interested in purchasing a paver
which will be located at the new Life Science Building or the Coggins Elberton
Building. Dr. Siefferman handed out a donor brick campaign packet to each
board member and asked for their assistance in obtaining donors.
There will be an Alumni Leadership Organizational Meeting on December 4th. A
mail out is being sent to all alumni asking them to join the college in providing
leadership to the community.
PRESIDENT'S REPORT
Dr. Tydings presented the President’s Report. Crush and run has been placed at
the back of campus to provide additional parking for students.
We are hosting a Legislative Luncheon on Thursday at Noon. The purpose of
the luncheon is to update local legislatives and state representatives of what is
going on at the college and what our priorities are as a state agency. The top
four priorities this year consist of the following:

Our carry-over legislation has to be re-voted on this year. We need for it
to continue.

Maintain our formula funding at the current level to which it is established.

Capital outlay requests will consist of renovation and repair requests on
existing facilities. There are no new buildings in the top ten.

DTAE name will be officially changed to TCSG. The name change slipped
through the cracks last year and did not get passed.
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President’s Council met last week. Presidents were informed there will be an
additional 2% budget cut which will raise budget cuts to 8%. We are preparing
for a 10% and 12% cut.
Deputy Commissioner Frieda Hill at TCSG has been hired by Alabama as the
new two year community college chancellor.
ADJOURNMENT
Being no further business, Chair Christa adjourned the meeting with appropriate
motion and second at 11:45 a.m. Lunch was served immediately following the
meeting.
_______________________________________
Flora W. Tydings, President
Rebecca Allen
Administrative Assistant
1/18/09
Next scheduled Board Meeting: January 19, 2010.
* Denotes action items that require a vote for approval by the local board.