The Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College Board of Trustees convened a meeting on Monday, August 3, 2015, at 3:30 p.m. in the Magnolia Building. Joe Brumit, Chair, presided.
The following members of the Board were present: Chair Joe Brumit, Bruce Briggs, Wayne Brigman, Mike Fryar, Richard Hurley, Don Locke, Roger Metcalf, Kaye Myers, John Parham, Frances Ramsey, Nathan Ramsey, and Ana Frady, Ex-Officio.
Others present for the meeting included: Dennis King, President; Terry Brasier, Vice President Student Services; Melissa Quinley, Vice President Instructional Services; Shelley White, Vice President Economic and Workforce Development/Continuing Education; David White, Executive Director of Research and Planning; Lisa Lankford, Director of Business Services; Brian Willis, Vice President, Information Systems Technology; Kaye Waugh, Vice President, Human Resources and Organizational Development; Kerri Glover, Executive Director, Community Relations and Marketing; Chris Campbell, College attorney; and Carolyn Rice, Secretary to the Board.
Call To Order
Mr. Brumit read the ethics statement; no conflicts of interest were reported. Ms. Rice called roll. A quorum was present.
Swearing In
Dr. Roger Metcalf and Mr. Bruce Briggs were sworn in as new Trustees of A-B Tech Community College by Judge Alan Z. Thornburg at 3:35 p.m.
Ms. Ana Frady, President of the Student Government Association, was also sworn in by Judge Alan Z. Thornburg as Trustee Ex-Officio.
Consent Agenda
Dr. Parham moved to approve the Consent Agenda: 1. A. Minutes of June 1, 2015; 1. B. Special Called Board Meeting Minutes of June 22, 2015; 1. C. Personnel Actions; and 1. D. Fourth Quarter Financial Update Resolution.
The motion was seconded by Mr. Hurley and was approved unanimously by the Board.
Resolution/Action Items
2. A-B. Dr. King discussed the 2015-2016 Buncombe and Madison County budgets. The budgets for both counties are balanced and the College is prepared to move ahead with the budgets as presented.
On a motion by Mr. Ramsey, seconded by Dr. Parham, the Board unanimously approved the Buncombe and Madison County budgets as presented.
2. C. Ms. Melissa Quinley discussed the Global Education Summer Trips for 2016 with the Board. The College participates with other community colleges in the state, offering trips abroad as part of a global initiative program. Students have the option of participating for credit or through continuing education as a non-credited program.
Faculty are able to participate in the program and scholarships are available from the Foundation to help financially.
On a motion by Dr. Locke, seconded by Dr. Parham, the Board unanimously approved the 2016 Global Education Summer Trips.
Trustee Business
3. A. The Trustees discussed the Nominating Committees recommendations of Mr. Brumit remaining as Chair, Dr. Locke as Vice Chair, and Carolyn Rice as Secretary of the Board for 2015-2016.
On a motion by Dr. Locke, seconded by Mr. Hurley, the Board moved to bring the tabled Nominating Committee’s recommendations off the table for approval by the Board.
Chair Brumit opened the floor for any additional nominations. Upon receiving no new nominations from the floor, Chair Brumit closed the nominations.
On a motion by Dr. Parham, seconded by Mr. Fryar, the Board unanimously approved Mr. Joe Brumit as Chair, Dr. Don Locke as Vice Chair, and Ms. Carolyn Rice as Secretary of the Board for 2015-2016.
Chair Brumit asked the Board to nominate two Trustees to serve on the 2015-2016 Executive Committee. Mr. Fryar nominated Ms. Mandy Stone, and Ms. Ramsey nominated Ms. Mary Ann Rice.
On a motion by Dr. Parham, seconded by Ms. Myers, the Board unanimously appointed Ms. Stone and Ms. Rice to the Executive Committee of the Board for 2015-2016.
President’s Report
Dr. King introduced Ms. Lisa Lankford, Director of Business Services, to the Board and shared the following news:
- The College’s Hot Food Team, currently competing in Orlando, Florida, is the first-ever all-female team to compete in the American Culinary Federation’s history. A-B Tech is also the only college ever to participate for eight consecutive years in the final four.
- The closing of the Haynes Center is ahead of schedule. The majority of the staff have moved, and all classes have been relocated for the fall semester.
- WRESA, a long-term tenant of the Haynes Center, made its final lease payment to the College at the end of July. WRESA will relocate to an office park within the next two months.
- All other tenants of the Haynes Center are relocating to the Technology Commercialization Center.
- Construction on both the Allied Health and the Multi-Purpose buildings is proceeding on schedule. A grand opening ceremony will be held for the Allied Health building on December 1.
- The College is proceeding with the design plans for the fourth floor of the Allied Health building, using money left from the 2000 state bond issue. When the third installment of the Ferguson gift arrives in December, construction will begin.
- Architects will be selected this week for the renovation of the Rhododendron building.
- The College’s new View Book, used in the admissions process, gives an overview of the College and the programs offered. The book was created by Kerri Glover and the Community Relations and Marketing team and printed in-house.
- Fall enrollment continues to grow and the College enrollment number is close to what it was this time last year.
- The results of the FTE audit, which addresses curriculum and continuing education FTE numbers and how the College receives funding from the state, were clean and the College does not have to return any money.
Dr. King asked the Trustees to provide feedback on the bi-monthly updates being provided by the Executive Leadership Team.
Responses from the Trustees were positive. Dr. Locke suggested including any anticipated challenges the Board may be faced with in the future. Mr. Ramsey suggested that the first page highlight the content, giving the Trustees a general overview of the report.
Staff Report
Ms. Shelley White and Ms. Jill Sparks presented an overview and history of the Small Business Center and Business Incubator Program.
The Business Incubator Program was created nine years ago and continues to be successful. The Incubator offers training, meeting space, and engagement with other entrepreneurs, as well as access to the Small Business Association and other economic development resources.
The future trends of incubation will be focused on cluster industries, open flexible spaces, and connecting the classroom with startup resources.
Incubation points to consider are:
- A-B Tech’s role in the continuum of services to entrepreneurs
- Community needs, gaps in resources
- Incubation in College recruitment efforts
- Leveraging existing College programs by integrating support for start-up
- Biotech/food/fermentation science industries
- Connecting entrepreneurs and students
The Small Business Center is one of 58 in North Carolina and is part of a statewide network created by the General Assembly. The Center provides confidential counseling and training at no cost.
The economic impact of the Small Business Center for 2014-15 included:
- 329 entrepreneurs counseled
- 4,075 hours of training provided
- 25 business startups
- 90 jobs created/retained
SGA Report
SGA President Ana Frady informed the Board that both the SGA Constitution and handbook have been completed and are available on the College website.
Closed Session
Dr. Locke moved to enter into a closed session at 4:45 p.m. pursuant to G.S. 143-318.11(a) (1) and (3) in order to discuss confidential personnel matters pursuant to G.S. 115D-27-29 and to discuss matters protected by the attorney-client privilege. Mr. Brigman seconded the motion which was approved unanimously.
On a motion properly made, the Board returned to open session at 5:35 p.m.
Adjourn
On a motion by Mr. Ramsey, seconded by Mr. Brigman, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 5:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carolyn H. Rice
Board Secretary