February 8, 2018 Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes


The Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College Board of Trustees convened a meeting on Thursday, February 8, 2018, at 1:30 p.m. in the Magnolia Building. Mary Ann Rice, Chair, presided.

The following members of the Board were present: Gene Bell, Bruce Briggs, Joe Brumit, Ron Edgerton, Mike Fryar, Jacquelyn Hallum, Matt Kern, Roger Metcalf, William Murdock, John Parham, Frances Ramsey, and Iris Frost, Ex-Officio.

Others present for the meeting included: Dennis King, President; Dirk Wilmoth, Vice President Business and Finance/CFO; Terry Brasier, Vice President Student Services; Beth Stewart, Vice President Instructional Services; Shelley White, Vice President Economic and Workforce Development/Continuing Education; Kaye Schmidt, Vice President, Human Resources and Organizational Development; Brian Willis, Vice President, Information Technology/CIO; David White, Executive Director of Research and Planning; Kerri Glover, Executive Director, Community Relations and Marketing; Chad Donnahoo, College Attorney; and Carolyn Rice, Secretary to the Board.

 

Call To Order

Chair Mary Ann Rice read the ethics statement. No conflicts of interest were reported. Ms. C. Rice called roll. A quorum was present.

 

Introductions

Mr. Darryl Rhymes introduced several new employees to the Board.

 

Staff Reports

1. A. Dr. David White introduced Ms. Hannah Rutledge, an Analyst with Emsi (a labor market analytics firm), who, via Webinar, explained the Economic Value of A-B Tech Community College and the Return on Investment of Education to the Board.

Ms. Rutledge shared the following:

  • The A-B Tech service area consists of Buncombe and Madison counties.
  • A-B Tech adds $270.6 million to the economy, supports over 5,800 jobs in the region, and is 2.2 percent of the region's GRP (Gross Regional Product).
  • A-B Tech added $34.3 million in regional income which is the profit from sales that add to the economy and support over 1,200 jobs.
  • Students impact the economy as well, by adding $16.9 million and supporting 458 jobs.
  • College Alumni contribute $219.4 million and support over 4,100 jobs locally.
  • Students spent $107.3 million on tuition, supplies, etc., and can expect to earn $281.7 million in their lifetime. For every dollar invested in education at A-B Tech, students will earn $2.60 in return.
  • Taxpayers benefit as well. The more education a student receives, the healthier they are, and the less crime occurs, which correlates to lower victim costs, and the student is a more productive member of society.
  • Every dollar invested in A-B Tech is a good investment for students and the economy.

Mr. Brumit asked the College to compare the impact study of A-B Tech to the impact study recently completed for UNC Asheville. Mr. Brumit also suggested that the College use the same company and methodology as UNC Asheville, to have a more accurate comparison. Dr. David White will research the costs of performing another study.

2. B. Mr. Erik Moellering presented a video on the A-B Tech Apiary and discussed the College’s Apiary with the Board. Thanks to a grant and a partnership with the Asheville Beecentric Alliance, the College now has five hives on campus. Construction students built a shed for bee supplies, and the bees are protected from animals by an electric fence. Dr. King thanked Mr. Moellering.

Dr. King asked the Board to recognize Ms. Kaye Schmidt. Ms. Schmidt, Vice President of Human Resources and Organizational Development, is resigning from the College to spend more time traveling, and with family and friends. Dr. King thanked her for her years of service to the College, and the Board wished Ms. Schmidt well and also thanked her for her excellent service to the College.

 

Consent Agenda

Mr. Kern moved to approve the Consent Agenda items: 2. A. December 11, 2017 Board Meeting Minutes; 2. B. December 11, 2017, Closed Session Minutes; 2. C. January 29, 2018, Executive Committee Minutes; 2. D. Personnel Actions; 2. E. Increase in Attorney Fees Notification; and 2 .F. Approval of Physical Therapy Assistant Application.

The motion to approve the Consent Agenda was seconded by Mr. Fryar and approved unanimously by the Board.

 

Resolution/Action Items

3. A. Dr. King informed the Trustees that all fees charged by the College require annual approval by the Board. Dr. King asked the Board for approval to raise the fee for the rooms in the Mountain Tech Lodge to the state rate of $71.20, and to make the new fee effective immediately.

Ms. Ramsey asked if the College may charge more than the state rate of $71.20 for the rooms.

Mr. Fryar moved to raise the room fee for the Mountain Tech Lodge to $75. Mr. Bell seconded the motion to increase the room fee to $75 and to accept all fees in the 2018-2019 Schedule of Fees document as presented.

The 2017-2018 Schedule of Fees, as presented and with the room fee increase effective immediately, was approved by unanimous consent.

3. B. Dr. Dirk Wilmoth informed the Trustees that the College maintains a Cash Management Plan over receipts, on file with the State Controller’s office which stipulates that cash receipts are to be deposited on a daily basis, with the exception of those at A-B Tech Madison. The College is requesting that the Board make a similar exception for cash receipts from A-B Tech Woodfin.

On a motion by Dr. Parham, seconded by Mr. Murdock, the Exception for Cash Management at A-B Tech Woodfin was approved by unanimous consent.

3. C. Dr. Beth Stewart asked the Board to postpone the previously approved Global Education Spring and Summer Trips to 2019 in an effort to give students more time to plan and save for the trips, as well as to have additional time to market the trips to students prior to registering for College. Additionally, Dr. Stewart is seeking approval to offer an educational trip to Ecuador in July 2019.

On a motion by Mr. Kern, seconded by Mr. Brumit, the 2019 Global Education Spring and Summer Trips were approved by unanimous consent.

3. D. Dr. Wilmoth informed the Trustees that the Poplar Building Repurposing was originally projected to cost $500,000 in 2016. Due to increased construction costs over the past two years, the College is revising the request for funding to $800,000. The College has the $300,000 difference available for the project in unallocated funds.

On a motion by Dr. Metcalf, seconded by Dr. Parham, the Revision to the 3-1 Form for the Poplar Building Repurposing was approved by unanimous consent.

 

Trustee Business

4. A. Dr. King asked that any Trustee interested in attending the ACCT Governance Leadership Institute scheduled for March 21-23, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas, please let Ms. C. Rice know.

Mr. Bell and Ms. Hallum will attend the 2018 Governance Leadership Institute on behalf of the College.

 

President's Report

Dr. King asked Dr. Brasier to provide an enrollment update to the Board. Dr. Brasier shared the following Spring 2018 Enrollment Information:

  • The College is focusing on enrollment for the spring semester and continues to focus on student access and success.
  • Enrollment is down due to the low unemployment rate in Buncombe and Madison counties.
  • The number of students who work and attend College part-time has increased.
  • High School Dual Enrollment students make up 25 percent of the College’s enrolled students.
  • The new Centralized Residency Determination System for all North Carolina students is complicated and time-consuming, resulting in frustrated students who don’t follow through with registration.

In an effort to increase registration, the College is:

  • Marketing a“Never Too Late to Start” campaign by offering eight-week minimester classes, focusing on target markets, and as well as offering ample course selections.
  • Offering Federal Student Aid and other Financial Assistance for spring.
  • Continuing an Outbound Calling Campaign to new applicants and following up with students who may have dropped out.
  • Hosting a“Find Your Future Career and College Open House” on April 19.
  • Having over 1,000 high school juniors and seniors visit campus on April 20.

Dr. King added that A-B Tech has an instructor in Asheville High School teaching machining and other instructors teaching certified nursing assistant courses. Those students may transition to A-B Tech to complete their studies.

Ms. Ramsey stated that she appreciates all employees who work with students in the financial aid department, as well as those who work to get high school students involved in college.

Dr. King then shared the following news with the Board:

  • In an effort to make A-B Tech the most welcoming College possible, a new statement of culture has been created: “A-B Tech commits to demonstrating an inclusive and welcoming culture of Respect, Integrity, and Support for Everyone (RISE).” This will be known as the RISE program and will be built into the culture of the College in the upcoming years. Employees will be evaluated on their participation in RISE, and future employees will address the RISE culture during the hiring process. Banners will be created and placed in various locations on campus. Everyone at the College needs to feel supported and respected.
  • The Buncombe County Commissioners have adopted several strategic priorities to focus on for the future of the County. The College will provide examples of programs already in place that line up with those priorities at the budget meeting in May.
  • Central Carolina Community College was audited by the State Auditor regarding the number of paid holidays the College provided its employees. The State Auditor recommended that the College conform to 12 paid holidays annually, to mirror the state personnel act. Resulting of the Central Carolina audit, all North Carolina Community Colleges have been audited regarding paid holidays. The State Board of Community Colleges recommends that all community colleges conform with the North Carolina State Employees Act, and offer only 12 paid holidays per year. A-B Tech currently offers 17 paid holidays per year. The Faculty and Staff Associations have been tasked with eliminating five paid holidays from the current College calendar, and a revised calendar will be brought to the Board for approval in April.
  • The College dedicated the Lecture Hall on the third floor of the Ferguson Allied Health and Workforce Development Building to Dr. Lori Tapp. Dr. Tapp was instrumental in getting the Veterinary Technology Assisting program accredited. There were over 200 people in attendance to celebrate the dedication of the lecture hall.
  • Finally, Dr. King is acting as a mentor to Dr. Laura Leatherwood, President of Blue Ridge Community College, during her new role as College President.

 

SGA Report

Ms. Iris Frost shared that the Student Government Association (SGA) has several events left this semester. Earth Day, Open House, an Addiction Recovery and Coping event, trash pick-up along Victoria Road, and the Grow the Campus Green event. This year, students will plant pollinator-friendly plants for the A-B Tech Apiary to enjoy!

The SGA continues to accept applications for study abroad scholarships and is helping students transition from first-year to second-year students.

The “Trailblazing Bear” has been chosen as the College mascot, and a contest will be held to draw the image.

The SGA held its first recovery meeting on campus and may start a recovery-based society.

 

Other

Mr. Bell commended Dr. Shelley White for attending a workshop on employment for unemployed residents and providing insight and paths that may be taken at the College for unemployed and underemployed residents.

Mr. Fryar thanked the College for allowing Buncombe County to hold an Opioid Open Forum on campus. The Forum was well attended and very successful.

Mr. Murdock stated that the partnership between Eblen Charities and A-B Tech celebrated 19 years of providing dental sealants for all second-grade students in Buncombe County.

Ms. Ramsey thanked Dr. King and A-B Tech for our presence at a Broadband meeting in Madison County. Out of seventeen western counties, A-B Tech was the largest contingency at the meeting.

 

Adjourn

On a motion by Mr. Fryar, seconded by Mr. Brumit, the meeting adjourned at 3:25 p.m. by unanimous consent.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Carolyn H. Rice
Board Secretary