The Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College Board of Trustees convened a meeting on Monday, June 12, 2017, at 3:30 p.m. in the Mission Health/A-B Tech Conference Center. Joe Brumit, Chair, presided.
The following members of the Board were present: Gene Bell, Bruce Briggs, Mike Fryar, Roger Metcalf, William Murdock, John Parham, Frances Ramsey, Robin Ramsey, Mary Ann Rice, and Andrea Howell, 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; David White, Executive Director of Research and Planning; Kaye Schmidt, Vice President, Human Resources and Organizational Development; Marketing; Kerri Glover, Executive Director, Community Relations and Marketing; Brian Willis, Vice President, Information Technology/CIO; Chris Campbell, College Attorney; and Carolyn Rice, Secretary to the Board.
Call To Order
Chair Brumit read the ethics statement. No conflicts of interest were reported. Ms. C. Rice called roll. A quorum was present.
Consent Agenda
Mr. Murdock moved to approve the Consent Agenda items: 1. A. Minutes of April 17, 2017; 1. B. Personnel Actions; 1. C. 2017-2018 Annual Appointments and Reappointments; and 1. D. Approval of New and Revised Policies.
The motion to approve the Consent Agenda was seconded by Ms. M. Rice and approved unanimously by the Board.
Dr. King introduced several new employees to the Board.
Trustee Business
2. A. Chair Brumit asked the Trustees who are interested in attending the NCACCT Leadership Seminar in Wilmington on August 23-25, 2017, to please let Ms. C. Rice know.
2. B. Chair Brumit nominated Ms. Frances Ramsey, Mr. Bill Murdock, and Mr. Roger Metcalf to the Nominating Committee who will present their nominations for Chair, Vice Chair, and Board Secretary for 2017-2018 at the August 7, 2017 meeting.
Swearing In
At 3:40 p.m., Mr. Matt Kern was sworn in as a new Trustee, and Dr. John Parham, Jr., was sworn in as a reappointed Trustee of A-B Tech Community College by Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Alan Thornburg.
Motion For Closed Session
At 3:45 p.m., Mr. Gene Bell moved that the Board of Trustees go into closed session pursuant to G.S. 143.318.11 for the following purposes: under subsection (a)(1) to prevent the disclosure of privileged or confidential personnel information pursuant to G.S. 115D 27-29, and under subsection (a)(3) to discuss matters protected by the attorney-client privilege including the lawsuit of “The Trustees of Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College v. Medina LLC/Brauer Werks”. Mr. Murdock seconded the motion and was approved unanimously by the Board.
On a motion properly made, the Board returned to open session at 4:25 p.m.
President’s Report
Dr. King introduced Mr. Walt Currie to the Board and asked for an update on the BASF/Enka Property. Mr. Currie informed the Board that the College owns the buildings and 30 and one-half acres of property at the Enka location. The College has an additional 13 and one-half acres at the Enka location, as a leasehold interest.
Mr. Currie suggested that the College extend the current lease with BASF for an additional 50 years, which would increase the College’s lease to a total of 83 years for the 13 and one-half acres. The College has several parties interested in purchasing the BASF property, and discussions will continue with BASF regarding extending the lease or donating the property to the College.
Mr. Briggs asked if the College was liable for any potential environmental issues if the ownership of the property was transferred to the College and then in turn sold to another party. Mr. Currie stated that although there was no guarantee that the College would not be held responsible, the liability could be transferred to any purchaser.
Dr. King shared the following news with the Board:
- Congratulations to Ms. Mandy Stone for being selected as the new Buncombe County Manager!
Mr. Briggs moved to adopt a resolution to honor Ms. Stone for her new position and to thank her for her service on the Board. Mr. Murdock seconded the motion, which was approved unanimously by the Board.
- The College awarded a total of 1,401 Degrees, Diplomas, and Certificates at the May 13, 2017, Commencement Ceremony.
- Chancellor Grant delivered an excellent and inspirational commencement speech.
- All Trustees received a copy of the Rhapsodist, which is a compilation of poetry and stories by College faculty, staff, and students.
- The K. Ray Bailey Golf Tournament raised over $40,000 for scholarships.
- The College awarded over 180 High School Equivalency Diplomas.
- Nine “Project Search” students graduated from the College’s first Mission Health cohort. Project Search is a year-long employer-embedded internship program for students with intellectual disabilities.
- The College hosted the annual Student Art Show, which was on display for the month of May in the Mission Health/A-B Tech Conference Center.
- The College is excited to be hosting a show by local artist Ann Vasilik in August.
- 66 students graduated with an Associate’s Degree in Nursing. Congratulations to Trustee and SGA President Andrea Howell for attaining her Nursing degree.
- 21 students graduated from the Medical Assisting program, and the Emergency Medical Services Program boasts a 100 percent passing rate on the professional licensing exam.
- The Community Colleges of Appalachia presented the “Innovative Workforce Development Award” to The Craft Beverage Institute of the Southeast.
- Congratulations to Dr. Shelley White for completing her doctorate this spring.
- The College made budget presentations to Madison and Buncombe counties. The College asked for and received $183,500 from Madison County and $1.5 million from Buncombe County, in addition to $7.1 million for operations.
- The College has been awarded a “Single Stop” grant. Single Stop connects students with social services, SNAP benefits, tax preparations, legal services, etc., with the intent to help students overcome adversity and increase student retention.
Dr. Parham asked if the College tracked the success of students awarded certificates. Dr. David White replied that the College does follow up with former students with surveys, but unfortunately the response rate is low.
Staff Report
Mr. Scott Douglas updated the Trustees on the following 2016-2019 Strategic Plan Initiatives:
- 3.1.1. – Develop an Information Technology Services Model:
- The College has expertise in network administrators, programmers, analysts, database administrators, service catalogs, service desks, and procedure documentation.
- The College is currently converting all state-required travel documents to online interactive documents to make the process more efficient and to reduce the use of paper.
- 3.1.2. – Connect with the campus community by identifying an Information Technology liaison for each functional unit:
- The College has IT liaisons for all departments, who make sure that everything that is needed to accomplish a project is provided and accessible.
- 3.1.3. – Acquire and/or develop Information Technology management tools to better support student lifecycle management:
- IT focuses on the student in this process, finding out what the student’s goals are, where the student is in the process, and how to improve the student’s experience.
Mr. Michael Carter presented the SNAP to Skills Program to the Trustees:
- The goal of the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) to Skills program is to recruit county residents who are using the SNAP program, into two-year curriculum programs, occupational skills programs, and/or certificate programs at A-B Tech.
- The Program supports participants with small stipends for every four weeks of program engagement and provides resource referrals for common student barriers to success including transportation, finances, and childcare.
- The program connects participants with job prospects and opportunities within their chosen field of study.
- The Program currently serves 75 clients and has served over 100 clients since its inception.
- Success stories include graduates from Nursing Aide, Accounting Fundamentals, and Electronic Medical Health Record programs, who are now all employed!
- The SNAP to Skills program is one of two pilot programs in North Carolina, and moving forward, the Program plans to increase community partnerships and continue to champion the SNAP to Skills recruitment model.
- The Program is also taking over the Job Club Expansion, in an effort to become a micro engine for economic mobility in Buncombe County.
Chair Brumit noted that the SNAP to Skills Program is another good example of how Community Colleges are the gateway to the middle class in our country.
Mr. Ron Layne presented the Academic Success Program to the Trustees.
- 4,500 students are part of the Academic Success Program, which offers the developmental courses needed to get into a college program.
- The Academic Learning Center offers tutoring in math, science, reading, English, chemistry, and physics, and will do all possible to help students be successful.
- Several students spoke to the Trustees regarding their experiences with Academic Success:
- One student immediately felt a sense of community in the Program and believed she had an actual chance to achieve her dreams.
- Another student was embarrassed that she had to take a developmental class. Once entering the classroom, however, she was welcomed by a diverse student body and immediately fit in.
- Finally, Iris Frost, a traumatic brain injury survivor, shared how the Academic Success Program helped her to get her college career on track, and she is now looking forward to continuing college with a four-year degree.
- Mr. Layne mentioned Dr. Locke and his leadership and vision that he had for A-B Tech students. Dr. Locke believed the College is a vast learning community where everyone is welcome and can come to learn.
- Some of Dr. Locke’s mentees are currently employed at the College.
Mr. Layne concluded by saying that the Academic Success Program has seen students go from attaining a high school equivalency degree to enrolling in Yale Law School, and Eastern Carolina Medical University.
SGA Report
President Andrea Howell provided the following report to the Board:
- Ms. Howell thanked the Board for the past year and was very glad to have been part of the Board.
- Ms. Iris Frost was introduced to the Board as the President of the SGA for 2017-2018.
- The SGA had a very successful year and will continue to work on student involvement.
Chair Brumit and the Trustees thanked Ms. Howell for her participation on the Board and wished her well with her new career.
Adjourn
On a motion by Mr. Bell, seconded by Mr. Fryar, the meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m. by unanimous consent.
Respectfully submitted,
Carolyn H. Rice
Board Secretary