November 5, 2012 Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes


The Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College Board of Trustees convened their quarterly meeting on Monday, November 5, 2012, at 3:30 p.m. in Magnolia Dining Room. Richard Hurley, Chair, presided.

The following members of the Board were present: Tom Alexander, Joe Brumit, Mary Ruth Fowler, Bill Hart, Don C. Locke, John Parham, Carol Peterson, Mandy Stone, David Wyatt, Chair Richard Hurley, Vice Chair Ray Spells, and Lin Orndorf, SGA President.

Others present for the meeting included: Hank Dunn, President; Brian Willis, Vice President for Information Technology/CIO; Kaye Waugh, Vice President for Human Resources and Organizational Development; Debby Harmon, Interim Vice President for Student Services; Dennis King, Special Assistant to the President for Accreditation; Shelley White, Senior Executive Director for Economic and Workforce Development/Continuing Education; Melissa Quinley, Vice President for Instructional Services; Sara Smith, Special Assistant to the President; Martha Shanks, Secretary to the Board; Mona Cornwell, Director, Community Relations and Marketing; and Dean Shatley, College attorney.

 

Call To Order

Chair Hurley read the ethics statement; no conflicts of interest were reported. Ms. Shanks called roll. A quorum was present.

Dr. Dunn introduced Brian Clemmons, A-B Tech’s new Financial Aid Director.

 

Consent Agenda

The Board received the Consent Agenda one week prior to the meeting. Mr. Wyatt moved to accept the Consent Agenda items to include: (A) Minutes of the August 6, 2012, Quarterly Board meeting, (B) Minutes of August 27, 2012, Special Called Meeting, (C) Personnel Actions, (D) Budget Resolution Amendment, (E) State Funds Budget Transfers, (F) Schedule of Investments, (G) Approval of New and Revised Policies:

  1. Appropriate Use of College Resources (new),
  2. Conflict of Interest for the Board of Trustees (new),
  3. Educational Attainment,
  4. Employment Categories and Classifications,
  5. Faculty and Staff Credential Requirements,
  6. Faculty Responsibilities and Workload,
  7. General Education Course Criteria (new),
  8. Grants,
  9. Volunteers and Interns (new).

(H) Approval of Policies for Deletion:

  1. Attendance Reports and Class Rolls,
  2. Basic Skills,
  3. Cooperative Education,
  4. Corporate and Economic Development,
  5. Custodial Services and Building Maintenance,
  6. Divisions/Departments/Programs,
  7. Dropping or Withdrawing from a Class,
  8. Faculty Advisor System,
  9. Faculty Office Hours,
  10. Federal and State Surplus Property Purchases,
  11. Graduation Procedures,
  12. Incomplete Grades,
  13. Instructional Assignments,
  14. Job Order Procedures,
  15. Learning Resources Center,
  16. Placement Testing Procedure,
  17. Processing of Class Rolls,
  18. Retirement Eligibility,
  19. Safety,
  20. Student Activities,
  21. Telephone Calls,
  22. Tests and Examinations,
  23. The Retirement System,
  24. Tuition Exemption and Staff Enrollment.

(I) Sheila Tillman trip to India over Winter Holiday with AACC delegation. Mr. Hart seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Dr. Dunn called Trustees’ attention to the last item on the Consent Agenda. Ms. Tillman, Associate Dean of Hospitality Education, is joining a delegation to India on an invitation from AACC to help the country set up culinary arts and hospitality programs in their schools. This invitation came as a result of a recent visit by Dr. Dunn, Ms. Tillman, and Ms. Pennington to AACC in Washington DC.

2. Special Presentation – Sheila Tillman

Ms. Tillman presented an overview of the Craft Beverage Institute of the Southeast, including information on market demand for the program both locally and in nearby regions. No other organization in the Southeast is providing such training; the industry creates jobs, both directly and indirectly. Ms. Stone suggested that Ms. Tillman adds to the presentation that the reason companies choose to come to the regions is due to the community’s ability to put together attractive incentive packages. Ms. Peterson confirmed that other entities in the community are getting on the bandwagon, forming a coop to use by-products of the brewing process. Dr. Dunn relayed that the National Science Foundation under its STEM initiative is very enthusiastic about this endeavor and has potential grants available to help build the program.

 

Resolutions/Action Items

3. A. Upon a motion by Mr. Hart, seconded by Dr. Parham, the Board unanimously approved the new program: Brewing, Distilling, and Fermentation. Dr. Dunn strongly recommended program approval, stating the program has the ability to create as many jobs as the College’s vocational technical training.

3. B. Upon a motion by Mr. Spells, seconded by Ms. Peterson, the Board unanimously approved the new Human Services Certificate. Ms. Quinley, Interim VP for Instructional Services, stated that this is not a college transfer pathway, rather the College has been creating these certificates and is now looking through technical areas to find a good spot. She also stated the only community college in the area offering this certificate is Central Piedmont Community College. Vice Chair Spells stated this is one of the fastest growing areas in the country; diversity and an aging population are creating a demand for this.

3. C. Upon a motion by Ms. Fowler, seconded by Mr. Brumit, the Board unanimously approved the four summer instructional international trips for students. Dr. Dunn stated that these trips are planned in an effort to infuse more globalism into the curriculum. Each November proposed international trips will be brought to the Board in order to give the College time to advertise the trips to students.

3. D. Dr. Parham moved, seconded by Dr. Locke, to approve Resolution Action Item 3.D., Constitutional Change to Article IX: Section 4, Presidential Succession. Dr. Locke questioned if the process would be the same if the circumstance was a temporary disability. Mr. Hart stated he still has concerns about the suggested language. The language doesn’t distinguish between foreseeable and non-foreseeable

situation and deals with both in the same fashion. He stated it diminishes the role of the board and bypasses the Executive Committee, placing the Board in a secondary position.

Mr. Hart made the following substitute motion, seconded by Dr. Locke, citing that Roberts Rules of Order require moving on the secondary motion put forward. “In the event of the President’s sudden and unexpected inability to perform his or her duties, a majority of the Executive Committee is authorized to appoint an Acting President until an Interim President can be named by the Board of Trustees. In all other instances, the Board of Trustees in a called meeting will name an acting President until an Interim President can be named by the Board. The authority of the acting President is limited to the duties necessary for the ongoing operation of the College only. If necessary, due to the temporary inability of a majority of the Executive Committee to act, the Vice President of Finance will serve as the temporary executive to ensure continuous operations of the College with the approval of the Chair and Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees.”

Upon a motion by Ms. Peterson, seconded by Mr. Brumit, the Board unanimously approved tabling the original motion for further review of the issue and bringing the Constitutional change to the next Board meeting in February 2013.

 

Trustee Business

4. A. Mr. Spells, Vice Chair, updated Trustees on issues discussed in monthly Executive Committee meetings, including new and revised policies, policies recommended for deletion, careful monitoring of the SACSCOC reaccreditation efforts, the new A-B Tech southern location in Mars Hill building, enrollment management, the January 17 and 18, 2013 Board advance, and a review of how colleges obtain legal advice. He urged Trustees to spread the word regarding how workforce development works for the community.

4. B. Mr. Wyatt shared an overview of the NCACCT Leadership Seminar held in Asheville in September, stating it was the best attended ever. Both gubernatorial candidates spoke, and Campbell Shatley LLC gave a presentation. Once new and returning political candidates are in office, the Board is encouraged to work with them early and often to promote A-B Tech on local and state levels. Mr. Wyatt relayed that he heard from attendees that perhaps the organization needs to present on topics of more widespread interest, perhaps utilizing a survey to determine topics of interest to trustees.

4. C. Mr. Alexander shared an overview of the 43rd annual ACCT Leadership Congress held in Boston in October and attended by about 2,000 trustees from the United States and Canada. Workshops he attended focused on several things: the Trustee’s role in fundraising for their community college; federal legislative priorities; innovative approaches to partnerships between community colleges and universities. He stated activities that were advocated to be done by community colleges are already being done by A-B Tech, including annual Board retreats, and presidential and board evaluations.

Dr. Locke stated he was pleased with the presentation made by Mr. Wyatt, Dr. Dunn, and Ms. Quinley. Mr. Wyatt stated that Ms. Quinley and Dr. Dunn did a great job with the presentation.

4. D. Chair Hurley drew Trustees’ attention to the listing of 2013 conferences, requesting that Trustees inform Martha Shanks of the conferences they would like to attend by Monday, November 12. Mr. Hurley and Dr. Dunn will then review the attendee list in light of budget constraints.

4. E. Mr. Alexander updated Trustees on the Entrepreneurial Foundation Board’s activities. The Board retained their elected officers for the next year, citing the good work they have been doing and the benefit of continuity going forward. The Entrepreneurial Foundation Board has been working towards a business accelerator as part of the Global Accelerator Network (formerly Tech Stars), which they are hoping to get off the ground Spring of 2013. Mr. Troy Tolle, Chair of the Board, and Mr. Scott Hickman have been raising funds for the accelerator from local investors. Dr. Dunn pointed out that these funds are investments versus donations, and investors anticipate recouping part or all of their funding. The Entrepreneurial Foundation will also benefit from the investments.

4. F. Mr. Spells updated Trustees on the College Foundation Board under the interim leadership of Ms. Sue Olesiuk after the departure of Ms. Sana Efird as director. Ms. Kay Crews, the new Chair of the Foundation Board, is encouraging members to become more involved. A Finance Committee has been established, on which Mr. Brumit and Mr. Spells serve. They will be looking at the investment policy of the Foundation Board. A-B Tech’s Scholarship Luncheon will be held on November 13 at noon at the Crowne Plaza Resort, as it has grown too large to be held on campus. He also encouraged Trustees to donate to the College’s universal campaign.

 

President’s Report

5. Dr. Dunn updated Trustees during his report on the following:

  • Strategic Plan 2012-2013 Update Report: The College works every day to move the plan forward to its goals. Progress on Key Performance Indicators is not where Dr. Dunn wants it to be, particularly in the area of philanthropic dollars coming to the College. He has instructed his Executive Team to use the Strategic Plan as a roadmap and to figure out how to reach the stated goals. The Achieving the Dream coaches just visited, and Coach Martha Romero suggests that the College focus more on the curriculum in next year’s plan.
  • Construction Update: A-B Tech Woodfin is moving forward with occupation anticipated in February or March 2014. The new Health and Workforce Development building planning are in full force, with regular meetings between County and College planners. Occupation is anticipated Spring of 2015.
  • SACSCOC Update: The College is living the SACSCOC lifestyle and will continue after the reaccreditation report is submitted. Dr. King shared that approximately 75 of the 89 essays required for the report are drafted, and the College is on target to turn out a good report. A SACSCOC reviewer is visiting in January to go over the report and make recommendations as needed.
  • The 2011-2012 Financial Statement Report is included in the packet for informational purposes and does not require a vote by the Board. Mr. McKinney reported an important item in the report is the ding of $1.7 million due to the reconstruction of the Hemlock building after the removal of lead contamination.

 

Student Presentation - Peggy Bulla: Job Board

Ms. Bulla, Career Counselor shared information regarding the 2012 Job Board, a new posting service for employers and job seekers. The site is easy to use, with a one-time setup of the user’s account. It links back to the career development services workshop page where students can schedule classes. Initially, the Job Board was just for curriculum students and local employers; about four weeks ago it was opened to the general public and continuing education students. Calls from local employers show they are delighted with the service and looking forward to having more A-B Tech students apply for their posted jobs.

 

Staff Presentation – Laura Pennington: Grants Overview Presentation

Ms. Pennington, Grant Writer, has been working to set the foundation for grants applications for now and into the future, creating a strategic and flexible system. The Grants policy approved by the Board at this meeting is part of the strategic guidance for the process. She is closely coordinating the efforts of the College’s local and federal consultants, focusing all resources on decided goals. Grants writing training will be offered to build the capacity internally to build more and more grants and remove the mystery and fear of the process. She is also working to strengthen the post-award process once a grant is awarded.

 

Reports And Information

A written report from each Vice President/Senior Executive Director on his/her respective division was sent to the Trustees prior to the meeting. Trustees found the reports very informative and had no questions. Chair Hurley thanked the Executive Leadership team for their work.

6. Orndorf, SGA President, shared SGA activities over the last quarter:

  • SGA is busy getting students engaged in voting,
  • SGA helped plan and run the Fall Festival,
  • Volunteers helped staff the College Open House and Wellness Fair,
  • SGA is recruiting students to help with the Scholarship Luncheon on November 13,
  • They are reviving a Campus Clean event this year,
  • They have created less formal clubs under SGA on campus to encourage more student participation,
  • They helped with the fundraising costume party for children on Halloween.

 

Adjourn

Upon a motion by Dr. Locke, seconded by Ms. Fowler, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn at 5:22 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Martha L. Shanks
Board Secretary