October 9, 2017 Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes


The Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College Board of Trustees convened a meeting on Monday, October 9, 2017, at 3:30 p.m. in the Magnolia Building. Mary Ann Rice, Chair, presided.

The following members of the Board were present: Bruce Briggs, Wayne Brigman, Joe Brumit, Ron Edgerton, Mike Fryar, Matt Kern, Roger Metcalf, Keynon Lake, 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; David White, Executive Director of Research and Planning; 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 Mary Ann Rice read the ethics statement. No conflicts of interest were reported. Ms. C. Rice called the roll. A quorum was present.

 

Swearing-In

At 3:35 p.m., Mr. Ron Edgerton, Mr. Keynon Lake, Mr. Wayne Brigman, and Student Government Association President Iris Frost were sworn in en masse as Trustees of A-B Tech Community College, by the Honorable Alan Z. Thornburg, Senior Resident Superior Court Judge.

 

Consent Agenda

Mr. Brumit moved to approve the Consent Agenda items: 1. A. Minutes of August 7, 2017; 1.B. Executive Committee Minutes of September 19, 2017; 1. C. Personnel Actions; 1.D. A-B Tech Community College Foundation Financial Statements for Years Ended June 30, 2015, and June 30, 2016; and 1.E. Approval of New and Revised Policies.

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

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

 

Resolution/Action Items

2. A. Dr. King read the Resolution of Appreciation requesting that the Board of Trustees awarded an honorary degree of Associate of Applied Science in College Management to Mr. Joe C. Brumit, II, in recognition of his years of service as Board Chair for A-B Tech Community College.

On a motion by Mr. Kern, seconded by Mr. Murdock, the Joe C. Brumit, II Honorary Degree Resolution was approved by unanimous consent.

Chair Rice and Dr. King presented Mr. Brumit a framed Resolution of Appreciation and a framed Honorary Degree of Associate of Applied Science in College Management in appreciation for his work on behalf of the A-B Tech Board of Trustees.

Mr. Brumit stated that A-B Tech will always have a place in his heart, that he was happy to serve as the Board Chair, and is very honored by the Resolution, and to be the recipient of an Honorary Degree.

2.B. to A-B Tech by naming the Lecture Hall on the third floor of the Ferguson Allied Health and Workforce Development Building, the Lori A. Tapp, DVM Lecture Hall.

On a motion by Mr. Fryar, seconded by Mr. Brigman, the Resolution of Appreciation for Dr. Lori A. Tapp was approved by unanimous consent.

2.C. Dr. King discussed the Haynes Building Resolution with the Board. The Haynes Building, previously located A-B Tech Enka, was closed due to budget constraints. The Trustees then agreed to rename the Rhododendron Building the Haynes Building; however, the Rhododendron Building was demolished to make way for a newer facility. Buncombe County is not funding any new buildings on the A-B Tech Asheville Campus in the near future. The Faculty Association met and suggested that the current Balsam Building be renamed the Haynes Building.

On a motion by Dr. Parham, seconded by Mr. Brigman, the Harvey L. Haynes Building Resolution was approved by unanimous consent.

2.D. Dr. Dirk Wilmoth discussed the 2016-2017 Budget Approval Resolution with the Board. Dr. Wilmoth explained that the College’s budget is composed of multiple parts, including funding streams from the State of North Carolina, Buncombe County, and Madison County. The Budget was constructed in alignment with the College’s Strategic Plan.

On a motion by Mr. Brumit, seconded by Mr. Murdock, the 2016-2017 Budget Approval Resolution was approved by unanimous consent.

2.E. Mr. Chris Campbell discussed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Buncombe County Regarding Capital Improvement Projects with the Board. Mr. Campbell explained that after the passage of the quarter-cent sales tax referendum in 2013, the General Assembly passed a special act to allow Buncombe County to build on the A-B Tech Asheville Campus using county funds without going to the North Carolina Community College State Board for approval. The County is currently working with the College regarding ongoing maintenance needs. In A-B Tech’s Ten-Year Capital Improvement Plan, a list of buildings and their maintenance needs was developed. Buncombe County is using the Capital Improvement Plan as a guide for needed maintenance and repair work on the A-B Tech Asheville Campus.

The Executive Committee met on September 19, 2017, and agreed that because the College currently does not have a construction manager or an architect on staff, it would be beneficial for the County to provide all capital improvement services for the College. The MOU applies to repairs on campus buildings located in Buncombe County only.

On a motion by Dr. Metcalf, seconded by Mr. Kern, the Memorandum of Understanding with Buncombe County Regarding Capital Improvement Projects was approved by unanimous consent.

2. F. Mr. Chris Campbell discussed the Enka Property Lease Extension Agreement with the BASF Corporation with the Board. BASF donated 30.37 acres of land and leased an additional 13.68 acres to the College for the College to use in Enka. The College owns the building on the 13.68-acre plot; however, due to potential environmental issues, the College does not own the ground beneath the building. In an effort to make the sale or lease of the Enka property more appealing to an outside investor, the College is seeking to extend the leased 13.68-acre parcel for an additional 50 years, which will extend the lease to the year 2100.

Mr. Campbell further stated that the lease is the only thing the College has in writing regarding the Enka property and that BASF donated the entire parcel to the College with the understanding that after the environmental issues were resolved, the final 13.36 acres would be included in the donation as well.

On a motion by Mr. Brumit, seconded by Mr. Fryar, the Enka Property Lease Extension with BASF was approved by unanimous consent.

2. G. Dr. Beth Stewart described the Summer 2018 Global Education Trips to the Board. The trip to Honduras is an opportunity for Dental Assisting and Hygiene students to assist in providing dental care to impoverished and needy people. The trip to Rome and Florence, Italy is an opportunity for students to experience art and history in two of Italy’s most culturally important cities. All Global Education Trips are chaperoned by faculty, and students are insured for the entirety of the trip.

On a motion by Dr. Metcalf, seconded by Mr. Brigman, the Summer 2018 Global Education Trips were approved by unanimous consent.

 

Trustee Business

3. A. Dr. King informed the Trustees that due to Ms. Mandy Stone’s resignation from the Board, the Executive Committee needed an additional member. At the September 19 Executive Committee meeting, it was recommended that Dr. Metcalf be invited to join the Committee.

Ms. Ramsey made a motion to accept Dr. Metcalf as the newest member of the Executive Committee.

Dr. Parham seconded the motion, which was approved unanimously by the Board.

3. B. Chair Rice asked the Trustees who attended the NCACCT Leadership Seminar in August to update the Board on the Seminar.

Dr. Metcalf informed the Trustees that the lunch with the Governor and the session regarding GE Aviation were very interesting. GE Aviation has partnered with several community colleges in the state.

Mr. Edgerton stated that the Ethics Training was very helpful, and the information on what Henderson County is doing to attract businesses to that area was very interesting.

Mr. Kern agreed that the Seminar was a great experience, and it was wonderful to see how many Trustees are involved and to see everyone working together.

3. C. Chair Rice informed the Trustees that the ACCT National Legislative Summit, in Washington DC, is an excellent event to attend as well, and asked if any Trustees are interested in attending to please let Ms. C. Rice know. Both Dr. King and Chair Rice are attending the Summit.

 

President’s Report

Dr. King shared the following news with the Board:

  • Dr. King read Strategic Plan 1.1.3. to the Board, which states “Fully articulate and enculturate a distinctive student success and institutional service model/culture.” We are talking about making A-B Tech the most invitational, welcoming, and supportive College in the state and nation. We want students to feel welcome here.
  • Thirty-five members of the College met for a retreat to discuss how to acculturate the College to this student success and institutional service model. All employees of the College will take part in an annual Professional Development Day and will focus on this issue.
  • The “Great Colleges to Work For” survey results have led to the resurrection of the President’s Council. The Council is a body of individuals from all areas of the College, who will meet regularly and have open discussions in the spirit of open communication.
  • The College currently has three fundraising campaigns underway: College Advancement, Eblen Charities, and the United Way. Employees are encouraged to donate to one or all three campaigns.
  • Dr. King is chairing a committee for SACSCOC, and is overseeing the fifth-year reports for nine colleges. The final reports will be turned in at the SACSCOC Annual meeting in December.
  • The College has installed a new automated electronic sign in front of the Locke Library. The sign will be used for registration and event information.
  • The Ivy Campaign is in progress. The College has over $104,000 in pledges and donations toward the ultimate renovation funding goal of $500,000.
  • The College is hosting all 58 North Carolina Community College Presidents, as well as members of the North Carolina System Office the last week of October. This is an honor for A-B Tech and is an excellent opportunity to show off our College!
  • Monies from the Mission Health naming opportunity will be used to fund a new roof for the Smith McDowell House.
  • The College had Buncombe, Madison, and Asheville high school principals and guidance counselors on campus for a tour and discussion on various ways to collaborate with the College. Out of 7,200 registered students, 1,700 of them are dual enrolled high school students.
  • Autumn in Asheville is happening on October 19. This is a wonderful event that raises funds for scholarships for our students. Please contact Susan Haldane in the College Advancement Office for information.

 

Staff Reports

5. A. Dr. David White updated the Board on the following accomplishments from the 2016-2019 Strategic Plan:

  • 1.1.3. Fully articulate and enculturate a distinctive student success and institutional service model/culture:
    • The College reconstituted the Invitational Education Committee as the Invitational Culture and Welcome Committee.
    • Professional Development Day will be dedicated to the invitational topic.
    • This initiative is ongoing.
  • 1.1.5. Develop and implement an ADA compliance/accessibility plan:
    • The College is in the process of updating old documents and creating new documents to be accessible. The first year of this process has been completed.
    • This initiative is ongoing.
  • 1.2.1. Increase the availability of online programs of study:
    • The College has currently nine programs that are 100 percent online.
    • This initiative has been completed.
  • 1.2.2. Identify and implement new career and technical education programs of study and workforce development programs reflecting community economic development initiatives:
    • The College has revised procedures for implementing new programs of study by updating and simplifying them.
    • This initiative has been completed.
  • 1.2.4. Develop, expand, and implement instructional pathways:
    • Over seventeen Pathways were developed for the AA and AS degrees from 2016-2017.
    • This initiative has been completed.
  • 2.1.2. Develop and implement a College Diversity and Inclusion Plan:
    • Crafted the diversity statement: A-B Tech values and respects each person as an individual and is committed to providing a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive environment.”
    • This initiative is an ongoing process.
  • 2.1.4. Enhance employee use of flextime and alternative work schedules:
    • The Board of Trustees approved an Alternative Work Schedule for Staff on April 17, 2017.
    • The Board of Trustees approved a Faculty Alternative Work Schedule on August 7, 2017.
    • This initiative has been completed.
  • 2.1.5. Develop a sustainable professional development funding mechanism for faculty and staff:
    • The Ferguson Endowment has funded faculty development and a refocused mini-grant program for staff use only.
    • This initiative is ongoing.
  • 2.2.1. Develop and Implement a Business Continuity Plan:
    • The College is in the process of developing the Plan.
  • 2.3.1. Enhance campus safety and security awareness for employees and students:
    • The College has hired more police officers.
    • The College is creating an active shooter video that will be required to be shown to every class.
    • This initiative is ongoing.
  • 2.3.3. Enhance vehicular and pedestrian traffic flow:
    • The College has installed a traffic light and crosswalks at Victoria and Fernihurst Roads.
    • The College has expanded parking and adjusted traffic flow in three areas to improve vehicular and pedestrian safety.
    • This initiative has been completed.
  • 2.3.4. Enhance campus safety/security monitoring and communications:
    • Security cameras have been added to the Magnolia parking lot.
    • A card swipe system has been installed on the Magnolia building.
    • The emergency software has been updated.
    • This initiative is ongoing.
  • 2.4.1. Conduct an assessment of the advancement function of the College:
    • An assessment was conducted and a three-year plan was created.
    • This initiative has been completed.
  • 3.1.1. Develop an IT services model that defines expectations and deliverables and establishes a framework for project management, budgeting, life-cycle management, and feedback from the campus community:
    • The IT Services Management phases and model have been defined.
    • This initiative is ongoing.
  • 4.1.1. Work with local businesses and industry to expand work-based learning opportunities (workplace shadowing, internships, pre-apprenticeships, registered apprenticeships, etc.):
    • The College works with local businesses by adding new industry partnerships and new programs.
    • This initiative is ongoing.
  • 4.3.1. Further, develop and implement integrated communication and marketing plan designed to guide accessible, targeted, timely, and compelling messaging that will impact awareness, enrollment, support, and advocacy for the College:
    • Visits to the Colleges website have increased from 355,331 in July 2016 to 1,334,689 in July 2017.
    • This initiative is ongoing.
  • 4.4.2. Increase the frequency of College listening sessions:
    • The College has conducted approximately twenty listening sessions.
    • This initiative is ongoing.

Dr. King thanked Dr. White and stated that the College is committed to the Strategic Plan. The Annual Report also details the successes and challenges that the College has had as well.

5. B. Dr. David White then shared the results of the Great Colleges to Work For Survey with the Board. This is the first climate survey done at the College since 1994, and approximately 100 Colleges across the nation participated. The Survey is designed to find out what the College employees think about upper management and their performance.

53 percent of employees responded to the Survey, which consisted of 60 questions on topics such as job satisfaction, teaching environment, professional development, shared governance, pride, communication, collaboration, and respect and appreciation.

The Survey results showed that pride and job satisfaction were among the top few items that employees are happy with. The Survey also showed that senior leadership needed to improve on shared governance and communication.

Dr. White stated that the College is focusing on shared governance and communication as areas of improvement. Several listening sessions have occurred, the President’s Council will meet in late October, and the Presidents of both the Staff and Faculty Associations will attend an executive leadership team meeting once per semester to share any concerns from faculty and staff.

  1. The goal of the Pathways Project is to improve rates of college completion, transfer, and attainment of jobs with value in the labor market, and to achieve equity in those outcomes.

The Pathways Project provides:

  • A clear path for students to follow in order to graduate.
  • The guidance that the student needs to follow the path.
  • Improved retention and completion of gateway courses.
  • Increased graduation rates.
  • Reduced time to graduation.
  • Financial Aid savings by graduating from A-B Tech in two years.
  • A clear and detailed description of exactly which courses are needed to attain a degree.
  • The most popular Pathways are in Business, General Education, Biology, Psychology, and Chemistry.
  • The Pathways Project has seen an increase in enrollment of first-year course offerings.
  • Allowing students to change their major without getting off track for graduation.
  • The goal is to have all new College students enrolled in a pathway program.
  • A-B Tech’s Pathways Project has received both local and national attention for our successes!

Ms. Ramsey commended Dr. Stewart on an excellent project.

Dr. King added that Dr. Stewart has solved a major problem for our students. Most importantly, Pathways students are ready and prepared to start their junior year at a four-year university.

Dr. King stated that in lieu of the late hour, Dr. Brasier would present an update on Fall 2016 and 2017 8th Day Student Demographics at the December Board Meeting.

 

SGA Report

Ms. Iris Frost stated that the Student Government Association (SGA) had finished most of its planned events for the fall semester. The Holiday Party for children is one that we all look forward to and should be very successful. Members of the SGA met with the Faculty Association, organized voter registration drives, and will attend Professional Development Day for the first time along with employees of the College.

The SGA is also focusing on sustainability concerns, by eliminating the use of plastic water bottles and going back to water coolers for events. We continue to seek areas for improvement regarding sustainability and waste.

Finally, the SGA has been working with Dr. Stewart and is hoping to expand student access to tutors, as the SGA has recently been given a classroom to use as a study hall.

Chair Rice thanked Ms. Frost for an excellent update and mentioned several upcoming dates that the Trustees need to be aware of. Chair Rice then congratulated Mr. Murdock on the publication of and the upcoming signing event for his new book called “Find your Own Calcutta.” Find your own Calcutta features Mr. Brumit and others who serve our community and describes how the paths they started on ended up so differently.

 

Handouts

7. Chair Rice asked the Board to review the Annual Report and the 2016-2019 Tracking Measures Score Card Update, located in the handouts.

 

Adjourn

On a motion by Mr. Brigman, seconded by Mr. Kern, the meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m. by unanimous consent.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Carolyn H. Rice
Board Secretary