The Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College Board of Trustees convened a meeting on Monday, September 14, 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, Pamela Baldwin, Mike Fryar, Richard Hurley, Don Locke, Roger Metcalf, John Parham, Frances Ramsey, Nathan Ramsey, Mary Ann Rice, Mandy Stone, 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
Judge Calvin Hill swore in Dr. Pamela Baldwin as a new Trustee of A-B Tech Community College at 3:35 p.m.
Consent Agenda
Ms. Stone moved to approve the Consent Agenda: 1. A. Minutes of August 3, 2015; 1. B. Personnel Actions; 1. C. Approval of the 2016-2017 College Calendar, and 1. D. Faculty Trip Abroad, October 2015.
The motion was seconded by Mr. Hurley and was approved unanimously by the Board.
Resolution/Action Items
2. A. Dr. King discussed the 2013-2014 financial statements and audit and informed the Board that the audit found no deficiencies.
On a motion by Dr. Locke, seconded by Mr. Ramsey, the Board unanimously approved the Financial Statements and Audit of 2013-2014 as presented.
2. B. The Corral Easement will allow access for Ms. Corral to cross over approximately eighty feet of A-B Tech property in order to tap into the MSD main sewer line. The easement request requires Board approval as well as the approval of the State Board of Community Colleges, which has been received.
On a motion by Dr. Locke, seconded by Ms. Stone, the Board unanimously approved the Vanessa C. Corral Easement Request Resolution.
2. C. Dr. King discussed the Long Term Property Lease Resolution included in the Board Packet. The College is pursuing an option to lease a piece of property in South Asheville. If the property is deemed appropriate for the College to use, only a lease with an option to purchase will be signed.
The Long Term Property Lease Resolution is for informational purposes only and does not require Board approval.
2. D. Dr. King informed the Board that WNC Aviation requires payment from all students prior to any flight training. The Veterans Administration was delayed in approving the Aviation program so veteran students were unable to meet the tuition obligation in a timely fashion. A-B Tech paid the tuition for all veterans and will be reimbursed by the Veterans Administration when the benefits are released.
On a motion by Mr. Hurley, seconded by Dr. Parham, the Board unanimously approved the Fees for Aviation Program Resolution.
2. E. Dr. King discussed the Use of Facilities procedure which allows outside groups to lease College facilities. The issue of allowing or disallowing certain outside groups to hold meetings on campus was discussed. The final consensus was to allow all groups equal access to leasing College property, as long as all inferences that A-B Tech supports the group is removed from the meeting space.
The Use of Facilities Procedure Resolution is for discussion purposes only and does not require Board approval.
Trustee Business
3. A. Dr. Metcalf, Ms. Myers, and Dr. King attended the NCACCT Conference in Wilmington, N.C. Dr. Metcalf found the conference to be very informative and shared that the main issue discussed was Trustee involvement with the state’s bond issue.
3. B. Chair Brumit suggested to the Board that the October 5, 2015 meeting should be canceled. As the September and October meetings are only two weeks apart, the option of a Special Called meeting is available if an issue arises before November.
On a motion by Mr. Hurley, seconded by Ms. Stone, the Board unanimously approved the cancellation of the October 5, 2015 meeting.
President’s Report
Dr. King shared the following news with the Board:
- The Financial Aid Audit by the government has been finalized and the College has satisfied and paid the $443,000 debt out of self-supporting funds earned during the audited years. The state is responsible for repaying $227,000 of the debt as well. The College has made changes to the Financial Aid software and continues to do everything possible to not repeat this situation.
- A change in the organizational chart has occurred and the Financial Aid office now reports to Dr. Brasier, VP of Student Services.
- The College has nominated Mr. Bill Hart for the I.M. Ready Award, which is the highest award that the system gives to Trustees.
Dr. King informed the Trustees that although the state budget has not been completed, it appears that the budget the College is currently working with is very close to what A-B Tech will receive from the state.
Staff Report
Mr. Cris Harshman shared the following information with the Board on the College’s student printing costs:
- Printing costs were analyzed for the school term of September through August. In 2011-2012, student printing costs were $6463. In 2014-2015, student printing costs were $27,905.
- The College has 78 different models of printers on campus with some models costing as high as $1.85 per side of paper printed.
- The College pays the vendor every time something is sent to a printer.
- Due to College accreditation requirements, some items must be maintained as hard copies for several years.
- The College is focused on controlling costs by:
- Allotting students 100 black and white printed copies per semester at no cost.
- Negotiating aggressive contracts with vendors.
- Purchasing paper in bulk.
- Printing in black and white on both sides of the paper.
- Asking faculty to require less from students on paper and more electronically.
- Allowing students access to multiple computer labs on campus where homework, etc. may be sent to faculty electronically.
- The College is recovering costs by:
- Charging students eight cents per side of printed on paper after reaching their allotment. Research indicates students print 30 percent less when it isn’t free.
- Student ID cards may be used to pay for printing.
- Students can add funds to their printing account instantly with a credit card in two to five dollar increments.
- Funds collected for printing will be used for the printing program.
SGA Report
SGA President Ana Frady informed the Board that the College had a successful fall festival with an excellent turnout. WLOS was on campus and Ms. Frady was interviewed. The College has thirteen chartered clubs, and three new societies, and members of the SGA are going to walk the campus to locate areas of concern that need attention, such as needing sidewalks.
Ms. Frady informed the Board that there will be an SGA meeting held this Wednesday and hopes to gain more members.
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. Dr. Parham seconded the motion which was approved unanimously.
On a motion properly made, the Board returned to open session at 5:00 p.m.
Adjourn
On a motion by Dr. Baldwin, seconded by Ms. Stone, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 5:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carolyn H. Rice
Board Secretary