August 17, 2020 at 6:30 PM - Regular Meeting

1. Roll Call
 

2. Invocation
 

3. Approval of Minutes
 

4. Communications
 

5. Audience to Patrons and Petitions
 

6. Information Items
 

6.A. Enrollment Reports
 

6.A.1. Credit Students. The Registrar's Office reports the attached headcount/contact hour enrollment for the Summer II 2020 semester.
 

6.A.2. Dual Credit and Concurrent Enrollment Report. The Registrar’s Office reports the attached dual credit and concurrent enrollment for the Summer II 2020 semester.
 

6.A.3. Community Education Courses. The Director, Community Education, reports the attached enrollment and participant hours for the months of June and July 2016-2020.
 

6.A.4. Center for Business/Industry Training. The Director, Center for Business/Industry Training, reports the attached enrollment and participant hours for the months of June and July 2016-2020.
 

6.B. Report of Taxes Collected. Attached are the reports of taxes collected for the months of June and July 2020.
 

6.C. Report of Unfilled Positions. The Vice President, Human Resources, provides the attached report on vacant positions that are currently being advertised.
 

6.D. Resignations and Retirements. Pursuant to Board Policy DMD (LOCAL), the President has accepted the written notice of resignation from the following contract employees:  

1.  Ms. Haley Ruthstrom, Director of Major Gifts, submitted her resignation, effective July 13, 2020.

2.  Mr. Zachary Christman, Grant Writer, submitted his resignation, effective July 16, 2020. 
 

6.E. New Teachers for Community Education Programs. There are no new teachers to report for the Community Education Department for the months of June and July 2020.
 

6.F. Fund Development Report. The Vice President, College Advancement, provides the attached report on fund development activities of the Brazosport College Foundation for the months of June, July and August 2020.
 

6.G. Board Focus Report. The Vice President, College Advancement, provides the Board Focus Report for the second quarter of 2020.  The report is a summary of Regent Visibility activities from January 1, 2020 through June 30, 2020.
 

6.H. Department of Education Grants. Attached are two memos providing information on two new grants the College has been awarded for 2020-2021.
 

6.I. Budget for Adult Education and Literacy Program. The Director, Business Services, provides the attached communication regarding notification from the Houston-Galveston Area Council of funding for the 2020-2021 Adult Education and Literacy Program in the amount of $650,000.

The President, under authority granted by the Board, has approved this recommendation.
 

6.J. Adjunct Faculty for Summer II 2020. The Vice President, Academic & Student Affairs, recommends approval of adjunct teachers in the attached memo for 2020 Summer II semester credit courses. Each of the teachers is qualified in the area of assignment.
 

6.K. The Clarion at Brazosport College Annual Report 2019-2020. Attached is the 2019-2020 Annual Report of The Clarion at Brazosport College from Vorin Dornan, Administrator.
 

6.L. ACE it Update. The Vice President, Academic & Student Affairs, provides the attached update on the College’s ACE it efforts.
 

6.M. Fall 2020 Convocation Update. Fall 2020 Convocation Week will be held August 17-21, 2020. In addition to faculty and staff assessment days, a robust set of professional development programs will be provided, focused on creating strong learner-centered environments in and outside of the classroom.
 

6.N. Action Taken Under COVID-19 Board Resolution. In accordance with the COVID-19 Resolution passed at the April Board Meeting, the following action was taken during the period of June 5, 2020 through August 6, 2020 by Dr. Valek pursuant to the authority granted by the Resolution and was reported to the Board Chair on August 6, 2020:

1.  Entered into a MOU with BakerRipley for an integrated education and training program to provide 10 students with Craft Math and on the job Pipefitting Training.  Students will be hired by S&B Engineers & Constructors, LTD with a starting pay of $16 per hour.  Upon completion of the program, the students could make as much as $20 per hour with a Level 1 NCCER Certificate.
 

6.O. ADN Pinning Ceremony Update. A virtual ceremony is being considered for the graduates that complete in December. May graduates will also be extended an invitation if they wish to participate in a virtual pinning ceremony in their honor as well.
 

6.P. Law Enforcement Academy Graduation Update. No college sanctioned events were held due to restrictions related to COVID-19. Students participated in their own privately organized celebrations with their family and friends.
 

6.Q. President's Reception and Opening Concert. Due to COVID-19, the President’s Reception and Opening Concert for The Clarion at Brazosport College has been postponed.  The 2020-2021 Clarion Guest Artist Series is scheduled for a Spring 2021 Concert Series.  The performance line-up will be announced in the months ahead.
 

6.R. ACCT Leadership Congress 2020. The 2020 ACCT Annual Leadership Congress will be held online as a virtual event in consideration of members’ well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Each day from October 5-8, the ACCT Leadership Congress will convene 15 concurrent educational expert-led and ACCT member-led sessions and a general session keynote address.  Members of the Board of Regents are encouraged to participate in the virtual conference with Dr. Millicent Valek, President. Registrations for the conference are to be made through Kasie Guthrie, Executive Assistant to the President, no later than Tuesday, September 1, 2020. More information on the ACCT Leadership Conference can be found at: https://www.congress.acct.org/.
 

6.S. BC Foundation Gator Classic. Due to COVID-19, the Brazosport College Foundation Gator Classic presented by Freeport LNG has been postponed.  The two-day event is rescheduled for October 29-30, 2020. The Blue Jacket Social will be held Thursday, October 29, 2020 at the Dow Academic Center at Brazosport College from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.  The Golf Tournament will be held Friday, October 30, 2020 at the Wilderness Golf Course.
 

6.T. Policy Review. At the Board Workshop on February 13-14, 2009, Regents initiated a systematic review of Board policy.  It was suggested that a number of Board policies be included for review as part of each monthly agenda.  Questions regarding the referenced policy may be addressed to the President prior to the meeting for clarification and/or discussion.

The attached policy DGD (LOCAL) regarding Employee Rights and Privileges - Employee Use of College District Facilities can be found at: https://pol.tasb.org/Policy/Download/215?filename=DGD(LOCAL).pdf.
 

6.U. Brazosport College Calendar. The Brazosport College Calendar for August 17, 2020 through October 19, 2020 is attached.
 

7. Reports/Presentations
 

7.A. President's Report.
-College Update
-Regents' Visibility
 

8. New Business
 

8.A. Lincoln Electric Vendor Approval. Attached is a memo requesting Board approval in accordance with Board Policy CF (LOCAL) for welding simulator purchases made for over $100,000 through Lincoln Electric.

It would be appropriate for the Board to approve these purchases.
 

8.B. Board Evaluation of Investment Advisor. A provision in the Endowment Policy requires that the investment advisor be evaluated by the Board annually.  Included is the evaluation of the investment advisor.  

It would be appropriate for the Board to approve the evaluation of the investment advisor.
 

8.C. President's Leadership Goals for 2020-2021. The Board of Regents requested the President establish goals for 2020-2021 based on Vision 2025 and current college initiatives. The two goals are focused on Student Success and College Sustainability.  The accomplishment of these goals will be incorporated in the review of Vision 2025 and the President’s evaluation. 

The President recommends approval of these leadership goals.
 

8.D. Adoption of 2020-2021 Budget. A public hearing on the proposed budget was held on August 3, 2020.  The proposed budget is attached.

It would be appropriate for the Board to adopt the 2020-2021 budget.
 

8.E. Record Vote to Propose Tax Rate. It would be appropriate for the Board to propose this year's No New Revenue Tax Rate (Effective Tax Rate) of $.297866, which is a tax decrease of 0.77% as compared to last year's tax rate, to be adopted at a future meeting.
 

8.F. Cancel Scheduled Hearings. Since the proposed 2020-2021 budget will not require adoption of a tax rate that exceeds the no new tax (effective) rate, no public hearings are required.  Two public hearings had been previously scheduled for August 17, 2020 and September 8, 2020.

It would be appropriate for the Board to cancel the August 17, 2020 and September 8, 2020 public hearings.
 

8.G. Holding Public Board Meetings.  State law requires that Board Meetings be held in accordance with Open Meeting Laws.  On March 16, 2020, Governor Abbott granted a request from Attorney General Ken Paxton to temporarily suspend a limited number of open meetings laws to the extent necessary to allow telephonic or videoconference meetings to avoid congregate settings in physical locations in response to the Coronavirus disaster.  According to the Governor’s statement, if public officials are not holding a telephonic or videoconference meeting, all open meeting requirements apply.  Brazosport College has been conducting Board videoconference meetings since the Governor suspended certain provisions of the Open Meetings Act. 

It would be appropriate for the Board to discuss whether it wants to continue to conduct its meetings by videoconference.
 

8.H. Personnel.
 

8.H.1. Employment of Mr. Kenan Caymaz as Physics Faculty. Included in the agenda is a communication from the Vice President, Academic & Student Affairs, recommending the employment of Mr. Kenan Caymaz as Physics Faculty for the 2020-2021 academic year. A biographical summary and position notice are also included.

The President joins in this recommendation. It would be appropriate for the Board to approve the contract for the period and conditions identified.
 

8.H.2. Employment of Ms. Savannah Wiggins as Shared Counselor for Brazosport College, Columbia-Brazoria ISD, and Sweeny ISD. Included in the agenda is a communication from the Vice President, Academic & Student Affairs, recommending the employment of Ms. Savannah Wiggins as Shared Counselor for the remainder of the 2019-2020 academic year and the 2020-2021 academic year. A biographical summary and position notice are also included.

The President joins in this recommendation. It would be appropriate for the Board to approve the contract for the period and conditions identified.
 

8.I. Financial Report. Attached is the financial report for July 2020. 

It is recommended that the Board accept the financial report.