October 21, 2024 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 enrollment information for the Fall 2024 semester.
 

6.A.2. Dual Credit and Concurrent Enrollment Report.  The Registrar’s Office reports the attached dual credit and concurrent enrollment report for the Fall 2024 semester. 
 

6.A.3. Community Education Courses.  The Director, Community Education, reports the attached enrollment data for the Community Education Program for the month of September 2020-2024.
 

6.A.4. CB/IT Enrollment Report.  The Director, Center for Business/Industry Training, reports the attached enrollment data for September 2020 - 2024.
 

6.B. Report of Taxes Collected.  Attached is the report of taxes collected for the month of September 2024.
 

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. New Teachers for Community Education Program.  Attached is a communication from the Director, Community Education, reporting on two new teachers for the Community Education Program for the month of September 2024.
 

6.E. Fund Development Report.  The Sr. Vice President, Student Success and Advancement, provides the attached report on fund development activities of the Brazosport College Foundation for October and November 2024.
 

6.F. Board Focus Report.  The Chief of Staff & Board Relations provides the Board Focus report for the 3rd quarter of 2024. The report is a summary of Regent Visibility activities from January 1, 2024 – September 30, 2024.
 

6.G. Student Satisfaction Report.  The Vice President, Academic Affairs and Institutional Effectiveness, and the Office of Planning, Institutional Effectiveness, and Research, provides the attached student satisfaction report for the academic year 2023 – 2024. The report provides data on student satisfaction for credit courses, non-credit courses, and client service satisfaction. 
 

6.H. THECB Accountability Report.  The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board regularly updates its accountability system for Texas institutions of higher education. Attached for the Board's information is the Accountability Report.
 

6.I. Marketing and Communications Annual Report.  The Director, Marketing, Communications, and Recruitment, provides the attached annual report of the Marketing & Communications Department for the fiscal year 2023-2024.
 

6.J. Grant Administration Annual Report.  The Office of Grant Administration provides the attached Annual Report for 2023-2024.
 

6.K. Gator Gallup.  The annual Gator Gallop is scheduled for Saturday, November 2, 2024. This year’s event will feature a Kids Run, beginning at 7:30 a.m., and a 5K run, beginning at 8:00 a.m. Gator Gallop is open to all community members. Registration and information for the race are available at https://runsignup.com/Race/TX/LakeJackson/BrazosportGatorGallop?aflt_token=QZt1KFBDIiIun5smo9vi7y59qq2fNLcB. 
 

6.L. Law Enforcement Academy Graduation.  The LEA Graduation is scheduled for Friday, December 20, 2024, at 6:00 pm,  in Gator Hall at Brazosport College.
 

6.M. LVN Pinning Ceremony.  The LVN pinning ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at 6:00 pm, at the Clarion at Brazosport College.
 

6.N. Foundation Board Annual Holiday Meeting.  The Foundation Board Annual Holiday Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. Board of Regents and their guests are invited to attend. More details to come and invitations to follow. 
 

6.O. January 2025 Board Meeting.  The January 2025 meeting of the Board of Regents is set for Tuesday, January 21, 2025, due to a college holiday on Monday.
 

6.P. Title IX Incident Report. Under the Texas Education Code (TEC), Section 51.253(c), the institution’s Chief Executive Officer is required to submit a report at least once during each fall or spring semester to the institution’s governing body and post on the institution’s internet website a report concerning the reports received by employees under the TEC, Section 51.252, concerning “sexual harassment,” “sexual assault,” “dating violence,” or “stalking” as defined in the TEC, Section 51.251, and any disciplinary actions taken under TEC, Section 51.255.

In compliance with this legislation, the President provides the Title IX Incident Report. 
 

6.Q. Board 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.

Policies GH (LEGAL), GI (LEGAL), GK (LOCAL), and GL (LOCAL) are as follows:

GH (LEGAL) Relations with Schools and Districts
GI (LEGAL) Relations with Other Colleges and Universities
GK (LOCAL) Relations with Educational Accreditation Agencies
GL (LOCAL) Relations with Business and Community
 

6.R. Brazosport College Calendar.  The Brazosport College Calendar for October 25, 2024, through January 3, 2025, is attached.
 

7. Reports/Presentations
 

7.A. Endowment Investment Update.  Mr. Shannon Willems, AB Bernstein, will provide information on the performance and allocation of the College endowment funds. Included is Mr. Willems’ presentation.
 

7.B. AI Taskforce Presentation.  The Vice President, Academic Affairs & Institutional Effectiveness, introduces a presentation on the AI Taskforce.

 

7.C. Board Committee Reports.

1.  Finance Committee 
 

7.D. President's Report.

1.  College Update
2.  Regents' Visibility
 

8. Unfinished Business
 

8.A. Proposed Amended Board Policy - GD (LOCAL) Community Expression and Use of College Facilities. The Vice President, Human Resources, requests the review of amended Policy GD (LOCAL). The revisions to the policy are intended to comply with the Governor’s Executive Order GA-44 on antisemitism. Board policy provides that new or amended policies are to be presented at one meeting and adopted at a subsequent meeting. Attached is a copy of the proposed amended policy with existing policy language appearing as regular text, deleted language appearing in red font with a line through it, and new language in blue font.

This proposed policy is presented for second reading and adoption. 

It would be appropriate for the Board to approve proposed amended Board Policy GD (Local) Community Expression and Use of College Facilities.
 

8.B. Proposed New Board Policy - DGC (LOCAL) Employee Expression in Outdoor Common Areas and Use of College Facilities. The Vice President, Human Resources, requests the review of proposed new Policy DGC (LOCAL). This policy is intended to comply with the Governor’s Executive Order GA-44 on antisemitism. Board policy provides that new or amended policies are to be presented at one meeting and adopted at a subsequent meeting. Attached is a copy of the proposed amended policy with existing policy language appearing as regular text, deleted language appearing in red font with a line through it, and new language in blue font.

This proposed policy is presented for second reading and adoption. 

It would be appropriate for the Board to approve proposed amended Board Policy DCG (LOCAL) Employee Expression in Outdoor Common Areas and Use of College Facilities.
 

9. New Business
 

9.A. Schedule 2025 Board Workshop.  As part of the College’s evolving planning process, the Board meets in an annual workshop to study information, measure progress toward milestones, and discuss future directions. The workshop is proposed for Friday and Saturday, February 7-8, 2025.

It would be appropriate for the Board to set the date for the 2025 Board Workshop.
 

9.B. December 2024 Board Meeting.  The December 2024 meeting of the Board of Regents is proposed for Thursday, December 12, 2024, at 12:30 p.m., preceded by the annual holiday luncheon at 11:30 a.m. in the Corporate Learning Center.

It would be appropriate for the Board to set the date for the December 2024 Board Meeting.
 

9.C. Freeport LNG Train 4 Tax Abatement Modification.  Attached is a letter from Anne-Marie Suire, Director of Tax at Freeport LNG (FLNG) requesting to modify the previously approved Tax Abatement for the train 4 project. The request contains two requested modifications. 

The effective start date of January 1, 2030, instead of the previously amended start date of January 1, 2024, will defer the start date of the abatement for six years. The ten-year abatement request will continue through December 31, 2029 unless construction commences prior to 2029. 

In addition, it is requested to alter Section 4.02 of the Modified Tax Agreement as outlined in the attached letter.

Representatives from FLNG will be presented to provide a background and answer questions. 

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

9.D. Limited Tax Refunding Bonds, Series 2024. Attached is a report from Estrada and Hinojosa Investment Bankers providing a Debt Overview and Refunding Analysis Market Overview for Brazosport College.

It would be appropriate for the Board to consider and approve the Order Authorizing the Issuance, Sale and Delivery of Brazosport College District Limited Tax Refunding Bonds, Series 2024.
 

9.E. Board Policies.
 

9.E.1. Proposed New Board Policy – DECC (LOCAL) Sabbatical Leave.  The Vice President, Human Resources, requests the review of new Policy DECC (LOCAL). This policy establishes a paid leave of absence for faculty for one long semester (fall or spring) at regular salary to permit the faculty member to renew and update their qualifications, improve their skills, engage in creative or scholarly pursuits, improve teaching and learning, or engage in service opportunities in ways that ultimately enhance learning at the college.

Board policy provides that new or amended policies are to be presented at one meeting and adopted at a subsequent meeting.  Attached is a copy of the proposed new policy.     

This proposed policy is presented for first reading.  
 

9.E.2. Proposed Amended Board Policy – DJ (LOCAL) Assignments, Workload and Schedules.  The Vice President, Human Resources, requests the review of amended Policy DJ (LOCAL).  This policy establishes that contractual teaching assignments shall normally not exceed 15 instructional contact hours per week and that a minimum of 35 clock hours per week shall normally be scheduled.  Attached is a copy of the proposed amended policy with existing policy language appearing as regular text, deleted language appearing in red font with a line through it, and new language in blue.

This proposed policy is presented for first reading.  
 

9.E.3. Proposed Amended Board Policy – EGA (LOCAL) Academic Achievement:  Grading and Credit.  The Vice President, Human Resources requests the review of amended Policy EGA (LOCAL).  This policy establishes the procedures for addressing a grade of Incomplete, the process for advising students of their academic status or who are placed on scholastic probation and which administrative executive is responsible for the scholastic suspension process.  Attached is a copy of the proposed amended policy with existing policy language appearing as regular text, deleted language appearing in red font with a line through it, and new language in blue.

This proposed policy is presented for first reading.  
 

9.E.4. Proposed Amended Board Policy – EFB (LOCAL) Curriculum Design: Degrees and Certificates.  The Vice President, Human Resources requests the review of amended Policy EFB (LOCAL).  This policy expands the degree offerings of the college and outlines the general requirements for earning a baccalaureate degree in Applied Sciences and an Associate degree.  The policy also revises the general requirements for earning an Associate degree from the college and eliminates the requirement that an AAS degree students must take at least 50 percent of the sophomore courses in the degree mater at the college.  For certificates, at least 25 percent of course work must be completed at the college to receive a certificate from a terminal program.  Attached is a copy of the proposed amended policy with existing policy language appearing as regular text, deleted language appearing in red font with a line through it, and new language in blue.

This proposed policy is presented for first reading.  
 

9.F. Personnel.
 

9.F.1. Employment of Dr. Shayan Mirabi as Dean, Business Technology and Online Programs. Included in the agenda is a communication from the Vice President, Academic Affairs and Institutional Effectiveness, recommending the employment of Dr. Shayan Mirabi for the position of Dean, Business Technology and Online Programs for the 2024-2025 academic year. A biographical summary is 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.
 

9.G. Financial Report.  The financial statements for September 2024 are attached for your review.

It would be appropriate for the Board to accept the September 2024 financial statements.