August 21, 2023 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 Summer I, II, and Fall 2023 semesters.
 

6.A.2. Dual Credit and Concurrent Enrollment Report.  The Registrar’s Office reports the attached dual credit and concurrent enrollment report for the Summer I, II, and Fall 2023 semesters.
 

6.A.3. Community Education Courses.  The Director, Community Education, reports the attached enrollment data for the months of June and July 2019 - 2023.
 

6.A.4. Center for Business/Industry Training.  The Director, Center for Business/Industry Training, reports the attached enrollment data for the months of June and July 2019-2023.
 

6.B. Report of Taxes Collected.  Please find attached the report of taxes collected for June and July 2023.
 

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 18 new teachers for the month of June, and nine new teachers for the month of July for the Community Education Program.
 

6.E. Fund Development Report.  The Vice President, College Advancement & Enrollment, provides the attached report on fund development activities of the Brazosport College Foundation for August 2023.
 

6.F. Board Focus Report.  The Vice President, College Advancement & Enrollment, provides the Board Focus Report for the second quarter of 2023. The report is a summary of Regent Visibility activities from January 1, 2023 – June 30, 2023.
 

6.G. Adjunct Credit Teachers, Summer II 2023.  The Acting Vice President, Academic and Student Affairs, recommends approval of adjunct teachers in the attached memo for 2023 Summer II semester credit courses. Each of the teachers is qualified in the area of assignment.
 

6.H. The Clarion at Brazosport College Annual Report 2022-2023.  Attached is the 2022-2023 Annual Report of The Clarion at Brazosport College.
 

6.I. Fall 2023 Convocation Update.  Brazosport College will conduct Fall Convocation from Monday, August 21 - Tuesday, August 22, 2023.  Convocation will include a Welcome Breakfast, the President's Address, and presentations for faculty and staff.
 

6.J. President’s Reception and Opening Concert.  The President’s Reception and Opening Concert for the Clarion is scheduled for Friday, October 6, 2023. The reception will begin at 6:00 p.m. and will be held in the Corporate Learning Center. The concert, featuring Jewel, will begin at 7:30 p.m. The sponsor for the evening is BASF Corporation. Invitations will be extended to the Board of Regents by mail. 
 

6.K. BC Foundation Scholarship Soiree.  The next biennial Scholarship Soiree “Cirque Du Sioree” will be held on Friday, September 29, 2023, from 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. at the Dow Academic Center. Dow is the presenting sponsor with Fernando and Fernanda Signorini serving as Honorary Chairs. Courtney Birdsong and Natalie Broaddus are the event chairs. The entertainment for the evening will be a combination of Cirque-style acts and a magic show. Invitations were mailed in late June. A copy of the electronic invitation is attached. More information on the 2023 Scholarship Soiree, to reserve your table, or purchase raffle tickets, visit: www.brazosport.edu/soiree 
 

6.L. ACCT Annual Leadership Congress.  The 2023 ACCT Annual Leadership Congress is scheduled for October 9-12, 2023, at the Aria Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The theme of the conference is Building a Legacy: Uplifting Students and Transforming Communities. Cheryl Sellers has confirmed her attendance. If other Regents are interested in attending, reservations are to be made through Annaliza Gideon, Executive Assistant to the President. More information on the ACCT Leadership Conference can be found at: https://www.congress.acct.org/.
 

6.M. Anthology Update.  The Vice President, Industry and Community Resources, provides the attached update on the Student Information System. 
 

6.N. Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) Grant Budget.  Attached is a communication from the Interim Vice President and CFO, Financial Services, reporting on a notification from the Texas Workforce Commission that Brazosport College has received approval for the 2023-2024 Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) Grant Budget in the amount of $314,028.

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

6.O. ComPsych EAP.  ComPsych, an Employee Assistance Program, has been secured through the Human Resources Department. ComPsych provides free 24/7 confidential mental health counseling, work and lifestyle support for child and elder care, financial resources counseling for retirement planning, taxes, budgeting, debt, and legal guidance to all full-time and part-time employees. These services are provided via App, on-line portal and call hotline.  Attached is a flyer with more information.
 

6.P. 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.

The attached policies EGAB (LOCAL), EGB (LOCAL) and EGC (LEGAL) can be found at:
Policy Code EGAB – Grading and Credit: Examinations – Brazosport College Board Policy Manual - Policy Online (tasb.org)
Policy Code EGB – Academic Achievement: Class Rank and Honors – Brazosport College Board Policy Manual - Policy Online (tasb.org)
Policy Code EGC – Academic Achievement: Graduation – Brazosport College Board Policy Manual - Policy Online (tasb.org)
 

6.Q. Brazosport College Calendar.  The Brazosport College Calendar for August 21, 2023 through October 20, 2023 is attached.
 

7. Reports/Presentations
 

7.A. Capital Improvements Priority 1- Roof and Partial HVAC Replacement.  The Vice President, Human Resources, and Director, Facilities will present an update on campus Capital Improvements Priority 1 – Roof and Partial HVAC Replacement.
 

7.B. Campus Master Plan.  The Vice President, Human Resources, and Director, Facilities, will present an update on the Campus Master Plan.
 

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

8. Unfinished Business
 

8.A. Proposed Amended Board Policy – DCB (LOCAL) Employee Practices: Tenure.  The Vice President, Human Resources, recommends adoption of amended Policy DCB (LOCAL) regarding tenure-related requirements for faculty members.  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 underlined red or blue font.

This proposed policy is presented for second reading and adoption.
 

8.B. Proposed Amended Board Policy – DMB (LOCAL) Termination of Employment: Tenure.  The Vice President, Human Resources, recommends adoption of amended Policy DMB (LOCAL) regarding the termination of faculty members with tenure.  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 underlined red or blue font.

This proposed policy is presented for second reading and adoption.
 

9. New Business
 

9.A. Increase in Nursing Adjunct Faculty Hourly Rate.  The Vice President, Human Resources, recommends that the Board increase the VN and ADN adjunct faculty hourly rate to the current market rate of $45 and $48, respectively.  The current hourly rate for nursing adjunct faculty of $39 per hour has been in place since 2017. The hourly rate is the same for Vocational Nursing (VN) and Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) faculty, despite the need for a masters degree for the ADN adjunct faculty position, whereas only an associate’s degree is required for the VN adjunct faculty position.

The President joins in this recommendation. It would be appropriate for the Board to approve the VN and ADN Adjunct Faculty hourly rate increase for FY 2024.
 

9.B. Board Evaluation of Investment Advisor.  A provision in Board Policy CAK (LOCAL) requires the investment advisor be evaluated by the Board annually. Attached is the evaluation of the investment advisor. 

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

9.C. Adoption of 2023-2024 Budget.  A public hearing on the proposed budget was held on August 7, 2023. The proposed 2023-2024 budget is attached.

It would be appropriate for the Board to adopt the 2023-2024 budget.
 

9.D. Record Vote to Propose Tax Rate.  It would be appropriate for the Board to propose the 2023-2024 no new revenue tax rate of $0.264831, which is a tax decrease of 7.37% below last year's tax rate and is scheduled for adoption at the September 18, 2023 Board meeting.

It would be appropriate to take a record vote on the proposed 2023-2024 no new revenue tax rate of $0.264831. Each Board member must state whether they agree or disagree with the proposed no new revenue tax rate.
 

9.E. Vendor Approval – Facility Services.  The Interim Vice President, Financial Services & CFO, and the Director of Facilities, provides the attached communication recommending Board approval of the listed preferred vendors for September 01, 2023 through August 31, 2025, which are anticipated to have goods and/or services purchased for an amount greater than $100,000.  The Interim Vice President, Financial Services & CFO, and President join in this recommendation.

It would be appropriate for the Board to approve the attached Facility Services vendor listing from September 01, 2023 through August 31, 2025.
 

9.F. Vendor Approval – Information Technology.  The Interim Vice President, Financial Services & CFO, and the Director of Information Technology, provides the attached communication recommending Board approval of the listed IT vendors for FY 2024, which are anticipated to have goods and/or services purchased for an amount greater than $100,000.  The Interim Vice President, Financial Services & CFO, and President join in this recommendation.

It would be appropriate for the Board to approve the attached IT vendor listing for FY 2024.
 

9.G. Potential Future Emergency Closures. Policy DEA (LOCAL) states that if “the Board chooses to pay employees during an emergency closure for which the workdays are not scheduled to be made up at a later date, then that authorization shall be by resolution or other Board action and shall reflect the purpose served by the expenditure.”

The Vice President, Human Resources, recommends that the Board pre-authorize that the College pay its full-time, part-time, and student employees who were scheduled to work during any future emergency closure in FY24 that is one week or less in duration, unless any of those days are scheduled to be made up at a later date. Employees should not have to expend leave or go without pay due to the College’s decision to close due to the emergency.

The President joins in this recommendation. It would be appropriate for the Board to pre-approve that the College pay its full-time employees and part-time employees who were scheduled to work but could not due to any future emergency closure in FY24 that is less than one week in duration, unless any of that work time is scheduled to be made up.
 

9.H. Personnel.
 

9.H.1. Employment of Dr. Richard Lightcap - Computer Technology Faculty. Included in the agenda is a communication from the Acting Vice President, Academic & Student Affairs, recommending the employment of Dr. Richard Lightcap as Computer Technology Faculty for the 2023-2024 academic year, with a start date of August 22, 2023.  A biographical summary is 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.H.2. Employment of Melissa Blanks - Transfer Coordinator.   Included in the agenda is a communication from the Acting Vice President, Academic & Student Affairs, recommending the employment of Melissa Blanks as Transfer Coordinator for the 2023-2024 academic year, with a start date of August 22, 2023.  A biographical summary is 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.H.3. Employment of Nabeel Habib - EnrichED Pathways Project Manager.  Included in the agenda is a communication from the Acting Vice President, Academic & Student Affairs, recommending the employment of Nabeel Habib as EnrichED Pathways Project Manager for the 2023-2024 academic year, with a start date of September 1, 2023.  A biographical summary is 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.I. Financial Report.  Attached is the financial report for July 2023. 

It is recommended that the Board accept the financial report.
 

10. Closed Session.  Adjournment to closed session pursuant to the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code Sections 551.071 and 551.074, for the following purposes:

1)    Consultation with Board’s Attorney

Private consultation with the Board’s legal counsel regarding any item on this meeting agenda, personnel matters, and all subjects or matters authorized by law in which the duty of the attorney to the governmental body under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of Texas clearly conflicts with the Open Meetings Act.

2)    Personnel 

Deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of an employee or hear a complaint against an employee.

Consider nonrenewal appeal/grievance of Dr. Shelley Diviney.

Reconvene in Open Session

Action on items discussed in closed session.