March 21, 2022 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. Community Education Courses. The Director, Community Education, reports the attached enrollment and participation numbers for February 2018-2022.
 

6.A.2. Center for Business/Industry Training. The Director, Center for Business/Industry Training, reports the attached enrollment and participant hours for February 2018-2022.
 

6.B. Report of Taxes Collected. Attached is the report of taxes collected for the month of February 2022.
 

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-level employee:  

Mr. Jerry Martinez, Director, Admissions & Registrar, has submitted his resignation, effective March 25, 2022.
 

6.E. New Teachers for Community Education Program. There are no new teachers to report for the Community Education Department for the month of February 2022.
 

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 February and March 2022.
 

6.G. 2022 Career Fair. Brazosport College will host its annual Career Fair on Tuesday, April 12, 2022. The event serves approximately 1,700 juniors from the Angleton, Brazosport, Columbia-Brazoria, Danbury, and Sweeny Independent School Districts. Homschool students, as well as students from Angleton Christian School, Brazosport Christian School, and Foundation Preparatory Academy will also participate. As in previous years, students will have the opportunity to participate in four educational sessions on specific career areas and general topics. A variety of activities that are designed to provide career and educational information will be provided through this cooperative effort between Brazosport College, the ISDs, business, industry, and civic organizations. We are excited to welcome and host this exciting event again this year.
 

6.H. Gator Grab Auction/Gator Day/Strive2Drive. The annual Gator Grab Auction is scheduled for Thursday, April 14, 2022, from 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. in the MEGlobal Student Pavilion at Brazosport College. The event is to raise funds for scholarships and is held in conjunction with Gator Day which is sponsored by Student Life. The drawing for the Strive2Drive car will be held at 1:00 p.m. as a part of these events. Members of the Board of Regents are invited to attend the events. Lunch is provided.
 

6.I. BC Foundation Gator Classic. The Brazosport College Foundation Gator Classic presented by Freeport LNG will be held April 21st and April 22nd, 2022. The Blue Jacket Social, chaired by Courtney Birdsong, will be held Thursday, April 21st, at the Dow Academic Center at Brazosport College from 6:00-8:00 p.m. The evening is dedicated to celebrating scholarship donors and recipients. Guests attending the Blue Jacket Social will include event sponsors, corporations, individual tournament players, business and community leaders, scholarship donors and Brazosport College scholarship recipients and students. The social will provide fabulous food stations, drinks, a variety of interactive activities and contests. 

The Golf Tournament, chaired by Jay Gibson, will be held Friday, April 22nd, at the Wilderness Golf Course. Registration begins at 6:30 a.m., breakfast served at 6:30 a.m., helicopter ball drop at 7:45 a.m. and an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start. The tournament will begin in a standard scramble format with 144 players. Along the course, players will have an opportunity to participate in a variety of skills challenge holes and enjoy delicious cuisine prepared and served by area corporations. The tournament will conclude with a crawfish boil sponsored by Norrell Construction and the Blue Jacket Awards Presentation in which the winning team is presented blue jackets and thus growing the Blue Jacket Winners Club.
 

6.J. 2022 Distinguished Student Ceremony. Brazosport College annually recognizes up to 20 students who, through a college-wide nomination process, are selected as distinguished students. The 2021-2022 Distinguished Student Awards Ceremony will be held Monday, April 25, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. in The Clarion at Brazosport College.
 

6.K. 2022 Employee Recognition Dinner. The 2022 Employee Recognition Dinner will take place on Friday, April 29, 2022, at 6:30 p.m., at the Corporate Learning Center at Brazosport College and will honor the FY22 service awards recipients. Board of Regent members and their guests are invited to attend the annual event.
 

6.L. Commencement 2022. Commencement exercises for the 2021-2022 academic year are scheduled for Saturday, May 14, 2022, at the Dow Academic Center at Brazosport College. The two ceremonies are scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. The College will host a lunch at Gator Hall for faculty, staff, commencement guests, and board members in between the two ceremonies. 

Dr. Vincent Solis, President, Brazosport College, will serve as the 2022 Commencement speaker.
 

6.M. ADN Pinning Ceremony. The ADN Pinning Ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, May 18, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. in The Clarion at Brazosport College.
 

6.N. Community Education Graduation. Community Education Graduation ceremonies for students completing Adult Education and Literacy and Workforce Programs will be held on Thursday, May 19, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. in The Clarion at Brazosport College.
 

6.O. Law Enforcement Academy Graduation. The Law Enforcement Academy Graduation will be held on Friday, June 3, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. in The Clarion at Brazosport College.
 

6.P. 2022 CCATT Annual Conference. The 2022 Community College Association of Texas Trustees (CCATT) Annual Conference has been set for Thursday, Friday and Saturday, June 9-11, 2022, at the Hyatt Regency – Houston. Members of the Board of Regents are encouraged to attend with Dr. Vincent Solis, President. Registration for the conference is to be made through Kasie Guthrie.
 

6.Q. ACCT Annual Leadership Congress. The 2022 ACCT Annual Leadership Congress is scheduled for October 26-29, 2022 at the Mariott Marquis in New York, New York. The theme of the conference is Community Colleges: Improving the Lives of Entire Families. Members of the Board of Regents are encouraged to attend the conference with Dr. Vincent Solis, President. Registration for the conference is to be made through Kasie Guthrie no later than Monday, August 1, 2022, in order to ensure a lower rate for the conference and hotel. More information on the ACCT Leadership Conference can be found at: https://www.congress.acct.org/.
 

6.R. 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 policy DP (LOCAL) regarding Employee Awards can be found at: https://pol.tasb.org/Policy/Download/215?filename=DP(LOCAL).pdf.
 

6.S. Brazosport College Calendar. The Brazosport College Calendar for March 25, 2022 through May 30, 2022 is attached.
 

7. Reports/Presentations
 

7.A. Instructional Design. Linda McConnell (Director of the Center for Instructional Excellence), Bryan Brown (Title V Grant Coordinator and Instructional Designer), and Jennifer Poland (Instructional Designer) will present on Instructional Design. This presentation is an adaptation of a presentation intended for the February Board Workshop that was canceled due to weather conditions.
 

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

8. Unfinished Business
 

8.A. Proposed Amended Board Policy – CAK (LOCAL) – Appropriations and Revenue Sources – Investments.  The Vice President, Financial Services & CFO, recommends adoption of amended Policy CAK (LOCAL) regarding the College’s investments.  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, new language in blue font, and deleted language in red font with a strike-through.

This proposed amended policy is presented for second reading and adoption.
 

8.B. Proposed Amended Board Policy – DEC (LOCAL) – Compensation and Benefits – Leaves and Absences.  The Vice President, Human Resources, recommends adoption of amended Policy DEC (LOCAL) regarding employee leaves and absences.  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, new language in blue font, and deleted language in red font with a strike-through.

This proposed amended policy is presented for second reading and adoption.
 

8.C. Proposed Amended Board Policy – DK (LOCAL) – Professional Development. The Vice President, Human Resources, recommends adoption of amended Policy DK (LOCAL) regarding professional development.  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, new language in blue font, and deleted language in red font with a strike-through.

This proposed amended policy is presented for second reading and adoption.
 

8.D. Proposed Amended Board Policy – DMD (LOCAL) – Termination of Employment – Resignation.  The Vice President, Human Resources, recommends adoption of amended Policy DMD (LOCAL) regarding resignations.  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, new language in blue font, and deleted language in blue font with a strike-through.     

This proposed amended policy is presented for second reading and adoption.
 

8.E. Proposed Amended Board Policy – FLB (LOCAL) – Student Rights and Responsibilities – Student Conduct.  The Vice President, Human Resources, recommends adoption of amended Policy FLB (LOCAL) regarding student conduct.  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, new language in blue font, and deleted language in red font with a strike-through.

This proposed amended policy is presented for second reading and adoption.

8.F. Proposed Amended Board Policy – GCB (LOCAL) – Public Information Program – Requests for Information. The Vice President, Human Resources, recommends adoption of amended Policy GCB (LOCAL) regarding requests for public information.  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, new language in blue font, and deleted language in red font with a strike-through.

This proposed amended policy is presented for second reading and adoption.
 

9. New Business
 

9.A. Certification of Unopposed Candidates. Attached is the Certification of Unopposed Candidates certifying there were no other candidates who filed by the deadline of February 18, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. for Positions 7, 8, and 9.

It would be appropriate for the Board to certify the election is unopposed and declare the candidates for Positions 7, 8, and 9 duly elected.
 

9.B. Cancellation of Election. Attached is an Order of Cancellation as provided by Section 2.053 of the Election Code. The Board is authorized to cancel the election for Positions 7, 8, and 9 scheduled for May 7, 2022, since no applications were received for each of the positions scheduled for election as of the February 18, 2022 filing deadline. 

It would be appropriate for the Board to cancel the May 7, 2022 election.
 

9.C. Public Funds Investment Act Review of Investment Policies and Strategies. In accordance with the requirements of the Public Funds Investment Act, Texas Govt Code, §2256.005, the investment policies and strategies for investments must be reviewed and approved not less than annually by the Board.  Board Policy CAK (LOCAL) includes the investment policies and strategies. In addition, the governing body shall designate, by rule, order, ordinance, or resolution, as appropriate, one or more officers or employees of the College to be responsible for the investment of its funds consistent with the investment policies and strategies adopted by the Board. Please find attached, Board Policy CAK (LOCAL), and the Board Resolution.

It would be appropriate for the Board to approve the attached resolution affirming that the Board of Regents reviewed and approved the investment policies of the College as detailed in Board Policy CAK (LOCAL), the investment strategies of the College as detailed in Board Policy CAK (LOCAL), and the reaffirmation of the current investment officers, Lisa Templer, MS, CPA and Ginger Wooster, CPA.
 

9.D. Endowment Investments. The Vice President, Financial Services & CFO, recommends approval to invest a portion of the College's endowment portfolio into the AB Commercial Real Estate (CRE) Private Debt Fund.  As outlined in Board Policy CAK (LOCAL), the range for these alternative investments (diversifiers) is 0% to 12% with the target investment rate being 7%.

It would be appropriate for the Board to approve the investment of a portion of the College's endowment portfolio into the AB Commercial Real Estate (CRE) Private Debt Fund in accordance with Board Policy CAK (LOCAL).
 

9.E. DataVox Purchases.  DataVox is a vendor for information technology (IT) products.  This company (DataVox) serves as a sales agent for larger IT companies that, in many instances, do not sell their products directly to business organizations or institutions of higher education.  As such, when we need specific IT products, we have to use vendors like DataVox to serve in the role of sales agent.  This then allows us to order and procure needed information technology items in a timely manner. Access to a vendor like DataVox also allows for access to their subject matter expertise and consulting. These products in turn allow us to update our IT infrastructure and keep our computer services at peak levels of function and performance. DataVox is also listed as a Department of Information Resources (DIR) vendor, which means we are not required to bid at the local level.

It is important to note that as it relates to some of our IT expenditures, we are a sub-recipient of a grant with Lee College.  This grant was awarded to the college(s) from the Texas Education Coordinating Board (THECB).  The funds to Brazosport College from this grant are in the amount of $254,569 dollars to be used for the IT items needed in this area.  These funds are to be used to enhance the technology we use in our lab spaces so we can deliver the most up-to-date instructional and academic pedagogy in our cyber security and cloud computing programs. These are two new associate degree programs that begin in the fall 2022 session.

$254,569 (available funds from the above-listed grant)                             
$345,431 (difference needed to complete this and other similar projects)     
$600,000 (TOTAL)

If approved by the Board, this will allow for the usage of available grant funds and other budgeted funds to complete DataVox projects.  

It would be appropriate for the Board to approve the use of available grants and budgeted funds in the amount of $600,000.
 

9.F. Texas Reskilling and Upskilling Grant (TRUE).  We have received funding from The Texas Education Coordinating Board for the TRUE initiative in the amount of $105,000 for consulting services related to the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, SAP.  SAP is the ERP system used at Dow, Olin, and other surrounding industries, and we will train our students the basics of SAP.

We advertised and bid the services and received proposals from two (2) vendors, CMH Management LLC, and SMLA.  The committee selected SMLA because of their expertise and experience with SAP. We are asking the Board to approve $105,000 for consulting services with SMLA.

It would be appropriate for the Board to approve SMLA for $105,000.
 

9.G. Interlocal Agreement with TASB Risk Management Fund. Attached is an amended Interlocal Participation Agreement (IPA) between Brazosport College and TASB Risk Management Fund (the Fund) which would replace our current IPA with the Fund regarding the College’s participation in the Fund’s Coverage Programs. A copy of the new IPA is included for review. The Fund is a self-funded risk pool, and the IPA is the agreement through which Fund Members participate in the Fund. The IPA sets out the basic terms, conditions, and requirements of Fund membership.  Through an executed IPA, Fund Members may participate in the various lines of coverage offered by the Fund.

It would be appropriate for the Board to approve the Interlocal Agreement and authorize the President to execute such Agreement.
 

9.H. United Way. In order for Brazosport College to participate in the local United Way campaign, the Board of Regents must exercise its option to do so.  This action provides local boards with the option of choosing not to participate in the State Employee Charitable Campaign (SECC).  Attached is a communication from the Vice President, Human Resources, recommending participation in the United Way of Brazoria County.  

It would be appropriate for the Board to exercise its option not to participate in the SECC for the 2022 campaign and to instead participate in the local United Way 2022-2023 campaign.
 

9.I. Annual Faculty Contracts. Employees listed in the attached communications are recommended for contracts for Academic Year 2022-2023 as follows:
 

9.I.1. The President recommends the individuals listed in the attached communication for one-year contracts from September 1, 2022 to August 31, 2023, and it would be appropriate for the Board to approve the contracts for the period identified.
 

9.I.2. The President recommends the individuals listed in the attached communication for two-year contracts from September 1, 2022 to August 31, 2024, and it would be appropriate for the Board to approve the contracts for the period identified.
 

9.J. Proposed Amended Board Policy – AD (LOCAL) – Educational Role, Mission, Purpose, and Responsibility.  The Vice President, Human Resources, recommends adoption of amended Policy AD (LOCAL) regarding Educational Role, Mission, Purpose, and Responsibility as it comports with the amendments recommended by the Board during the Board Workshop on February 5, 2022. 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, new language in underlined red font, and deleted language in red font with a strike-through.

This proposed amended policy is presented for first reading.
 

9.K. Financial Report. Attached is the financial report for February 2022. 

It would be appropriate for the Board to accept the February 2022 financial statement.
 

10. Executive Session

The President requests an Executive Session as pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.071 and/or 551.074 of the Texas Open Meetings Act, for the following purpose:

For the purpose of considering appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public employee or to hear complaints or charges against a public officer or employee:

A. To discuss a disciplinary matter concerning an employee.
B. To conduct a quarterly evaluation of the President's job performance.

Open Session

Action on Items Discussed in Executive Session

Consideration and action, if any, regarding items discussed in Executive Session (those listed under Executive Session in this notice).