December 12, 2023 at 12:30 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. Report of Unfilled Positions.  The Vice President, Human Resources, provides the attached report on vacant positions that are currently being advertised.
 

6.B. New Teachers for Community Education Program. The Director, Community Education, provides the attached communication reporting on one new teacher for the Community Education Program for the month of November 2023.
 

6.C. Fund Development Report.  The Vice President, College Advancement & Enrollment, provides the attached report on fund development activities of the Brazosport College Foundation for December 2023 and January 2024.
 

6.D. Guided Pathways Update.  The Interim Vice President, Academic and Student Affairs and Pathways lead, provides the attached update on Brazosport College’s Guided Pathways work.
 

6.E. Community Development Block Grant Budget.  The Interim Vice President, Financial Services & CFO, provides the attached communication reporting on a notification from Brazoria County that Brazosport College has received approval for the Community Development Block Grant for 2023 – 2024, in the amount of $14,000 for Community Education workforce program scholarships.

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

6.F. TCA Arts Create Operational Support Grant Budget.  The Interim Vice President, Financial Services & CFO, provides the attached communication reporting on a notification from Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA) that Brazosport College has received approval for the TCA Arts Create Operational Support Grant for 2023 – 2024, in the amount of $6,000.

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

6.G. Annual Employee Development Center Report. The Director, Employee Development Center (EDC), provides the attached update on activities for the past year. 
 

6.H. Annual Energy Report.  The Vice President, Human Resources, provides the attached energy report for FY 2023.
 

6.I. LVN Pinning Ceremony.  The LVN Pinning Ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday, December 12, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. in the Clarion. The public is invited to attend.
 

6.J. Law Enforcement Graduation.  The Law Enforcement Academy Graduation will be held on Friday, December 15, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. in Gator Hall. The public is invited to attend.
 

6.K. January 2024 Board Meeting. The January 2024 meeting of the Board of Regents is set for Tuesday, January 16, 2024, due to a college holiday on Monday.
 

6.L. 2024 Counselor Administrator Dinner. The annual Counselor/Administrator Dinner is scheduled for Thursday, February 29, 2024, at 6:00 p.m., at the Dow Academic Center at Brazosport College.  Members of the Board of Regents are invited to attend.
 

6.M. 2024 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 2024 Board Workshop is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, February 2 – 3, 2024. Professional Development workshop sessions will take place on Friday from 11:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. A Special Board Meeting will be held on Saturday morning beginning at 8:30 a.m. The Board meeting will provide an opportunity to review the College’s ten-year financial outlook and consider updates to the Strategic Plan Vision 2025. These workshop sessions will be held in-person at the Corporate Learning Center at Brazosport College.
 

6.N. 2024 Board of Trustees Institute. The 2024 Board of Trustee Institute (BOTI), as part of the Texas Success Center, has been set for Tuesday, February 27, 2024, and Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at the Lakeway Resort in Lake Way, TX. Two members of the Board of Regents are invited to attend in addition to Dr. Vincent Solis, President. Reservations are to be made through Annaliza Gideon, Executive Assistant to the President.
 

6.O. 2024 Career Fair.  Brazosport College will host its 30th annual Career Fair on Thursday, April 4, 2024. The event serves approximately 1,700 juniors from the Angleton, Brazosport, Columbia-Brazoria, Danbury, and Sweeny Independent School Districts. Angleton Christian School, Brazosport Christian School, and Foundation Preparatory Academy students will also participate. Students will participate in two educational sessions on specific career areas, one skill-building session, and a vendor fair where students can engage with over 50 community partners. Various activities 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.P. Commencement 2024. Commencement exercises for the 2023-2024 academic year are scheduled for Saturday, May 11, 2024, in 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.
 

6.Q. Annual Confirmation of Regent Training.  All regents have met legal requirements for Training in Open Government Training – Open Meeting Act, Public Information Act, Protecting Public Funds, Cybersecurity, and THECB Governing Board Training.
 

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 policies FF (LEGAL), FFAA (LEGAL), FFAC (LOCAL), FFC  (LEGAL), and FFCA (LEGAL) can be found at:
https://pol.tasb.org/PolicyOnline?key=215
 

6.S. Brazosport College Calendar.  The Brazosport College Calendar for December 12, 2023 through February 29, 2024 is attached.
 

7. Reports/Presentations
 

7.A. Board Committee Reports. 
     1.)  Finance Committee
 

7.B. President's Report.
     1.)  College Update
     2.)  Regents' Visibility
 

8. Unfinished Business
 

8.A. Proposed Amended Board Policy – DAA (LOCAL) Employment Objectives Equal Employment Opportunity. The Vice President, Human Resources, provides Board Policy DAA (LOCAL) for review. Senate Bill 17 takes effect January 1, 2024. The bill restricts initiatives in institutions of higher education that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, with limited exceptions, to ensure compliance with a court order, state, or federal law.

The bill required institutions of higher education, including community colleges, to adopt policies and procedures for disciplinary action against employees for violations of SB17.

The proposed revisions to DAA (LOCAL) clarify the actions of employees prohibited by SB17, and provides for the application of the college's existing policies and procedures for disciplinary actions for conduct in violation of SB 17.

This proposed policy is presented for second reading and adoption.
 

8.B. Proposed New Board Policy – BI (LOCAL) Delegation of Reporting Authority.  The Vice President, Human Resources, provides Board Policy BI (LOCAL) for review. Under Senate Bill 17, institutions will be required to testify before a standing committee with primary jurisdiction over higher education at a public hearing of the committee regarding the Board's compliance with SB17.

The proposed new Board Policy BI (LOCAL) delegates authority to the President to carry out the requirements for testimony before the legislative standing committee as required by SB 17.

This proposed policy is presented for second reading and adoption.
 

9. New Business
 

9.A. Audit Report. The audit report is provided as an electronic attachment. Kevin Cadenhead, Partner, KM&L, LLC will be present to discuss the audit report and answer questions.

It would be appropriate for the Board to approve the audit 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 the Board’s Attorney

Private consultation with the Board’s legal counsel regarding any item on this meeting agenda, including 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

Consider approval of settlement of faculty member's complaint.