March 18, 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.  Due to the mitigation of the Student Information System, Community Education and Center for Business/Industry enrollment reports are not available.  
 

6.B. Report of Taxes Collected.  Taxes collected in February 2024 will be presented at the April 2024 board meeting as the tax office is closed for Texas Independence Day.
 

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 one new teacher for the Community Education Program for the month of February 2024.
 

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

6.F. 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. As in previous years, 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.G. Gator Grab Auction/Gator Day/Strive2Drive Car Giveaway.  The annual Gator Grab Auction is scheduled for Thursday, April 25, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. to 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.H. BC Foundation Gator Classic.  The Brazosport College Foundation Gator Classic, presented by Freeport LNG, will be held Friday, April 19, 2024, at the Wilderness Golf Course. The Gator Classic is co-chaired by Jay Gibson and Courtney Birdsong. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m., helicopter ball drop at 10:45 a.m., and an 11:00 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 activities, enjoy delicious cuisine prepared and served by area corporations, and interact with Brazosport College students. The tournament will conclude with the Blue Jacket Awards Presentation and live musical entertainment.  An electronic invitation is attached.
 

6.I. Distinguished Student Ceremony.  Brazosport College annually recognizes up to 20 students who, through a college-wide nomination process, are selected as distinguished students. The 2023-2024 Distinguished Student Awards Ceremony will be held Monday, April 22, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. in The Clarion at Brazosport College.
 

6.J. 2024 Employee Recognition Dinner.  The 2024 Employee Recognition Dinner will take place on Friday, April 12, 2024, at 6:30 p.m., at the Dow Academic Center and will honor the FY24 service awards recipients. Board of Regent members and their guests are invited to attend the annual event.
 

6.K. 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.L. ADN Pinning Ceremony.  The ADN Pinning Ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, May 9, 2024, at 6 p.m. in the Clarion at Brazosport College. 
 

6.M. Law Enforcement Academy Graduation.  The Law Enforcement Academy Graduation will be held on Friday, May 31, 2024, at 6 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 16, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. in The Clarion at Brazosport College.
 

6.O. 2024 CCATT Annual Conference.  The 2024 Community College Association of Texas Trustees (CCATT) Annual Conference has been set for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, September 12-14, 2024, in Amarillo, Texas, at the Embassy Suites Amarillo Downtown. The theme for the conference is Collaborative Connections: Community College Governance & K-12 Partnerships. Members of the Board of Regents are encouraged to attend with Dr. Vincent Solis, President. Registration for the conference is to be made through Annaliza Gideon, Chief of Staff and Board Relations. More information on the CCATT Annual Conference can be found at: https://tacc.org/ccatt/events/2024-ccatt-annual-conference.
 

6.P. ACCT Leadership Congress.  The 2024 ACCT Annual Leadership Congress is scheduled for October 23-26, 2024, at the Arch/Washington State Convention Center in Seattle, Washington. The theme for the conference is Community Colleges as Catalysts: Cultivating Skills for the Future. 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 Annaliza Gideon, Chief of Staff and Board Relations. 
 

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.

The attached policies FL (LOCAL), FLA (LOCAL), FLAA (LOCAL), FLB (LOCAL), FLBA (LEGAL) are as follows:

Policy Code FL (LOCAL) Student Rights
Policy Code FLA (LOCAL) Student Rights and Responsibilities: Student Expression and Use of College Faculties
Policy Code FLAA (LOCAL) Student Expression: Use of College District Faculties
Policy Code FLB (LOCAL) Student Rights and Responsibilities: Student Conduct
Policy Code FLBA (LEGAL) Student Conduct: Student Dress
 

6.R. Brazosport College Calendar.  The Brazosport College Calendar for March 22, 2024 through May 31, 2024 is attached.
 

7. Reports/Presentations
 

7.A. President's Report.

1.) College Update
2.) Regents' Visibility
 

7.B. Board Committee Reports.

1.)  Finance Committee Report
 

8. New Business
 

8.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 16, 2024, at 5:00 P.M. for Positions 8, 1, 2, and 3.

It would be appropriate for the Board to certify the election is unopposed and declare the candidates for Positions 8, 1, 2, and 3 elected.
 

8.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 8, 1, 2, and 3 scheduled for May 4, 2024, since no applications were received for each of the positions scheduled for election as of the February 16, 2024, filing deadline. 

It would be appropriate for the Board to cancel the May 4, 2024, election.
 

8.C. PFIA 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 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 is recommended that the Board approve the attached resolution affirming that the Board of Regents reviewed and approved the following:

A.) The investment policies of the College as detailed in Board Policy CAK (LOCAL).
B.) The investment strategies of the College as detailed in Board Policy CAK (LOCAL).
C.) The reaffirmation of the current investment officers, Ginger Wooster, CPA and Evelyn Cruz.

It would be appropriate for the Board to approve the resolution.
 

8.D. 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 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 will be appropriate for the Board to exercise its option to not participate in the SECC for the 2024 campaign.
 

8.E. New Program Approval.  The Interim Vice President, Academic Affairs and Institutional Effectiveness recommends approval of two new degree programs at Brazosport College, the Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Computer Science and Technology and the Associate of Applied Science in Healthcare Administration, effective with the Fall 2024 semester. The attachments include information about the new programs, including market research, employment outcomes, and program curriculum.  

It would be appropriate for the Board to consider approval of the 120 credit hour Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Computer Science and Technology and the 60 credit hour Associate of Applied Science in Healthcare Administration, both beginning with the Fall 2024 semester.
 

8.F. Annual Faculty Contracts.  Faculty listed below are recommended for contracts for Academic Year 2024-2025 as follows:
 

8.F.1. The President recommends these individuals for one-year contracts from September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2025, and it would be appropriate for the Board to approve the contract for the period identified.
 

8.F.2. The President recommends these individuals for two-year contracts from September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2026, and it would be appropriate for the Board to approve the contract for the period identified.
 

8.G. Annual Staff Contracts.  

1.) For academic year 2024-2025, the following staff member is eligible for a one-year employment contract for the period from September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2025:

Agapito Martinez, Operations Manager, Facilities

2.) For academic year 2024-2025, the following staff member is eligible for a one-year employment contract for the period from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025:

Jennifer Finney, Director, Small Business Development Center

This position is aligned with the Federal budget cycle.

It would be appropriate for the Board to approve the contracts for the periods and conditions identified. 

 

8.H. Personnel.
 

8.H.1. Employment of Dr. Michelle Walton, Speech Faculty.  Included in the agenda is a communication from the Interim Vice President, Academic Affairs and Institutional Effectiveness recommending the appointment of Dr. Michelle Walton, Speech Faculty member for the remainder of the 2023-2024 academic year, and be given a one-year contract 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.
 

8.I. Financial Report.  Attached is the financial report for February 2024. 

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