November 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
 

6.A.1. Community Education Courses.  The Director, Community Education, reports the attached enrollment data for the Community Education Program for the month of October 2020-2024.
 

6.A.2. Center for Business/Industry Training.  The Director, Center for Business/Industry Training, reports the attached enrollment data for October 2020 - 2024.
 

6.B. Report of Taxes Collected.  Attached is the report of taxes collected for the month of October 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 October 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 November and December 2024.
 

6.F. Community Development Block Grant Budget.  Attached is a communication from the Vice President, Financial Services & CFO, reporting on a notification from Brazoria County that Brazosport College has received approval for the Community Development Block Grant for 2024 – 2025, in the amount of $13,900 for Community Education workforce program scholarships.

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

6.G. Spring 2025 Community Education Schedule.  The Director, Community Education, recommends courses and teachers for the Community Education Program for the Spring 2025 semester.

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

6.H. Annual Energy Report.  The Vice President, Human Resources, provides the attached energy report for FY 2024.
 

6.I. Annual Police Department Report.  The Vice President, Industry and Community Resources, and Director, Campus Safety and Chief of Police, provides the attached annual report for the Brazosport College Police Department.
 

6.J. Dual Enrollment Fall 2024 Update. The Director, Dual Enrollment and Achievement, provides the attached update on Brazosport College’s dual enrollment program for the Fall 2024 semester. 
 

6.K. Foundation Board Annual Holiday Meeting.  The Foundation Board Annual Holiday Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at 6:30 p.m., at Brody’s Blacksmith Shop, 104 N Parking Place, Lake Jackson. Board of Regents and their guests are invited to attend. Invitations have been mailed.  
 

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

6.M. December 2024 Board Meeting.  The December 2024 meeting of the Board of Regents is scheduled 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.
 

6.N. Law Enforcement Academy Graduation.  The Law Enforcement Academy Graduation is scheduled for Friday, December 20, 2024, at 6:00 p.m., in Gator Hall at Brazosport College.
 

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. 2025 Board of Trustees Institute.  The 2025 Board of Trustee Institute (BOTI), as part of the Texas Success Center, has been set for Thursday, February 27, 2025, and Friday, February 28, 2025, at the Westin Domain in Austin, 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, Chief of Staff and Board Relations.
 

6.Q. Counselor/Administrator Dinner.  The annual Counselor/Administrator Dinner is scheduled for 6:00 p.m., Thursday, March 6, 2025, at the Corporate Learning Center. The dinner and program provide a forum for conveying appreciation for the work of ISD administrators and counselors who collaboratively work with Brazosport College to support college readiness and student success. Members of the Board of Regents are invited to attend. 
 

6.R. 2025 Career Fair.  Brazosport College will host its 31st annual Career Fair on Thursday, April 10, 2025. The event serves approximately 1,700 juniors from partner ISDs, as well as private, online, and homeschool students. 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. This year’s event will feature interactive questions for students to reflect on their learning and future career paths. This tradition is a cooperative effort between Brazosport College, the ISDs, business, industry, and civic organizations. We are grateful to all who participate in making this event successful each year. 
 

6.S. 2025 Commencement.  Commencement exercises for the 2024-2025 academic year are scheduled for Saturday, May 10, 2025, 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.T. 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.

Board Policy AA (LEGAL) 
Board Policy AB (LEGAL)
Board Policy AC (LEGAL)
Board Policy ACA (LEGAL)
 

6.U. Brazosport College Calendar.  The Brazosport College Calendar for November 21, 2024, through January 24, 2025, is attached.
 

7. Reports/Presentations
 

7.A. Outline for Development of Agenda for February 7-8, 2025, Board Workshop.  The Sr. Vice President, Student Success and Advancement, will present an overview of the draft agenda for the annual Board Workshop scheduled for February 7–8, 2025.
 

7.B. EdSights Presentation.  The Sr. Vice President, Student Success and Advancement, and the Assistant Vice President, Student Success, will present a launch review for the Board of Regents on EdSights, an AI-powered SMS texting system used to capture the students’ voice and identify the underlying issues students face. 
 

7.C. Board Committee Reports.

1.)  Facilities Committee
2.)  Student Success Committee
 

7.D. President's Report.

1.)  College Update
2.)  Regents' Visibility
 

8. Unfinished Business
 

8.A. 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 second reading and adoption.
 

8.B. 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 second reading and adoption.  
 

8.C. 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 second reading and adoption.
 

8.D. 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 student must take at least 50 percent of the sophomore courses in the degree matter 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 second reading and adoption.
 

9. New Business
 

9.A. Board Authorization for Contract Negotiation with A/E firm(s).  The Board approved the Campus Master Plan at the September Board meeting which included approval for the President to issue appropriate RFQs to engage A/E services and continue with planning for the eventual design and construction process for the proposed projects.  To date, the College has interviewed multiple A/E firms in continuation of the selection process which will include negotiating a contract or contracts with the selected firm or firms.

It would be appropriate for the Board to authorize the President or designee to engage in contract negotiations with the firm or firms selected for the A/E services of the Campus Master Plan project, and to take all necessary actions to negotiate final terms within budgeted amounts and enter into a contract with the selected firm.
 

9.B. Proposed Board Resolution.  Due to the College’s inability to update existing payroll technology and cybersecurity concerns regarding the processing of the Brazosport College payroll, the College must change the payroll schedule for full-time employees classified as non-exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”) in December 2024 in preparation for the implementation of new payroll software on January 1, 2024.  The new pay schedule will be bi-weekly rather than monthly.

As a result of the change in the payroll schedule, full-time, non-exempt employees will receive compensation for work completed in the first three weeks of December 2024 on December 22, 2024, which will be 75% of their pay for the month of December.  This employee group will not receive the remaining 25% compensation (Holiday Pay) until January 6, 2025.

The President proposes the Brazosport College Board of Regents provide a one-time payment of $500 to all full-time, non-exempt employees to cover the delay in receipt of compensation caused by the change to a new payroll schedule, in recognition of their continued service to the students and college community, and to demonstrate good will in support of its employees, enhance employee morale, and support employee retention.

It would be appropriate for the Board to approve the Board Resolution authorizing a one-time payment for full-time, non-exempt employees during the transition to the new payroll system.
 

9.C. Approval of Spring Tuition and Fees for Community Education.  The Vice President, Industry and Community Resources, recommends the attached amendments and additions to tuition and fees for Community Education courses for the Spring 2025 semester.

It would be appropriate for the Board to approve the Spring 2025 tuition and fees for Community Education as recommended.
 

9.D. ServiceNow Course Fees.  ServiceNow is a platform that allows for the operation of enterprise and technical management support systems.  Brazosport College plans to implement ServiceNow training, especially for military service personnel and veterans, in the spring of 2025.  A summary of this educational opportunity is attached.

ServiceNow course fees were approved by the Curriculum and Instruction Committee for the associated courses to pay for the extra costs associated with the software and materials used by students that are provided in those courses.

It would be appropriate for the Board to approve the course fees related to the ServiceNow training program.
 

9.E. Board Policies.
 

9.E.1. Proposed Amended Board Policy – FFDB (LOCAL) Freedom from Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation: Other Protected Characteristics.  The Vice President, Human Resources, requests the review of the amended Policy FFDB (LOCAL).  This policy prohibits discrimination and harassment of any student on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, disability, age, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by law. 

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.2. Proposed Amended Board Policy – FLD (LOCAL) Student Rights and Responsibilities: Student Complaints.  The Vice President, Human Resources, requests the review of the amended Policy FLD (LOCAL).  This policy applies to College District-related problems, conditions, or decisions that adversely affect a student’s educational opportunities and are not otherwise redressable under other College District policies.  

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 – FMA (LOCAL) Discipline and Penalties:  Discipline Procedure.  The Vice President, Human Resources, requests the review of the amended Policy FMA (LOCAL).  This policy sets forth the College District’s student disciplinary procedures relating to allegations of a violation of the Student Code of Conduct or Board policy, excluding allegations of sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, which are addressed in policy FFDA(LOCAL).

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 Henry Willard, Senior SIS/CRM Administrator.  Included in the agenda is a communication from the Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer recommending the promotion of Henry Willard to the position of Senior SIS/CRM Administrator for the 2024-2025 academic year.   

The President joins in this recommendation. It would be appropriate for the Board to approve the contract for the period and conditions identified.  
 

9.F.2. Employment of Megan Melgares, Librarian, Technical Services and Electronic Resources.  Included in the agenda is a communication from the Assistant Vice President, Academic Affairs, recommending the employment of Megan Melgares for the position of Librarian, Technical Services and Electronic Resources, for the 2024-2025 academic year.  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.G. Financial Report.  The financial statements for October 2024 are attached for your review.

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