Northridge Campus Advisory Committee Date: Chair: Co-Chair:

April 19, 2016 Susan Shelton Bel Smith

Time: Location:

5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Northridge Campus Bldg 3000/Room 3140

Attendees: Members Present: Susan Shelton Bel Smith Kermit Ward Donna Jackson Stephans Michael Lewis

Presenters: Dr. Ben Ferrell William Mullane Susan Shelton Christian Raymond

Guests: Trustee Jeffrey Richard Trustee Guadalupe Sosa Dr. Tim Self Geoffrey Schulman Christian Raymond Dr. Rennison Lalgee Dr. Melinda Townsel Alison Judice Teresa Ashley Kathryn Watts-Martinez George Tatarintsev Lisa Guerrero

Members Absent: Hermelinda Zamarripa Fernando Montemayor Rob Reyes Corky Hilliard Michael Finney Emily Wolinsky Priscilla Nino Julianne Corzine Oguz Saltik

Minutes _____________________________________________________________________ Agenda Item 1:

Welcome

Presenter:

Ms. Susan Shelton Northridge CAC Chair

Discussion: Meeting was called to order at 5:10 pm by Chair Susan Shelton. The Chair welcomed everyone and asked the attendees to introduce themselves.

Agenda Item 2: Discussion:

Approval of September 23, 2015 Meeting Minutes

Presenter:

Ms. Susan Shelton Northridge CAC Chair

The Chair called for a review of the minutes and noted that a quorum was not present and therefore the minutes would be unable to be approved. Following discussion with Dr. Ben Ferrell, he informed the members present that there has been occasion for the minutes to be sent out to the Board requesting electronic approval. (NOTE: Chair Susan Shelton and Co-Chair Bel Smith received electronic approval from the majority of voting members.)

Agenda Item 3:

Update on ACC Bond Projects

Presenter:

Mr. Bill Mullane, Vice President, Facilities & Construction

Discussion: Mr. Bill Mullane provided an update on college-wide campus and expansion projects resulting from the two bond propositions. This led to questions regarding expansion projects. Questions: (HLC) 

Trustee Richard inquired if there was an estimate on the dollars for infrastructure. Response: Mr. Mullane responded that the total for underground utilities and roadways is approximately $40 million, and noted that not all would be footed by ACC.



Dr. Tim Self asked if there were any plans for escalators. Response: Mr. Mullane explained that the use of “social stairs” will be a primary focus. Elevators, not escalators, will be used to meet accessibility requirements.

(RGC) 

Mr. George Tatarintsev asked if proposed project will affect the language classes. Most of which are taught at RGC such as French, German, ASL. Response: Mr. Mullane explained that those programs will be taught at another location with the exception of sign language. Bldg. 3000 will remain open and the plan is to keep sign language there, and space is being prepared this summer to accommodate special facility and configuration needs for this purpose.



Dr. Rennison Lalgee asked if there would be an opportunity for faculty/staff/students to comment or the opportunity to provide input from a user standpoint on how things have worked, design-wise at HLC Phase I. Response: Mr. Mullane informed him that there are meetings on every project with user groups; referred to Pamela Collier for information on this one in particular. Mr. Mullane explained that the district-wide projects will include deferred maintenance and efficiency projects, reconfiguration of undersized classrooms, impact projects, and address shortages in space for students. These will begin at Northridge after the move of special programs from various campuses, more so from Northridge to Highland Phase 2.



Mr. Michael Lewis asked if the move included the Photography Department, and what other programs were included in the move. Response: Mr. Mullane replied that the Photography department was included in the proposed move. Mr. Christian Raymond added that Photography, Radio-Television-Film, Game Development, Visual Communication, Music, and Music Business Performance and Technology, referred to as the “creative cluster” would all be moving. Mr. Mullane stated that these programs along with the performing arts would work together to provide interdisciplinary instruction. Trustee Richard commented that this was his favorite part of the whole project…the convergence of all types of learning in one place and the space for it; a role changer.

(NRG) 

Dr. Self asked about what specific types of security improvements will be made. Response: Mr. Mullane responded that Ross Greves, ACC Security Management, has put together a list that addresses specific security measures for the College. Dr. Ferrell added that this includes locks, cameras, retrofitting emergency systems, the things that are designed into the new buildings.



Chair Shelton asked if parking lot lights were considered and included in the improvements. Response: Mr. Mullane stated that will be included, although not part of funding, but is an important consideration. Lighting has been recently replaced with LED at some existing locations, and have found that trees are lower than poles, and expect Buildings & Grounds to trim.



Dr. Self asked about installation of panic buttons stating that he has had staff requests for these? He added that they presently have three (3) installed. Response: Dr. Ferrell relayed issue of concern that once the panic button is pushed, Campus Police appear in full mode with guns drawn.



Mr. Tatarintsev wanted to know how practical is it, in lieu of a panic button, to have a telephone app, like “Uber” uses? Response: Mr. Mullane responded that he did not know enough about the technology aspect of it. Dr. Ferrell clarified that the issue has not yet been decided upon.

Dr. Lalgee added that this is a complex problem and something the faculty was actively involved in. He stated that an app could prove to be problematic in the classroom especially when students are asked to turn cellphones off and put them away. Plus, some campuses have poor reception in certain areas. All bond updates can be found at: http://sites.austincc.edu/bond/ Agenda Item 4:

Student Success with Guided Pathways

Presenter:

Ms. Teresa Ashley, Ms. Alison Judice, and Mr. Christian Raymond ACC Futures Institute Representatives

Chair Shelton introduced the individuals present representing the ACC Futures Institute. Mr. Raymond spoke and summarized a Power Point presentation regarding Guided Pathways, the redesign project that is underway to improve student success. Mr. Raymond updated the committee on the Futures Institute progress since the Fall. They have made college visits to schools already using Guided Pathways, making notice of some degrees of success, track records of higher completion rates and less wasted credits. They are now at the beginning stage of the implementation of ideas: process to train, educate the college about these principles; outlined the new Areas of Study (AoS), and are anticipating to roll out the plan in the Fall. Questions:  Mr. Lewis asked for clarification on whether success was across the board or certain areas or weaknesses that were noted in Florida or Chicago. Response: Mr. Raymond and Ms. Ashley both confirmed that they were based upon an increase in graduation rates. 

Mr. Lewis asked what might be the root causes for why a student would have 100 credit hours and not necessarily conferring a degree. Response: Mr. Raymond responded that some causes were due to switching majors, students not being mentored or advised properly.



Ms. Donna Jackson Stephans asked if the high schools will also have access to these classes. Response: Mr. Raymond answered that this is the objective, and getting this information into the hands of all the high school counselors is critical. Mr. Kermit Ward confirmed that the high schools are already using “pathways”, with student declarations being made as early as the 8th grade.



Ms. Stephans asked what measures are being looked at, other than graduation completion, as the main impetus. Response: Mr. Raymond stated that one of the key points being looked at is the graduation rates, as it is a big concern to the College, compared to our peer institutions. Ms. Ashley reported that there is also the workforce component that aligns marketplace and workforce needs so the programs produce students who can fill jobs that are currently in need of skilled employees. Dr. Lalgee added that the transfer side was a concern, as well as creating strong articulation and guaranteed agreements with four-year partners to allow seamless transfers.

Those with questions or comments about the process are invited to go to the website: http://www.austincc.edu/futures

Agenda Item 5:

   

Ms. Susan Shelton Northridge CAC Chair Dr. Ben Ferrell, Executive Vice President, Campus Planning & Operations Chair Shelton recognized Trustee Sosa who had come in during the presentation. Chair Shelton recognized Kathryn Watts-Martinez to speak on the garden project at the Northridge Campus. She went on to inform those present of the recent certification and designation of the Northridge Campus as a Monarch Butterfly Waystation. Dr. Ferrell invited anyone with questions or feedback to forward them to the CAC website, Chair or Co-Chair. The Chair reminded everyone of the groundbreaking ceremony for the Leander Campus on April 21st at 1011:30am, which was moved to the Leander MetroRail station.

Agenda Item 6:

Discussion and Feedback

Presenter:

Campus Advisory Committee Adjournment

Presenter:

Ms. Susan Shelton Northridge CAC Chair

Chair Shelton adjourned the meeting at 6:52pm.

Other Information: CAC Website: http://www.austincc.edu/cac/