Rio Grande Campus Student/Board Forum Notes Tuesday, December 9, 2014, Student Life Lounge, Room 101 Trustees Attending:
Dr. Victor H.P. Villarreal, Vice Chair Guadalupe Sosa Allen H. Kaplan Dr. Betty Hwang
Presiding:
Ronnie Williams, SGA Vice President
1. Can the Board of Trustees explain their role within ACC to the students of Rio Grande Campus? Each member is an at-large representative elected by voters. These members are considered atlarge; therefore, they serve the entire ACC district, not just sections. Individuals who live in a taxing district are eligible to run for a position on the board, which includes Elgin and Hays. Board members act as both advocates across the service area for students and for opportunities that arise that will benefit students. If they receive any type of request, concern, or suggestion, they pass it to Dr. Rhodes, who then gives it to the appropriate individual within the district. The board also makes determinations regarding class size and tuition. On the first Monday of every month, we have what is called Citizen Communication, where you have three minutes to voice your concerns to the Board. We have one employee, the President. We are elected officials and you may bring concerns to us. The Board meets on the first Monday of each month and you may sign up to talk for three minutes.
2. This year, the board made the decision to charge students for the Capital Metro bus/train passes. These funds are going to sustainability initiatives. Can the board elaborate on these initiatives and how they will better each campus? We had an update from the Sustainability Director, two people from their area came up with ideas, i.e., refill stations, solar panels, lighting, and recycling. Unfortunately, the funds went to the bus pass. Now we have to go back to sustainability to supplement their budget. There have been one million rides so far. This campus is unique that is not in the bus route now. Regarding sustainability, we have an excellent program and two areas which are making a difference are fountains for water to reduce the plastic bottles in landfills and lighting which reduces electricity use and reduces expenses due to the bulbs longevity. We are trying to shift funds to sustainability efforts on campuses. The bus passes are popular, use has risen, as well as the cost to ACC. Our sustainability effort includes electric charging stations, solar panels, recycling efforts and others. One of the most important changes is the change to LED bulbs. 3. The costs of textbooks have continued to skyrocket. College Students are finding it increasingly difficult to purchase textbooks for their classes. Has the board thought of any initiatives outside of the ones we currently use that will allow students the option of having cheaper textbooks? There is a workgroup that has been formed within ACC that is looking at various options to lower the cost of textbooks for students. The group will have recommendations to administration in the future.
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4. With the addition of the Elgin campus and the Hays and Highland Mall campuses how will the Board of Trustees ensure that Austin Community College District is operating as one college with students receiving the same, information across the board? Several students have complained that they receive different information on different campuses regarding important services. Communication is the key. We have 11 operating campuses. We have a Campus Manager and a Dean of Student Services on each campus to coordinate services. The ACC website is an excellent communication tool. 5. Do the Board of Trustees and/or ACC Administration plan on offering non-traditional students specific services? For example, drop off day care on campuses, specialty counselors, etc. There will be child care at Highland Learning Center and at the last Board meeting, the Board passed a resolution supporting child care on all campuses where feasible. Regarding specialty counselors, there is a Veteran Affairs counselor who keeps office hours at several campuses to provide service to students. Also, counselors at ACC have many areas of expertise, including crisis, career, academic, and other areas. 6. Given that only two propositions passed in the recent election, how does ACC plan to fund the operations of the upcoming Leander campus and the additions to the Highland Campus? We are fortunate that we are in an area where real estate valuations are increasing and this increases revenue for ACC. We are working to try to avoid raising tuition. 7. The Board of Trustees has not made a commitment to go tobacco-free on all campuses. How does the Board plan on enforcing this policy? The Board delegates that responsibility to Administration. Signs will indicate that our campuses are tobacco free. This includes e-cigarettes. 8. Current legislation calls for all colleges and universities to address mental health, sexual awareness and other issues dealing with student health. How does the board plan on offering these types of services to students that are now lacking at ACC? The office of Student Life provides programming to address sexual awareness, student health, and other legal requirements such as bystander training. There are plans in the future in phase III or IV of Highland Campus to consider including clinical areas. 9. Has the Board considered providing vouchers to purchase future tuition for families for future students? The Board will consider this in conjunction with other community colleges. It is a good idea. It may take legislative action.
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