The Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College Board of Trustees convened a meeting on Monday, August 3, 2020, at 3:00 p.m. in the Brumit Center for Culinary Arts and Hospitality. John Parham, Chair, presided.
The following members of the Board were present: Joe Brumit, Matt Kern, Judy Lewis, Roger Metcalf, and Frances Ramsey. Theresa Banks and Vijay Kapoor participated via Zoom. Ron Edgerton participated by telephone.
Others present for the meeting included: John Gossett, President; Terry Brasier, Vice President Student Services; Shanna Chambers, Executive Director of Human Resources; Amanda Edwards, Director of the Foundation; Kerri Glover; Executive Director of Community Relations and Marketing; Anne Oxenreider, Executive Director of Research and Planning; Beth Stewart, Vice President Instructional Services; Brian Willis, Vice President Information Technology/CIO; Dirk Wilmoth, Vice President Business and Finance/CFO; Deborah Wright, Vice President Work Force Development and Continuing Education; Chris Campbell, College Attorney; and Carolyn Rice, Secretary to the Board.
Call To Order
Chair Parham read the ethics statement. No conflicts of interest were reported. Ms. Rice called the roll, a quorum was present.
Mr. Campbell stated that the Board has a quorum with the addition of Theresa Banks and Vijay Kapoor on Zoom, and with Ron Edgerton on the telephone. He opined that any decisions made today should be ratified at the October meeting given that the College Constitution calls for a minimum of eight (8) Trustees in actual attendance to take action. The Trustees were comfortable proceeding under the circumstances.
Introduction
At 3:07 p.m., Chair Parham introduced and welcomed Ms. Cheyane Verran, the Student Government President and Trustee Ex-Officio, to the Board.
Presentation Of Plaque Of Appreciation
Chair Parham virtually presented Mr. Vijay Kapoor with a plaque in appreciation for his loyal and dedicated service as a Trustee of the College, and thanked him for his service.
Consent Agenda
Chair Parham asked for a motion to approve the Consent Agenda.
Mr. Kern moved to approve Consent Agenda items: 1. A. June 1, 2020 Board Meeting Minutes; 1. B. July 8, 2020, Executive Committee Meeting Minutes; 1. C. July 15, 2020, Executive Committee Meeting Minutes; 1. D. Continuing Budget Resolution; and 1. E. Personnel Actions.
The motion to approve the Consent Agenda was seconded by Mr. Brumit. Trustees Banks, Kapoor, and Edgerton each verbally approved the Consent Agenda. The motion was passed by unanimous consent.
Resolution/Action Items
2. A. Mr. Chris Campbell addressed Article VI, Section 1 of the Board’s Constitution which pertains to the number of meetings held per year.
Mr. Brumit moved to change Article VI, Section 1 of the Constitution from meeting every other month to meeting every month with the exception of January and July. The motion was seconded by Mr. Kern. Trustees, Banks, Kapoor, and Edgerton each verbally approved the change in the Constitution. The motion was passed by unanimous consent.
Mr. Campbell then discussed the mandatory changes to Article VI, Section 6 of the Constitution, which incorporates the new North Carolina General Statute regarding electronic Board meetings during a declared emergency. Additionally, a provision has been added to require a 48-hour notification by a Trustee to the Board Chair regarding their desire to participate remotely.
The Trustees discussed the proposed changes and asked to include an exception to the 48-hour notification rule, in case of an emergency. The Trustees requested that a clause regarding inclement weather be included in the Constitution as well.
Mr. Kern moved to adopt the changes to the Constitution adding a clause regarding inclement weather and an exception to the 48-hour notification. The motion was seconded by Ms. Ramsey. Trustees, Banks, Kapoor, and Edgerton each verbally approved to adopt of the changes in the Constitution. The motion was passed by unanimous consent.
2. B. Ms. Amanda Edwards informed the Board that the Foundation was asked to help with College salaries. The Foundation would like to honor the Fergusons by supporting the nursing program, which is the program that the Fergusons are the most passionate about. Ms. Edwards read a Resolution of Appreciation for Mr. Jack and Mrs. Carolyn Ferguson to the Board. The Fergusons have been long-time benefactors to the College, and Ms. Edwards requested that the Board name an endowed nursing department chair the “Jack and Carolyn Ferguson Endowed Nursing Chair”.
Mr. Brumit moved to approve the Resolution of Appreciation for Mr. Jack and Mrs. Carolyn Ferguson. The motion was seconded by Dr. Metcalf. Trustees Banks, Kapoor, and Edgerton each verbally approved the Resolution of Appreciation. The motion was passed by unanimous consent.
2. C. Dr. Dirk Wilmoth informed the Board that several firms have been selected to provide open-ended service agreements for design and engineering services during the 2020-2021 fiscal year. All of the selected firms have been rated, scored, and vetted through North Carolina’s procurement system.
Mr. Kern moved to approve the Annual-Open Ended Service Agreements for Design and Engineering Services. The motion was seconded by Dr. Metcalf. Trustees Banks, Kapoor, and Edgerton each verbally approved the Annual Open-Ended Service Agreements. The motion was passed by unanimous consent.
2. D. Dr. Beth Stewart asked the Board to approve the 2021-2022 Academic College Calendar. The Calendar remains in compliance with the state-mandated twelve paid holidays per year and aligns the 2022 spring break with those of our local educational system’s spring break.
Mr. Brumit moved to approve the 2021-2022 Academic College Calendar. The motion was seconded by Mr. Kern. Trustees Banks, Kapoor, and Edgerton each verbally approved the 2021-2022 Academic College Calendar. The motion was passed by unanimous consent.
Trustee Business
Chair Parham welcomed Dr. Gossett as the seventh President of A-B Tech and shared that the Board and the College are glad that he is here!
3. A. Mr. Kern informed the Board that the Nominating Committee met several times electronically and presented the following slate of officers for 2020-2021to the Board: Dr. John Parham as Chair, Dr. Roger Metcalf as Vice Chair, and Ms. Carolyn Rice as Secretary to the Board.
Dr. Parham asked for nominations from the floor, and there were none.
Ms. Judy Lewis moved to approve the Nominations for the Chair, Vice Chair, and Board Secretary for 2020-2021. The motion was seconded by Mr. Vijay Kapoor. Trustees Banks and Edgerton each verbally approved the 2020-2021 Nominations. The motion was passed by unanimous consent.
3. B. Mr. Kern informed the Board that the current members of the Executive Committee have agreed to serve for another term. Members of the Executive Committee are Chair Parham, Vice Chair Metcalf, Past Chair Brumit, Ms. Ramsey, and Mr. Kern.
Dr. Parham asked for nominations from the floor, and there were none.
Ms. Judy Lewis moved to approve the Nominations for the Executive Committee for 2020-2021. The motion was seconded by Mr. Vijay Kapoor. Trustees Banks and Edgerton each verbally approved the Nominations. The motion was passed by unanimous consent.
3. C. Dr. Parham informed the Board that the NCACCT Leadership Seminar will be held virtually this year on August 28. Dr. Parham encouraged all Trustees to attend the Seminar and to please let Ms. Rice know if they plan to attend.
President’s Report
Dr. Gossett thanked the Board for giving him the opportunity to work with the College. He stated that he has never worked with such an amazing team and is blessed and appreciative to be at A-B Tech. He then shared the following information:
- The Trailblazer Plan B is underway for the fall semester. Classes will be held both virtually and in person when necessary.
- Dr. Gossett has joined the Boards of the Economic Development Coalition, Land of Sky, and Community Colleges of Appalachia.
- Dr. Gossett has attended the meetings of both the Buncombe and Madison County Commissioners, and has been on WLOS three times!
- Dr. Gossett is collaborating with the other Western North Carolina Community Colleges on issues that may be solved together.
- He has also reached out to all of our elected officials and plans to meet with each one soon.
Dr. Gossett thanked the Board again for their trust in his leadership.
Staff Report
Mr. Brian Willis informed the Board that the College’s Information Security Program Policy and Procedure, in accordance with the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA), mandates a comprehensive written Information Security Program for the College. Mr. Willis introduced Ms. Katie Hast, Coordinator of Security, Policy, and Compliance; and Mr. John Bradley, Administrator of Information Security to the Board.
Ms. Hast and Mr. Bradley presented the following information to the Board:
- Per the Information Security Program Plan, the College is using six projects to assess the Plan:
- Information Security Policies: The Board has approved five Information Security Policies and Procedures to date.
- Infrastructure renewal: To implement a more robust infrastructure given the increase in cyber threats, the College is purchasing new soft and hardware.
- Board reporting: The first report to the Board on the 2019-2020 Information Security Program is today, August 3.
- Employee security training: Security training for all employees of the College will be required. Cautionary emails are continuously sent to employees regarding imminent phishing or hacking attacks.
- Service provider contracting: A proposal will be presented to the Executive Leadership Team to pursue oversight of all College service providers and contracts.
- Privacy Policy: This Policy will be presented to the Board for approval in the near future. The Privacy Policy will protect personally identifiable information.
Handouts
Chair Parham mentioned that the State and County Budget Report as of June 30, 2020, and the July Tracking Measures Scorecard for 2019-2020 were in the handouts.
Adjourn
On a motion made by Mr. Brumit, seconded by Mr. Kern, the meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m. by unanimous consent.
Respectfully submitted,
Carolyn H. Rice
Board Secretary