The Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College Board of Trustees convened a meeting on Thursday, February 6, 2025, at 1:27 p.m., in The Brumit Center for Culinary Arts and Hospitality, Tillman Dining Room. Dr. Theresa Banks, Chair, presided.
The following members of the Board participated: Joe Barwick, Michael Garrison, Himanshu Karvir, Matt Kern, David King, Libby Kyles, Judy Lewis, Roger Metcalf, John Parham, Anthony Penland, Frances Ramsey, Roger Reid, Glenda Weinert, Mariana Flores, Ex-Officio. Tommy Justus was absent.
Others present for the meeting included: John Gossett, President; Deborah Bailey, Vice President of Economic and Workforce Development and Continuing Education; Amanda Edwards, Executive Director, College Advancement; Kerri Glover, Executive Director of Community Relations and Marketing; Cris Harshman, Vice President of Operations/CIO; Fairley Patton, Vice President of Student Services; Beth Stewart, Vice President of Instructional Services; Darryl Rhymes, Director, Employment & Employee Relations; Ashley Leonard, College Attorney; and Carolyn Rice, Secretary to the Board.
Staff Report
Prior to the start of the Board meeting, Chef Cathy Horton shared the following story with the Board:
The College ran a practical meat-cutting program and butchered whole hogs, cattle, and lamb for use during the fall semester. All of this meat was in our freezers when the hurricane hit Asheville. We had 36 hours to figure out what to do with 3,600 pounds of meat before it went bad. Facilities, employees, and Budd Group personnel loaded all of the meat into their vehicles and took it to Citizens Vinal who then distributed the meat to our community. The College fed thousands during the aftermath of the hurricane.
After the College reopened, first-year students doubled up on lab work, and second-year students borrowed the grill from A-B Tech Madison and served our community for free.
Chef Horton thanked the Board for their time and for allowing our students to prepare a culinary meal for them, stating that our students are the best part of the job! We have a great team that cares for our students, and we are fortunate to live in a tight-knit culinary community.
Call to Order
At 1:34 p.m., Chair Banks read the ethics statement. No conflicts of interest were reported. Ms. Rice called roll; a quorum was present.
Consent Agenda
At 1:36 p.m., Chair Banks asked for a motion to approve the Consent Agenda.
Ms. Lewis moved to approve Consent Agenda items: 1. A. December 2, 2024, Board Meeting Minutes; and 1. B. Personnel Actions. Mr. Kern seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Resolution/Action Items
2. A. Mr. Cris Harshman discussed the College’s MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with HCA Health Care, Inc. The College leases 412 parking spaces to HCA Health Care in a lot located across from the Sunnicrest building. The MOU expires on March 31, 2025, and HCA Health Care wishes to extend the lease for an additional five years. The administration is seeking permission from the Board to negotiate a five-year lease extension.
Dr. Barwick moved to authorize the administration to negotiate a five-year lease extension. Mr. King seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
2. B. Mr. Harshman then asked the Board to approve the Fourth Amendment to the Interlocal Governmental Joint Use and Lease Agreement for the Birch Building. The Buncombe County Early College would like to extend its footprint in the Birch building with three additional classrooms. The Early College has also asked the College to leave behind projectors, screens, an instructor station, and all power and video distribution components in those classrooms. The College will provide an initial training for Early College personnel on all of the remaining equipment.
All expenses incurred by the move will be paid for by the Buncombe County Early College.
Dr. Parham moved to approve the Fourth Amendment to the Interlocal Governmental Joint Use and Lease Agreement for the Birch Building. Ms. Lewis seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
2. C. Mr. Harshman informed the Board that the Acceptable Use Policy (#1003) must be updated due to a new session law that obligates the College to prohibit the viewing of pornography on College-issued devices. Additionally, the North Carolina State Acceptable Use Policy has been updated to mandate that the College disallows the viewing of pornography on any of our networks on any devices. All infractions must be reported to the NC State Chief Information Officer, which will lead to disciplinary actions.
Dr. Weinert moved to approve the updated Acceptable Use Policy. Mr. Karvir seconded the motion, which passed by majority vote. Mr. King opposed the motion.
Trustee Business
Chair Banks asked the Board to let Ms. Rice know if they would like to attend the March 19-21, 2025, NCACCT Law-Legislative Seminar.
President’s Report
Dr. Gossett shared the following with the Board:
- Dr. Gossett reiterated the benefits of attending the NCACCT Law-Legislative Seminar, stating that March 19 is “Meet your Legislators” day.
- Last fall, when talking to other community colleges about the impact a hurricane has on enrollment, we were told to expect to lose around 40 percent of our students. I am happy to report that we lost less than 20 percent, and that enrollment is up four percent this spring.
- Continuing Education classes were canceled for the month of October, resulting in lower enrollment numbers for the rest of 2024. Spring enrollment in Continuing Education is up as well!
- McMillan, Pazdan, and Smith will have the College’s ten-year master plan completed soon. It will be presented to the Board in June or August.
- Cybersecurity was the main topic at the President’s meeting in January. We also discussed a customer relations management software called Watermark, which allows us to contact, communicate, and help students get through the process at the College. Watermark is coming to our campus soon.
- The Hunt Institution invited Dr. Gossett to participate on a panel to discuss higher education at their Holshouser Retreat. The Retreat was attended by several other educational leaders from Western North Carolina, as well as newly elected officials.
- Our North Carolina Representatives have been remarkably receptive to supporting Hurricane Relief in our service areas.
- The Belk Endowment and EdNC held a two-day meeting with higher education leaders to listen and learn about our experiences after the storm. The Belk Endowment is looking for ways to supplement the support we receive from the General Assembly.
- The safety and security of our students are always of utmost importance to the College. Last week there was a rumor that ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) was on campus which increased everyone’s concern. Our attorneys from Campbell Shatley, issued guiding principles for the College to use if and when an enforcement officer comes to campus. All federal agents will be directed to the campus police department first.
- FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) protects students’ privacy. The College may not disclose personally identifiable information from education records. We can confirm that a student is enrolled but cannot give out class schedules or the current location of a student.
- Community Colleges have been open-door institutions for over 60 years. A-B Tech will continue to be open and will serve everyone. The College will abide by the law, but the mission of the College will not change.
The Board discussed undocumented students, the federal funding freeze, and the hiring practices of undocumented employees at length.
Mr. King moved to voice support for Dr. Gossett and the administration to protect our students and employees while respecting the law. Dr. Metcalf seconded the motion which passed by a majority vote. Mr. Karvir abstained, and Mr. Garrison opposed the motion.
SGA Report
SGA President Ms. Mariana Flores shared that she was accepted to the accounting program at Western Carolina University and will attend in the fall! Members of the SGA have been helping to build houses for Habitat for Humanity and helping Manna Foodbank in their new location.
Closed Session
At 2:34 p.m., Mr. Kern moved that the Trustees enter into closed session pursuant to G.S. 143-318.11 under subsection (a) (3) to discuss matters protected by the attorney-client privilege, and under subsection (a) (5) to discuss the acquisition of real property. Dr. Parham seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
At 2:46 p.m., Mr. Kern moved to return to the Open Session. Dr. Metcalf seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Handouts
The 2024-2025 January Tracking Measures Scorecard, Division Updates, and the State and County Budget Report as of December 31, 2024, are in the Handouts.
The next Board meeting will be on Monday, March 3, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. in The Brumit Center for Culinary Arts and Hospitality, Tillman Dining Room.
Adjourn
Upon a properly made motion, the meeting adjourned at 2:47 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carolyn H. Rice
Board Secretary