The Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College Board of Trustees convened a meeting on Monday, June 6, 2022, at 3:06 p.m., in person in The Brumit Center for Culinary Arts and Hospitality. Mr. Matt Kern, Chair, presided.
The following members of the Board participated in person: Theresa Banks, Joe Brumit, Michael Garrison, Tommy Justus, Matt Kern, David King, Judy Lewis, Roger Metcalf, John Parham, and Frances Ramsey. Trustee Libby Kyles was absent.
Others present for the meeting included: Dr. John Gossett, President; Terry Brasier, Vice President of Student Services; Amanda Edwards, Executive Director of College Advancement; Kerri Glover; Executive Director of Community Relations and Marketing; Beth Stewart, Vice President of Instructional Services; Brian Willis, Vice President of Information and Technology/CIO; Dirk Wilmoth, Vice President of Business and Finance/CFO; Darryl Rhymes, Director of Employment and Employee Relations; Ashley Leonard, College Attorney; and Carolyn Rice, Secretary to the Board.
Call to order
Chair Kern read the ethics statement. No conflicts of interest were reported. Ms. Rice called roll; a quorum was present.
Consent Agenda
At 3:08 p.m., Chair Kern asked for a motion to approve the Consent Agenda.
Dr. Parham moved to approve Consent Agenda items: 1. A. May 2, 2022, Board Meeting Minutes, 1. B. Personnel Actions, 1. C. 2022-2023 Annual Appointments and Reappointments, and 1. D. Blanket Travel Authorization and Excess Approval.
The motion to approve the Consent Agenda was seconded by Ms. Lewis. The motion was passed by unanimous consent.
Resolution/Action Items
2. A. Dr. Stewart informed the Board that the College is required to have an Institutional Review Board Policy and Procedure to assure that human subjects are not mistreated and/or taken advantage of in any way because of participation or inclusion in research projects.
Mr. Brumit moved to approve the Institutional Review Board Policy and Procedure. Dr. Parham seconded the motion. The motion was passed by unanimous consent.
President's Report
Dr. Gossett shared the following information with the Board:
- It’s been a busy month with graduations, pinning, art shows, and commencement. The Barbering Program’s first class will graduate this weekend!
- The College met with Buncombe County regarding the budget. Thanks to Dr. Wilmoth, A-B Tech was the only educational institution that submitted a budget within the guidelines requested by the County Manager.
- The K. Ray Bailey Golf Tournament is on June 8, and we hope that it is a wonderful event for all involved.
- A Legislative visit was arranged by the Asheville Chamber, and Dr. Gossett spent time with members of the General Assembly. He also met with several of our Western Delegation, including Senators Mayfield and Hise, and Representatives Rudow and Ager.
- Dr. Gossett continues to work with the Faculty and Staff Recruitment and Retention Committee for the North Carolina State System Office.
- The state issued a Certificate of Need for a new 67-bed hospital in the Asheville area. HCA, AdventHealth, and Novant are all submitting proposals to build the hospital. The College agrees with the need and will work with whoever is chosen to build the new hospital to secure clinical spots for our Allied Health students.
- Approximately 40 employees of the College participated in an enrollment retreat where they brainstormed innovative ideas for the future of A-B Tech.
- The deed for the property located on the Pratt & Whitney site is still in the works. While the details continue to be ironed out, the College has been on time, on schedule, and on point with all of the promised training for potential Pratt & Whitney employees.
- Buncombe County is paying for the Birch building to have a security system installed for early college students. Increased cameras and card swipe door lock mechanisms are part of the security upgrades.
- SACSCOC requires the Board to complete an annual Self-Evaluation process. A survey link will be sent to the Board this month, and the results of the Self-Evaluation Survey will be discussed during the August meeting.
Trustee Business
4. A. Chair Kern appointed Dr. Banks, Dr. Parham, and Mr. King to the Nominating Committee. The Committee will present their nominations for the Chair, Vice Chair, and Board Secretary for 2022-2023 during the August 1 meeting.
4. B. Ms. Frances Ramsey moved to hold the October 3 Board meeting at A-B Tech Madison. Dr. Parham seconded the motion. The motion was passed by unanimous consent.
Staff Report
Dr. Beth Stewart introduced “Rosie the Robot” to the Board and demonstrated how the robot works. Rosie is a new culinary team member built by Ridgetech Robotics. Rosie can provide room service, navigate elevators, improve efficiency, and be used to replace service positions that are hard to hire for. Rosie will never replace humans because robots can’t solve real-time problems!
Rosie was purchased to give our culinary students experience with robotics and to use as a marketing tool. A-B Tech offers robotics, coding, and programming courses that will also benefit from the purchase of the robot. Rosie is just one way that the College is keeping up with the future.
Closed Session
At 3:36 p.m., Dr. Parham moved that the Trustees enter closed session pursuant to G.S. 143-318.11 (a) (1) and (3) to discuss confidential personnel matters pursuant to G.S. 115D-27-29 and to discuss matters protected by the attorney-client privilege. Mr. King seconded the motion.
On a motion properly made, the Board returned to Open Session at 4:45 p.m.
Open Session
7. B. Mr. King moved to approve the Closed Session minutes from May 2, 2022. Dr. Justus seconded the motion. The motion was passed by unanimous consent.
The Trustees then discussed security issues at all campuses.
Handouts
Divisional Updates, the May 2021-2022 Student Success Scorecard, and the State and County Budget Report as of April 30, 2022, are in the Handouts.
The next Board meeting will be on Monday, August 1, 2022, at 3:00 p.m., in The Brumit Center for Culinary Arts and Hospitality.
Adjourn
On a motion properly made, the meeting adjourned at 4:58 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carolyn H. Rice
Board Secretary