The ACC Board of Trustees met for its regular meeting on Monday, October 7, to hear college updates, discuss and vote on various contracts, and review opportunities for the Pinnacle property. More information on Pinnacle can be found here.

UFCU Scholars Program
The meeting started with a check presentation from University Federal Credit Union to fund the UFCU Scholars program to help Adult Education students reach their goals. The $70,000 donation will go toward testing fees, tuition, and textbooks for credit-bearing classes, as well as $100 in a savings account once a scholar completes ACC's AE program.

JP Morgan Chase Grant
A second check presented by JPMorgan Chase & Co. will fund expanded apprenticeships and other earn-and-learn positions for students. The $250,000 grant will support ACC's Career ACCelerator Program, which offers a self-paced training schedule that allows students to be job-ready in as little as one year. Students receive financial assistance, paid internships, and an opportunity to earn a certificate that counts toward a college degree.

Employee Association Updates
The board also heard updates from association groups:

• Classified Employee Association - looking at changing when it holds elections, working on getting members to sit on shared governance committees
• Full-time Faculty Senate - laid out priorities for the year — accountability for its own communications process, shared governance and being a collaborative partner with administration, and getting educated on hiring and human resource issues
• Association of Professional-Technical Employees - the organization is 25% of the way toward its donation goal for the Boots & Bats Gala and it is collecting Halloween costumes to donate to the Safe Alliance
• Student Government Association - had a successful Riverbat Bash where it let students know how to get involved and several members attended a leadership summit to learn and network

President's Remarks
During the president's remarks, ACC President/CEO Dr. Richard Rhodes spoke about the Fall Campus Conversation at Eastview earlier this month and goals to use the feedback to inform ongoing improvements districtwide.

Dr. Rhodes also discussed the college's new tuition payment structure, the celebration of ACC's third incubator, and his recent attendance at the luncheon celebrating employees who have reached five years of service at ACC. He congratulated Student Life on receiving the Higher Education Community Impact Award, and reminded everyone about the college's annual Boots & Bats Gala fundraiser.

Board Approvals
Some of the items trustees voted to approve include:

• A contract with FJG Advertising to work with ACC's Office of Communications and Marketing on digital marketing and media services to reach as many eligible students as possible.
• A contract with Electra Link, Inc.; Cable Com, Inc.; and BryComm, LLC for structured cabling services to support the college's new technology plan.
• An agreement with the City of Austin for internet services for the district.
• An agreement to join the amicus curiae brief filed in the U.S. Supreme Court regarding the proposed rescission of DACA and to be represented by the Perkins Coie Law Firm on a pro bono basis for this purpose.

Dr. Rhodes' Evaluation
The board decided to postpone amending the employment agreement with Dr. Rhodes.

Board meeting agendas, minutes, and recordings can be accessed here.