Hill College Board of Regents holds July 2023 monthly meeting

  Jessyca Brown
  Thursday, August 3, 2023 12:03 PM
  Enrollment Management

Hillsboro, TX

On July 25, 2023, the Hill College Board of Regents met for the monthly regular session meeting.

The minutes from the June meeting were approved. The financial report was also presented and approved. The proposed FY23–24 budget was provided to the board for review prior to the August 15, 2023, meeting.

Hill College President Dr. Thomas Mills presented his report, including an update on the Texas Commission on Community College Finance legislation, House Bill 8, which passed into law on June 9, 2023. The bill ensures that Texas community colleges will receive an additional $340 million for the 2024 fiscal year. Decisions on rulemaking for allocations are ongoing and will be approved in a special session of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board on August 22, 2023. This initiative is geared toward rewarding institutions that graduate students with degrees, certifications, and other credentials, including dual credit.

Dean of the Texas Heritage Museum John Versluis announced the museum’s accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM). The AAM accreditation process is rigorous and this achievement for Hill College is notable. The Texas Heritage Museum is one of only two historical museums in the state to have accreditation and is the only recognized community college museum in the state. It is also the only museum in US Congressman Jake Ellzey’s district to be accredited.

Dr. Mills’ report also included an update on enrollment and campus improvements. The renovations at the Performing Arts Center are expected to be completed by August 18. Other ongoing improvement projects include the library erosion and prevention repairs, which are expected to be completed in the next few weeks; the Bailey Residence Hall updates are near complete and set to be ready for the beginning of the fall semester; work is continuing on the baseball fields; and the External Affairs department is in the process of upgrading their new studio space. Personnel updates were also presented.

As part of the updates on campus improvements, Dr. Mills presented a consideration of bids for the deferred maintenance projects, including the removal of light poles for the baseball fields at a cost of $5,040, concrete repairs for the second-floor walkways for the Bailey Residence Hall at a cost of $9,700, and the sound system upgrades for the Performing Arts Center at a cost of $139,700. The requests were approved.

Vice President of Instruction Irene Accomando gave an overview of the bioterrorism drill held by the Health and Public Service Programs earlier in July.

The 2023 Kids College camps were a success, and the college hopes to expand the program next year to the Burleson Higher Education Center.

Vice President of External Affairs Jessyca Brown presented plans for the college’s centennial celebration events.

Athletic Director Paul Brown presented the athletic report. The Hill College volleyball, softball, and baseball teams were recognized as All-Academic teams, with a total of 26 athletes recognized. Five rodeo athletes received Scholar American honors by the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association. Brown also announced his resignation as athletic director. He will continue to be the head rodeo coach and an agricultural instructor. Dean Randy Graves has been appointed the interim athletic director.

Chief Financial Officer Billy Don Curbo presented several considerations of approvals of bids, including the outdoor living environment for the Wallace-Galloway Park, which includes the pavilion, walkway, and firepit for a total $96,606.  Separate bids were proposed for the Wallace Campus for the bridge at a cost of $68,961 and a retaining wall and concrete work at the welding building for a cost of $94,280. Other bids presented were for property and liability insurance as well as insurance for the athletic department. The motions passed.

Curbo also presented a consideration of approval for equipment for the Nursing Program at a cost of $68,790.62. The motion passed.

Accomando presented a consideration of approval for an affiliation agreement for the Health and Public Service Programs that will provide an additional clinical site for students. The motion passed.

Vice President of Student Services Lizza Ross presented considerations of approval for 2023–2024 student and the residential life handbooks. The motions passed.

In other news, Hill College was mentioned in an article in the New York Times on July 17, 2023, regarding an additional space for the Texas Through Time paleontological museum located at the historic Grime’s Garage in Hillsboro. The city agreed to transfer an abandoned building that was home to Hill Junior College to the museum for use as an educational facility.

Members present: Karen Brackin, Bill Galiga, Jolene Lehmann, Dwight Lloyd, Tony Marley, Jennifer Nowlin, Bill Siddons III, Rick Sullins, and David Teel.

Members absent: Kent Eubank, Dr. Allan Lane, and Kevin Ray.

The Hill College Board of Regents meets the third Tuesday of every month.