Hill College Board of Regents holds August 2023 monthly meeting

  Jessyca Brown
  Monday, August 28, 2023 10:42 AM
  Enrollment Management

Hillsboro, TX

On August 15, 2023, the Hill College Board of Regents met for the monthly regular session meeting.

The minutes from the July meeting were approved. The financial report was presented and approved. The operating budget for the 2023–2024 fiscal year was also presented and approved following the public hearing.

Hill College President Dr. Thomas Mills presented his report, beginning with the employee appreciation event held on August 10, 2023, at the Cleburne Railroaders baseball game.

He introduced Chris McElrath, the interim Human Resources Director, to the board. McElrath is replacing Jamie Jaska who announced her resignation earlier this month.

Dr. Mills also announced new organizational changes and department titles. These changes are geared toward creating a more student-focused leadership structure with the goal of enhancing the overall student experience at the college.

Dr. Mills’ report also included an update on enrollment and campus improvements. Enrollment numbers continue to trend upward.

The first phase of renovations at the Performing Arts Center are near completion. Other ongoing improvement projects include the library erosion and prevention repairs, which will be complete once the railing is delivered and installed; the new bleachers for the baseball field are expected to arrive soon; and the Texas Heritage Museum is in the process of wrapping up a few small maintenance projects. The roofing repairs at Dudley and Frazier Halls are complete. Personnel updates were also presented.

Vice President of External Affairs Jessyca Brown presented plans for the college’s centennial celebration events beginning September 6, 2023, with the Lady Rebels volleyball team playing Dallas College-Richland at the Bob Bullock Sports Center. Other events include a special exhibition and reception at the Texas Heritage Museum, the first musical performance of this year’s Performing Arts Series, a Celebration Dinner, and Alumni & Friends Day. For details on all events, visit www.hillcollege.edu/100.

Brown also reminded the board of the annual Board of Regent Self-Assessment Survey, a requirement of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to maintain accreditation, which is due later this month.

Interim Athletic Director Randy Graves presented the athletic report. The Hill College soccer and volleyball teams have begun practices and will start their seasons soon. The women’s soccer team is ranked number 6 in Division 1 of the NJCAA. Currently, both the women and men’s soccer teams are picked to win Region 5. Cross country and rodeo are both set to begin in September as well.

Dr. Mills presented a consideration of approval for the tax abatement agreement. A motion was made to not support the agreement and was passed.

Dr. Mills also presented a consideration of approval for the Title IX Annual Report. The motion to approve passed.

Vice President of Administrative Services Billy Don Curbo presented a consideration of approval for the college’s investment policy. The motion passed. He also presented a consideration of approval for the depository. A motion was made to utilize Citizens State Bank for the college’s depository institution; the motion passed.

Curbo presented a consideration of approval for the voter-approval tax rate. The motion passed. A public hearing will take place at the board’s next meeting on September 19, 2023.

Curbo presented an additional consideration of approval of bids for audio, video, and lighting upgrades for the second phase of improvements for the Performing Arts Center at a cost of $123,918.90. The motion passed.

Vice President of Instruction Irene Accomando presented a consideration of approval for an affiliation agreement for the Health and Public Service programs. The motion passed.

Accomando also presented a consideration of approval for a workforce partnership for educational services training and a consideration of approval for the 2023–2024 College Catalog. Both motions passed.

Lastly, Accomando presented a consideration of approval of new field of studies for political science, social work, and sociology; the coursework for these fields of study would allow students to transfer 18 credit hours to a four-year institution. The motion passed.

Human Resources Director Jamie Jaska presented a consideration of approval for a policy update (#45), which includes seven policy updates for the college’s policy manual. The motion passed.

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

Members absent: Dr. Allan Lane, Dwight Lloyd, and Kevin Ray.

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