The Austin Community College District (ACC) Board of Trustees held its regular meeting of 2023 on Monday, March 6, at Highland Campus.

Trustees received updates on the Chancellor search process, the fiscal year 2024 budget, the 2022 bond program, and more.

Below are highlights from the meeting.

Chancellor Search Update

Trustees approved a 36-person advisory committee for the college’s chancellor search process to assist the board in appointing a new chancellor. The committee is made up of college and community representatives nominated by college-sanctioned associations, Trustees, and ACC Chancellor Dr. Richard Rhodes. The committee will participate in a meet & greet this week and will have their first meeting after the April 7 application deadline to review the candidates. Learn more about ACC’s chancellor search process here, and view the Chancellor Search Advisory Committee list here.

Update on Chancellor’s Priority 6: 2022 Bond Program

With voter approval of the 2022 bond program, ACC has started work on the procurement process for bond-funded projects across the district. The college is focusing its initial efforts on four campuses — Round Rock, Hays, Pinnacle, and the Southeast Travis county site. Learn more here.

ACC District Police Activity Report

The ACC District Police Department presented three reports to Trustees. The Department shared its 2022 Activity Report, Racial Profiling Report, and Training Report.  View the reports in the meeting agenda.

New CNC Machining Apprenticeship

Trustees approved a new Continuing Education Certificate in Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) Machine Operator in response to regional manufacturer demand. It is an apprenticeship program developed by ACC’s Design, Manufacturing, Construction & Applied Technologies department in partnership with Capital Area Workforce Solutions and Austin Regional Manufacturers Association. This earn-and-learn opportunity provides students with guaranteed employment while they take classes. 

Adjunct Faculty Policy Discussion

Trustees are closely reviewing Board policy for adjunct faculty with a focus on their workload and compensation schedule. View the discussion here.

Firefighting Simulators Approved

Trustees approved the purchase of two new firefighting simulators. The simulators, along with training system exhibits, will be housed in the new Make It Center at ACC Highland Campus and at ACC’s Fire Training Academy. 

Chancellor’s Report

Chancellor Rhodes provided trustees with highlights from the last month, including a visit from U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. She toured ACC’s advanced manufacturing facilities at Highland and then sat down for a roundtable conversation at the IMPACT Lab.

With a new legislative season underway, Rhodes shared an update on new Community College Finance reform legislation that has been introduced. 

He also provided an update on ACC’s participation in Amplify Austin. ACC’s goal was to raise money for our Student Emergency Fund, and preliminary reports indicate we raised nearly $30,000 from 173 donors. Read more here.

Rhodes also announced several upcoming events: 

  • He informed Trustees that the college is hosting several events at the Rio Grande Campus during South By Southwest (SXSW). Events include several official SXSW panels and a two-day workshop event for military families. Some events are free and open to the community. Others require an official SXSW credential. See more here.
  • The college will host a groundbreaking celebration for a new community park and event pavilion. The UFCU Pavilion is going up at the St. John Encampment Commons Park at ACC Highland. Join us to celebrate and learn more at the event on Monday, March 27. 
  • ACC’s annual Boots & Bats Gala is back. The gala — benefiting student scholarships — will be held at ACC Highland in the new ACCTV and Austin PBS Studio on Saturday, April 29. Hosted in partnership with the Art Has Heart Foundation, the event will feature a live and silent art auction, live music, and custom food and drinks prepared and served by ACC students and staff. Tickets go on sale this week.

Watch Dr. Rhodes’ full report here.