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ACC prez gets procurement green light
Alvin Community College regents unanimously approved providing the president with increased authority to procure goods and services to address damage on the campus caused by Hurricane Ike, during a regular regents meeting on Sept. 25.
The action by the Board of Regents ratified the president’s power for procurement to replace or repair college facilities and equipment and also temporarily increased the administration’s procurement authority from $20,000 to $50,000 for a period of 90 days.
“I think it’s important to point out that this is not a blank check,” ACC Board Chairman L. H. “Pete” Nash said. “It’s only for damages from the hurricane.”
Prior to the approval, Dean of Instruction/Provost Dr. John Bethscheider, Dean of Academic Programs Dr. Andrew Nelson and Dean of Administrative and Financial Services Dr. Darryl Stevens provided reports regarding the damage incurred, the relocation of various personnel, departments and classes, changes in schedules and plans for the future.
“Every single building on campus was breached (by water) in some way,” Bethscheider told the board.
As a result of hurricane damage, most of the offices, departments and personnel that were in Building A were relocated to other buildings on campus. Some of those included: the Registrar’s Office, Business Office, Admissions and Academic Advising, Financial Aid, GED Testing, Library, Learning Lab, Cyber Link Lab and Mailroom. Many classes, departments and programs that were held in Buildings B, C and D were also temporarily moved while restoration endeavors are underway.
According to Stevens, the college contracted with national disaster restoration company Cotton on Sept 17. Workers have been on campus around the clock removing damaged materials, cleaning and helping prevent further damage.
“They have done an absolutely fantastic job trying to get us up and running for Monday (Sept. 29),” he said.
The college will be addressing the damage in two phases. “The first phase is restoration – getting the campus safe to accommodate students and to make sure we don’t get anymore damage. The second phase will be reconstruction,” Stevens stated.
Nelson advised the board regarding the different ways the college will alter affected classes and help students complete the semester.
“It’s very simple; we need to be flexible,” he stated. Faculty will be considering compressing content, changing delivery methods, utilizing the Internet and working with students one-on-one.
Regents and administrators also discussed insurance issues with the college’s agent, Dave Hartsook of Victory Insurance. As of Sept. 25, the college still did not have a cost estimate for the restoration and reconstruction of the affected areas.
“A lot of things have happened to the college over the years and I don’t think there has been anything as devastating as this,” Nash said.
Board members expressed their gratitude to ACC employees who helped prepare the college before the hurricane, stayed during the hurricane and assisted with recovery immediately afterwards.
“I was amazed to see people working here,” Regent Mike Pyburn said of visiting the campus a day after Hurricane Ike.
The action by the Board of Regents ratified the president’s power for procurement to replace or repair college facilities and equipment and also temporarily increased the administration’s procurement authority from $20,000 to $50,000 for a period of 90 days.
“I think it’s important to point out that this is not a blank check,” ACC Board Chairman L. H. “Pete” Nash said. “It’s only for damages from the hurricane.”
Prior to the approval, Dean of Instruction/Provost Dr. John Bethscheider, Dean of Academic Programs Dr. Andrew Nelson and Dean of Administrative and Financial Services Dr. Darryl Stevens provided reports regarding the damage incurred, the relocation of various personnel, departments and classes, changes in schedules and plans for the future.
“Every single building on campus was breached (by water) in some way,” Bethscheider told the board.
As a result of hurricane damage, most of the offices, departments and personnel that were in Building A were relocated to other buildings on campus. Some of those included: the Registrar’s Office, Business Office, Admissions and Academic Advising, Financial Aid, GED Testing, Library, Learning Lab, Cyber Link Lab and Mailroom. Many classes, departments and programs that were held in Buildings B, C and D were also temporarily moved while restoration endeavors are underway.
According to Stevens, the college contracted with national disaster restoration company Cotton on Sept 17. Workers have been on campus around the clock removing damaged materials, cleaning and helping prevent further damage.
“They have done an absolutely fantastic job trying to get us up and running for Monday (Sept. 29),” he said.
The college will be addressing the damage in two phases. “The first phase is restoration – getting the campus safe to accommodate students and to make sure we don’t get anymore damage. The second phase will be reconstruction,” Stevens stated.
Nelson advised the board regarding the different ways the college will alter affected classes and help students complete the semester.
“It’s very simple; we need to be flexible,” he stated. Faculty will be considering compressing content, changing delivery methods, utilizing the Internet and working with students one-on-one.
Regents and administrators also discussed insurance issues with the college’s agent, Dave Hartsook of Victory Insurance. As of Sept. 25, the college still did not have a cost estimate for the restoration and reconstruction of the affected areas.
“A lot of things have happened to the college over the years and I don’t think there has been anything as devastating as this,” Nash said.
Board members expressed their gratitude to ACC employees who helped prepare the college before the hurricane, stayed during the hurricane and assisted with recovery immediately afterwards.
“I was amazed to see people working here,” Regent Mike Pyburn said of visiting the campus a day after Hurricane Ike.
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