Barney Bray named to PJC’s Board of Regents

Published or Revised September 27, 2011

The newest Paris Junior College Regent, Barney Bray, was approved by consensus of the Board of Regents Monday evening. The District 6 seat became vacant with the resignation of Rachel Braswell. A Regent selection committee reviewed candidates and brought forth the recommendation to the full board. "District 6 was loaded with good candidates," said Committee Chair Frankie Norwood. "Due to the growth of industry in our area, we feel Barney Bray brings good knowledge to the board, as well as strong ties in Austin. He told us his and his family's roots go deep with PJC, and he will do everything he can to help the college." In other business, the Regents:

• Formally commissioned PJC's four campus police officers.
• Accepted the bid of SHW for $1,800 to do the design work necessary to replace the concrete ramps and sidewalks at the front of the Administration Building, as well as relocating the sewer line currently running underneath them.
• Modified the campus guidelines for naming buildings to include Paris Junior College, as well as the Foundation, as able to receive donations. The threshold for naming a building was modified to a minimum of $1 million or 25 percent of the building cost.
• Received a report on a decrease in fall head count enrollment of 4.1 percent from one year ago. Cuts from the state to school district funding for dual-credit students contributed to the largest drop. Though overall numbers dropped, the number of full-time students increased by 559 over last year.
• Heard an update on the SACS accreditation process. The compliance report is due in March 2012, and the review team's on-campus visit is one year away. The selection of a Quality Enhancement Plan focus will involve Regent input, as well as the college community. The Quality Enhancement Plan is part of the reaccreditation process.
• Reviewed a summary of the data submitted to the Achieving the Dream database in Washington, D.C., on student retention and success. The number of first-time, first-generation students rose to 83 percent. From fall 2006 to 2010, the number of students needing at least one remedial course rose from 53 to 68 percent. The number of certificates and degrees awarded as well as the number of core completers is improving.
• Received an update on meetings of the Texas Community College Teachers Association and Association of Community College Trustees in Dallas Oct. 12-15. Another meeting for regents will be held Nov. 3-4 in Austin. The Texas Higher Education Leadership Conference will have mandatory financial training for regents required by a new state law.
• Were informed of the number of former PJC students receiving licensure from the state for 2009-10 as part of the President's Report from Dr. Anglin. Beth Shelton's new certification as a developmental education specialist was also reported, as was an update on the Paris Legacy Foundation funding of the new math and science building. The Legacy has given $100,000 toward the building project.
• Approved the hiring of Assistant Men's Basketball Coach Corey Barker, effective Sept. 14, 2011.