TEXARKANA, Texas - The Texarkana College Board of Trustees met in a teleconference meeting Monday morning and will also hold its May meeting by teleconference.
TC President Dr. Jason Smith said the board is following meeting laws established by Texas Gov. Greg Abbot since open meeting laws have been temporarily suspended because of COVID-19.
Smith said any public comments will be added to the record. An audio of the meeting was also made and will be available to the public at a later date, Smith said.
During Monday's 30-minute meeting, the board voted to move the May meeting date from Monday, May 25, to Monday, May 18, since May 25 is Memorial Day. The meeting will be at 11:30 a.m. and will also be by teleconference.
Smith spoke about the changes that have affected students and faculty due to COVID-19 and how everyone is adjusting.
"We are a close-knit group here at TC and we are continuing to show that through teleconferencing and that is very impressive. I know faculty is still having personal contact with students," he said.
Smith said he continues to meet with college presidents across the state.
"We are still making decisions in unprecedented times," he said.
He said a good plan for how to use technology has helped make online learning a smooth transition.
"I want to say thanks to the faculty and staff for their hard work and dedication," he said.
Dr. Donna McDaniel, vice-president of instruction, said there are two weeks left in the semester and the faculty has done "a phenomenal job working with students."
Registration and financial aid services for the summer and fall semesters will continue moving forward online as well, McDaniel said.
"We are working hard and having regular meetings through Zoom," she said.
Dean of Students Robert Jones talked to board members about how students are coping with the changes.
He said most students are pleased with how TC's online accommodations are working. The biggest issue seems to be how many students who are single parents are finding time to balance education and childcare.
"There are time issues with a lot of parents and they feel like their grades are suffering," he said.
In other business, the board approved the Title IX compliance report for the 2019-2020 school year.