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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-18-09 TSHA Agenda Packet A G E N D A BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE TEXAS STUDENT HOUSING AUTHORITY (AN INSTRUMENTALITY OF THE TOWN OF WESTLAKE) AUGUST 18, 2009 5:30 P.M. TEXAS STUDENT HOUSING OFFICE 3 VILLAGE CIRCLE, COUNCIL CHAMBERS/MUNICIPAL COURT ROOM WESTLAKE, TEXAS 1. CALL TO ORDER. 2. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM MAY 26, 2009, MEETING. 3. HEAR AND DISCUSS REPORT BY TSHA TASKFORCE CHAIRMAN LARRY CORSON. 4. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION. 5. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO SCHOLARSHIP SCORING PROCESS. 6. REVIEW AND DISCUSS PROPOSED CHANGES TO 2010-2011 SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FOR BOTH HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS AND CURRENT COLLEGE STUDENTS. 7. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT. 8. ADJOURN. CERTIFICATION I certify that the above notice was posted at the Town Hall of the Town of Westlake, 3 Village Circle, Westlake, Texas, on Fri day, August 14, 2009, by 5 p.m. under the Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code. _____________________________________ Kelly Edwards, TRMC, Town Secretary If you plan to attend this public meeting and have a disability that requires special needs, please advise the Town Secretary 48 hours in advance at 817-490-5710 and reasonable accommodations will be made to assist you. MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE TEXAS STUDENT HOUSING AUTHORITY (AN INSTRUMENTALITY OF THE TOWN OF WESTLAKE) May 26, 2009 PRESENT: President Jim Carter and Directors Jac Irvine, Jill McKean, and Chuck Schultz. ABSENT: Directors George Ledak and Melanie Lekkos. OTHERS PRESENT: President Pete Ehrenberg and Secretary Kim Sutter. 1. CALL TO ORDER. President Carter called the meeting to order at 6:36 p.m. 2. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM FEBRUARY 24, 2009, MEETING. President Carter introduced the item and requested a motion. MOTION: Director Schultz made a motion to approve the minutes of the February 24, 2009, meeting. Director McKean seconded the motion. The motion carried by a vote of 2-0, with Directors McKean and Irvine abstaining from the vote due to absence from the February 24, 2009, meeting. 3. CONSIDER APPOINTING TWO MEMBERS TO A WORK GROUP TO RESEARCH AND EVALUATE TSHA PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. President Carter introduced the item advised the Board that he does not want the Board to lose the decision making authority that the Board currently has, and would hope that the Board would stand by the bylaws of TSHA when making recommendations regarding the program. Director Irvine stated that he is willing to serve on the Council appointed TSHA works group. President Carter stated that he feels Scott Bradley and Allen Moon should serve as ex - officio members of the work group. President Carter stated that he would serve on the work group if Director Ledak cannot serve. MOTION: Director Schultz made a motion to appoint Directors Irvine and Ledak to serve as members of the Council appointed TSHA work group to research TSHA Board of Directors Page 2 of 4 Minutes May 26, 2009 and evaluate TSHA Programs and Services. Director McKean seconded the motion. The motion carried by a vote of 4-0. 4. CONSIDER AND TAKE ACTION REGARDING REQUEST BY MUNIMAE FINANCIAL TO FOREGO ASSET MANAGEMENT FEES FOR THE TOWN LAKE PROPERTY. President Carter introduced the item and requested a motion. MOTION: Director Irvine moved to remove the item from the table for consideration Director Schultz seconded the motion. The motion carried by a vote of 4 - 0. Executive Director Ehrenberg presented the item to the Board, and explained to the Board that if the payments are suspending on the A2 bonds, the bonds would go in default. Following discussion by the Board, Chairman Carter asked for a motion. MOTION: Director Irvine made a motion to deny the request of MuniMae Financial to forego the asset management fees for the Town Lake Property. Director Schultz seconded the motion. The motion carried by a vote of 4 - 0. 5. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE FY 2009 -10 AUTHORITY BUDGET. Executive Director Ehrenberg presented the item to the Board. Mr. Ehrenberg advised the Board that 161 students have accepted scholarship offers for the 2009-10 school year and of the 161, 30 have been granted full scholarships. Discussion ensued regarding the proposed budget, the ability to utilize overflow facilities in the future, and the possibility of hiring contract labor to score scholarships. MOTION: Director Irvine made a motion to approve the Authority budget with the following Board with the following amendment 1) remove $25K from the contingency line item to achieve a balanced budget. Director Schultz seconded the motion. The motion carried by a vote of 4-0. 6. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER APPROVAL OF FY 2009-2010 BUDGET FOR CAMBRIDGE FACILITY. Executive Director Ehrenberg addressed the Board regarding the item. Finance Manager Pete Ehrenberg presented the budget to the Board. Mr. Ehrenberg advised the Board that the proposed budget is based on 100% occupancy for the 2009-2010 school year. TSHA Board of Directors Page 3 of 4 Minutes May 26, 2009 Director Irvine recommended a rate increase be considered based on the projected occupancy. Total budget is down by $150K. Director Irvine asked if that included the asset management fees. Executive Director Pete Ehrenberg stated we receive $102K. Director Irvine asked to be provided breakout for each property a split between asset management and property management fee. Discussion ensued regarding debt payments and the Brazos County tax issue. MOTION: Director Irvine made a motion to approve the FY 2009-2010 Budget for the Cambridge facility. Director Schultz seconded the motion. The motion carried by a vote of 4-0. 7. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER APPROVAL OF FY 2009-2010 BUDGET FOR BALLPARK FACILITY. Executive Director Ehrenberg presented the Ballpark facility budget to the Board, and stated that the budget is based on 97% occupancy. Discussion ensued regarding debt service payments, the need to paint the facility, and the current year revenue and expenses. Director Irvine requested that the economic and physically occupancy rates be included on the report. MOTION: Director McKean made a motion to approve the FY 2009-2010 Ballpark facility Budget. Director Irvine seconded the motion. The motion carried by a vote of 4-0. 8. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER APPROVAL OF FY 2009-2010 BUDGET FOR TOWN LAKE FACILITY. Executive Director Ehrenberg presented the Town Lake facility budget to the Board. Executive Director Ehrenberg advised that the Town Lake property budget is based on a 97% occupancy rate. Discussion ensued regarding the debt service reserve, the preleasing rate and the need to discuss a marketing strategy with the property managers. MOTION: Director Schultz made a motion to approve the FY 2009-2010 Budget for the Town Lake facility. Director McKean seconded the motion. The motion carried by a vote of 4-0. TSHA Board of Directors Page 4 of 4 Minutes May 26, 2009 9. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT. Executive Director Ehrenberg addressed the Board regarding possible changes to the scholarship application and the scoring criteria to be used for the 2010/2011 scholarship process. It was the consensus of the Board to direct staff to submit the proposed changes to the scholarship application and the scoring process to the Board for review. 10. ADJOURN. There being no further business, Chairman Carter asked for a motion to adjourn. MOTION: Director Schultz made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Director McKean seconded the motion. The motion carried by a vote of 4-0. There being no further business before the board, President Carter declared the meeting adjourned at 8:04 p.m. APPROVED BY THE TEXAS STUDENT HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS AUGUST 18, 2009 ______________________________________ Jim Carter, President ATTEST ____________________________________ Kelly Edwards, Secretary (AN INSTRUMENTALITY OF THE TOWN OF WESTLAKE) 2010-2011 Scholarship Application For 2009 High School Graduates $10,000 ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS $2,500.00 a year OFF-CAMPUS* housing scholarship , renewable for up to four years APPLICATION DEADLINE: JANUARY 31, 201009 This scholarship is open to students accepted to colleges in Austin, College Station, or Denton, or San Marcos, Texas, that have NOT signed off-campus housing leases with a TSH facility managed by Asset Campus Housing. *Please note: Texas State University and Texas Woman’s University typically does not permit Freshmen or Sophomore students to live off campus. The University of North Texas restricts Freshmen from living off- campus as well. Therefore, scholarships may be limited to upper-classmen at these universities. Introduction Texas Student Housing Authority’s (TSHA) academic scholarships are administered by the Board of Directors. The academic scholarship described below rewards academic and leadership excellence. Family financial disclosure is not required, but special needs are considered. A complete application for the scholarship listed in this publication consists of the application form, personal statement, official transcript, letters of recommendation, and standardized test scores. ALL TSHA scholarships awarded through this application will be announced to the winning applicants by e-mail or US mail. Please make sure TSHA is kept informed of any changes in your contact information (e-mail address, mailing address, and/or home/cell telephone number). Application Instructions 1. Application Form: Properly complete and sign the application form. Scholarship application materials should be mailed to the address on the last page of this package. Postmark deadline for this application is JANUARY 31, 200910. Earlier submission of the application is encouraged. 2. Eligibility: TSHA Scholarships are available to Texas High School graduating seniors, Community College attendees, and university upper classmen who have previously graduated from a Texas High School. 3. High School and University Transcripts: An OFFICIAL high school transcript and (if applicable) OFFICIAL University transcript indicating grades and class rank at least through the mid term of the previous year must accompany the scholarship application. Faxed copies of transcripts are not official and cannot be accepted. 4. SAT or ACT Scores: An SAT or ACT score is required. The TSHA considers the student’s highest one-day test score for scholarship competition regardless of how many times the test has been taken. The highest combined/mixed scores from two different test dates may not be combined. Copies of the official score sheet are acceptable and also are required as part of the Counselor/Principal form (page 3). 5. GPA: Please make sure the Counselor/Principal has filled in the applicant’s GPA and all requested data on the page he/she fills out. The GPA must be presented on a 4.0 scale. 6. Completeness of the Application Package: The ability to follow the given instructions will be a factor in the award process. Scholarships 1. $2,500.00 scholarships for academic year 201009-20101 will be limited to students who will be attending college in Austin, College Station, or Denton, or San Marcos, Texas. 2. Scholarships are awarded for the partial cost of an OFF-CAMPUS room for one (1) academic year at the Ballpark in Austin, Town Lake in Austin, the Ridge at North Texas, the Ridge at San Marcos and the Cambridge in College Station or at an alternate comparable facility if IF designated by TSH. This scholarship cannot be transferred to another university or location A scholarship awardee is eligible for scholarship support the following year if the student maintains TSHA established academic and leadership standards and communicates with the TSHA Board as required. 3. A college grade point average of 3.0 is desired for renewal of the scholarship for subsequent years. The Board also requires you to keep them apprised of your progress in school. 4. A deposit of $250.00 is required on acceptance of a TSHA $2,500.00 scholarship, not as a part of this application. This deposit is non refundable, but will be applied to the student’s portion of the housing cost. The total housing cost consists of three increments: The $2,500.00 scholarship, balance of the rent owed and an administrative payment to TSHA. The sum of the three will not exceed the base retail price normally charged by the property manager to non scholarship residents. KEEP THESE THREE PAGES OF INFORMATION FOR YOUR RECORDS DO NOT MAIL WITH APPLICATION 1 TEXAS STUDENT HOUSING AUTHORITY INCREMENTAL ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION PERSONAL PROFILE Please type or print in ink Last Name First Name Middle: E-mail address: Permanent Address: City: State: Zip Code: Phone Number with Area Code: ( ) Birth date Birthplace Month/Day/Year City State County US Citizen? Yes No If “No” complete: Country of Citizenship Permanent resident PR# Visa Type Date Issued: (Enclose copy of both sides of card) Please indicate the gross annual household income for your family by checking the appropriate range below: Less than 25,000 25,001 to 50,000 50,001 to 75,000 75,0001 to 100,000 100,001 to 150,000 Over 150,000 Please note: Failure to attach a current photo will delay the processing of your application. Please attach a current photograph of yourself here. Formatted: Tab stops: 2.25", Left + 2.5", Left + Not at 1" 2 3 Last Name First Name Middle: HIGH SCHOOL COURSE WORK PROFILE Fall 2009 - City where University/College is located (please select all that apply): ‰ Austin ‰ College Station ‰ Denton ‰ San Marcos Please note, the TSHA Housing Scholarship only applies to housing in one of the three Texas cities listed above. Name of University/College you will be attending: _______________________________________________________ Include acceptance letter with application (if not yet accepted and are subsequently accepted, send this updated information to TSHA ASAP so we can update your application. High School: List all high schools and colleges you have attended. Place first the school where you attend currently and list chronologically. School Name School Address City, State, Zip Attendance Dates Senior Course Work: List the courses you are taking this year. Identify courses that are Honors (H), Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), etc. Term 1 Term II College Course Work: If you have taken or are currently taking college courses, list the course title(s), the college, the grade(s) earned and dates attended. PERSONAL STATEMENT Personal statement should be typewritten on an 8½” by 11” white unlined paper, double-spaced, leaving 1 inch margins and using front side only. The personal statement must be included with this submittal. Do not send items separately. Since this statement may be photocopied for committee members, be sure the print is dark enough to produce legible photocopies. In 250 words or less, answer the following questions: • Why do you want and need this scholarship? • Comment on high school courses that have been most challenging and rewarding. • Comment on character traits, which have been your best assets. • Describe your post-college ambition. I understand that the information submitted herein will be relied upon by officials of the TSHA to determine my status as a scholarship candidate. I certify that the information in and submitted with this application is complete and correct and understand that it may be verified by the TSHA and that the submission of false information is grounds for rejection of my application and withdrawal of any offer of scholarship. I also give permission to release these materials to any appropriate scholarship committee. Formatted: Font: Italic Formatted: Indent: Left: 0" 4 Signature: __________________________________ Date: __________________________________________ 5 COUNSELOR OR PRINCIPAL MUST COMPLETE THIS PAGE FOR APPLICATION TO BE COMPLETE Student Name: High School: Name of School District: 1. Standardized Test Scores: Please fill in scores for all tests taken. Test scores are necessary for a student’s scholarship application to be complete and should also be sent to the TSHA as soon as possible. The TSHA considers the student’s highest one day test score for scholarship competition regardless of how many times the test is taken; the TSHA does not combine highest scores. Scores of the prior SAT format are still acceptable (i.e. verbal/math). SAT: Part 1 ACT: English Math Part II Reading Sci. Reasoning Part III Composite TOTAL Date Taken Date Taken If student is retesting or if scores are not available, note below: SAT will be (re)taken ______________ (date) ACT will be (re)taken _____________ (date) Indicate category of recognition (if applicable): Nat’l. Merit Commended Nat’l. Achievement Commended Nat’l. Hispanic Hon. Mention Scholar Nat’l. Merit Semifinalist Nat’l. Achievement Semifinalist Nat’l. Hispanic Scholar 2. Class Rank: The candidate most recently ranks _____________ in a class numbering ___________. If school does not rank; Student falls in the ____________% of his/her class. Rank is based on grades that are (check one): weighted unweighted. 3. GPA: Student has a GPA of ____________ on a 4 point scale. AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT MUST BE ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE TSHA FOR A SCHOLARSHIP FILE TO BE COMPLETE. Information on high school and/or school district, including types of courses offered, profiles of student body, etc, is helpful in the scholarship evaluation process. 4. Letters of Recommendation: Students must submit at least two (2) LETTERS of recommendation from a counselor, principal, teacher, employer, minister, etc. appraising the individual’s academic and personal qualities and promise as a University/College student. Unusual family circumstances or special personal challenges should be presented. Scholarship committees are particularly interested in evidence of character, relative maturity, integrity, independence, interest, and any special talents or qualities. Please avoid listing activities which are available elsewhere in this application. Letters must accompany this application. Has the student been accepted for enrollment to __________________________________________? □ Yes □ No If no, has the student applied for admission? □ Yes □ No 5. Verification of Financial Hardship: To the best of your knowledge, does this student and their family have a financial hardship? □ Yes □ No Submitted by (print name): Date: Signature: Title/Position: e-mail address: Phone number: School Address: Either the student or the counselor/principal may return this application, personal statement, official transcript, and letters of recommendation as a part of this package, postmarked by January 31, 2009 to: Formatted: Font: 16 pt 6 Texas Student Housing Authority, 3 Village Circle, Suite 207, Westlake, Texas 76262 7 ACTIVITIES PROFILE HONORS AND DISTINCTIONS List major honors and distinctions, in order of importance to you, received both in and out of school during grades 9-12. Include the sponsor, basis of award and date received. DO NOT ATTACH ADDITIONAL SHEETS. IF YOU HAVE MORE THAN 10, LIST THE 10 MOST IMPORTANT. Award/Honor Sponsor Basis of Award Date Received EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES List below, in order of importance to you, your principal extracurricular activities in grades 9-12 and college if applicable. (Do not list employment or volunteer work.) If not self-explanatory by title, please describe the activity. DO NOT ATTACH ADDITIONAL SHEETS. IF YOU HAVE MORE THAN 8, LIST THE 8 MOST IMPORTANT. Activity Note grade level(s) of participation by recording number of hours per week & weeks per year you were/are involved in the activity. Position/office held or honors won 8 COMMUNITY SERVICE OR ACTIVITIES Describe the nature of the activities/community service (Examples: Candy Striper, Literacy Volunteer, etc.) your specific role, when you participated in the activities, and how much of your time was devoted to each activity. DO NOT ATTACH ADDITIONAL SHEETS. IF YOU HAVE MORE THAN 8, LIST THE 8 MOST IMPORTANT. Activity Description/Role Dates Hours WORK EXPERIENCE/SUMMER ACTIVITIES Please list any jobs (Example: Fast Food, Primary Caretaker, etc.) you have held or are holding and provide dates of employment, hours per week, and a brief description of your position and responsibilities. You may also include significant summer activities such as academic enrichment or travel abroad. DO NOT ATTACH ADDITIONAL SHEETS. IF YOU HAVE MORE THAN 8, LIST THE 8 MOST IMPORTANT. Job/Activity Position/Responsibilities Date Hours per week LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION Writer Title Date 1. __________________________________________________________________________ 2. __________________________________________________________________________ 3. __________________________________________________________________________ A MINIMUM OF TWO (2) LETTERS ARE REQUIRED AND MUST BE ATTACHED TO THIS APPLICATION. 9 Checklist for scholarship application package: Please review the following checklist to ensure your application package is complete.