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REGULAR
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES Conference
Room of Bird Administration Building
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The fall meeting of the Board of Trustees of Western Carolina College was held in the Conference Room of the Bird Administration Building, December 8, 1966, at 10:30 a.m. with full attendance. Members Present:
Others Present:
The meeting was called to order by the Chairman, Mr. Woody, who advised the Board that the election of officers constituted the first order of business and asked President Reid to preside. Upon the motion of Mr. Boyce Whitmire, seconded by Mr. Cooper, the following officers were unanimously elected:
The Chairman reviewed the Standing Committees of the Board of Trustees individually and upon motion by Mr. Buchanan, seconded by Mr. E. J. Whitmire, the Board unanimously elected the following Standing Committees: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Jonathan Woody,
Chairman LEGISLATIVE COMMITEE Sam Ervin,
III, Chairman Ramsey Buchanan,
Chairman INSTRUCTION COMMITTEE Dr. Charles
0. Van Gorder, Chairman Mrs. Dan K. Moore Jonathan Woody PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE E. J. Whitmire,
Chairman TRUSTEES OF THE ENDOWMENT FUND (Elected by Trustees) Frank Forsyth, ChairmanFrank H. Brown, Jr Paul A. Reid Modeal Walsh AUDITING COMMITTEE Boyce Whitmire,
Chairman President Reid presented the minutes of the spring meeting of the Board of Trustees which was held on May 13, 1966, and the minutes of the Building Committee meeting held on September 1, 1966. A motion was made by Mr. E. J. Whitmire that these minutes be approved and become a part of the permanent record book. This motion was seconded by Mr. Mallonee and unanimously passed. President Reid next introduced the four Division Heads of the Administration: Dr. W. N. Turner, Dean; Mr. Taylor Huskins, Dean of Student Affairs; Dr. Guy Burchfiel, Director of Public Relations and Summer School; Mr. James E. Kirkpatrick, Business Manager, with each giving a brief oral summary of the year's activities, accompanied by a mimeographed report. (See Exhibits #1-4 on file in the President's Office) The President presented the enrollment report for fall quarter 1966 and the enrollment prospects for fall 1967 and a revised copy of "WCC in Brief" which contains concise statistics about every phase of the college operation. Mr. Kirkpatrick, Business Manager, gave a brief report on the current building program stating that since the last Trustees meeting we have completed renovation of Stillwell Building, largely in the science area. Student Center is well underway. The Education and Psychology Building is well ahead of schedule and the contractor hopes to have it ready by next September. The Library addition is under way, but the Business Building is still in the planning stages. Mr. Brown showed the architects drawing of the highrise dormitory, which was admired by all those present, and stated that we will take bids on this building about the middle of January. Mr. Brown gave a report on the progress being made for the purchase of additional land stating that about 13 acres of the Norton property near the sewage disposal plant came on the market and that the Building Committee thought it in the best interest of the college to get this property while it is available. The Department of Administration obtained options on this property until some time later in the spring. Mr. E. J. Whitmire moved that we proceed with acquiring the Norton property. Mr. Mallonee seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. Mr. Boyce Whitmire reported that the Audit Committee met earlier today and approved the State Auditors Report. He suggested that all members of the Board read this report, because it is a beautifully detailed picture of the financial operation of the college. The college is in good hands so far as the business affairs are concerned. Mr. E. J. Whitmire moved that the report be approved. Mr. Hyde seconded, and the motion carried unanimously. President Reid introduced a discussion on the "Which Way From Here'' report which was published last spring, calling attention to that portion (page8) which reads "... that the Board of Trustees consider seriously the steps they would take toward the elevation of Western Carolina College to the status of an autonomous regional university''. He read that portion of the Trustees minutes which approved the idea of the administration proceeding cautiously. Then President Reid said that in recent weeks some members of the press have been calling him to ask what stand we take on the matter of university status. He asked Doug Reed, Director of Institutional Studies and Information, to read a statement which has been prepared in the light of detailed studies. (See Exhibit #5 on file in the President's Office). Each member present made a statement for the record. Mr. Boyce Whitmire: This is going to be a hard fight in the next Legislature, particularly concerning East Carolina College's move to become an independent university. He said if he were a member of the Legislature, he would try to find out about how many votes ECC would likely get, and then jump in with them. If they get university status now and we don't, none of us will live to see such status in the future of WCC. Mr. Kirkpatrick, Business Manager, gave a brief report on the current building program stating that since the last Trustees meeting we have completed renovation of Stillwell Building, largely in the science area. Student Center is well underway. The Education and Psychology Building is well ahead of schedule and the contractor hopes to have it ready by next September. The Library addition is under way, but the Business Building is still in the planning stages. Mr. Brown showed the architects drawing of the highrise dormitory, which was admired by all those present, and stated that we will take bids on this building about the middle of January. Mr. Brown gave a report on the progress being made for the purchase of additional land stating that about 13 acres of the Norton property near the sewage disposal plant came on the market and that the Building Committee thought it in the best interest of the college to get this property while it is available. The Department of Administration obtained options on this property until some time later in the spring. Mr. E. J. Whitmire moved that we proceed with acquiring the Norton property. Mr. Mallonee seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. Mr. Boyce Whitmire reported that the Audit Committee met earlier today and approved the State Auditors Report. He suggested that all members of the Board read this report, because it is a beautifully detailed picture of the financial operation of the college. The college is in good hands so far as the business affairs are concerned. Mr. E. J. Whitmire moved that the report be approved. Mr. Hyde seconded, and the motion carried unanimously. President Reid introduced a discussion on the "Which Way From Here" report which was published last spring, calling attention to that portion (pages) which reads "... that the Board of Trustees consider seriously the steps they would take toward the elevation of Western Carolina College to the status of an autonomous regional university''. He read that portion of the Trustees minutes which approved the idea of the administration proceeding cautiously. Then President Reid said that in recent weeks some members of the press have been calling him to ask what stand we take on the matter of university status. He asked Doug Reed, Director of Institutional Studies and Information, to read a statement which has been prepared in the light of detailed studies. (See Exhibit #5 on file in the President's Office). Each member present made a statement for the record. Mr. Boyce Whitmire: This is going to be a hard fight in the next Legislature, particularly concerning East Carolina College's move to become an independent university. He said if he were a member of the Legislature, he would try to find out about how many votes ECC would likely get, and then jump in with them. If they get university status now and we don't, none of us will live to see such status in the future of WCC. Mrs. Moore disagreed. She is in favor of the one university concept, saying it has been established with due and proper thought and for good reasons. She would not like to see WCC participate in this fight which is going to develop in the General Assembly, and would like to go on record as being opposed to it. Mr. Hyde: We must have an objective study made. If ECC is successful now, it should not keep us from getting consideration at some future date. Mr. Walsh: No statement. Mr. Mallonee: I think we are proceeding in the right manner. Dr. Van Gorder: If the newspapers are thinking in these terms, Mr. Doug Reed could lead it off if it is coming up inevitably. The statement he read is conservative and well written. This lets people know that we have been thinking along progressive lines and have not been asleep. Mr. E. J. Whitmire: I like this paper very much (referring to Mr. Doug Reed's statement). It has such latitude and longitude that we can go ahead from it any way we want to. It will serve notice on the rest of the state that we are interested in offering quality. The idea of ''instant university'' is repulsive to me. I would much rather have the reputation of being a good school. Mr. Cooper: I feel the same way. Mr. Buchanan: I cannot see that this state ment places us on any particular bandwagon. It is a conservative and well-written statement, and you can't exactly place us as to what we do want. Mr. Forsyth: No comment. Mr. Ervin: The statement is good, and does not unalterably commit us to any stand that we can't move from. I am in favor of releasing it. After considerable discussion Mr. Doug Reed and Mr. Ervin left the room to work on one sentence, to say it in a way entirely acceptable to everyone. President Reid then reported on the dedication of the new buildings. He said we were exploring the possibility of dedicating three new buildings in October, and wanted Governor Moore to speak, but he could not come then or in November. He said we would like to have the dedication ceremony on the grounds in front of Dodson Cafeteria, and thought the best thing would be to wait until About April when the weather is good and the Governor could be here and have a program for all three buildings at this time. No action was necessary in this case. Dean Turner next presented a request to authorize development of majors in the following fields: economics, home economics, earth science, physics, and speech. He explained that the program does not involve any new degrees, but will broaden our offerings. Upon motion of Mr. E. J. Whitmire, seconded by Mr. Walsh, the Board unanimously approved the new majors. Dean Turner read a request for a biological preserve. He explained to the Board that the college owns the land in the White Rock and Wolf Creek area and we need permission of the Trustees to put a sign up there saying it is a wildlife preserve. Mr. Cooper moved, seconded by Mr. Hyde, that this permission be granted and the motion carried unanimously. President Reid presented a list of new faculty and staff which had been employed since the last meeting of the Board. Mr. Boyce Whitmire moved they be approved, Mr. Walsh seconded, and the motion carried unanimously. President Reid presented a letter from Professor C. F. Dodson, Head of the Science Department, in which he states his desire to retire at the end of the spring quarter. He wishes to teach in the summer school and fall quarter. Mrs. Moore moved the request be approved. Dr. Van Gorder seconded the motion, and it was carried unanimously. It was also suggested that there be a written expression from the Board to Mr. Dodson in appreciation of his service. President Reid read a letter from Dr. Cecil Mann, Professor of Psychology, in which he offered to donate a collection of books in the hope they would be cataloged and placed in the seminar room of the new psychology building. Mr. Hyde moved that we accept the books, Mrs. Moore seconded, and it carried unanimously. Mr. Hyde asked if the donation might be designated as the Cecil Mann Collection and it was generally agreed this should be done. At this point Mr. Doug Reed and Mr. Ervin returned to the room with revisions in the statement which he had prepared. Mr. Reed read the statement with the changes. Mr. Hyde moved that the statement be approved as the official statement of the President of Western Carolina College. Dr. Van Gorder seconded; Mrs. Moore abstained, and all others voted affirmatively. Mr. Kirkpatrick presented material on the Student Center. He said the Trustees had approved the amended loan agreement. After bids were opened and contracts awarded we found we did not need to issue this much in bonds. We have an amendment for your approval reducing the total bond authorization by $90,000. It will cover 3% for Series A bonds and 3-3/4% for Series B. Upon motion by Mr. Ervin, seconded by Mr. Mallonee, the Board unanimously adopted the resolution. (See Exhibit #6 on file in the President's Office) Upon motion of Mr. Cooper, seconded by Dr. Van Gorder, the Board unanimously adopted the following resolution: The Board of Trustees of Western Carolina College does hereby approve in full Amendment No. I dated October 7, 1966, to the Loan Agreement as of February 1, 1965, and revised as of April 1, 1966, identified as ''Project No. CH-NC-110 (S), Western Carolina College, Cullowhee, North Carolina," and the supplement thereto entitled ''Contract No. F-302-2727" which designated interest rate of three and three-fourth per centum (3-3/4%) for $900,000 Series A and three per centum (3%) for $110,000 Series B per annum and maturities of bonds as set out in the Amendment, dated October 7, 1966, to the Loan Agreement. Resolved, further, that Jonathan H. Woody, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Western Carolina College, is hereby authorized to execute said Amendment to the Loan Agreement as Chairman of the Board, and that Paul A. Reid, Secretary to said Board, is likewise hereby authorized to attest as Secretary to the Board. The Chairman presented a lease agreement with the Trustees of the Cullowhee Methodist Church and the college to lease a parting lot to the college at the rate of $800 per year for a period of two years with an option to renew for one additional year provided this space was still needed after a period of two years. Upon motion by Mr. Mallonee, seconded by Mr. E. J. Whitmire, the Board unanimously approved this lease agreement. The Chairman next presented a request from Mrs. Lillian Buchanan, Librarian, to grant an extension to her retirement. Upon motion by Mr. Mallonee, seconded by Dr. Van Gorder, the Board voted not to grant an extension to Mrs. Buchanan. Her retirement will become effective June 30, 1967. The President announced that he had invited the Western North Carolina Legislators and spouses as guests for lunch and the Christmas Program on December 15, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., with an invitation to all Board members to attend also if possible. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned for lunch in the Dodson Cafeteria. Respectfully submitted,
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