The Board of Trustees of Western Carolina University met in regular session on December 9, 1976, at 10:00 a.m. in the Conference Room of Bird Administration Building.

ROLL CALL

The following members of the Board were present: Mr. Coward, Mr. Glenn, Mr. Gloyne, Mr. Hennessee, Mr. Ledford, Mr. Mallonee, Mrs. Owen, Mr. Patterson, Mr. Teague, and Mr. Wynne. Others present were Chancellor Robinson; Vice Chancellors Dooley, MacDonell, Stillion, and Stoltz; Mr. Brown, Special Assistant to the Chancellor; Mrs. Jakes, Assistant to the Chancellor; Dr. Pickering, Faculty Representative to the Board; Mr. Ramsey, Assistant to the Chancellor for WCU Programs in Asheville; Mr. Reed, Director of Public Information; Mr. Scott, University Attorney; Mr. Wood, Director of Institutional Studies and Planning; and Mrs. Shuler, Administrative Assistant to the Chancellor.

Chairman Glenn presided over the meeting.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 16, 1976, MEETING

Chairman Glenn reported that copies of the minutes of the meeting held on September 16, 1976, had been mailed to each Trustee. No suggestion or correction was made, and upon proper motion duly seconded and unanimously carried, the minutes were approved.

RATIFICATION OF TELEPHONE POLL ON HIGHWAY AGREEMENT

The Board members had been contacted by telephone regarding approval of an agreement with the North Carolina Department of Transportation related to the relocation of Highway 107 which will provide a new entrance to the campus. After looking at plans of the proposed project and discussing relevant information, upon proper motion duly seconded and unanimously carried, the telephone poll was ratified.

APPROVAL OF NAME CHANCES

1. Center for Improvement of Mountain Living

Chancellor Robinson informed the Trustees of the need to expand activities of the Economic Development Center, presently being operated within the School of Business. He explained that offices are needed in several areas of the region, especially in Asheville, and the proposed Center for Improvement of Mountain Living (CIML) will be concerned with various areas of service, including business. The new Center will be administratively located in the Development and Special Services area. Following discussion and upon proper motion duly seconded and unanimously carried, the Trustees approved the proposal for CIML.

2. Office of Research and Graduate Studies

In order to reflect the activities being carried out in the Graduate Office, Chancellor Robinson recommended that the name be changed to Office for Research and Graduate Studies. Following discussion and upon proper motion duly seconded and unanimously carried, the change was approved.

INFORMATION REPORTS

Chancellor Robinson announced that the WCU Marching Band had been invited to participate in the inaugural parade of Governor James Hunt and that the ROTC Color Guard would lead the ROTC segment of the parade.

1. Long-Range Plan

Chancellor Robinson and Vice Chancellor Stoltz told the Trustees of the work being done to up-date the long-range plan. A list of proposed new programs and tracks was distributed, with the explanation being made that a track is a reorganization of existing courses already authorized and approval can be secured by a letter from the President to the Chancellor after review by the Program Planning Committee of the Board of Governors. There was a general discussion of the proposed offerings and, upon proper motion duly seconded and unanimously carried, approval was given for the Executive Committee to approve the long-range plan as it relates to the submission of material to General Administration.

2. Alumni Affairs

Vice Chancellor Dooley reported on the activities taking place in the area of Alumni Affairs. Mr. Ballard, who had served as Acting Director during the fall, has recently retired, and work has begun to locate a new Director. The mailing list is being computerized and an annual-dues paying membership program has been established. The percentage of contributors as of December 8 is almost double the figure for all of the previous year. Future goals include strengthening the local chapters and establishing new ones, as well as developing a strong attitude toward regular giving to broaden the base of contributors.

3. Progress on Construction Projects

Acting Vice Chancellor MacDonell and Director Wood gave a comprehensive report on the construction projects underway on the campus. The major projects now under construction are the Natural Science Building (to be completed in March, 1977); the Music-English classroom building (to be completed in March, 1978); and the Administration-Mountain Heritage Center (contracts anticipated to be awarded in April, 1977).

4. Chapel Hill Meeting

Chairman Glenn and Chancellor Robinson reported on a meeting they had attended in Chapel Hill with the Board of Governors, Chairmen of Boards of Trustees, and Chancellors. The discussion centered around the issue of state aid to private institutions and ways in which the Trustees could assist the public institutions.

PRESENTATION ON STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Mr. Teague told the Trustees about some of the projects the Student Government Association has underway and outlined some of the goals for the future. He then introduced Mr. Joe Yelton, who reported on the Student Senate; Mr. Steve Harrell, who summarized the activities of the student courts; Mr. Joe Planz, who discussed the funds used by the student organizations; and Mr. Jake Phillips, who told of the planned operation of Radio Station WWCU-FM.

LUNCHEON

Luncheon was served in the Mary Will Mitchell Room of Brown Cafeteria, and Mr. Coward and Mr. Ledford were excused immediately following lunch. The other trustees toured the University Center and then returned to Bird Conference Room for the remainder of the meeting.

EXECUTIVE SESSION   Open Meeting Act

ADJOURNMENT

With no further business to be transacted, the meeting was declared adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

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James H. Glenn, Chairman

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Helen B. Owen, Secretary