The Board of Trustees of Western Carolina University met in regular session on March 4, 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. Abbott, Mr. Coward, Mr. Edwards, Mr. Glenn, Mr. Gloyne, Mr. Hennessee, Mr. Holt, Mr. Killam, Mr. Ledford, Mr. Mallonee, Mr. Patterson, and Mr. Wynne. Also present were Chancellor Robinson; Vice Chancellors Dillard, Stillion, and Stoltz; Mrs. Jakes, Assistant to the Chancellor; Dr. Lovin, Faculty Representative to the Board of Trustees; Mr. Reed, Director of Public Information; Dr. Hyatt, Dean of the Graduate School; Mr. Scott, University Legal Counsel; Mr. Ballard, Director of Development and Alumni Affairs; Mr. Ramsey, Assistant to the Chancellor for WCU Programs in Asheville; and Mrs. Shuler, Secretary to the Chancellor.

Chairman Glenn presided over the meeting.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF DECEMBER 4, 1975, MEETING

Chairman Glenn reported that copies of the minutes of the meeting held on December 4, 1975, 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 REVISED TENURE DOCUMENT

The tenure document approved by the Board of Trustees at the October 22, 1975, special meeting was submitted to the General Administration offices for transmittal to the Board of Governors, where final authority for adoption of such documents rests. Some minor changes were made in the document by the Board of Governors, and a copy of the revised document had been mailed to the Trustees. Chancellor Robinson requested that ratification of the changes be made by the Trustees.

Following discussion, the changes were ratified by acclamation.

APPROVAL OF DEGREE CANDIDATES WHO COMPLETED REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION ON DECEMBER 10, 1975

A listing of candidates who would complete requirements for graduation on December 10, 1975, was presented to the Trustees. Upon proper motion duly seconded and unanimously carried, approval was given to grant degrees to the candidates who successfully completed all requirements.

INFORMATION REPORTS

1. Long-Range Plan

Chancellor Robinson informed the Trustees of the Long Range Plan to be adopted by the Board of Governors at their meeting on April 2, 1976. This Plan will be modified and up-dated each year, and a committee has been appointed to perform this task. For the current year requests for modification must be submitted by November 1 to the Planning Office of the General Administration.

Chancellor Robinson emphasized some points of major importance to Western Carolina University contained within the Plan: (1) The School of Health Sciences and Services and the Department of Nursing will be merged to form the School of Nursing and Health Sciences. (2) The plan provides for the establishment of a School of Technology and Applied Science. (3) Three new degree programs were authorized to be planned: Education Special Learning Disabilities (baccalaureate level); Education-Art Education (master's level); Fine and Applied Arts-Art (painting, drawing, sculpture) (master's level).

Chancellor Robinson reported to the Trustees on the authorized enrollment levels for each of the constituent institutions. He told them that Western Carolina University will continue to be responsible for providing graduate level courses and upper division courses in business administration and in education and psychology in the Asheville area. Western Carolina University and The University of North Carolina at Asheville will cooperate in the future development of nursing and health education programs.

Chancellor Robinson also informed the Trustees of the creation of the Joint Advisory Committee to work on problems of mutual interest to the community colleges and technical institutes, the private institutions, and the University System institutions.

2. AIDP External Evaluation Team

Dr. Lovin told the Trustees the names of the members of the external evaluation team, and Chancellor Robinson read portions of a letter from Dr. Grover Andrews, of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

3. Agreement with Jackson County Recreation Department

Vice Chancellor Dillard informed the Trustees of an agreement with the Jackson County Recreation Department for a canoe trail portage across university property on the north bank of the Tuckaseegee River.

4. Budget Restrictions and Allocations

Vice Chancellor Dillard summarized the budget limitations imposed by the Governor to be in effect until June 30, 1976.

Budget allocations for 1976-77 contain an approved enrollment level of 5210 and 7.6 new faculty positions.

5. Capital Improvement Requests

A listing of the capital improvements projects to be requested for the 197779 biennium was presented by Vice Chancellor Dillard.

6. Audit Report

Copies of the audit report for fiscal years 1973-74 and 1974-75 as prepared by Department of the State Auditor were made available to the Trustees.

7. Residence Hall Programming

Vice Chancellor Stillion introduced Mr. Chat Sue, Assistant Dean for Residence Life, who told the Trustees of activities taking place in the residence halls; for example, movies, chess tournaments, pool tournaments, various educational programs, etc. Mr. Sue commented on the use of student security personnel in areas where unauthorized personnel are most prevalent and informed the Trustees of plans for a living-learning center.

8. Bond Referendum

In Vice Chancellor Brown's absence, Chancellor Robinson reported that many organizations were very active in working for passage of the referendum, that good support is being received from public schools, and that radio tapes, talks to civic organizations, and other activities are taking place to publicize the importance of the bond referendum.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The following announcements were made:

1. National Conference on Trusteeship (AGB), Albuquerque, New Mexico, April 25-27

2. Next Board Meeting, June 3, 1976

3. Spring Commencement, June 6, 1976

EXECUTIVE SESSION    Open Meeting Act

After a short recess the Board went immediately into Executive Session.

ADJOURNMENT

With no further business to be transacted, the Board adjourned for luncheon in the Mary Will Mitchell Room of Brown Cafeteria.

Respectfully submitted,

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James H. Glenn, Chairman

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Helen B. Owen, Secretary