The Board of Trustees of Western Carolina University met in regular session on August 18, 1977, at 10:00 a.m. in the Conference Room of Bird Administration Building.

ROLL CALL

Prior to the regular session, Mrs. Margaret Henson, Clerk of Jackson County Superior Court, conducted a swearing-in ceremony for the following newly-appointed and reappointed Trustees: Mrs. Avis Phillips, Mr. Paul Cowan, Mr. James Glenn, Mr. Robert Edwards, Mr. Jack Hennessee, and Mr. Richard Wynne.

Members of the Board present for the regular session were: Mr. Abbott, Mr. Cowan, Mr. Edwards, Mr. Glenn, Mr. Gloyne, Mr. Hennessee, Mr. Holt, Mr. Ledford, Mr. Murphy, Mr. Patterson, Mrs. Phillips, and Mr. Wynne. Others present were Chancellor Robinson; Vice Chancellors Dooley and Stillion; Mrs. Jakes, Assistant to the Chancellor; Dr. Phillips, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs; Mr. Creech, Director of Academic Services; Dr. Pickering, Faculty Representative to the Board; Mr. Pressley, Alumni Representative to the Board; Mr. MacDonell, Director of Financial Services; Mr. Ramsey Assistant to the Chancellor for WCU Programs in Asheville; Mr. Reed, Director of Public Information; Mr. Wood, Director of Institutional Studies and Planning; Mr. Duke, Photographer; and Mrs. Shuler, Administrative Assistant to the Chancellor.

Chairman Glenn presided over the meeting.

INTRODUCTIONS

Mr. Glenn introduced the new members of the Board of Trustees: Mrs. Avis Phillips of Robbinsville and Mr. Paul Cowan of Sylva. He also welcomed Mr. Clyde Pressley of Eden, the new alumni representative.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JUNE 2, 1977, MEETING

Chairman Glenn reported that copies of the minutes of the meeting held on June 2, 1977, had been mailed to the Trustees in office at that time and had been approved by mail ballot. Upon proper motion duly seconded and unanimously approved, the mail ballot was ratified.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS OF THE BOARD

Upon proper motion duly seconded and unanimously approved, the following officers of the Board were elected

Mr. James H. Glenn, Chairman
Mr. Jack M. Hennessee, Vice Chairman
Mrs. Avis Phillips, Secretary

APPOINTMENT OF STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD

Upon proper motion duly seconded and unanimously approved, members of standing committees of the Board were approved. (List of committees is on file with minutes material.)

PATRONS' OF QUALITY FUND DRIVE

An announcement was made that Mr. Glenn would serve on the committee for this fund drive. Further information will be forthcoming.

RATIFICATION OF TELEPHONE POLLS

1. Emergency Loan for Electrical System

Information about an emergency loan to repair the electrical distribution system had been mailed to the Trustees, and they had approved the application for the loan and for a rate increase to retire the indebtedness. Following discussion and upon proper motion duly seconded and unanimously approved, the action was ratified.

2. Board of Directors of WCU Foundation

Upon proper motion duly seconded and unanimously approved, the telephone approval of the members of the Board of Directors for the WCU Development Foundation was ratified. (List of members on file with minutes material.)

3. Diploma Policy

Information regarding a diploma policy had been mailed to the Trustees, and they had approved its adoption. Upon proper motion duly seconded and unanimously approved, the action was ratified.

APPROVAL OF GRADUATING STUDENTS

Assistant Vice Chancellor Phillips presented the list of summer graduates for approval by the Board. Upon proper motion duly seconded and unanimously approved, the graduates were approved.

INFORMATION REPORTS

1. Visit by Members of Board of Governors and President Friday

Chancellor Robinson reported on the visit by Members of the Governance Committee of the Board of Governors in late July. President Friday and members of his staff accompanied the Governors. The visitors were very complimentary about the University's progress, and a press release is to be made soon from Mr. Friday's office on this subject. Members of the Board of Trustees were urged to be present for future visits by the Board of Governors.

2. HEW Guidelines

Chancellor Robinson informed the Trustees of the standards expected of WCU in the HEW guidelines to eliminate racial duality. Officials of the University System are making other suggested guidelines to which HEW will have 120 days to reply. There was a general discussion of the effects of non-compliance on Federal funding and the difficulties that could be caused in trying to comply as HEW expects.

3. New Calendar

Dr. Phillips explained to the Trustees that the conversion to semester calendar had involved a great deal of work with all departments and all programs on the campus, including a completely new set of course descriptions for the catalog. All segments of the University were involved in this conversion.

4. Enrollment for Fall

Mr. Creech gave a preliminary report on fall enrollment, indicating an 11 percent increase in the number of freshmen and 4 percent in number of transfer students. All residence halls are completely filled for the first time in several years.

5. Baseball Field

Mr. MacDonell also told the Trustees of the renovation work being performed at Brown Cafeteria and of the plans developed by David Harrison, a member of the Home Economics faculty, for future use in the food facilities. The University has resumed management of the snack bar and restaurant in the University Center, and Mr. Gary Crocker, formerly with the Holiday Inn at Carowinds, has been employed as the new manager.

7. Development and Alumni Activities

Vice Chancellor Dooley informed the Trustees that activities in the Alumni Association are moving along well under the direction of Mr. Jim Manring. There have been some excellent chapter meetings and, at this time, there are approximately 1000 members of the Alumni Association, by far the largest number ever.

The Development Office will attempt to mount an Annual Fund this year significantly different from anything done here before. Efforts will be made to contact 8,000 - 10,000 people in this drive, the main purpose of which is to broaden the base of support from the University's constituency.

8. Construction Projects

Mr. Wood reported that the Natural Sciences Building has been occupied and construction is underway on the Administration-Mountain Heritage Center. The Moore Hall renovation is scheduled for completion in early March, 1979. A glass-blowing facility of 1200 sq. ft. will house the kilns which were located in Belk Building.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Board of Trustees meetings for the rest of the 1977-78 year will be held on the following dates: December 1, 1977; March 2, 1978; May 4, 1978. The 1978 Spring Commencement will be held on Sunday, May 7.

EXECUTIVE SESSION   Open Meeting Act

Following a short break, the Board was declared in Executive Session.

ADJOURNMENT

With no further business to be conducted, the meeting adjourned. Luncheon was served in Brown Cafeteria.

Respectfully submitted,

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James H. Glenn, Chairman

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Avis Phillips, Secretary