The Board of Trustees of Western Carolina University met in regular session on May 3, 1979, at 10:00 a.m. in the Conference Room of Bird Administration Building.

ROLL CALL

Members of the Board present were: Mr. Abbott, Mr. Cowan, Mr. Edwards, Mr. Gloyne, Mr. Hennessee, Mr. Ledford, Mr. Mallonee, Mr. McKinney, Mr. Patterson, Mrs. Phillips, and Mr. Wynne. Others present were: Chancellor Robinson; Vice Chancellors Carter, Dooley, Stillion, and Stoltz; Mrs. Jakes, Assistant to the Chancellor; Mr. Brown, Special Assistant to the Chancellor; Dr. Lovin, Director of AIDP; Dr. Pickering, Faculty Representative to the Board of Trustees; Mr. Ramsey, Assistant to the Chancellor for WCU Programs in Asheville; Mr. Reed, Director of Public Information; Mr. Scott, University Legal Counsel; Mr. Wood, Director of Institutional Studies and Planning; Miss Nelson, out-going President of Study Body; and Mrs. Shuler, Administrative Assistant to the Chancellor. In the absence of Chairman Glenn, who was ill, Vice Chairman Hennessee presided over the meeting.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MARCH 1, 1979, MEETING

Mr. Hennessee reported that copies of the minutes had been mailed to each Trustee. No correction or suggestion was made; and, upon proper motion duly seconded and unanimously passed, the minutes were approved.

INTRODUCTION OF NEW STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT

Miss Nelson, out-going Student Body President, introduced Mr. Roger McKinney as the new Student Body President. Mr. McKinney, from Spruce Pine, expressed his pleasure for the opportunity of serving on the Board.

Mr. Mallonee extended a resolution of appreciation to Miss Nelson for her service on the Board, and the resolution was adopted by acclamation.

RATIFICATION OF TELEPHONE VOTE ON MEAL PLAN AND FEES

At the March meeting Trustees had been informed of work in progress toward developing optional meal plans. Subsequently, the Trustees had received the recommendations of the Committee and had approved, by telephone, the implementation of the following meal plans: 21 meals per week, $290; 15 meals per week, $270; 10 meals per week (commuting students only), $240. These plans will be effective for the Fall Semester, 1979.

Also, Trustees had received and approved by telephone the fees for the 1980 Summer session (a listing of these fees is on file with minutes material).

Following discussion and upon proper motion duly seconded and unanimously carried, the telephone votes were ratified.

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION OF WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY, INC.

Vice Chancellor Dooley presented the proposed Class of 1982 Directors:

Dr. Wallace Hyde
Ms. Christine Corpening
Mr. Sanders Rowland
Col. L. F. Petterson
Mr. James Cannon

Upon proper motion duly seconded and unanimously carried, these persons were named Directors of the Development Foundation.

AUTHORIZATION FOR BOND ISSUE ON ROBERTSON HALL

Vice Chancellor Carter recapitulated the proposed renovations to Robertson Hall and presented for consideration a resolution authorizing the sale of bonds to accomplish this project. Following discussion and upon proper motion duly seconded and unanimously carried, the following resolution was adopted:

WHEREAS, The Board of Trustees of Western Carolina University, at its meeting on May 4, 1978, appointed the firm of Foy and Lee Associates to design a complete renovation and conversion of Robertson Hall to efficiency apartments for graduate students and married students; and

WHEREAS, Foy and Lee Associates has submitted an acceptable preliminary architectural design consisting of forty-two apartment units; and

WHEREAS, the General Assembly is expected to approve the project at a cost of $800,000, to be funded on a self-liquidating basis; and

WHEREAS, extension of the existing dormitory bond resolution appears to afford the most favorable terms for financing the project;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees of Western Carolina University does hereby empower the Chancellor of the University to proceed with final design of the project, to seek construction bids, to arrange financing by extension of the existing dormitory bond resolution, and to award construction contracts if costs can be met within the funding authorized.

This action of the Board of Trustees is conditioned upon approval of the project and the proposed method of financing by the General Assembly, the Board of Governors, and the Advisory Budget Commission.

Vice Chancellor Carter informed the Trustees that he would try to secure funds from HUD for this project rather than from a bond issue, as the interest on HUD monies would be three percent compared to seven percent on a bond issue.

APPROVAL OF GRADUATES

A list of prospective graduates for the May 7 commencement was given to the Trustees. Following discussion and upon proper motion duly seconded and unanimously carried, the list was approved. (Copy on file with minutes material.) The Trustees were requested to give authorization for the University to award degrees at the summer commencement to those students meeting requirements, with the list of graduates to be ratified at the September Board meeting. Upon proper motion duly seconded and unanimously carried, this authorization was given.

INFORMATION REPORTS

1. Nepal Project

Chancellor Robinson told the Trustees of the study team now in Nepal and that Mr. Freeman, Director of CIML, is leaving today for a review of the project. The team is working under a planning grant of approximately a half million dollars, and the University involvement as the "lead institution" has a contract total of about $90,000.

2. Accreditation Visit

The Department of Nursing has received accreditation for eight years, the maximum granted by the National League for Nursing. This maximum period of time was granted to only three programs in the state.

3. Legislative Items

Chancellor Robinson discussed with the Trustees several bills now in the Legislature that will affect the University.

4. Southern Conference Meeting

The annual meeting of the Southern Conference was hosted by Western during April and was attended by presidents, faculty representatives, and athletic directors of the nine institutions. A very important issue addressed by the meeting was that of crowd control, and there will be an annual award given to the institution displaying the best overall sportsmanlike conduct. Chancellor Robinson will be chairman of the institutional heads for the 1979-80 year.

5. AIDP Evaluation Visit

Vice Chancellor Stoltz and Director Lovin reported on the visit by the external evaluation committee. Members of the committee were very excited about the accomplishments of the past four years and encouraged the preparation of a new proposal to be submitted next year.

6. Construction Projects

Director Wood reported that the parking lot of the new Administration Building would be placed under contract this week and it is anticipated that the move into the building will take place in June. Also, he reported that plans for the new library have gone along very well and bids should, hopefully, be taken during the summer.

7. Residence Halls

Vice Chancellor Stillion introduced Mr. Randy Rice, Director of Housing, and Ms. Sandy Ellsworth, Assistant Director, who presented a comprehensive report on the University residence halls, their staff of professionals and students, and some of the activities that are planned for the resident students. The total hall capacity is about 3200, and it appears that the halls will be full again in the fall.

8. Enrollment

Chancellor Robinson informed the Trustees that enrollment in the fall should be approximately the same as in the fall of 1978; however, the quality of students based upon their scores and predicted grade point average will be up.

9. Commencement activities

Mrs. Jakes invited the Trustees to all activities during the Commencement week-end and demonstrated for them the new robes that have been purchased for the Trustees.

10. Announcements

The dedication of the new Administration Building/Mountain Heritage Center will be held on Saturday, September 29, at which time the annual Mountain Heritage Day celebration will be held. The next Board meeting will be held on September 6. Summer commencement will be held on July 27.

EXECUTIVE SESSION   Open Meeting Act

Mr. Hennessee declared the meeting to be in executive session.

ADJOURNMENT

With no further business to be transacted, the meeting adjourned for lunch in Brown Cafeteria.

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James H. Glenn, Chairman

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Avis Phillips, Secretary