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REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
OF WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY

BOARD ROOM, UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
March 3, 1983

 

The Board of Trustees of Western Carolina University met in regular session on March 3, 1983, at 10:00 a.m. in the Board Room of the H. F. Robinson Administration Building. Chairman Wallace N. Hyde presided.

ATTENDANCE

The following members of the Board were present: Mr. Brown, Mr. Gloyne, Mr. Hyde, Mr. McGinn, Mr. Patterson, Mrs. Phillips, Mr. Sossomon, Mr. Wood, and Mr. Woody.

The following Trustees were absent: Mr. Abbott, who was in Vanderbilt Memorial Hospital; Mr. Schell, Mr. Watson, and Mr. Williams.

Others present included: Chancellor Robinson; Vice Chancellors Carter, Dooley, and Stillion; Assistant Vice Chancellor Phillips; Mrs. Jakes, Assistant to the Chancellor; Mr. Causby, Alumni Representative to the Board; Dr. Dowell, Faculty Representative to the Board; Ms. McDonald, Legal Counsel; Mr. Ramsey, Assistant to the Chancellor for WCU Programs in Asheville; Mr. Turner, Grounds Superintendent; Mr. Reed, Director of Public Information; Mr. Wood, Director of Institutional Studies and Planning; and Mrs. Shuler, Administrative Assistant to the Chancellor.

CALL TO ORDER

Chairman Hyde called the meeting to order.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

On motion by Mr. McGinn, seconded by Mr. Woody, the minutes of the meeting of December 15, 1982, were approved as distributed.

REPORT OF ENDOWMENT BOARD OF TRUSTEES

The Board of Trustees of the Endowment Fund met earlier today and received a comprehensive report on the Endowment Fund from Vice Chancellor Carter. Dr. Carter summarized the report for the Board, and a copy of the comprehensive report is attached to these minutes.

RESOLUTION FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF BANK ACCOUNTS

Vice Chancellor Carter explained the need to open a money-market account with First Union National Bank in order to transfer funds presently held in a checking account there. The purpose of the change is to keep capital more fully invested and receive lower service charges. The earnings will be the same.

Vice Chancellor Carter also asked the Board to consider empowering the Chancellor to open similar accounts at other banks in order to keep all University funds covered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

Upon motion by Mr. Woody, seconded by Mr. McGinn, the Trustees adopted the resolution opening the account at First Union National Bank and authorized the Chancellor to execute similar agreements as needed. The motion passed unanimously.

RESOLUTION FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF TRUSTEE EMERITUS STATUS

Chancellor Robinson proposed that the Trustees consider and adopt a resolution establishing a category to be known as "trustee emeritus." Upon proper motion by Mr. Sossomon, seconded by Mr. Patterson, the following resolution was unanimously adopted;

WHEREAS, Western Carolina University has been well and faithfully served by many trustees whose terms of office have expired but whose continued interest in and support of the University are manifested in many ways; and

WHEREAS, continued affiliation with the University of such trustees would be beneficial to the University; and,

WHEREAS, the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina has authorized institutional boards of trustees to establish an honorary category recognizing former trustees who have served with particular devotion and effectiveness;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY that the category of "trustee emeritus" be and hereby is established and be it further resolved that the Chancellor of the University be and hereby is authorized to establish the privileges and perquisites of trustees emeritus in keeping with the resolution of the Board of Governors of June 8, 1979, and to prepare a list of former trustees qualified to hold the title of "trustee emeritus," such list to be submitted to the Board for its consideration.

Chancellor Robinson indicated that there would be a special occasion to formally implement this practice later in the fall.

CONSIDERATION OF EASEMENT

Ms. McDonald presented to the Board a request for an easement to be granted to the Cedar Cliff Development Corporation. This easement, consisting of 526 feet of a 60-foot right-of-way, would cross the University's property in the Wolf Gap section. Ms. McDonald, assisted by Mr. Turner, used a map to show the Trustees the location of the property. Following discussion and upon motion made by Mr. Woody, seconded by Mr. Patterson, the easement was granted.

INTRODUCTION OF MR. TUDOR

Chancellor Robinson introduced to the Trustees Mr. J. Cameron Tudor, a Fulbright Scholar at WCU for the spring semester. Mr. Tudor is a distinguished citizen of Barbados and has held numerous governmental and diplomatic posts in and for that country. He is presently the Permanent Representative from Barbados to the United Nations.

Mr. Tudor expressed his pleasure at being with the group and with his assignment to Western Carolina University.

INFORMATION REPORTS

1. Budget Information

Chancellor Robinson discussed with the Trustees the status of the budget with the General Assembly and distributed material prepared by the Legislative Budget Office showing the effects of various percentage reductions on the University budget. Final decisions on the budget will not be made until later in the session when the revenue picture is clearer.

2. International Efforts

Chancellor Robinson informed the Trustees that three WCU persons have been in Swaziland for almost a month working with the University of Swaziland as they convert from the British system of education to one along the lines of the U. S. system. The primary emphasis during this visit has been on vocational technical education. It is anticipated that faculty members from the University of Swaziland will be at WCU next fall semester as a part of this exchange.

In addition, WCU is working with Penn State on a proposal for a joint venture project in teacher education that will be funded by the U. S. Agency for International Development in the amount of $10 million over a five-year period. Professor Capps of the WCU School of Education and Psychology has been in Swaziland this semester working in the teacher education area.

To implement an exchange with Yunnan University in China, Dr. Rick Harrison will leave on March 16 to spend two months in Kunming. Faculty members from Yunnan University will be at WCU in the fall semester.

Also, Dr. Henry Garren from CIML will be visiting Guatemala in late March at the request of Senor Hernandez, a WCU alumnus who is manager of a coffee cooperative there, to look over the site and develop projects of interest to small farmers in the highlands.

3. Engineering Program

Chancellor Robinson discussed with the Trustees the request for an engineering program at WCU and informed them of the resolution passed by the Faculty Senate supporting this request. The curriculum of the proposed program was distributed, and it was noted that revisions would have to be made; however, this projection will give the Board of Governors material to permit action on the request. Chancellor Robinson noted that he was presenting this material to the Board not for approval but for endorsement and indicated that letters of support had been received from Mr. Abbott, Mr. Watson, and Mr. Schell. Mr. Brown moved that the Board of Trustees endorse the request to establish a School of Engineering at WCU if one is to be established in the western part of the state, Mr. McGinn seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

4. Mr. Abbott's Health

Chancellor Robinson informed the Trustees that Mr. Abbott has been having some further health problems and is now at Vanderbilt Medical Center for extensive tests to try to determine what the problem really is.

5. Computer Installation

Mr. Wood informed the Board that the twin VAX-780's are operating as planned and that downtime has been minimal. Negotiations are underway with Digital Equipment Company for equipment that would increase the capacity of each machine by ten percent. Also, some funds remaining in the computer account have been used to link the VAX-730 received from NSF with the 780's. We now will be able to support 128 terminals simultaneously. At present there are 81 microcomputers and 95 terminals on the campus.

Chancellor Robinson commented on the responsibility of preparing each student for "computer literacy" and the fact that WCU is in excellent shape at this time with computer equipment.

6. Construction Projects

Mr. Wood reported that construction on the Regional Activities Center has been delayed somewhat by the extremely wet weather but that the contractors are moving as rapidly as possible and hope to begin steel work by the middle of April.

Chancellor Robinson and Vice Chancellor Carter then discussed with the Trustees a controversy that had arisen between the general contractor and the architects with regard to the possible future settlement of the building and the adequacy of the fill system to support the building. A meeting was held with all concerned parties, and the University engaged the services of a consultant, Dr. Harvey Wahls, a well-known expert in matters of this sort. Dr. Wahls has now submitted a report endorsing the design, and work is proceeding.

Following further discussion, Chairman Hyde asked that a copy of the liability policies of the contractors and designers be secured and transmitted to the Board for information.

Vice Chancellor Carter then reported that the new book store will be occupied during the spring break; that work on Joyner Plaza is expected to be completed around the first of August with a dedication to be held in the fall; and that the wet weather has delayed work on the picnic area but progress will be resumed soon. Projects that will receive attention during the summer will include expansion of shop facilities at the maintenance building; installation of smoke detectors in Scott Hall at a cost of $73,000; removal of asbestos from Dodson Cafeteria; continuing activities with grounds beautification, road work, and parking lots; and reworking the intersection behind the new book store.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Chancellor Robinson invited all Trustees to the dedication of the new Hunter Library addition on April 21 at which time Vice President Raymond Dawson be the principal speaker.

EXECUTIVE SESSION   Open Meeting Act

Mr. Woody moved that the Board adjourn and reconvene in Executive Session to discuss personnel matters and any other appropriate matters that may come before the Board. Mr. Patterson seconded the motion, and it carried.

RESUMPTION OF REGULAR SESSION

Chairman Hyde declared the Executive Session adjourned and the open session resumed immediately thereafter.

REPORT OF THE PERSONNEL COMMITTEE

Mr. Patterson moved that the recommendations of the Personnel Committee in Executive Session pertaining to tenure, promotions, reappointments, new faculty appointments, leaves of absence, and administrative appointments be approved. Mr. Woody seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. (Lists of persons involved in these personnel actions are on file with minutes material.) It was noted that the recommendations for tenure will be forwarded to the Board of Governors for final approval.

PRESENTATION ON MOUNTAIN HERITAGE CENTER

Vice Chancellor Dooley recognized the guests who had joined the meeting: Mr. and Mrs. John Parris; Dr. Aaron Hyatt, Director of the Mountain Heritage Center; Drs. Tyler Blethen and Curtis Wood, from the Department of History; and Mr. Sam Gray, Curator for the Mountain Heritage Center. Dr. Dooley reviewed work underway on the Founders' Display and the McCracken Collection and then asked Drs. Blethen and Wood to report on the exhibit they are constructing.

Dr. Blethen summarized the work he and Dr. Wood have done on the Scotch Irish migration to western North Carolina. They have visited Ireland and have done extensive research on this topic. Much of the research was performed at the New University of Ulster, and several persons from that institution visited WCU last fall while attending a symposium at Boone. It is hoped that the Chancellor of New University of Ulster will be able to return to Cullowhee when the Scotch Irish exhibit is opened in late August.

Dr. Wood then showed slides of the New University of Ulster and other locations in Ireland. Following the slide show, the group was taken on a tour of the Mountain Heritage Center where they saw a traditional log cabin and an Irish stone hut under construction and work on the development of the exhibit. After the tour lunch was served at Brown Cafeteria.


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Wallace N. Hyde, Chairman

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Avis Phillips, Secretary