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REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY

BOARD ROOM, UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
March 1, 1984

 

The Board of Trustees of Western Carolina University met in regular session on March 1, 1984, 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. Cooper, Mr. Edwards, Mr. Hyde, Mr. Kahn, Mr. McGinn, Mr. Schell, Mr. Watson, Mr. Wilson, and Mr. Woody.

Others present included: Chancellor Robinson; Vice Chancellors Carter, Dooley, Stillion, and Stoltz; Mr. Brown, Special Assistant to the Chancellor; Dr. Dowell, Chairman of the Faculty; Mr. Creech, Director of Academic Services; Ms. McDonald, Legal Counsel; Mr. Ramsey, Assistant to the Chancellor for WCU Programs in Asheville; Mr. Rowell, Assistant Director of Public Information; and Mrs. Shuler, Administrative Assistant to the Chancellor.

CALL TO ORDER

Chairman Hyde called the meeting to order.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Mr. Watson noted a correction to a title on page 8 of the minutes as distributed and then moved that the minutes as corrected be accepted. Mr. Schell seconded the motion, and it carried.

REPORT OF THE ENDOWMENT BOARD OF TRUSTEES

The Endowment Board of Trustees had met earlier and Vice Chancellor Carter reported the following items as information to the full Board:

1. The gift of Dr. Hyde to the Endowment Fund was accepted.

2. A resolution was adopted empowering the Chief Business Officer to buy and sell securities.

3. The transfer of receipts from the Resale Electric operation and the purchase of a vehicle to benefit the electrical operation were approved.

4. A feasibility study of professional management of the Endowment Fund and the Development Foundation is being made.

REPORT OF THE PROPERTY AND BUILDINGS COMMITTEE

Mr. McGinn, Chairman of the Committee, asked Vice Chancellor Carter to present the item discussed by the committee.

Dr. Carter reminded the Board that a project to repair the masonry work on Belk Building had been approved at the December meeting. As the preliminary work began on that project, it was discovered that asbestos had been used on the steel framing and would have to be removed before the brick repair could take place, a project estimated to cost an additional $300,000. Since the removal of asbestos is a fairly detailed action, it is the recommendation of the Property and Buildings Committee that the firm of Wood and Cort, in Asheville, be retained to design the necessary work. Mr. McGinn made a motion that this firm be hired, Mr. Cooper seconded the motion, and it was approved.

INFORMATION REPORTS

1. Sossomon Professorship

Chancellor Robinson announced that the first endowed professorship in the University's history, the D. C. Sossomon Professorship in History, has been awarded to Dr. Max R. Williams, a distinguished historian and longtime member of the History Department.

2. Hyde Gift

Chancellor Robinson thanked Dr. Hyde for presenting one of the finest gifts the institution has ever received and informed the Trustees that work is already in progress to meet the matching portion of the gift. All funds received will go into an endowment fund for the use of the Athletics Department.

3. Trip to Santo Domingo and Jamaica

Chancellor Robinson told the Trustees of his trip to Santo Domingo to speak to the Overseas School Board Association Seminar. He then traveled to Jamaica to participate in the 40th anniversary celebration of the Priory School and discuss ways in which Western Carolina University could expand services to that country.

NOTE: Trustee Sossomon joined the meeting at this point.

4. Enrollment

Vice Chancellor Stoltz gave some historical data on numbers of students expected to be available for enrollment in succeeding years and distributed an article from "School Law Bulletin" with pertinent information on North Carolina. Mr. Creech reported that applications for 1984-85 are up significantly, with the largest gain being in students from the western North Carolina area. Applications from Black students and transfer students are also up significantly from last year.

5. Resolutions of Appreciation

Since the last Board meeting, two former Trustees, Modeal Walsh of Robbinsville and Hazen Ledford of Burnsville, had died. Upon motion by Mr. McGinn, seconded by Mr. Kahn, the following resolutions of appreciation for their service to the University were adopted:

WHEREAS, in the death of Modeal Walsh of Robbinsville on the twenty-ninth day of February, 1984, Western Carolina University and the citizens of Western North Carolina have suffered the grievous loss of a friend and supporter; and,

WHEREAS, Modeal Walsh brought to the Board of Trustees during his eleven years of service the qualities of leadership and a genuine concern for education of the young men and women of his native mountain region, and for the development and prosperity of this University, his alma mater; and,

WHEREAS, he served the people of Graham County and the far western end of this state with a steadfast determination to provide quality opportunities and services, with special concern for assisting his people to overcome financial difficulties imposed by economic deprivation; and

WHEREAS, Modeal Walsh selflessly gave of his talents and time as a superintendent of Graham County schools, as a creative principal and teacher, as a coach in three sports, as a president of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association, as a president of the Smoky Mountain Athletic Conference, and on the awards committee of the Percy B. Ferebee Foundation until his death;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Trustees of Western Carolina University that this board expresses its deep sorrow at the loss of this friend and honored alumnus and that this resolution be officially entered in the permanent records of the board, and furthermore that a copy of this resolution be presented to Mrs. Walsh.

Adopted unanimously by the Board of Trustees of Western Carolina University the first day of March, 1984.

and

WHEREAS, in the death of Hazen Ledford of Bakersville on the fourteenth day of February, 1984, Western Carolina University and the citizens of Western North Carolina have suffered the grievous loss of a friend and supporter; and,

WHEREAS, Hazen Ledford brought to the Board of Trustees during his four-year tenure the qualities of leadership, responsibility, and concern for the University; and,

WHEREAS, he served the people of Mitchell and Yancey counties, the region, and the State of North Carolina with distinction as a banker, accountant, civic and professional leader; Sunday School superintendent and teacher; and,

WHEREAS, Hazen Ledford exhibited ideals and qualities of citizenship and service, freely giving wise counsel to many people;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Trustees of Western Carolina University, that this board expresses its deep sorrow at the loss of this friend and that this resolution be officially entered in the permanent records of the board, and furthermore that a copy of this resolution be presented to Mrs. Ledford.

Adopted unanimously by the Board of Trustees of Western Carolina University the first day of March, 1984.

6. Regional Activity Center

Vice Chancellor Carter informed the Board that the Regional Activity Center construction is approximately six months behind schedule and that the building should be completed by April of 1985. He discussed with the Trustees the measures that are being taken to speed up the work and the extension of time that will be requested by the general contractor. Very detailed records are being kept on the weather and the delays, and the State Construction Office will have to approve any extension of time on the contract,

7. Other Construction Projects

A. Roof repairs on Reid, Steam Plant, and Robinson Buildings have been designed and bids will be opened on March 6.

B. Roof repairs on Hunter, Stillwell, Belk, and McKee Buildings have been designed and the review by State Construction is to be completed this week. Bids will be received as soon as possible.

C. Energy project design is to be in State Construction for approval by mid-March and bid date is to be set for mid-April.

8. Nantahala Power and Light Company

Vice Chancellor Carter discussed with the Trustees the refund that has been ordered by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals to Nantahala's three wholesale customers, of which the University is one. Since Western Carolina is regulated by the North Carolina Utilities Commission, any refund received by the University will have to be disbursed in accordance with the regulations of that Commission.

9. Southern Association Self-Study

The ten-year accreditation study begins this year; Dr. Royce Woosley has been appointed Chairman of the Steering Committee, and Ms. Martha McKinney will serve as Coordinator of the study. There will be an extensive study period of 18 months, and then there will be a site visitation by a team from the Southern Association in 1985. Faculty and administrative personnel will be heavily involved in preparing the self-study report, and a member of that Board of Trustees is needed to serve on the Steering Committee. Mr. Hyde appointed Mr. Edwards to serve on the Steering Committee.

10. NCATE Visit

The site visit for the ten-year accreditation process has just been completed, and it appears that the team was favorably impressed. The formal announcement will be made at a later date.

11. Trustee Conferences

The National Conference on Trusteeship will be held in San Francisco in early April, and the biennial Governors-Trustees; Conference of The University of North Carolina will be held at Boone on April 12-13. It is hoped that a good representation can attend the Boone meeting.

12. Announcements

A retirement dinner honoring Chancellor and Mrs. Robinson will be held on the campus on April 27, and all Trustees and spouses are invited. Several other dinners are being planned in the Robinsons' honor.

EXECUTIVE SESSION    Open Meeting Act

Mr. Watson moved that the Board convene in Executive Session to consider personnel matters, pending litigation, and such other matters as it is entitled to consider in Executive Session as permitted by the Open Meetings Law. Mr. Kahn seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. Chairman Hyde then declared a ten minute recess.

RESUMPTION OF OPEN SESSION

Mr. Watson moved that the Board now reconvene in open session, Mr. Woody seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

REPORT OF THE PERSONNEL COMMITTEE

Mr. Watson moved that the Board concur in the recommendations for tenure and forward them to General Administration for final approval. Mr. Schell seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.

Mr. Watson moved that the promotions as listed be granted, Mr. Schell seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

Mr. Watson moved that reappointments be offered to the faculty members listed, Mr. Kahn seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

Mr. Watson moved that reappointments with terminal notice be offered to the faculty members listed, Mr. Woody seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

Mr. Watson moved that new faculty appointments be approved, Mr. Woody seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

Mr. Watson moved that new staff appointments be approved, Mr. Schell seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

Mr. Watson moved that Johnny D. Wike be appointed Assistant Football Coach and Instructor in the Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation. Mr. Woody seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

Mr. Watson moved that Betty Peele be appointed Assistant Director of Athletics for Women's Sports. Mr. Wilson seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

SOUTHERN CONFERENCE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

Appreciation was expressed for the good publicity given to the upcoming Southern Conference Basketball Tournament by the Asheville Citizen and the good work done by the Junior League.

ADJOURNMENT

With no further business to be transacted, Mr, Watson moved that the meeting be adjourned, Mr. Schell seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

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Wallace N. Hyde, Chairman

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Avis Phillips, Secretary