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REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY BOARD
ROOM, UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
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The Board of Trustees of Western Carolina University met in regular session on May 10, 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. Bobby Edwards, Mr. Rob Edwards, Mr. David Kahn, Mr. McGinn, Mr. Schell, Mr. Sossomon, Mr. Watson, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Wood, and Mr. Woody. Others present included: Chancellor Robinson; Vice Chancellors Carter, Dooley, Stillion, and Assistant Vice Chancellor Phillips; Mrs. Jakes, Assistant to the Chancellor; Mr. Brown, Special Assistant to the Chancellor; Dr. Dowell, Chairman of the Faculty; Mr. Creech, Director of Academic Services; Ms. McDonald, Legal Counsel; Dr. McDowell, Director of the Graduate Center; Ms. McKinney, Director of Self-Study; 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. Williams, Representative of the Alumni Association; Mr. Bob Scott of the Asheville Citizen-Times; and Mrs. Shuler, Administrative Assistant to the Chancellor. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Hyde called the meeting to order. INTRODUCTION OF NEW STUDENT TRUSTEE Vice Chancellor Stillion introduced Mr. Rob Edwards, newly elected President of the Student Government Association who had taken the oath of office as a Trustee just prior to this meeting. Mr. Edwards expressed his pleasure at becoming a member of the Board. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Mr. Sossomon moved that the minutes as distributed be accepted. Mr. Schell seconded the motion, and it carried, REPORT OF THE PROPERTY AND BUILDINGS COMMITTEE 1. Naming of Theatre Mr. McGinn, Chairman of the Committee, asked Vice Chancellor Dooley to present information regarding the naming of the Little Theatre for Ms. Josefina Niggli. Dr. Dooley told the Trustees that Ms. Niggli, a distinguished professor of theatre who died last December, was instrumental in developing the Theatre Department at Western Carolina University, and he recommended that the Little Theatre, in Stillwell Building, be renamed the Niggli Theatre. Following discussion and upon motion made by Mr. McGinn and seconded by Mr. Cooper, the theatre was renamed. A formal dedication will be scheduled in the fall. 2. Appointment of Architects Vice Chancellor Carter presented information on architects for roofing projects for which funds have recently been allocated:
Mr. McGinn moved that these recommendations be accepted. Mr. Wood seconded the motion, and it carried. Mr. Schell requested that he be listed as abstaining from this vote. 3. Retirement of the Bond Issue for Reid Gym Bonds Dr. Carter noted that these bonds have now matured and have been retired and that certain funds remain in reserve which need to be distributed. He recommended the following distribution of these reserves:
Following discussion of the recommendations Mr. McGinn moved that the recommendations be adopted. Mr. Schell seconded the motion, and it carried. 4. Termination of Debt Service Fee Vice Chancellor Carter then recommended that the Trustees take action to terminate the student fee which had supported the Reid Gym bonds. Mr. McGinn made the motion, Mr, Bobby Edwards seconded, and the motion carried. 5. Replacement of Turf at Stadium Vice Chancellor Carter informed the Trustees that the astro turf at the stadium was originally financed through debt service fees and those fees do not provide funds for replacement of the turf. He then recommended that the $4.50 fee per semester which had served to terminate the Reid Gym bonds now be redesignated to the stadium fee and placed in an account to begin accruing funds to replace the astro turf. He explained that this fee would generate approximately $50,000 per year. Mr. McGinn moved that the recommendation be accepted, Mr. Kahn seconded the motion, and it carried. 6. Amendment to Traffic Regulations Vice Chancellor Carter explained the need to amend the traffic regulations. Problems have been encountered with certain items of information on the request for a parking permit being falsified. He recommended that the traffic regulations be amended in Article II, Section 2, and Article III, Section 1, to provide for the loss of parking privileges for a semester for falsification of information. Following discussion, Mr. McGinn moved that the traffic regulations be amended as recommended. Mr. Watson seconded the motion, and it carried. 7. Capital Improvements for 1985-87 Biennium Vice Chancellor Carter explained the procedure for requesting new capital improvement projects, distributed a list of projects, indicated that probably no new construction funds would be available, and WCU will be limited to utilities system improvement and renovation funds. There was a discussion of specific projects and Mr. McGinn then moved that the list, as distributed, be accepted. Mr. Bobby Edwards seconded the motion, and it carried. ELECTION OF DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION BOARD MEMBERS OF THE CLASS OF 1987 Vice Chancellor Dooley presented the following names as prospective members of the Development Foundation Board of Directors, Class of 1987: Mr. Jack Hennessee, Ms. Linda Rader, Mr. Steven Swaltney, Mr. C. W. Flintom, and Mr. William Forsyth. The alternate name in the event that one of the above does not accept the invitation is Dr. Joseph Carnley. Mr. Woody moved that these names be accepted and that Dr. Dooley contact each of the persons to determine their willingness to serve on the Development Foundation Board. Mr. McGinn seconded the motion, and it carried. APPROVAL OF DEGREES TO BE AWARDED Chancellor Robinson presented the list of prospective degree candidates for spring commencement and asked approval to award degrees to those persons meeting requirements. Mr. Bobby Edwards made the motion that the list be approved, Mr. McGinn seconded the motion, and it carried. Chancellor Robinson then asked for authorization to award degrees at summer commencement, which will take place before the next meeting of the Board of Trustees. He emphasized that degrees would be awarded only to those students meeting the requirements set forth for graduation. Mr. Edwards moved that this authorization be granted, Mr. McGinn seconded the motion, and it carried. INFORMATION REPORTS 1. The Graduate Center Chancellor Robinson asked Dr. McDowell to give the Trustees information on the Graduate Center which has now been established in Asheville. Dr. McDowell, who has been Head of the Psychology Department at Western for 15 years, was appointed in June to head the Graduate Center. Dr. McDowell told the Trustees that the Graduate Center was establisted as a cost-effective way to bring graduate programs to the Asheville area. Many graduate programs that might be needed in the area have time limits and could be brought in from other places. The establishment of the Center should not diminish Western Carolina University's role in Asheville. Dr. McDowell has talked with school superintendents in the area who indicate that Western is already bringing the graduate programs they need into the area. On the other hand, the Center will have the authority to "broker" programs from other institutions in the system. For instance, North Carolina State currently is operating a Master of Science in Engineering program at the Center. Dr. McDowell is working with UNC-Greensboro to bring a doctoral program in Educational Administration to the Center next fall. Western will be involved in these programs. The number of students working through the Center, currently, is about 800. Dr. McDowell believes that probably the enrollment will remain between 800 and 900 in the next few years, although the enrollment could eventually grow to 1,500 to 2,000. Concern was expressed that future programs at the Center might diminish Western's enrollment, and Dr. McDowell indicated that any programs taught through the Center would be programs that Western is not authorized to offer. Dr. McDowell will be working throughout the area to recommend the types of programs that will be offered through the Center, and his recommendations will be based on a needs assessment. At the present time he is working only in the field of education, but other needs assessments will be made in the future. Chancellor Robinson commented that three centers for the fieldbased doctorate will be established--UNC-Charlotte and UNC-Chapel Hill, WCU and UNC-Greensboro, ECU and North Carolina State University. Dr. McDowell concluded his remarks by saying that Western Carolina University operations in Asheville are still just as important as they ever have been. 2. SACS Self-Study Dr. Robinson told the Trustees that Dr. Royce Woosley, Chairman of the Steering Committee for the Self-Study, could not attend today because his wife is having surgery. He then introduced Ms. Martha McKinney, who will be the Executive Director of the study. Ms. McKinney discussed with the Trustees the timetable for the SelfStudy which is beginning now and will culminate with a visit from a site team in the spring of 1986. A 14-member Steering Committee has been appointed to coordinate the activities of eight different Standards Committees and assist with the preparation of the Self-Study document. These committees will be looking at everything in the institution to identify the strengths and weaknesses. The committees will be working during the summer and will gather a lot of data getting ready for next fall's actual work. A workshop will beheld on August 14 for committee members. Chancellor Robinson commented on the tremendous importance of the SelfStudy to the institution and told the Trustees that accreditation in some specific fields has been received recently--in Teacher Education, the School of Business, and for several of the Nursing and Health Sciences programs. In response to a request from Ms. McKinney, Chairman Hyde appointed Mr. Schell to serve on the committee on Purposes, Organization, and Administration. 3. 1984 Fall Enrollment Mr. Creech informed the Trustees that prospects for fall enrollment are very good in that freshmen applications are up approximately ten percent over last year and transfer applications are up about five percent. One item of significance is that applications from black students are up 17 percent. There is also an increase in the number of continuing students who have pre-registered for the fall term, which indicates that retention efforts are paying off. Present projections anticipate a total head count in the fall of 6,150 students and F.T.E. of 5,350 students. 4. Trip to Oman Chancellor Robinson informed the Trustees of his trip to Oman in April and indicated that the Sultan Qaboos University Project is moving ahead with developing courses and financing the buildings that are required. The coordinators for the various schools are now all there, A marine center is now being built, and this university will admit its first students in the fall of 1986. 5. Legislative Report Mr. Brown discussed with the Trustees the possibility that the Legislature during the special session will provide salary increases in the amount of 10% across the board for faculty and staff and that public school teachers probably will receive approximately 15%. The session will start on June 7 and any bill that previously passed one house can come up at this session. 6. Regional Activity Center Vice Chancellor Carter told the Trustees that it is hopeful that the Regional Activity Center will be ready for commencement in May of 1985. Approximately 70 percent of the steel has now been fabricated and about onethird erected. All steel should be fabricated, and most of it hung, by some time in July. The schedule for construction has been revised only to December of this year. There is plenty of material on the site, the contractor is running two crews, and it is hoped that some catch-up work can be done this summer. 7. Other Construction Projects
8. Nantahala Power and Light Refund Vice Chancellor Carter discussed with the Trustees the refund to be made to wholesale customers of Nantahala Power and Light Company. The amount of refund to be received by Western Carolina University is $865,000 covering a five-year period. The disposition of this refund is subject to approval by the North Carolina Utilities Commission. The proposal to the Commission is:
9. Acceptance of Computers Mr. Wood gave the Trustees a chronology of the computer acquisition which has been in process since 1981. He also discussed with them the financial arrangements for the computer and told them that WCU was the first institution to use the VAX 11/780 for administrative purposes. A number of institutions in the State now use it. 10. Announcements Mrs. Jakes announced the commencement exercises on May 13 and invited all Trustees to be members of the platform party. 11. Expression of Appreciation Chancellor Robinson expressed his appreciation for the retirement dinner held for him in Cullowhee on April 27. He also commented on the dinner held in Greensboro. 12. Resolution of Appreciation Mr. Woody moved that an appropriate resolution of appreciation for Chancellor Robinson's services to the University be developed by Mr. Reed. Mr. Schell seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. EXECUTIVE SESSION Open Meeting Act Mr. Watson moved that the Board convene in Executive Session for the purpose of considering personnel matters, matters of litigation, the report of the Chancellor's Search Committee, and such other matters as it is entitled to consider under the Open Meetings Law. Mr. Wood seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. RESUMPTION OF OPEN SESSION Mr. Watson moved that the Board reconvene in open session. Mr. Woody seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. REPORT OF THE PERSONNEL COMMITTEE 1. Mr. Watson moved that administrative appointments as discussed in the Executive Session be approved. Mr. Woody seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. 2. Mr. Watson moved that the new faculty appointments be apprpved. Mr. Wood seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. 3. Mr. Watson further moved that coaching appointments be approved. Mr. Schell seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. 4. Mr. Watson moved that new staff appointments be approved. Mr. Woody seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. 5. Mr. Watson moved that leaves of absence be approved. Mr. Schell seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. 6. Mr. Watson moved that the promotions be approved. Mr. Woody seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. REPORT OF THE CHANCELLOR SEARCH COMMITTEE Chairman Hyde noted that the Board has selected the final two candidates for the chancellorship of Western Carolina University, and these names will be sent to President Friday for his approval and appointment by the Board of Governors. Mr. Wood expressed appreciation to the Search Committee for the excellent job they have done in carrying this search to its conclusion. Other Trustees also expressed appreciation. RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION Chairman Hyde, on behalf of the Board, thanked David Kahn for his year of service as the Student Trustee and told him that the work he has done and his cooperative manner have been invaluable to the work of the Board. ADJOURNMENT With no further business to be transacted, Mr. Woody moved that the meeting be adjourned. Mr. McGinn seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. ________________________ ________________________ |
