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REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
OF WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY

Board Room, University Administration Building
September 6, 1984

 

The Board of Trustees of Western Carolina University met in regular session on September 6, 1984, at 10:00 a.m. in the Board Room of the Robinson Administration Building. Chairman Wallace N. Hyde presided.

ATTENDANCE

The following members of the Board were present: Mr. Bobby Edwards, Mr. Rob Edwards, Dr. Hyde, Mr. McGinn, Mr. Schell, Mr. Sossomon, Mr. Watson, Mr. Williams, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Wood, and Mr. Woody. (Mr. Cooper and Mrs. Phillips arrived later; see notes.)

Others present included: Chancellor Coulter; Vice Chancellors Carter, Dooley, and Stillion; Assistant Vice Chancellor Phillips; Dr. Alexander, Chairman of the Faculty; Dr. Brown, Alumni Representative to the Board; Ms. McDonald, Legal Counsel; 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; and Mrs. Shuler, Administrative Assistant to the Chancellor.

CALL TO ORDER

Chairman Hyde called the meeting to order and introduced Chancellor Coulter, who assumed the chancellorship on August 1, 1984. Dr. Hyde also introduced Dr. William H. "Mace" Brown, representative to the Board of Trustees from the Alumni Association, and Dr. J. C. Alexander, Chairman of the Faculty.

ELECTION OF BOARD OFFICERS

Mr. McGinn nominated Dr. Hyde as Chairman, seconded by Mr. Wood. Mr. Watson moved that the nominations be closed and Dr. Hyde elected by acclamation, to which there was general agreement. Dr. Hyde expressed his deep appreciation and his willingness to serve.

Mr. Bobby Edwards then nominated Mr. Watson as Vice Chairman, and Mr. Williams seconded the nomination. Mr. Sossomon moved that nominations close, Mr. Schell seconded the motion, and Mr. Watson was declared elected.

Mr. McGinn then nominated Mrs. Phillips as secretary, and Mr. Williams seconded the nomination. No other nominations were made, and Mrs. Phillips was declared to be elected secretary.

(At this point Mr. Cooper arrived.)

APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES

Chairman Hyde asked that the committees remain as constituted last year, with Mr. Rob Edwards taking the place of Mr. Kahn on certain committees.

RECESS FOR COMMITTEE MEETINGS

Chairman Hyde declared the meeting to be in recess for 30 minutes in order that the Personnel Committee and the Property and Buildings Committee could meet.

RESUMPTION OF OPEN SESSION

Chairman Hyde reconvened the Board meeting at 10:45 a.m. (Mrs. Phillips arrived at this point.)

COMMENTS FROM CHANCELLOR COULTER

Chancellor Coulter expressed his pleasure at becoming a part of the Western Carolina academic community and pledged his untiring efforts to keep the institution in the same healthy condition as that in which he found it.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Mr. McGinn moved that the minutes be approved as distributed. Mr. Sossomon seconded the motion and it carried.

DISCUSSION OF PROCEDURES PERTAINING TO THE OPEN MEETINGS LAW

Mr. Watson reported to the Board that he had discussed with Mr. Jordan, Chairman of the Board of Governors, the procedures under which this Board has been operating in order to be in compliance with the Open Meetings Law. Mr. Jordan recommended that we continue to follow the procedures that we have been using.

REPORT OF THE PROPERTY AND BUILDINGS COMMITTEE

Mr. McGinn, Chairman of the committee, asked Dr. Carter to present the items which had been discussed in the committee meeting. Dr. Carter gave the following report:

1. Appointment of Architects

Funds have recently been received for reroofing the Camp Lab School, and it is recommended that Foy and Lee Associates be retained to develop plans and specifications for this project. Mr. McGinn moved that Foy and Lee Associates be appointed for this project, Mr. Woody seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

Also, funds have been accumulated in the Dormitory Revenue System Bond account to repair and replace roofs on Albright-Benton, Leatherwood, and Scott residence halls. It is recommended that the firm of Wood and Cort Associates be retained to develop plans and specifications for this project. Mr. McGinn moved that Wood and Cort be appointed for this project, Mr. Cooper seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

Mr. Schell requested that the minutes record his abstention from voting on the appointment of architects.

2. Office Addition to Dodson Cafeteria

Funds are available in unused reserves in the cafeteria account to permit the construction of an addition to the office of Dodson Cafeteria. The cost of the project is estimated to be $92,300. Mr. McGinn made a motion that the Board authorize the administration to proceed with this project, Mr. Cooper seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

3. Report on Appointment of Architects

Dr. Carter reminded the Board that authorization had been granted to the Chancellor some years ago to make appointment of architects for projects costing less than $250,000. He distributed to the Board a listing of such appointments made within the last fiscal year. (Copy on file with minutes material.)

4. Capital Improvements Budget Request

Dr. Carter discussed with the trustees the capital improvements budget request just submitted to General Administration for the 1985-87 biennium. (Copy of requested projects on file with minutes material.)

PROPOSED FEE INCREASES

Dr. Carter presented to the Board proposed fee increases for the 1985-86 academic year, explaining that the University attempts to address fees one year in advance in order that parents and students can make preparation for the necessary fees. The following fees will be changed:

1. Increase residence hall fee $25 per semester;
2. Increase recreation and cultural fee $3 per semester;
3. For summer school, 1985, a small increase in the infirmary fee and deletion of the Health and P.E. debt service fee.

Mr. Schell moved that the changes be approved, Mr. McGinn seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

DESIGNATION OF CHANCELLOR EMERITUS

Dr. Hyde commented on the good program of the institution during former Chancellor Robinson's tenure and proposed that the title of Chancellor Emeritus be conferred on Dr. Robinson. Mr. McGinn made the motion, Mr. Woody seconded it, and the motion carried unanimously. Mr. Reed was asked to develop an appropriate document which would be presented at a ceremony to be held in the near future.

RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION

Upon motion by Mr. Watson, seconded by Mr. Wood, the Board adopted the following resolution:

The Board of Trustees gives special recognition and expresses sincere appreciation to Colleen C. Jakes whose service to the University and to the Board as Assistant to the Chancellor from 1974 to 1984 established her as one of the most valuable employees of Western Carolina University.

Her dedication to the University and the quality of her service to this Board have been on the highest plane, advancing the institution for the greater benefit of the State of North Carolina and its citizens.

In her position as Assistant to the Chancellor, Mrs. Jakes also was an effective and loyal assistant to the Board of Trustees, aiding the Board and its members cheerfully, effectively, and diligently.

For these services and for the example she provides to all University employees, the Board of Trustees expresses its gratitude and extends its appreciation to Mrs. Jakes, and orders this resolution to be entered upon the permanent records of the Board.

Adopted unanimously by the Board of Trustees of Western Carolina University the sixth day of September, 1984, at Cullowhee, North Carolina.

ISSUANCE OF DUPLICATE DIPLOMA

Upon motion by Mr. Schell, seconded by Mr. Rob Edwards, the Board authorized the issuance of a duplicate diploma to Judith Lynn Wayman, class of 1970.

Ms. McDonald was requested to check into the authority of the administration to issue duplicate diplomas without first bringing the request to the Board of Trustees.

INFORMATION REPORTS

1. University promotional meetings

Chancellor Coulter discussed with the trustees the series of meetings which will be held across the state to inform the citizens of the contributions made by The University of North Carolina. Trustees are invited to attend as many of these meetings as they can.

2. Fall Enrollment

Mr. Creech reported on the fall enrollment, indicating that the head count is up approximately 1.5 percent over last year and the FTE is up approximately .5 percent. Graduate enrollment has increased 11 percent, and black student enrollment is also up this year. For the last three year the enrollment has been divided with 85 percent being in-state and 15 percent out-of-state students.

3. Construction Projects

The recent allocations for roof repairs, Dr. Carter reported, will mean that roofs on the campus will be in the best shape in years. It is anticipated that all work underway on roofs will be completed before bad weather.

Work is underway on tennis courts and the track, and some other outdoor work is in progress.

Funds have been received for some renovation work at the Oteen building, renovation in Breese Gymnasium, and to replace the roof at the Camp Lab School.. Work on these projects will be underway in the next few months.

The brick repair at Belk Building is underway, and additional funds to do the art wing have been received. Work on the art wing will start within the next week.

No funds for landscaping have been received from these allocations; however, funds have been requested in the new budget request.

Dr. Carter discussed with the trustees the work on the regional activity center and some steps that might be taken to speed up the work. Dr. Carter has met with staff of the Attorney General's office, the State Construction Office, and the architects to explore various possibilities. The Board will be kept informed of what transpires.

4. Long-Range Plan 1984-89

Mr. Wood discussed with the trustees th9084-89 Long-Range Plan and the procedures by which such plans are developed.

EXECUTIVE SESSION   Open Meeting Act

Mr. Watson moved that the Board now go into Executive Session for the purpose of considering those personnel and litigation matters as well as any other matters that it is entitled to consider in Executive Session under the Open Meetings Law. Mr. Woody seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

RESUMPTION OF OPEN SESSION

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

REPORT OF THE PERSONNEL COMMITTEE

Mr. Watson moved that administrative appointments as discussed in the Executive Session be approved. Mr. Woody seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

Mr. Watson moved that appointment of 27 faculty members be approved. Mr. Schell seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

Mr. Watson moved that appointment of six staff members be approved. Mr. Woody seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

Mr. Watson moved that four leaves of absence be granted. Mr. Woody seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

Mr. Watson moved that Mr. Gainey be promoted to Assistant Professor, Mr. Schell seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

Mr. Watson moved that the title of Professor Emeritus be conferred on Dr. Wilma B. Cosper. Mr. Woody seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

DISCUSSION ON REGIONAL ACTIVITY CENTER

In response to some questions raised in the earlier discussion, Dr. Carter had contacted the State Construction Office and reported the following: (1) the state does not require that subcontractors be bonded; (2) no state job has had such a requirement; (3) the State Construction Office would be willing to consider a request to make such specific conditions.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Several announcements of upcoming events were made.

ADJOURNMENT

With no further business to be transacted, Mr. Watson moved that the Board adjourn sine die. All trustees were in agreement.