The Board of Trustees of Western Carolina University met in regular session on March 7, 1985, 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. Cooper, Mr. Bobby Edwards, Mr. Rob Edwards, Dr. Hyde, Mr. McGinn, Mr. Schell, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Wood, and Mr. Woody.

Others present included: Chancellor Coulter; Vice Chancellors Dooley, Stillion, and Stoltz; Dr. Dowell, Assistant to the Chancellor; Dr. Alexander, Chairman of the Faculty; Dr. Brown, Alumni Representative to the Board; Mr. Culp, Director of Physical Plant; Mr. Kucharski, 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 AND INTRODUCTIONS

Chairman Hyde called the meeting to order, and Dr. Coulter introduced Dr. Dowell, recently-appointed Assistant to the Chancellor, and Mr. Richard Kucharski, newly appointed Legal Counsel for the University.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Mr. Wilson moved that the minutes of the November 30, 1984, meeting be approved as distributed. Mr. Woody seconded the motion, and it carried.

REPORT OF THE PROPERTY AND BUILDINGS COMMITTEE

Mr. McGinn, Chairman of the Committee, asked Mr. Culp to present the items from the committee meeting.

Mr. Culp informed the Trustees of the need to remove asbestos from Brown Cafeteria during the summer, a project to cost $260,900 which will be paid from reserves in tell food services operating account. In order to expedite the design of the project, Mr. Culp recommended that the firm of Wood and Carl, Asheville architects, be retained to handle the project. Mr. McGinn moved the approval of this recommendation, Mr. Wood seconded the motion, and the motion carried. Mr. Schell asked that the minutes reflect his abstention from the vote.

Mr. Culp then discussed with the Trustees the practice of selling water to off-campus customers which has been in effect for at least 50 years. In the early 1970's the Department of Administration placed a moratorium on expansion of the water system, which presently has 181 customers. The University still receives requests from developers, etc., to tap onto the system, but present usage is already at two-thirds of maximum designed capacity. The University has asked State Property Office to re-evaluate the situation so the policy on water usage can be reaffirmed. Their report has not yet been received. Mr. Culp distributed a proposed resolution which will be presented to the Trustees for action at the next meeting.

MODIFICATION OF DIPLOMA POLICY

The present policy for issuing a duplicate diploma requires approval by the Board of Trustees. Upon motion by Mr. McGinn, seconded by Mr. Schell,

the policy was modified to permit the Chancellor to authorize issuance of duplicate diplomas for appropriate reasons.

COMMENTS BY CHANCELLOR COULTER

Dr. Coulter informed the Trustees of the following items:

1. New Degree Programs

The Board of Governors has approved the B.S. in Natural Resources Management, and programs are now being put together for the first candidates in this area. The M.S. in Project Management, a unique program in the country, has been authorized for planning purposes, and it is hoped that authorization can be received to implement the program in the fall of 1985.

2. Exchange Program with Yunnan University

President Yang of Yunnan University will be in Cullowhee for Commencement this spring, and Dr. Coulter hopes to make a return visit to China next fall. During President Yang's visit they will explore possibilities for further development in tobacco, furniture, and phosphate work.

3. State of the University Address

Dr. Coulter addressed the faculty and staff on February 20 on the "State of the University," and copies of the address will be sent to the various campus departments. He has visited with ten academic departments and six service areas to date and will continue to visit departments as time permits. He is working to develop a statement of the University's role and mission and then will ask the departments to develop their own statements from this guideline.

4. Center for the Advancement of Teaching

This project is moving along, and we have been assured of support from Governor Martin. Dr. Robinson is chairing the planning committee, and the first pilot program will be offered this summer. This center is expected to be a model for the country and will bring teachers to campus for varying periods of study. There is tremendous potential for such a center.

5. AASCU/American Express Proposal

The Board of Directors of AASCU is working with American Express on a proposal which will offer a very good travel advantage to universities. Further details will be provided soon, but it appears that up to 40 percent discount on travel costs can be obtained. Cards may be purchased for $5 each from American Express, and the funds thus generated will be returned to the institution in the form of donations from American Express.

6. Intercollegiate Athletics

The institutions in North Carolina are looking at the whole spectrum of athletics. The Board of Governors has appointed a special committee to study admissions criteria, progress toward degree, graduation ratios for athletes as well as non-athletes, and graduation ratios for minorities. There was a discussion of SAT scores and, in response to questions, Dr. Coulter gave statistics on the status of WCU students in this regard.

In this same area of concern, residence hall programs are coming to the forefront. Information has been sent to General Administration to be used in responding to questions from legislators in this regard.

7. Inaugural Plans

Mr. Woody and Dr. Alexander are co-chairmen of the Inaugural Steering Committee, and other trustees are serving on subcommittees. The date has been set for April 20, with a luncheon scheduled at 11:30, the inaugural ceremony at 2:00, the inaugural dinner at 6:30, and the inaugural concert at 8:15.

8. Centennial Committee

1989 will be the 100th year of the institution, and the centennial observance will be held from August 1989 through summer of 1990. This period was chosen to commemorate the first one hundred years and launch the second century of Western's service to education. A steering committee has been formed, and subcommittees will work on specific activities. It is hoped that plans can be made by the end of spring semester for the broad outline of events. Mr. Wood, chairman of the Steering Committee, has contacted other institutions that have celebrated a centennial recently to ask for any information that might be of help in planning for the most successful year possible.

EXECUTIVE SESSION    Open Meeting Act

Mr. Wilson moved that the Board convene in Executive Session to consider the report of the Personnel Committee, the student appeal, and any other matter this Board may properly consider under the provisions of the Open Meetings Law. Mr. Schell seconded the motion, and it carried.

RESUMPTION OF OPEN SESSION

Mr. Schell moved that the Executive Session adjourn and that the Board reconvene in Open Session. Mr. Woody seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

(NOTE: Dr. Brown left the meeting at this point.)

REPORT OF PERSONNEL COMMITTEE

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

Mr. Wilson moved that the Board concur in the recommendations for the award of permanent tenure and send the recommendations to General Administration for final approval by the Board of Governors. Mr. Schell seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. (List on file with minutes material.)

Mr. Wilson moved that the Board approve the promotions of ten faculty members (list on file with minutes material). Mr. Cooper seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

Mr. Wilson moved that the Board approve the recommendations for reappointment of 39 faculty members (list on file with minutes material). Mr. McGinn seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

Mr. Wilson moved that the appointments of four new faculty members be approved (list on file with minutes material). Mr. McGinn seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

Mr. Wilson moved that Patricia G. Johnson be appointed Research Assistant in the Micronet Project, Mr. McGinn seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

Mr. Wilson moved that the title of Professor Emeritus be conferred upon two individuals as discussed in the Executive Session. Mr. Cooper seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

Mr. Wilson moved that Professor Rigdon be granted an extension of his educational leave. Mr. Schell seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

Mr. Wilson moved that Vice Chancellor Robert Stoltz be granted an educational leave for the period June 1, 1985 - May 31, 1986. Mr. McGinn seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

APPEAL BY FORMER GRADUATE STUDENT

Mr. Wood moved that the appeal of Mr. Tellefsen to the Board be referred by the Board to the Student Affairs Committee and that the Committee be asked to conduct hearings, allowing each party 15 minutes, meetings to be in Executive Session, and the Student Affairs Committee then make a recommendation to the Board no later than April 10 so it can be acted upon on April 20. Mr. McGinn seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

ADJOURNMENT

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

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Wallace N. Hyde, Chairman

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Avis Phillips, Secretary