The Board of Trustees of Western Carolina University met in regular session on March 18, 1986, 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. Coward, Mr. Davis, Mr. Edwards, Mr. Forsyth, Mr. Hennessee, Dr. Hyde, Mr. McGinn, Mr. Schell, Mr. Wilson, and Mr. Woody.

Others present included: Chancellor Coulter; Vice Chancellors Carter, Dooley, Phillips, and Stillion; Dr. Dowell, Assistant to the Chancellor; Dr. Alexander, Chairman of the Faculty; Ms. Goble, Alumni Representative to the Board; Mr. Kucharski, Legal Counsel; Mr. Ramsey, Assistant to the Chancellor for WCU Programs in Asheville; Mr. Reed, Director of Public Information; Mr. Stewart, Director, Ramsey Regional Activity Center; Mr. Wood, Director of Institutional Studies and Planning; and Mrs. Shuler, Administrative Assistant to the Chancellor. Mr. Tony Childress, of Radio Station WRGC, also attended.

CALL TO ORDER

Chairman Hyde called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Mr. McGinn moved that the minutes of the December 6, 1985, meeting be approved as distributed. Mr. Schell seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

REPORT OF REGIONAL ACTIVITY CENTER COMMITTEE

Mr. Woody reported on the meeting of the committee held February 24 at which time a draft set of operating policies had been determined. Each member had received a copy of the draft, and Mr. Woody explained the various sections, including the appointment of a community liaison committee by the Chancellor, who may use the Center, charges to be imposed for non-University use, catering responsibility, the alcohol policy, and political events. During the discussion that followed, Mr. Cooper suggested that an individual from the Qualla Boundary be appointed to the Advisory Committee. Mr. Woody moved that a representative from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians be added to the committee, Mr. Hennessee seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

Mr. Woody then thanked the members of the ad hoc committee for their work on the policy document. Chairman Hyde added his thanks to Mr. Woody and the committee.

Mr. Woody moved that the Activity Center operating policies be accepted as submitted, Mr. Coward seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. (A copy of the policy is on file with minutes material.)

REPORT OF THE PROPERTY AND BUILDING COMMITTEE

1. Appointment of Architect for North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching

Mr. McGinn told the Board that the Committee had met on March 17 and had been joined by a committee from the NCCAT Board of Trustees to interview architects. Five firms had been interviewed: Foy & Lee Associates, Wood and Cort, Padgett and Freeman, J. N. Pease & Company, and Little and Associates. The combined committee had voted by secret ballot, and the firm receiving the most votes was Foy and Lee. Mr. McGinn then moved that the firm of Foy and Lee Associates be appointed as architects for the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching. Mr. Forsyth seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

2. Property Acquisition

Dr. Carter informed the Board that the property on Dicks' Gap Road owned by Dr. Battle had now been acquired by the University.

3. Capital Improvement Project

Dr. Carter asked that the Board approve the installation of smoke detectors in low-rise dormitories at a cost of $95,000. Mr. McGinn moved that the project be approved, Mr. Forsyth seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

4. Property for NCCAT

It had been the consensus of the Board that the property on the boundary of the campus beyond the golf course was the proper site for the NCCAT. Appraisals have been requested from the State Property Office, and Dr. Carter hopes to know more about this acquisition by the end of March.

APPROVAL OF RETRENCHMENT DOCUMENT

Chancellor Coulter discussed with the Board the development of the Retrenchment Document which establishes procedures to be used to accomplish a reduction in force of faculty. The document would only be used in the event of financial exigency declared by the State of North Carolina, the Board of Governors, and this Board of Trustees. The document has been circulated to the faculty and was approved by the Faculty Senate on December 9, 1985; it has also been submitted to General Administration for review. Upon motion by Mr. Schell, seconded by Mr. Woody, the Retrenchment Document was approved. (Copy of document on file with minutes material.)

APPROVAL OF EPA GRIEVANCE DOCUMENT

Chancellor Coulter presented the EPA Grievance Document which establishes procedures that could be used by 12-months EPA employees who believe they have a grievance. Grievance procedures for faculty and for SPA employees are already in place; this document will provide coverage for those employees who do not fall into either of these categories. The document has been approved by the administration and by the General Administration. Mr. McGinn moved that the Board adopt the EPA Grievance Document, Mr. Wilson seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. (Copy of document is one file with minutes material.)

RESOLUTION ON PROPOSED AGREEMENT BETWEEN JACKSON COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION AND THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS

Chancellor Coulter reviewed for the Board some of the circumstances pertinent to this resolution: The General Assembly appropriated $5 million through the Board of Governors to be used to move Camp Laboratory School from University property. The Board of Governors was asked to become involved in moving the school from the University property and, at their September 1985 meeting, decided that they should not take an active role in the business of the Jackson County Board of Education as far as facilities, programs, or any other matter other than the departure of the Board of Education and its school from this campus. Western had a contact from General Administration that they were going to present to the Board of Governors on March 14 a resolution to release part of the funds. The only issue the proposed resolution allowed this Board to consider is the time it would require to depart from the facility on the Western Carolina University campus. The General Administration asked for reaction from this Board before the Board of Governors' meeting last Friday, and we reported that a majority did agree with the request from the Board of Education to provide four years instead of three years to depart from this campus. On March 14 the Board of Governors approved the agreement which had been drafted. The Board of Governors and the Board of Education are the signatories to the agreement, not this Board nor the administration.

Mr. McGinn seconded the motion. During the discussion that followed, Mr. Coward asked the Board to urge that the wise use of these funds be made. He felt that this Board is taking a very serious step toward Jackson County Board of Education actions and that this issue is very important to the rest of the county. When the vote was taken, the motion carried unanimously.

APPROVAL OF PLAN FOR FUNDING DISTINGUISHED PROFESSORSHIPS

Vice Chancellor Dooley presented a plan to establish distinguished professorships and/or chairs, using funds made available by the 1985 General Assembly which would be matched by institutional funds. He explained the provisions of the plan and said that fundraising efforts have begun. Upon motion by Mr. Hennessee, seconded by Mr. Forsyth, the plan was approved. It was noted that funds will be placed in the Development Foundation. (A copy of the plan is on file with minutes material.)

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION

Vice Chancellor Dooley presented for approval as the Class of 1989 Directors of the Development Foundation Board the following names: Mr. Sam Wiggins, Mr. Gordon "Buddy" Greenwood, Mr. Oliver Blackwell, Mr. Bronce Ray, and Mr. Ed Pruett; alternates were Professor Jay Kneedler and Mr. Dean Plemmons. Upon motion by Mr. Coward, seconded by Mr. Wilson, Dr. Dooley was authorized to contact these individuals. The motion carried unanimously.

INFORMATION REPORTS

1. Jamaica Commencement

Chancellor Coulter told the Trustees of the Commencement Exercises held in Jamaica on March I at which time 61 persons received their degrees from Western. This was the first Commencement by a United States university in a foreign country, as far as we have been able to learn. Dr. Coulter met with the Ambassador, the Governor General, and officials from the Ministry of Education while there.

2. Regional Activity Center Dedication

The formal dedication of the Ramsey Regional Activity Center will be held on April 19, with President Spangler and numerous other officials in attendance.

3. NCCAT Director and Staff

Candidates for the three Fellow positions are now being interviewed, and Director candidates were interviewed last week. It is hoped that an appointment can be made by May 1 with the Director on board by July 1.

4. SACS Visit

Dr. Woosley, Director of the Self-Study, joined the group and distributed copies of the final self-study report. The visiting team will arrive on March 23, and the University expects to have a good visit.

5. Tape on China Visit

A videotape made during Dr. Coulter's visit to China last October was shown.

EXECUTIVE SESSION Open Meetings Law

Mr. Schell moved that this Board now convene in Executive Session for the purpose of receiving the report of the Property and Buildings Committee, the report of the Personnel Committee, and to consider any other such items as we might be allowed to do under the laws of the State of North Carolina. Mr. Wilson seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

RESUMPTION OF OPEN SESSION

Chairman Hyde declared the executive session completed and reconvened the Board into open session.

REPORT OF THE PERSONNEL COMMITTEE

Mr. Schell moved that three persons be granted tenure, Mr. Wilson seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. (List on file with minutes material.)

Mr. Woody moved that promotions be granted to six persons, Mr. Wilson seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. (List on file with minutes material.)

Mr. Schell moved that 45 faculty members be offered reappointments, Mr. Woody seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. (List on file with minutes material.)

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

Mr. Schell moved that the directorships of Summer School and Continuing Education be combined into one position, Mr. Wilson seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

Mr. Schell moved that Dr. Kendall W. King be appointed Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies, Mr. Woody seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

Mr. Schell moved the acceptance of the resignation of Mr. Robert Waters as Athletic Director, effective June 30, 1986. Mr. Woody seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.

Mr. Schell moved that the position of Athletic Director be converted to a full-time position effective July 1, 1986. Mr. Woody seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.

REPORT OF THE PROPERTY AND BUILDINGS COMMITTEE

Mr. McGinn moved that the administration be authorized to acquire a 7100 sq. ft. driveway at a cost of $2,385. Mr. Hennessee seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

ADJOURNMENT

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

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Wallace N. Hyde, Chairman

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Stephen W. Woody, Secretary