Western Carolina University - Office of the Chancellor

The Board of Trustees of Western Carolina University met in regular session on March 6, 1987, 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. Edwards, Mr. Forsyth, Dr. Hyde, Mr. McGinn, Mr. Schell, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Woody, and Mr. Wood.

Others present included: Chancellor Coulter; Vice Chancellors Carter, Dooley, Stillion, and Wakeley; Dr. Dowell, Assistant to the Chancellor; Dr. Alexander, Faculty Representative to the Board; Mr. Kucharski, Legal Counsel; Mr. Reed, Director of Public Information; Mr. Stewart, Director of the Ramsey Center; Mr. Wood, Director of Institutional Studies and Planning; and Mrs. Shuler, Administrative Assistant to the Chancellor. Mr. Rick Lee, architect, was also present.

CALL TO ORDER

Chairman Hyde called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.

INTRODUCTION OF VICE CHANCELLOR WAKELEY

Chancellor Coulter introduced Dr. John Wakeley, the newly appointed Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

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

APPROVAL OF CARDIAC REHABILITATION PROGRAM

Information on the proposed Cardiac Rehabilitation Program had been sent to trustees earlier. Following discussion, Mr. Schell moved that the program be approved. Mr. McGinn seconded the motion, and the program was approved unanimously.

REPORT OF THE PROPERTY AND BUILDINGS COMMITTEE

Mr. McGinn asked Vice Chancellor Carter to report on the following items:

1. Appointment of Designer for Replacement of Astroturf

The artificial playing surface of Bob Waters Field in the E. J. Whitmire Stadium must be replaced. The Property and Buildings Committee recommended the appointment of Black and Veach, of Asheboro, North Carolina, and Mr. McGinn made a motion to that effect. Mr. Forsyth seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

2. Design Effort on North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching

Mr. Rick Lee, assisted by Mr. Ken Wood, presented the proposed plans for NCCAT. Major changes from the preliminary plans include changing the main entrance from the lower front to the upper back in order to keep maintenance and service vehicles from public spaces. This change frees the front for landscaping. A large glass arch has been incorporated as a focal point of the building. The building, which is 320' long, will use stone accents and wood siding with a metal roof. Dr. Coulter explained that the NCCAT Facilities Committee has seen these plans and that the NCCAT Board of Trustees will approve the inside layout of the buildings while the Western Board of Trustees approves the outside treatment and the elevations. It is hoped that bids can be taken in July.

Following discussion, Mr. McGinn moved that the plans be approved, Mr. Forsyth seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. (At this point Mr. Lee left.)

AMENDMENTS TO OPERATING POLICIES OF RAMSEY REGIONAL ACTIVITY CENTER

Mr. Woody asked Dr. Carter to inform the trustees about the necessity for making these amendments. Dr. Carter discussed with the trustees practices in such arenas around the country and the need to have a published rate of charges, yet retain enough flexibility to permit Mr. Stewart to negotiate with promoters. Following the discussion Mr. Woody moved that amendments as written be adopted, Mr. Schell seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. (Copy of amendments on file with minutes material.)

Dr. Carter and Mr. Stewart then gave a comprehensive report on use of the Center in its first year of operation.

APPROVAL OF ROLE AND MISSION STATEMENT

Chancellor Coulter and Mr. Reed discussed with the trustees the development of an updated statement of role and mission for the institution. The statement was distributed campus-wide and a number of hearings held (Faculty Senate, the Council of Deans, etc.). Following the discussion, Mr. Schell and Mr. Wood moved the adoption of the following statement:

The University

Western Carolina University is one of the sixteen public senior institutions of The University of North Carolina. It is a comprehensive university, authorized to offer programs of study at the baccalaureate, master's, and intermediate levels. The university comprises five undergraduate schools--Arts and Sciences, Business, Education and Psychology, Nursing and Health Sciences, and Technology and Applied Science--and a Graduate School. Statewide in scope, the university has a special sense of responsibility to the western region of North Carolina.

Role and Mission

The fundamental role of Western Carolina University is to develop a community of scholarship in which students, faculty members, administrators, and staff members learn and apply the products of learning. Teaching, service, and research missions are built upon this foundation of scholarship.

The most important activity at Western Carolina University is student-teacher involvement in learning. Students with a wide range of academic abilities and aptitudes may enter the university; but those who are graduated are expected to be knowledgeable, competent in critical thinking and communication skills, aware of ethical and aesthetic values, and productive in employment and general life settings.

Scholarly service and research are essential to the goals of the university. Service is encouraged that extends the benefits of university scholarship to regional, state, national, and international constituencies. Research and creative activity are encouraged that provide opportunities for faculty members and students to engage in the exploration and development of knowledge and that support student-teacher interaction.

Principal Functions

The principal function of the university is to provide an academic curriculum appropriate to its role and mission, essentially for the benefit of the people of North Carolina. This curriculum primarily is offered on the Cullowhee campus. Graduate and undergraduate programs are extended to students through centers in Asheville and in Cherokee. Credit and noncredit courses also are sponsored in a variety of locations by the Division of Continuing Education.

Functions of specialized university centers and services include technical and research assistance in the development of human and natural resources in the southern Appalachian region of the United States; archival and museum activities to record and interpret the history of western North Carolina and the southern Appalachian region and to help preserve their cultural artifacts; overseas educational exchanges and technical assistance projects, especially in less developed nations; summer programs for gifted and talented pre-college students; diagnostic and treatment programs in reading, speech and hearing, and childhood developmental evaluation, primarily for residents of western North Carolina; an array of activities dedicated to improving the quality of elementary and secondary school instruction and management; and cultural enrichment of the university and regional communities through the fine and performing arts.

Mr. Wilson seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

Chairman Hyde left the meeting at this point, and Mr. Woody assumed the chair.

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

Mr. Coward informed the other trustees of his work on a committee working to plan the institution's centennial in 1989, a part of which would be a celebration with the trustees. Dr. Dowell invited the trustees to involve themselves in this centennial, and there were several expressions of interest. Mr. Schell then moved that the Board adopt a statement of support for the Centennial efforts, Mr. Forsyth seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

CHANCELLOR COULTER'S COMMENTS

Chancellor Coulter discussed with the trustees the following topics:

1. The scroll presented by a delegation from Yunnan University in China;

2. The search in progress for a Dean of Arts and Sciences, with Dean Chambers as chair;

3. The Centennial, with Mr. Kirwan as Chair of the overall committee to plan the celebration beginning in August of 1989 and continuing through the academic year; will ask legislators to help secure funds; would like to erect a bell tower to be funded from alumni contributions and the Alumni Board has endorsed this effort;

4. Activities at the Ramsey Center today: Southern Conference Women's> basketball tournament; 450 students for History Day; 1400 students for Science Festival;

5. Trip to Thailand and China which was extremely profitable; new educational agreements were developed and new business ventures which would not offer competition to North Carolina industries; two Thai faculty will be here in fall of 1987 to initiate training project; funds being sought to bring next group of Thai presidents; more Chinese scholars will be coming; met with Consul General in Hong Kong and discussed possibility of offering general education for Hong Kong students;

6. "Cardiac Arrest" for benefit of American Heart Association;

7. Good turnouts in recruitment activities around the state;

8. The serious illness of Mrs. Frank Watson. Mr. Coward moved, seconded by Mr. Wilson, that an expression of sympathy be sent from the Board. Mr. Coward also commented on the death of Mr. Jake Alexander, Assistant Secretary, NC Department of Transportation.

EXECUTIVE SESSION Open Meetings Law

Mr. Wilson moved that the Board convene in Executive Session for the purpose of hearing the report of the Personnel Committee, the report on the meeting of the UNC Trustee Chairmen, the report of the Property and Buildings Committee, and any other such matters as may come before this Board under the provisions of the Open Meetings Law. Mr. Schell seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.

RESUMPTION OF OPEN SESSION

Mr. Wilson made a motion, seconded by Mr. Schell, that the Board reconvene in open session. The motion was approved unanimously.

PICTORIAL HISTORY

Chancellor Coulter called attention to a pictorial history of the College of William and Mary. It is planned that a similar effort will be undertaken in connection with Western's centennial.

REPORT OF PROPERTY AND BUILDINGS COMMITTEE

Mr. Forsyth moved that the University administration be authorized to acquire property as discussed in the Executive Session. Mr. Schell seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

REPORT OF PERSONNEL COMMITTEE

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

Mr. Wilson moved that the Board concur in the recommendations that tenure be granted to ten faculty members and that the recommendations be sent to President Spangler for presentation to the Board of Governors for final approval. Mr. Cooper seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

Mr. Wilson moved that eight faculty members be promoted, Mr. Forsyth seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

Mr. Wilson moved that reappointments be offered to 42 faculty members, Mr. Schell seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

Mr. Wilson moved that reappointment with terminal notice be given to one faculty member, Mr. Cooper seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

Mr. Wilson moved that three new faculty members be appointed, Mr. Wood seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

Mr. Wilson moved that three new staff members be appointed, Mr. Wood seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

Mr. Wilson moved that designations of Professor Emeritus as discussed in Executive Session be approved. Mr. Schell seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

Mr. Wilson moved that leaves of absence as discussed in Executive Session be approved. Mr. Forsyth seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

(NOTE: Lists of all personnel actions on file with minutes material.)

RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION

Upon motion by Mr. Coward, seconded by Mr. Wilson, the following resolution of appreciation was adopted unanimously:

WHEREAS, Dr. Judith M. Stillion stepped aside from her permanent academic role in teaching and as Head of the Department of Psychology; and

WHEREAS, she accepted the full responsibility of the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs; and

WHEREAS, she performed those duties in an outstanding manner characterized by fairness, objectivity, and professionalism; and

WHEREAS, she put the University's work above her personal interests and pursuits and dedicated long hours to her new office and its responsibilities; and

WHEREAS, she discharged those responsibilities in such a manner that the academic community of Western Carolina University and the University System were served with distinction and a high level of ethics; and

WHEREAS, there was no loss of momentum in the continuing and new academic programs of the University;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees of Western Carolina University issue this resolution of deep appreciation and sincere gratitude to Dr. Judith M. Stillion for her exemplary performance as Interim Vice Chancellor for the period July 1, 1986, through February 28, 1987.

Adopted unanimously by the Board of Trustees of Western Carolina University, this sixth day of March, 1987.

GIFT OF COMPUTER EQUIPMENT

Dr. Dooley told the trustees of a gift of computer equipment from AT&T valued at approximately $100,000. This equipment will make a big contribution to the computer science departments.

ADJOURNMENT

With no further business to be transacted, the meeting was adjourned by consensus.

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Chairman, Board of Trustees

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Secretary, Board of Trustees