Western Carolina University - Office of the Chancellor

The Board of Trustees of Western Carolina University met in regular session on May 7, 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. Coward, Mr. Forsyth, Dr. Hyde, Mr. Schell, Mr. Watson, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Wood, and Mr. Woody.

Others present included: Chancellor Coulter; Vice Chancellors Carter, Dooley, Stillion, and Wakeley; Dr. Dowell, Assistant to the Chancellor; 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

Chairman Hyde called the meeting to order at 10:20 a.m.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

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

REPORT OF THE BUILDING COMMITTEE

Mr. Forsyth, acting as Chair of the Committee, asked Dr. Carter to present the proposed capital improvement project. Dr. Carter told the trustees that the heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system in Hinds University Center is no longer adequate and must be replaced. Also involved in the project will be asbestos removal. The estimated cost of the needed renovations is $991,000, and it is proposed that the method of funding be as follows:

(1) A loan of $783,000 based on bids solicited from several financial institutions, to be repaid over a ten-year period, at an interest rate not to exceed ten percent, and a waiver of penalty for pre-payment.

(2) The use of $208,000 in uncommitted reserves in the University's Food Service accounts.

(3) Funds to retire the debt component will be realized by increasing the University student fee from $44 to $55 per semester.

Dr. Carter also recommended the appointment of the firm of Reece-Noland-McElrath as designers for the project.

Following discussion, Mr. Forsyth moved that the project be approved as presented, that the proposed method of financing be approved, and that the recommended designer be approved. Mr. Woody seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION

Dr. Dooley presented the following names for election to the Board of Directors of The Development Foundation, Inc.: Mrs. Elsie Brown, Mr. Ronald Roberts, Mrs. Janet Norton, Mr. Ed Barnes, and Mrs. Carmen Allison. The name of Mr. Jay Kneedler was presented as an alternate in the event that one of the others was not able to serve. Mr. Watson moved that the Board accept the recommendations and approve this election. Mr. Schell and Mr. Forsyth seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

APPROVAL OF LIST OF GRADUATING STUDENTS

Chancellor Coulter presented the list of students to be awarded degrees at Spring Commencement on May 9. He called attention to the list of honor graduates and mentioned the Student Honors and Awards Convocation which had been held a few days previously. Following discussion, Mr. Coward moved that the list be approved, Mr. Wilson seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

AUTHORITY FOR CHANCELLOR TO APPROVE DEGREES FOR SUBSEQUENT COMMENCEMENTS

Upon motion by Mr. Forsyth, seconded by Mr. Schell, the following proposal was adopted:

For a number of years, the Board of Trustees has approved the listing of students who have qualified to receive degrees at eitherthe Spring or the Summer Commencement Exercises. Obtaining this approval prior to the Commencement Exercises is often difficult because of the timing of Board meetings.The "Delegations of Duty and Authority to Boards of Trustees," adopted by the Board of Governors on July 7, 1972, reads as followsconcerning academic degrees:

"Subject to authorization by the Board of Governors of the nature and general content of specific degree programs which may be offeredby an institution, each institution shall determine whether anindividual student shall be entitled to receipt of a particular degree. No appeal from such an institutional decision shall lie beyond the Board of Trustees, unless it is alleged that theinstitutional decision was violative of an established policy ofthe Board of Governors."

The same wording is contained in the Bylaws of this Board of Trustees as adopted on September 5, 1974, with the exception that the words "each institution" read "Western Carolina University."

Therefore, it is proposed that the Board of Trustees delegate to the Chancellor authority to determine whether an individual student shall be entitled to receipt of a particular degree for all subsequent Commencements.

INFORMATION REPORTS ON NCCAT BUILDING

Mr. Wood reported that the design development phase is completed and it is still hoped that bids can be received in July. The core unit has been designed to accommodate 144 persons, with each residence unit to handle 48 persons. Future residential units will be funded from monies to be secured from a fund-raising campaign.

OTHER BUSINESS

Mr. Watson thanked the Board for the flowers sent to Mrs. Watson during her illness and said that she is making some progress in her recuperation.

A letter had been received expressing concern about the exclusion of acting chief executive officers from the portrait gallery. There was a discussion of the development of the policy and the need to honor Frank Brown, who had served the University in so many ways. Mr. Coward moved that a committee be appointed to consider this project, Mr. Watson seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. Dr. Hyde appointed Mr. Coward as chair of this ad hoc committee, with Mr. Schell and Mr. Doug Reed as the other members.

CHANCELLOR COULTER'S COMMENTS

Chancellor Coulter discussed with the Trustees the following items:

1. Student Elections

The student presidential election has been declared invalid and another election will be held in September. The newly-elected vice president will keep the Student Government operating until the new election can be held.

2. Awards Convocation

At the Awards Convocation held on May 1, Paul A. Reid Awards were presented to Dr. Jim Wallace (faculty) and Mrs. Susie Ray (administrative staff); the Distinguished Teaching Award went to Dr. William Higgins; and the Awards of Excellence were given to the Department of Psychology (academic department) and the Housing Office (service department).

The Department of Biology, which received the Award of Excellence last year, used the entire award to establish a student scholarship fund.

3. Spring Commencement

For the Commencement Exercises on Saturday, May 9, Dr. Terrel Bell will be the speaker, and President Spangler will also be here.

4. Policy on Substance Abuse

The Board of Governors is working to frame a policy for the entire System. While this proposed policy does not cover alcohol, it does have rigorous penalties. Additional information will be provided later.

5. Retiring Trustees

Mr. Watson, Mr. McGinn, and Mr. Wilson will be retiring from the Board on June 30, and Chancellor Coulter expressed appreciation to them for their dedicated service. At the September Board meeting there will be a special dinner in honor of these who are leaving the Board.

6. Baseball Championship

The Catamount baseball team has just won its third consecutive conference championship under the coaching of Jack Leggett. The team will now enter the NCAA playoffs.

7. Luncheon Guests

A number of guests will be present at lunch, including newly-appointed administrators and some who are leaving administrative positions.

8. Year in Retrospect

Chancellor Coulter commented that this has been a very good year and he is encouraged with what is happening with the faculty in the improvement of teaching. Dr. Evelyn Hively, Vice President of AASCU, will assist in obtaining funding to continue these activities.

CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE

Mr. Coward described the work of the Centennial Committee, noting that there are plans to have an academic celebration throughout the 1989-90 year. There is also the possibility of developing something physical on the grounds. A request will be made to the legislature to fund these activities.

EXECUTIVE SESSION Open Meetings Law

Mr. Watson moved that the open session be recessed and the Board go into executive session for the purpose of receiving and acting on the report of the Personnel Committee and consider such other things as we may do under the Open Meetings Law of the State of North Carolina, as amended. Mr. Schell seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.

RESUMPTION OF OPEN SESSION

Mr. Watson moved that the Executive Session be recessed and that the Board immediately reconvene in Open Session. Mr. Schell seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.

REPORT OF THE PERSONNEL COMMITTEE

Mr. Watson moved that the Board give the Chancellor the authority to implement the reorganization of Academic Affairs as discussed in Executive Session and, if no substantive changes are necessary, to conclude the arrangements. If any substantive changes are included, the matter shall be brought back to the Board for appropriate action. Mr. Coward seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

Mr. Watson moved that the appointment of Dr. William D. Hyatt as Head of the Department of Criminal Justice be approved. Mr. Coward seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.

Mr. Watson moved that new faculty appointments be approved, Mr. Schell seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

Mr. Watson moved that an adjunct faculty appointment be approved, Mr. Wilson seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

Mr. Watson moved that three leaves of absence and an extension of a leave of absence be approved, Mr. Woody seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

Mr. Watson moved that four persons be named Professor Emeritus, Mr. Wilson seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

OTHER BUSINESS

Mr. Forsyth moved that Dr. Carter be authorized to proceed with the air-conditioning of the Chancellor's residence with the cost to be paid from the Chancellor's Discretionary Fund. Following discussion, the motion was amended thusly: In recognition of the importance of the Chancellor's residence as a major public relations facility for the University, that the residence be air-conditioned, with the cost to be paid from the Chancellor's Discretionary Fund. Mr. Wood and Mr. Schell seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

ADJOURNMENT

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

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Chairman, Board of Trustees

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Secretary, Board of Trustees