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Western Board of Trustees >Trustee Minutes
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REGULAR
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES BOARD
ROOM, UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
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The Board of Trustees of Western Carolina University met in regular session on September 18, 1987, at 2:00 p.m. in the Board Room of the Robinson Administration Building. Chairman Wallace N. Hyde presided. ATTENDANCE The following members of the Board were present: Mrs. Allen, Mr. Allman, Mr. Coward, Mr. Edwards, Mr. Forsyth, Dr. Hyde, Mr. Schell, Mrs. Strum, Mr. Wood, and Mr. Woody. Others present included: Chancellor Coulter; Vice Chancellors Carter, Dooley, Stillion, and Wakeley; Dr. Dowell, Assistant to the Chancellor; Dr. Alexander, Chairman of the Faculty; Mr. McConnell, Alumni Representative to the Board; Mr. Ramsey, Assistant to the Chancellor for WCU Programs in Asheville; Mr. Kucharski, Legal Counsel; Mr. Reed, Director of Public Information; Mr. Wood, Director of Institutional Studies and Planning; and Mrs. Shuler, Administrative Assistant to the Chancellor. Ms. Mary Fleming, news editor of THE WESTERN CAROLINIAN, was also present. INTRODUCTIONS Chancellor Coulter made the following introductions: reappointed trustees Robert Edwards and Richard Wood; newly appointed trustees Mrs. Levern Allen, accompanied by Mr. Allen; Mr. Alan Allman, accompanied by Mrs. Allman; and Mrs. Deborah Strum; new alumni representative to the Board Mr. Charles McConnell. SWEARING-IN CEREMONY Judge Danny Davis conducted the swearing-in ceremony for the newly appointed and reappointed trustees. INTRODUCTION OF CHANCELLOR'S AMBASSADORS Dr. Dowell introduced the 12 members of the Chancellor's Ambassadors who were present. She explained that this is a newly organized group of outstanding students who will assist in various University activities. The group is composed of 22 students, either juniors or seniors, who went through a rigorous interview process before being selected. Dr. Dowell explained the criteria used in the selection and indicated her pleasure in working with these students. ELECTION OF OFFICERS Chancellor Coulter assumed the chair for the purpose of conducting the election of a chairman. Mr. Woody nominated Dr. Hyde for chairman, and Mr. Forsyth seconded the motion. Mr. Wood then moved that the nominations close, and Mr. Schell seconded that motion. The motion carried unanimously, and Dr. Hyde was elected unanimously. Dr. Hyde said that he appreciated the opportunity to serve this Board again as chairman and would do the best job possible. Dr. Hyde asked for nominations for Vice Chairman. Mr. Schell nominated Mr. Woody, and Mr. Wood seconded the motion. Mr. Wood then moved that nominations close, and Mr. Schell seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously, and Mr. Woody was elected unanimously. Mr. Woody expressed his pleasure at being elected as Vice Chairman. Dr. Hyde then asked for nominations for Secretary. Mr. Coward nominated Mrs. Strum, and Mr. Woody seconded the motion. Mr. Wood moved that the nominations close, Mr. Allman seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. Mrs. Strum was elected unanimously. APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES Dr. Hyde made the following committee appointments: Executive Dr. Hyde,
Chair Property and Buildings Mr. Forsyth,
Chair Academic Affairs Mr. Edwards,
Chair Business Affairs Mr. Schell,
Chair Student Affairs Mr. Cooper,
Chair Endowment Board of Trustees Mr. Watson
(term ending 6-30-88) Personnel Mr. Woody,
Chair Paul Reid Service Awards Mr. Coward RECESS FOR COMMITTEE MEETINGS Chairman Hyde declared a recess in order for the Property and Buildings Committee and the Personnel Committee to meet. RECONVENE REGULAR SESSION Chairman Hyde reconvened the Board into regular session at 3:00 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Woody moved that the minutes be approved as distributed, Mr. Forsyth seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. REPORT OF PROPERTY AND BUILDINGS COMMITTEE Mr. Forsyth, Chairman of the Committee, asked Dr. Carter to present the items for discussion. 1. Design Appointment, Capital Improvement Project Dr. Carter explained that the University had received a substantial refund from its wholesale electrical energy supplier in 1984. The North Carolina Utilities Commission, in approving the University's plan for distributing the refund to its customers, directed that a system planning study and a phased program of system improvements be funded from a portion of this refund. The study has been completed and the first phase of needed improvements, consisting primarily of line and transformer replacements at a cost of $430,000, is ready to be designed. Dr. Carter further explained that projects costing more than $250,000 must have interviews with three designers in order to meet the requirements of the new State Building Commission. He asked that the Board approve the project and the proposed method of financing: a combination of interest paid on the initial refund corpus, interest earned on monies deposited in the refund account, and unclaimed refunds. The current balance of funds in the respective accounts and available for application to the project is $438,000. Dr. Carter also asked that the Board authorize the Chancellor to conduct the required interviews and select the designer for the project. Mr. Forsyth moved that the Chancellor be delegated authority to select an engineering firm to design the needed system improvements. Mr. Schell seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. Mr. Forsyth then moved that the Board approve the project and the method of financing as discussed. Mr. Wood seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. There was a further discussion on the possibility of selling the electrical distribution system. 2. Approval of NCCAT Building Plans Following a discussion on the final building plans for the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT), the following resolution was presented: WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of Western Carolina University has the authority and responsibility to review the building plans and construction documents for the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching and approve or disapprove the site plans and the exterior design of the various buildings comprising the Center; and WHEREAS, the Board has reviewed such plans and documents at its meeting on September 18, 1987: BE IT RESOLVED, the Board hereby approves the building plans and construction documents for the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching as long as the project budget provides sufficient funds to allow replacement of the land committed to the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching by Western Carolina University. In the event that the project budget is inadequate to replace said land, this approval is automatically revoked. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Chancellor be requested to again seek a commitment in writing from the General Administration for $500,000 to be set aside for purchase of replacement land cost before the contract is let. Mr. Forsyth moved that the resolution be approved, Mr. Coward seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. 3. Information on New Projects The General Assembly has appropriated funding for renovation of Hoey-McKee-Stillwell Buildings, and bids will be opened on October 22. Also, funds have been appropriated for the warehouse building, and it is hoped that bids can be received in November. APPROVAL OF FEES FOR 1988-89 Dr. Carter presented the proposed fee increases for 1988-89 and used transparencies to indicate WCU's position within the system as far as charges are concerned. He asked for the following fee increases: Athletic
Facilities Fee, from $12 per semester to $16 per semester
Mr. Coward moved that the increases be approved, Mr. Allman seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. CHANCELLOR COULTER'S COMMENTS Chancellor Coulter discussed with the Trustees the following items: 1. Fall enrollment is up one percent overall, with head count of 5946. Summer school enrollment had a 9.1 percent increase. 2. The Change Budget appropriation of $227,000 has been allocated for the honors program, the new marketing plan, the graduate school, student development activities, faculty development activities, and other appropriate areas. In addition, $132,000 was received for computer equipment and software. 3. It appears that WCU will have at least one Distinguished Professorship Grant and possibly two. 4. A meeting of key alumni leaders in Charlotte formed very solid support for the alumni's adopting a tower and carillon as their centennial project. This group will go to the Alumni Board for consideration of this idea. 5. The new role and mission statement is being sent to each department so departments can prepare their own statements. The administration will then use those statements to allocate funds. 6. A delegation from Canton, China, is expected to arrive in mid-November. The World Bank is interested in involvement with this project of developing a new management training program. Also, Professor Wang from Yunnan University has just arrived on the campus for several months. 7. The General Assembly funded 400 fellowships for prospective teachers, and eighteen of those teaching fellows are enrolled at WCU. 8. Mountain Heritage Day will be held on September 26. President and Mrs. Spangler will be here to receive a coverlet woven in the Mountain Heritage Center. 9. The appropriation for the new warehouse is $1.8 million. 10. Mr. E. J. Whitmire has worked with the Natural Resources program to develop a wonderful experimental laboratory on his farm at Murphy. He has spent over $30,000 on this project and had the students design the use of land. 11. A grant of one million dollars has been received to create a trout center near the campus. North Carolina is second to Idaho in trout production and this center will be a big advantage in developing the trout industry. 12. A run-off will be held in the Student Body President election next week. 13. The conference for trustees and members of the Board of Governors will be held in Wilmington October 8-9. Trustees were urged to attend. 14. The opening of this academic year may be the best Dr. Coulter has ever seen. The faculty and students are enthusiastic, and things are upbeat. Dr. Coulter thanked the Trustees for their support in so many ways. EXECUTIVE SESSION Open Meetings Law Mr. Wood moved that the Board recess and reconvene in executive session to take under consideration those items it is entitled to consider under the Open Meetings Act. Mr. Schell seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. RESUMPTION OF OPEN SESSION Mr. Coward moved that the executive session be adjourned and that the Board reconvene immediately into open session. Mr. Allman seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. REPORT OF THE PERSONNEL COMMITTEE Mr. Schell moved that 15 administrative appointments as discussed in the executive session be approved. Mr. Wood seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. (A listing of appointments is on file with minutes material.) Mr. Woody moved that 58 new faculty appointments be approved. Mr. Forsyth seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. (A listing is on file.) Mr. Woody moved that six new staff appointments be approved. Mr. Schell seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. Mr. Coward moved that an extension of educational leave to Professor Marilyn Jody for the period July l, 1987, through June 30, 1988, be granted. Mr. Wood seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. Upon motion by Mr. Wood, seconded by Mr. Schell, and carried unanimously, the following resolutions were adopted:
WHEREAS, on May 8, 1987, the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina amended Section 606 of the Code, thereby amending retirement policies applicable to the two groups of University employees; and WHEREAS, the Tenure Policies and Regulations of Western Carolina University (Tenure Policies) must be changed to reflect the amendment of the Code; and WHEREAS, the Chancellor has reviewed and approved the amendment contained herein; BE IT RESOLVED, that the Tenure Policies are hereby amended as follows: I. Section IX A of the Tenure Policies is hereby amended to read as follows: A. Retirement Policy for Members of the Faculty (1) Each member of the faculty who does not have permanent tenure may retire in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 135 of the North Carolina General Statutes ("Retirement System of Teachers and State Employees"). (2) Each member of the faculty who has permanent tenure shall retire on July 1 coincident with or next following his or her seventieth birthday, except as provided in subsection (B) below. II. The title and the first sentence of Section IX B of the Tenure Policies is hereby amended to read as follows: B. Employment Beyond Age 70 for Faculty Members with Permanent Tenure A faculty member who has permanent tenure may be continued in employment past the retirement date specified in sub-section A 2 upon recommendation of the Chancellor and approval of the Board of Trustees provided that such a continuation in employment may be accomplished only through a term appointment or a series of term appointments, with each such term appointment not to exceed one year in duration. III. A new Section IX C of the Tenure Policies is hereby adopted to read as follows: C. Duration of Certain Policy Provisions Section IX A 2 and IX B are repealed as of December 31, 1993. and
WHEREAS, on May 8, 1987, the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina amended Section VIII.D. of its policy adopted on February 13, 1981, as amended on September 14, 1984, pertaining to University employees exempt from the State Personnel Act; and WHEREAS, it is necessary to amend Western Carolina University's "Employment Policies for University Employees Exempt from the State Personnel Act" (EPA Employment Policies) to reflect the Board ofGovernors' amendment; and WHEREAS, the Chancellor has reviewed and approved the amendment contained herein; BE IT RESOLVED, that Section VIII.D. of the "EPA Employment Policies" is hereby amended to read as follows: Retirement Employees in covered positions may retire in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 135 of the North Carolina General Statutes ("Retirement System of Teachers and State Employees"). The Board was informed of two new appointments in the Military Science Department. ADJOURNMENT With no further business to be conducted, Mr. Coward moved that the meeting be adjourned. Mrs. Allen seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. ________________________________________ ________________________________________ |
