The Board of Trustees of Western Carolina University met in regular session on March 3, 1988, at 3:00 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. Buckner, Mr. Cooper, 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. 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 3:10 p.m.

INTRODUCTIONS

Chancellor Coulter introduced the delegation from Guangdong Province in People's Republic of China, Mr. Guo, Mr. Fu, and Mr. Liu. He described for the trustees the corporation with which these gentlemen are associated and the possibility that an exchange program can be initiated.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

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

EXECUTIVE SESSION Open Meetings Law

Mr. Wood moved that the Board go into executive session to take up such matters as are permitted under the Open Meetings Law of the State of North Carolina. Mr. Woody seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

RESUMPTION OF OPEN SESSION

Following a question regarding the recent drug arrests in Jackson County and the consensus to have another executive session later in the meeting, Mr. Wood moved to go out of executive session and reconvene in open session. Mr. Woody seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

INITIATION OF TRUSTEES' AWARD

Chancellor Coulter discussed with the trustees the initiation of a special award whose purpose would be "to recognize individuals on occasion for exemplary service or support to Western Carolina University. The award, in the form of a specially-designed university chair, would serve as an expression of gratitude and appreciation by the Board of Trustees of Western Carolina University." The procedure for recommending a recipient and the manner of presentation were discussed. Mr. Woody moved that the initiation of the award be approved, Mr. Schell seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. A sample of the chair was shown to the Board.

REPORT OF THE PERSONNEL COMMITTEE

Mr. Woody moved that Mr. David F. Possinger be appointed Head Basketball Coach. The motion was seconded by Mr. Allman and Mr. Forsyth and was approved unanimously. A press conference will be held at 4:00 p.m. to make a public announcement of this appointment.

Mr. Woody moved that Dr. Royce Woosley be appointed Acting Head, Department of Chemistry and Physics, and that Mr. Malcolm Loughlin be appointed Acting Associate Director of Continuing Education/Summer School.. Mr. Schell seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

Mr. Woody moved that the Board concur in the recommendations for granting tenure to nine faculty members and that the recommendations be sent to General Administration for final approval by the Board of Governors. Mr. Wood seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. (List on file with minutes material.)

Mr. Woody moved that twelve faculty members be granted promotion. Mr. Wood seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. (List on file with minutes material.)

Mr. Woody moved that reappointments be offered to forty faculty members. Mr. Wood seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. (List on file.)

Mr. Woody moved that reappointments with terminal notice be offered to four faculty members. Mr. Allman and Mr. Schell seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. (List on file.)

Mr. Woody moved that leaves of absence be granted to three employees. Mr. Wood seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. (List on file.)

Mr. Woody moved that appointment of six new faculty members be approved. Mr. Allman seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. (List on file.)

Mr. Woody moved that three new staff appointments be approved. Mr. Allman seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. (List on file.)

REPORT OF THE PROPERTY AND BUILDINGS COMMITTEE

Mr. Forsyth moved that Room 104 in the Killian Building be named the Taft B. Botner Conference Room. Mrs. Allen and Mr. Allman seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

Mr. Forsyth moved that Chancellor Coulter develop policies and procedures to be used for naming buildings, rooms, etc., on the campus. Mr. Woody seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

(Chancellor Coulter left the meeting at this time to attend the press conference.)

INFORMATION REPORTS

1. Trip to China

Mr. Woody discussed the recent trip to China and Thailand in which several trustees participated. A video tape of portions of the trip was shown. Mr. Woody commented on the really fine job being done in international activities in these countries by Dr. Hulbert and Dean Hickey and said it is good to see the meaningful contributions that WCU is making abroad. He asked that consideration be given to having a Trustees' scholarship fund for international students. Following discussion of this point, Mr. Woody moved that a small group be appointed to study the possibility of such a fund and come back with a proposal at the next meeting. Mr. Buckner seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

Chairman Hyde appointed a committee composed of Mr. Woody, chair, Mrs. Connie Haire, and Mr. Schell.

Other trustees who went on the trip made comments.

2. Drug Policy Meetings

Vice Chancellor Stillion reported on the meeting held at General Administration to discuss with all campus representatives the drug policy to become effective by the beginning of the fall semester. The WCU policy will be prepared and submitted to the ad hoc committee of the trustees appointed at the December Board meeting.

3. Construction Projects

Vice Chancellor Carter reported that three projects had been placed under contract since the last Board meeting: the Hoey-McKee-Stillwell renovation work; the new warehouse; and the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching. Construction has begun on the first two, and the ground breaking for NCCAT will be held in mid-April. Dr. Carter said that bids would be taken next week for work on the University Center.

4. Hearing on Purchase of Nantahala Power Company

Vice Chancellor Carter represented the University at a hearing before the Utilities Commission on the purchase of Nantahala Power Company by Duke Power Company and reported that all testimony was in favor of the acquisition. He had entered into the record of the hearing the resolution passed by this Board of Trustees at its December meeting.

5. University Research and Graduate School

Dean Hickey gave a comprehensive report on the reorganization of the Office of Research Administration and Graduate School and the update of policies and procedures, especially recruitment policies. Work is now in progress on brochures for recruiting by departments. Approximately 750 applications from graduate students are received each year. There are available 148 graduate assistantships, three Chancellor's fellowships, and 15 study grants for award to graduate students.

In the Research Administration area, a Research Council has been established, and a series of workshops to acquaint faculty with how to write grant proposals has been held. Funds are provided for faculty members to travel to Washington or Raleigh to approach agencies directly. Dean Hickey provided statistics on grant applications and grant receipts for the past two years, indicating that receipts are up approximately 15 percent this year.

Future recruitment strategies were discussed, as was program review and development.

RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION

Upon motion by Mr. Woody, seconded by Mr. Schell and Mr. Allman, a resolution of appreciation for the services of Coach Steve Cottrell was approved. Mr. Allman then moved that a letter of appreciation be sent to the selection committee. Mr. Forsyth seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

EXECUTIVE SESSION Open Meetings Law

Mr. Wood moved that the Board go again into executive session for such purposes as are permitted under the Open Meetings Law of the State of North Carolina. Mr. Woody seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. Chairman Hyde declared a brief recess, and Chancellor Coulter rejoined the meeting at this time.

When the executive session reconvened, Dr. Coulter informed the trustees of the illness of Dr. Hulbert, who had accompanied the group on the trip to China. He also told them of the illness of Mr. Frank Watson, former trustee, who is hospitalized in Florida.

RESUMPTION OF OPEN SESSION

Mr. Wood moved that the Board rise from executive session and go back into regular session. The motion was approved by consensus.

ADJOURNMENT

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

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Chairman, Board of Trustees

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Secretary, Board of Trustees