The Board of Trustees of Western Carolina University met in regular session on February 28, 1992, in the Board Room of the Robinson Administration Building. Chairman William F. Forsyth called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.

ATTENDANCE

The following members of the Board were present: Mrs. Allen, Mr. Allman, Mrs. Blankenship, Mr. Cagle, Mr. Connet, Mr. Coward, Mr. Forsyth, Mr. Lindsay, Mr. Moore, Mr. Wilson, and Mr. Woody.

Others present included Chancellor Coulter; Vice Chancellors Carter, Dooley, Stillion, and Wakeley; Assistants to the Chancellor Dowell and Ambrose; Mrs. Boydston, Alumni Association President; Dr. Wallace, Chairman of the Faculty; Mr. Kucharski, University Counsel; Mr. Reed, Director of Public Information; Mr. Setzer, Director of Athletics; and Mrs. Shuler, Administrative Assistant to the Chancellor.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Mr. Moore moved that the minutes of the December meeting be approved as circulated, Mr. Allman seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

REPORT OF THE PROPERTY AND BUILDINGS COMMITTEE

Mr. Wilson reported that a request had been received from NCCAT to approve construction of three small exterior buildings, one to be a greenhouse, the others for storage purposes. Upon motion by Mr. Wilson, seconded by Mrs. Allen, the request was approved.

REPORT FROM THE ATHLETICS COMMITTEE

The Athletics Committee did not meet, but Mr. Cagle announced that a bequest of $75,000 for the athletics program had been placed in a donor's will. He thanked Dr. Carter and Dr. Ambrose for their assistance with this effort.

CHANCELLOR COULTER'S COMMENTS

Chancellor Coulter called attention to and thanked Dr. Dowell for the improvements made in the Board Room decor.

1. Role and Mission Statement

Role and mission statements had earlier been forwarded to the Board of Governors' Committee on Educational Plans. That committee has now made its recommendations and the Board of Governors will take action in March. It is anticipated that Western will receive approval for a doctoral program in educational administration, a master's in physical therapy, a master's in accounting, and a bachelor's in gerontology and will retain its status as a Comprehensive I university.

2. Dawson Retirement

Senior Vice President Raymond Dawson will retire on March 31 from his position with the General Administration and will return to teaching at UNC-Wilmington. Mr. Woody moved that a resolution thanking Dr. Dawson for his service be adopted by the Board, Mr. Moore seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. Mr. Reed was asked to draft the resolution.

3. Search for Athletic Director

A total of 115 applications was received. The search committee of 13 members narrowed the list to 30, then to 17, and is now working to select a small number of applicants to come to the campus for interviews. It is anticipated that a new director will be named in April to take over on July 1.

4. University Athletic Committee

A university-wide committee of 20 members has been named. As its first project the committee has been asked to do a broad study of athletic programs encompassing academics, fiscal integrity, and competition in the Southern Conference at Division I level. An interim report is to be presented in August with the final report due in December.

5. Annual Report on Athletics

The sixth annual report on athletics has been submitted to General Administration and the NCAA. Statistics in the report indicate that athletes at Western graduate at or above the rates for all students. A copy of the report is to be sent to Trustees.

6. School of Applied Sciences

The undergraduate schools of Technology and Applied Science and Nursing and Health Sciences have been combined into a new School of Applied Sciences which will become operative July 1. Departments within the new school will be Criminal Justice, Human Environmental Sciences, Industrial and Engineering Technology, Nursing, Military Science, and Health Sciences.

7. Local Government Water Authority

The Tuckasegee Water Authority will become operative July 1. Western will then sell water to only one customer, the authority. A new water treatment plant will be constructed by the authority, and Western's plant will continue to operate as usual. Vice Chancellor Carter will serve as Western's representative to the Board of Director of the Water Authority.

8. Economic Development

Work is underway to form an Economic Development Commission in Jackson County, with Western as a partner. The Commission would work to secure funds for land, facilities, etc., and would attract clean, high tech companies to the county. The first project would be a business innovation center, with an anchor facility and two or three other companies. Vice Chancellor Dooley and others are working closely with county officials on this project.

9. Special Responsibility Institution

Under guidelines set by the Board of Governors, Western has requested to be designated a "special responsibility institution." This designation imposes certain obligations in budget, personnel, and purchasing functions and permits more local control. Operation under this designation will be monitored very closely.

10. Enrollment Estimates

The projection for fall 1992 enrollment is 1025 freshmen and 525 transfers, up from 1016 freshmen and 510 transfers in fall 1991. Average SAT score is projected at 870 compared to 852 for 1991. Total enrollment for 1992 is anticipated to be 5688 FTE, compared to 5538 for 1991. The family night programs are very important and are going well this year.

11. Scholarship Program

Scholarship letters have been sent to 185 students: five awards for $2,000 for four years, average SAT 1223; 10 awards of $2,000 for two years, average SAT 1130; and 170 awards of $1,000 for one year, average SAT 1022. Students have been awarded Fulbright scholarships for the last three years, and we have two very good applicants this year.

12. Bond Issue

A lot of work is being done toward a $300+ million bond proposal for capital improvements. The bond issue must be approved by the General Assembly in May in order to be placed on the referendum in November. No capital improvements money has been available for the last three years. Western would receive approximately $10 million if this issue passes.

13. New NCCAT Director

Dr. Richard Thompson, a North Carolinian now serving as state superintendent of education in Mississippi, will become Director of NCCAT on April 1.

14. Honor for Dr. Harrison

Dr. Rick Harrison, professor of biology, has been named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the highest designation for scientists. This honor came as a result of his work on the microscopic anatomy of invertebrates.

15. New University Magazine

Mr. Reed presented to the trustees the first issue of "Western," the new university magazine which will be produced quarterly, and solicited advice and suggestions.

16. Renovation of Madison Hall

Work is now starting to renovate Madison Hall into a facility that will provide hotel-type accommodations for summer conferences, etc. Dr. Carter showed floor plans and described the amenities that will be available. Design work is on schedule and bids will be received in August, with construction beginning in September. The building will be returned to service in the fall of 1993. Cost estimate is $2.997 million, to be paid from reserves in dormitory funds. When completed the facility can house 110 persons in double rooms.

17. University Advancement Efforts

Dr. Coulter introduced Dr. Ambrose, who gave a comprehensive report on the advancement efforts, describing the reorganization of the division and the new programs that are underway. The primary goal is to broaden the base of participation in giving programs from ten percent to 20-25 percent.

REPORT FROM STUDENT TRUSTEE

Mr. Connet told the Board that a committee of eleven seniors is working on a Senior Gift Program to provide a comprehensive gift to the University and get the seniors in contact with the Advancement office. He thanked Dr. Carter and Mr. McCracken for obtaining an evaluation of food services from the Marriott Corporation. Sixty-six seniors have been named to "Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities." Spring break week is next week, and student elections will be held on April 8.

REPORT FROM ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Mrs. Boydston told the trustees that the Alumni Tower is paid for and that work continues on the Alumni House. Many gifts of furnishings, equipment, etc., have been given for the house, and the Alumni Association really does appreciate all the support given by members of the Board.

There has been a meeting of alumni presidents about the bond issue, and they are anxious to do their part for the universities. The Council of Presidents was recognized recently at the Board of Governors' meeting, and the Council meet with a committee of the Board of Governors.

The next meeting will be the last one for Mrs. Boydston, and she expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to meet with the trustees.

EXECUTIVE SESSION  Open Meeting Act

Mr. Coward moved that the Board go into Executive Session to discuss matters permitted by the Open Meetings Law. Mrs. Allen seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

(The minutes of the Executive Session are not included here because of their confidential nature; they are, however, a part of the official minutes book.)

RESUMPTION OF REGULAR SESSION

Mr. Woody moved that the open session be resumed, Mr. Allman seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

REPORT OF THE PERSONNEL COMMITTEE

Mr. Woody moved that two administrative appointments be approved, Mrs. Allen seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

Mr. Woody moved that the Board concur in six recommendations for tenure and direct the administration to forward the recommendations to President Spangler for action by the Board of Governors. Mr. Allman seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

Mr. Woody moved that ten promotions be approved, Mrs. Allen seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

Mr. Woody moved that six first-year and 42 third-, fourth-, and fifth-year reappointments be approved. Mr. Moore seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

Mr. Woody moved that four persons be given notice of terminal contracts, Mrs. Allen seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

Mr. Woody moved that nine faculty appointments be approved, Mr. Allman seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

Mr. Woody moved that two affiliate faculty appointments be approved, Mrs. Allen seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

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

ADJOURNMENT

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