The Board of Trustees of Western Carolina University met in regular session on August 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.

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

Others present included Chancellor Coulter; Vice Chancellors Carter, Dooley, Stillion, and Wakeley; Assistants to the Chancellor Ambrose and Ramsey; Mr. Grooms, Alumni Representative; Dr. Wright, Chair of the Faculty; Mr. Kucharski, Legal Counsel; Mr. Rowell, Associate Director of Public Information; and Mrs. Shuler, Administrative Assistant to the Chancellor.

Chancellor Coulter introduced Dr. Kathleen Wright, Associate Professor of Communication, new Chair of the Faculty; Mr. Joseph Grooms, new President of the Alumni Association; and conveyed the regrets of Mr. Larry Travis, new Director of Athletics, and Dr. Richard Thompson, new Director of NCCAT. It is hoped that Mr. Travis and Dr. Thompson can attend the next meeting of the Board.

Mr. Wilson nominated Mr. Forsyth for Chairman, and Mr. Cagle seconded the motion. Mr. Allman moved that nominations be closed and Mr. Forsyth elected by acclamation. Mr. Woody seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

Mr. Allman nominated Mr. Woody for Vice Chairman, and Mr. McKee seconded the motion. Mr. Wilson moved that nominations be closed and Mr. Woody elected by acclamation. Mr. Allman seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

Mr. Cagle nominated Mrs. Blankenship as Secretary, and Mr. Wilson seconded the motion. Mr. Allman moved that nominations be closed and Mrs. Blankenship elected by acclamation. Mr. Cagle seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

(Mr. Coward joined the meeting at this time.)

Mr. Woody moved that the minutes of the May 1, 1992, meeting be approved as circulated. Mr. Allman seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

1. Hurricane Andrew Relief Fund

Dr. Coulter announced the beginning of a fund drive on the campus to aid the victims of Hurricane Andrew. Tommy Laughter will coordinate the drive with the students. Cash contributions will be sought and will be delivered directly to those in need by the American Red Cross.

2. Financial Information

Dr. Coulter gave an overview of the institution's financial picture, indicating that $1.8 million had been received in new and recycled monies. As a "special responsibility institution," Western was allowed to use $625,000 in carry-forward funds for one-time expenditures. Each SPA employee received a salary increase of $522, and the average increase for EPA employees was 1.13 percent. No appropriations were received for capital improvements since the bond issue failed, but we do expect to receive approximately $.5 million for repairs.

3. Student Fees

There is a moratorium on student fee increases for the second year. Dr. Coulter discussed with the trustees the importance of these fees for such uses as student health services, food services, etc., which are not funded by state appropriations. The Board of Governors will be another study of fees and make recommendations to the General Assembly. A complete proposal on student fees will be brought to the next meeting of the Board.

In response to questions, Dr. Coulter indicated that 84 percent of new funds were distributed to academic programs with 16 percent used for general institutional purposes. He also said that the $625,000 carry-forward funds included $75,000 for NCCAT.

4. Fall Enrollment

With 1100 new freshmen and 550 transfers, the fall head count is up to 6500. Payments of tuition are up 3.94 percent from last year. These gains are a good indication that the recruitment and retention programs are working.

Quality of students is also up, with the freshman average SAT now 855. One May graduate received a Fulbright scholarship to study in Germany, while another was awarded a Phi Kappa Phi fellowship for doctoral study. Passing rates for students in the health professions and on the CPA exam are high, co-op education students earned $600,000 in salaries, and four student-athletes were named Academic All-America.

Faculty and staff are continuing vigorous leadership in professional organizations, and Vice Chancellor Carter is serving this year as Chairman of the NACUBO Board of Directors.

5. New Developments

The School of Applied Sciences began operation in July; the Faculty Center for Teaching Excellence has developed a proposal for an Institute of Excellence in Post-Secondary Teaching; full reaccreditation of all teacher education programs has been received; a degree program in business has begun with the Hogeschool West Brabant, The Netherlands, and 16 students are here; the Disabilities Service office has been presented an award by AASCU; remodeling of Madison Hall has begun; a Food Court has been established on the lower level of Dodson Cafeteria; a contract has been signed with the Alumni Association for the use of the Bird house for five years, no rent, $1800 annually for custodial care; new staff is on board in the Advancement offices.

6. Initiatives:

During the coming year the following initiatives will be pursued: more high quality graduate students; minority students and faculty from diverse ethnic backgrounds; become better known in North Carolina; develop new bases for private support; continue to work on new academic programs (physical therapy, educational leadership, etc.); telecommunications network; development of academic and athletic competitiveness in intercollegiate athletics. Chancellor Coulter is highly optimistic about the new academic year.

Chairman Forsyth announced that committee appointments would remain the same as last year, with Mr. Laughter assuming the appointments held by Mr. Connet.

Mr. Coward moved that the Board go into Executive Session to consider personnel matters in accordance with the Open Meetings Law of the State of North Carolina. Mr. Allman seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

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

Mr. Woody moved that the Board reconvene in regular session, Mr. Allman seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

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

Mr. Woody moved that thirty new faculty appointments (29 WCU, one NCCAT) be approved. Mr. Cagle seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

Mr. Woody moved that five new staff appointments be approved. Mr. Moore seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

Mr. Woody moved that one leave of absence be granted. Mr. Coward seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

Mr. Woody moved that one faculty affiliate status be granted. Mr. Moore seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

Mr. Woody moved that four persons be designated Professor Emeritus. Mr. Cagle seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

Vice Chancellor Carter reported that the contract with Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority had been approved for a five-year-period or until their facility is constructed to take over the authority's water needs. Mr. Coward commented that this is the most important public service to the community ever offered by this institution and this Board. Dr. Carter gave some history of the development of the Authority, which will buy surplus water from the university.

Mr. Grooms thanked Chancellor Coulter and Dr. Carter for their cooperation on the Alumni House. During his term as president of the Alumni Association he will be emphasizing alumni relations and developing new chapters. Discussion is underway on an Alumni College for next summer. The UNC Council of Alumni Presidents met here two weeks ago and members were very impressed with the house and the campus. The Alumni Board will meet next Saturday and trustees were invited.

Dr. Wright told the trustees about "WCUnique" and that she will be working to build on this theme of positive qualities.

Mr. Laughter has met with Larry Travis and plans are underway to go into dorms and to fraternity meetings in an effort to build school spirit.

With no further business to be transacted, Mr. Allman moved that the meeting be adjourned.