The Board of Trustees of Western Carolina University met in regular session on April 30, 1993, 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: Mrs. Allen, Mr. Allman, Mrs. Blankenship, Mr. Cagle, Mr. Coward, Mr. Forsyth, Mr. Lindsay, Mr. McKee, Mr. Moore, Mr. Pine, Mr. Scott, Mr. Wilson, and Mr. Woody.

Others present included Chancellor Coulter; State Auditor Campbell and his assistant Ms. Phillips; Vice Chancellors Carter, Dooley, Stillion, and Wakeley; Assistants to the Chancellor Dowell, Ramsey, and Ambrose; Mr. Grooms, President of the Alumni Association; Dr. Wright, Chair of the Faculty; Mr. Reed, Director of Public Information; Mr. Kucharski, Legal Counsel; Mr. Laughter, retiring student trustee; and Mrs. Shuler, Administrative Assistant to the Chancellor.

Chancellor Coulter introduced Mr. Ralph Campbell, State Auditor of North Carolina. Mr. Campbell introduced his special assistant, Ms. Linda Phillips.

Mr. Campbell then talked about the work of the State Auditor and his commitment to having his Department be as thorough as possible, make and present fair recommendations, act in a professional manner, and cultivate a teamwork effort. He will concentrate on two immediate initiatives: the development of a State Auditor Advisory Council, to be composed of representatives from business, recently retired state and governmental employees, public and private colleges and universities, and students; the provision of some additional technical support to state agencies, helping to track concerns and deficiencies and suggesting solutions and controls.

Vice Chancellor Stillion introduced Mr. William David Scott, newly elected president of the Student Government Association, and Mr. Scott received the oath of office from Mrs. Shuler, a Notary Public.

Upon motion by Mr. Allman, seconded by Mrs. Allen, and carried unanimously, the minutes of the previous meeting were approved as distributed.

Mr. Wilson said that the Committee had no report.

Dr. Ambrose presented the following names for election to the Board of Directors of the Development Foundation of Western Carolina University, Inc.: three reappointments--Mrs. Elsie Brown, Raleigh; Dr. Bob Failing, Santa Barbara, California; Mr. Curtis Wellmon, Charlotte; five new appointments--Mr. Nathan Arthur, Asheville; Mr. Richard Bovender, Winston-Salem; Mr. John Carringer, Murphy; Mr. William McKee, Cashiers; and Mr. Tony White, Chicago, Illinois.

Mr. Wilson moved that these individuals be elected to the Board of Directors of the Development Foundation. Mr. Cagle seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously. Dr. Ambrose will contact the Directors-elect to ascertain their willingness to serve.

1. Resurfacing of Track

Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Arthur had made a gift of $50,000 to the University to provide a rubberized surface for the track, making it possible to hold Southern Conference track meets here.

2. Appointments to Governing Bodies

Retiring from the Board of Governors at the end of June will be Mr. Philip Haire, Sylva; Mr. Chuck Flack, Forest City; and Mr. Phil Carson, Asheville. Mr. Sam Neill, Hendersonville, has been re-elected, and Mr. Jack Cecil, Asheville, has been elected to his first term.

On the Western Board of Trustees, Mr. McKee, Mr. Pine, and Mr. Wilson have been reappointed by the Board of Governors, and Ms. Adelaide Key has been appointed to her first term. Mr. Forsyth and Mr. Coward will be retiring from the Board, and Mr. Cagle is still unsure of his reappointment.

3. Legislative Activity

A lot of activity is going on, but there is nothing concrete to report concerning salaries, tuition, or the bond issue ($300 million for higher education, $300 million for community colleges, and $300 million for public schools). There is a generally favorable climate.

The Governor has ordered a .54 percent budget reduction for all state agencies, and Western's share amounts to $186,000.

Bills introduced for WCU include a $10.4 million capital improvements bill, to take place if the bond issue does not succeed; $825,000 for the Concert Net telecommunications network; $200,000 for the Mountain Aquaculture Research Center; and $500,000 to match a Federal grant to develop a high technology, economic enterprise center at Western to serve the westernmost counties of North Carolina.

4. House Bill 1361

This bill established a task force to study the educational leadership programs across the state, and the task force has now proposed ten recommendations to the General Assembly. Some of the recommendations are good, but two have strong implications for Western (a copy of the recommendations was distributed).

Because of the recommendation to cut the number of programs in the state to seven (there are now 14), Western stands to lose its program in educational administration. There is concern among the superintendents in the region, who have asked what they can do to help. Our doctoral proposal is now in the review stage, and these programs are too important to lose. Chancellor Coulter requested the trustees' support in efforts to retain these programs.

5. Announcements

The Spring Commencement will be held on May 8, with President Emeritus William Friday as the speaker. Mr. Felix Joyner will represent the General Administration and Mr. Phil Haire, the Board of Governors. This will be Western's largest Commencement ever, with the presentation of the University mace being a special part of the ceremony. The mace was designed and constructed by Mr. William Eleazer, a Western graduate. The vocalist will be Mr. Walter Carringer.

Following today's meeting a luncheon will be held at the Chancellor's Residence in honor of the retiring trustees. The Awards and Honors Convocation will follow at three o'clock.

Mr. Scott expressed his appreciation for the confidence shown in him by his fellow students in electing him President of Student Government. He believes Western is the best-kept secret in the state.

Work is in progress on the senior gift, and the river clean-up was very successful. A new parking lot with 125 spaces is very welcome. Two important student positions have been filled: general manager of the campus radio station will be James Holt, and editor of the Western Carolinian is Danelle Moses. At the recent Awards Banquet Kappa Alpha was named outstanding fraternity and Phi Mu, outstanding sorority. The stress levels for students are high right now, with final exams in progress.

Mr. Laughter commented that it had been a great honor to serve on this Board and he had an overwhelming respect for those in this room. Mr. Forsyth thanked Mr. Laughter for his contributions to the work of the Board during the past year.

Mr. Grooms distributed copies of the new "Purple and Gold" newsletter and emphasized the Alumni College planned for the summer. He attended the recent Council of Alumni Presidents meeting, and they are planning a rolling caravan in support of the bond issue in October. It is hoped that President Emeritus Friday and President Spangler can be involved in the motorcade.

Dr. Wright said that the faculty had had a very productive year around the theme of WCUnique. They have taken a look at where we are and where we are going and will be building on that foundation next year. Some items of discussion have been ways to reward good teaching, graduation rates, retention policy, curriculum matters, oral communication skills, and strengthening general education. Extensive discussions were held on the physical therapy program and the educational leadership doctoral program, and workshops on teaching effects and outcomes assessments have been conducted. Concerns for the coming year include the grievance process, a professional Code of Ethics, and the student study climate.

Chancellor Coulter thanked Mrs. Allen for serving as the keynote speaker at the Henry Suggs Ebony Students Awards Program and distributed a copy of a newspaper article about the event. Dr. Henry Suggs was the first black faculty member at Western Carolina and is now teaching at Clemson.

Mr. Coward moved that the Board go into Executive Session to consider personnel actions and other items in accordance with the Open Meetings Law of North Carolina. Mrs. Blankenship 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.)

By common consent the open session was resumed.

Mr. Woody moved that appointments of two senior administrative officers, four department heads, and ten faculty members be approved; that a leave of absence be granted to Dr. Basler; and that Mr. William Latimer be designated Professor Emeritus. Mrs. Allen seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.

Mr. Forsyth expressed his appreciation for the support given him during his tenure as Chairman of the Board for the last two years and declared the meeting adjourned.