The Board of Trustees of Western Carolina University met in regular session on August 27, 1993, in the Hospitality Room of the Ramsey Regional Activity Center. The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m.

The following members of the Board were present: Mrs. Allen, Mr. Allman, Mrs. Blankenship, Mrs. Davis, Mr. Haire, Mrs. Key, Mr. Lindsay, Mr. McKee, Mr. Moore, Mr. Pine, Mr. Scott, Mr. Wilson, and Mr. Woody.

Guests at the meeting were President C. D. Spangler; Dr. Thomas Storrs, Chairman of the bond issue campaign; Judge Lacy H. Thornburg; former trustees and/or Foundation directors Reginald Moody, Frank Watson, Orville Coward, Thomas Mallonee, James Cooper, William Forsyth, and James B. Childress; Mrs. Myron L. Coulter; Mr. David Fowler, President-elect of the Alumni Association; and Deans Dale Pounds, Anthony Hickey, John McCreary, Gurney Chambers, and Rosemary DePaolo.

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

Chancellor Coulter introduced President Spangler and Dr. Storrs, other guests, trustees, and staff. He then asked President Spangler to make comments on the proposed bond referendum.

President Spangler talked about the importance of the bond referendum scheduled for November 2 and its impact on the campuses of the University of North Carolina. He asked that the million people having direct contact with these campuses be encouraged to support the bond issue and said that Western has a history of 104 years of doing the right thing with limited resources. He then introduced Dr. Thomas Storrs, Chairman of the campaign "North Carolinians for our University, our Future."

Dr. Storrs discussed the necessity of getting people to the polls and getting them to vote for the referendum (a recent poll indicated only 38 percent supportive). The campaign will not be broad-based but will use the 16 campuses, the 16 boards of trustees, and organizations already in place to promote the university bonds. The trustees will be asked to use local innovations, and Dr. Storrs requested the support of everyone present to accomplish this mission.

Dr. Storrs also reported that State Treasurer Harlan Boyles had described the fiscal soundness of the state by saying that it is fiscally sound to borrow for investment, North Carolina is one of only four states with a AAA rating by all three rating agencies, interest rates are low, and the debt service should not require a tax increase.

Following Dr. Storrs' remarks, questions were taken from the floor. Dr. Coulter commented on the four projects for Western in the bond issue and thanked the President and Dr. Storrs for coming to make this presentation.

Judge Thornburg conducted the swearing-in ceremony for newly appointed trustees Mrs. Davis, Mr. Haire, and Mrs. Key and reappointed trustees Mr. McKee, Mr. Pine, and Mr. Wilson.

Chancellor Coulter asked for nominations for Chairman. Mr. Pine nominated Mr. Woody, and Mr. Allman seconded the motion. Mr. Haire moved that nominations be closed, and Mrs. Blankenship seconded the motion. Mr. Woody was elected by acclamation. He said he appreciated the opportunity to serve as chairman and would work hard.

Mr. Woody then asked for nominations for vice-chairman. Mr. Moore nominated Mr. Wilson, and Mr. Pine seconded the motion. Mr. Allman moved that the nominations be closed and Mr. Wilson elected by acclamation. The vote was unanimously in favor of this motion.

Mr. Woody then asked for nominations for secretary. Mr. McKee nominated Mrs. Blankenship, and Mr. Moore seconded the motion. Mr. Allman moved that nominations be closed and Mrs. Blankenship elected by acclamation. The vote was unanimously in favor of this motion.

Upon motion by Mr. Pine, seconded by Mr. Moore and Mrs. Allen, reading of the minutes was dispensed with and the minutes were approved as circulated.

1. Easement to Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority

Mr. Moore, reporting for the committee, presented the following easement:

Easement to Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority

The Board of Trustees is asked to approve conveyance of an easement to the Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority for placement of a water line to serve the new Cullowhee school now under construction. The University sells its surplus water production to the Authority which in turn supplies water to customers in the Cullowhee area.

This line would tap the campus water distribution system at a point near the intersection of Speedwell and Dillard Farm roads. It would then follow a route between the north edge of the baseball field parking lot and the south edge of Dillard Farm road. It would leave University property at Cullowhee Creek and continue to the school site which is located on Highway 107 approximately 1/2 mile south. The University will bear no expense related to this installation.

The requested easement's lineal distance on University property is approximately 500 feet; its width is 20 feet.

Mr. Moore moved that the easement be adopted, Mr. Allman seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimous in favor of the motion.

2. Self-Liquidating Capital Improvements Projects

Mr. Moore asked Dr. Carter to explain the proposed projects and the proposed methods of financing. Following discussion, the following actions were taken:

Mr. Moore moved that the second phase of corrective repairs to Whitmire Stadium's concrete surfaces, at a cost of $545,800 to be paid from the Stadium Maintenance Reserve, be approved. Mr. McKee seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

Mr. Moore moved that alterations in Harrill, Scott, and Walker Residence Halls, to cost $325,800 and to be funded from the Dormitory System Revenue Fund, be approved. Mr. Lindsay seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

Mr. Moore moved that energy conservation measures, partially supported by a grant from the U. S. Department of Energy in the amount of $101,885, be completed at a cost of $165,000 to be paid from unspent operating funds left at the end of last fiscal year under legislation which affords the University that flexibility. Mr. Lindsay seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

3. Mr. Moore said that one item would be carried over to the Executive Session.

Chancellor Coulter and Mr. Kucharski discussed with the Trustees a resolution on political candidacy which had been passed by the Board of Governors. Following the discussion and upon motion of Mr. Haire, seconded by Mr. Pine, the following resolution was unanimously adopted:

WHEREAS, The Board of Governors issued a policy on "Political Activity of Employees" (adopted January 16, 1976, amended February 8, 1985) (hereinafter "Policy") which applies to all University employees, with exception only of those who are subject to the State Personnel System; and

WHEREAS, the Policy requires the Board of Trustees to review petitions and make decisions regarding EPA employees, other than senior administrative officers, who hold or are candidates for part-time public offices for which compensation is more than nominal; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees believes it is necessary to adopt procedures to fulfill its duties under the Policy; and

WHEREAS, on February 12, 1993, the Board of Governors has issued interpretations and instructions designed to improve its administration of the Policy; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees believes that the Policy can best be implemented if the procedures of the governing boards are as uniform as possible;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY:

1. Each employee shall receive with his/her May and September paycheck every year, a brief written notice about the policy. The Notice attached here as Exhibit No. 1 will be sufficient.

2. A summary of the Policy requirements shall be placed every year in the Faculty Handbook and the Employment Policies for University Employees Exempt from the State Personnel Act. The Summary attached hereto as Exhibit No. 2 will be sufficient.

3. The "Instructions Regarding Procedures to be Followed by University EPA Employees Who Intend to Become Candidates for or Holders of Political Offices," attached hereto as Exhibit No. 3, is hereby adopted by the Board of Trustees.

4. All University EPA employees, including faculty members, shall petition the Board of Trustees (or Board of Governors as appropriate) pursuant to the Policy by filing the Petition attached hereto as Exhibit No. 4.

5. In making decisions as required by the Policy, the Board of Trustees shall be guided by the Board of Governors' Interpretations of and Instructions for its Policy.

Adopted at Cullowhee, North Carolina, this 27th day of August, 1993.

(The exhibits are not inserted here because of their length but are on file with minutes materials.)

Vice Chancellor Stillion discussed with the trustees the Risk Management Policy of the Fraternity Insurance Purchasing Group and asked the Trustees to endorse this policy. Following discussion and upon motion by Mr. Allman, seconded by Mrs. Allen, the endorsement was approved. (A copy of the complete policy is on file with minutes material.)

1. This fall's opening faculty meeting was the most pleasant one in Dr. Coulter's more than 25 years in higher education.

2. "Good news" items include enrollments running strong, transfer enrollment up again; 32 new faculty positions in the last two years; accreditations continued for School of Business, Electronics Engineering Technology, Environmental Health, Human Environmental Sciences, Emergency Medical Care, and Counseling programs; Chemistry department has received equipment from donors worth $600,000; 87 percent of School of Business graduates find employment within 90 days after graduation; School of Business has highest pass rate on accountancy examination in the state; Drs. Haynes and Chalker of the School of Education and Psychology have developed a publication, "World Class Standards for Public Schools"; the Graduate School is employing 225 graduate assistants with a payroll of $740,000; all Western courses are taught by faculty, not by graduate students.

3. Institute for College and University Teaching (ICUT) will hold its dedication in late October; the timing on this program is really good because of the emphasis being placed on the improvement of teaching by Board of Governors, legislature, and others.

4. A fiber optics network is being installed and should encompass the whole campus within two to three years. Western is cooperating with Southwestern Community College in an interactive institutional network, and funds to add WCU to the CONCERT NET were approved by the legislature.

5. Forty-seven student-athletes had 3.0 averages for the year; the graduation rate for football players is 69 percent, compared to 62 percent for all athletes; the baseball team won the Southern Conference championship again.

The football team is highly ranked by a number of publications.

6. Operating budgets are in fine shape, but capital improvements monies are badly needed. There was a 3.38 percent increase for all teaching positions, with an additional one percent due in December; non-teaching positions received two percent. Increases in student fees were approved for the first time in three years, and tuition increased three percent in-state, 6.5 percent out-of-state. The balance between appropriations and student receipts is changing, with the students paying more; however, North Carolina is still low in total costs.

7. Western has been able to keep over $800,000 as a result of the special responsibility institution funds. These monies will be used for one-time expenditures. The Board of Governors allocated $3.4 million to Western to be placed in permanent budgets to alleviate critical needs; of this amount, $200,000 was designated for NCCAT and $136,000 for the Mountain Aquaculture Research Center. The Town of Sylva has now dedicated use of its Fisher Creek watershed for this project.

8. The Department of Transportation at the request of the Governor's Office has designed the rock cut on Highway 107 just north of the campus as "Catamount Gap." Mr. Wilson and Mr. Pine expressed appreciation for this action.

9. The first Distinguished Professorship was established during the past week and named the Sequoyah Professorship. To be used for a professorship in Cherokee studies, this initiative is funded by a $150,000 contribution to the Development Foundation from the Friends of Sequoyah, an organization location in Cherokee. The University will raise another $180,000 and the state will give $167,000, making a total of $500,000 to be used for a dedicated faculty position which will have the first professor on board next fall.

Mr. Wilson expressed the Board's appreciation for the attainment of this major objective.

(Mrs. Allen left the meeting at this point.)

Mr. Scott reported that classes started this week, Mountain Heritage Day will be observed on September 25, and Homecoming is scheduled for October 2. Student elections will take place on September 14. Mr. Scott and his staff are already working hard for the November 2 bond referendum.

Mr. Grooms told the Trustees that Western clubs have been started in Piedmont north Carolina and in Sylva. Interviews are taking place for the position of Alumni Director. The Alumni presidents' association met with President Spangler last weekend in Charlotte on the bond issue, and the WCU Alumni Association will have a booth at Mountain Heritage Day with information on the bond issue. The Alumni Board will meet at Homecoming and will consider an updated constitution and bylaws at that time. Mr. Grooms introduced Mr. David Fowler, president-elect of the Alumni Association, and thanked him for attending today's meeting.

Dr. Wright told the trustees of the work taking place on diversity in the classroom to improve teaching effectiveness. She also commented on the "Year of the Advisor" and the efforts to improve advisement. The faculty is working toward a better community of scholarship. She will be sending letters to all faculty regarding the bond issue.

Mr. Haire moved that the Board go into Executive Session to take up matters allowed within the Open Meetings Law. Mr. Wilson 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. Allman moved that the Board return to regular session, Mr. Haire seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

Upon motion of Mr. Pine, seconded by Mr. Allman, and unanimously carried, personnel appointments are discussed in the Executive Session were approved.

Upon motion by Mr. Moore, seconded by Mr. Haire, Dr. Carter was given authority to pursue the property matter discussed in Executive Session.

Mr. Woody asked Chancellor Coulter to mail the student newspaper, The Western Carolinian, and "Faculty Forum," the newsletter of the Faculty Center for Teaching Excellence, to the trustees. He also called attention to the publications in the back of trustee notebooks.

Mr. Woody read the list of committee assignments and said he would mail a copy, along with organization charts, to the trustees.

Mr. Woody said the bond campaign appears to be very organized and asked that the trustees endorse this campaign. Upon motion of Mr. Wilson, seconded by Mrs. Key, the Board resolved to endorse the campaign.

Upon motion by Mr. Allman, seconded by several trustees, resolutions of appreciation were passed for two deceased faculty members, Dr. Eva Adcock and Dr. Creighton Sossomon. (The complete resolutions are not printed here because of their length but are a part of the official minutes.)

With no further business to be transacted, the meeting was adjourned by common consent and the Board was taken on a tour of Madison Hall, where renovations have just been completed.