Western Carolina University - Office of the Chancellor

The Board of Trustees of Western Carolina University met in regular session on April 28, 1995, in the Board Room of the University Administration Building. The meeting was called to order at 11:05 a.m. by Chairman Stephen W. Woody. Prior to the call to order, the oath of office had been administered to Ms. Jessica Ann Laverty, student trustee, by Mrs. Shuler, a Notary Public.

ATTENDANCE

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

Others present included Trustees-elect Mr. Bissette and Mr. Jones; Chancellor Wakeley; Chancellor-elect Dr. Bardo; Vice Chancellors Carter, Dooley, and Glenn Stillion; Dr. Malone, Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs; Dr. Dowell, Assistant to the Chancellor; Dr. Wright, Faculty Representative to the Board; Mr. Kucharski, Legal Counsel; Mr. McDonald, Executive Director of University Advancement; Dr. Prochaska, Director of the Self-Study; Mr. Reed, Director of Public Information; and Mrs. Shuler, Administrative Assistant to the Chancellor. Mr. Westmoreland, immediate past student trustee and Ms. Cole, Vice President of Student Government Association, were also present.

CALL TO ORDER AND INTRODUCTIONS

Mr. Woody called the meeting to order and introduced Mr. Bissette, Mr. Jones, Dr. Bardo, and Ms. Laverty. He welcomed the new trustees and Dr. Bardo to Western Carolina University and extended best wishes for their association with the institution.

An orientation session for the new trustees was held at 9:30 a.m. and included participation by Mr. Woody, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Allman, Mrs. Allen, and Chancellor Wakeley.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Upon motion by Mr. Allman, seconded by Mr. Pine, minutes of the March 3, 1995, meeting were approved as distributed.

REPORT OF PROPERTY AND BUILDINGS COMMITTEE

Mr. Wilson reported that the Property and Buildings Committee had reviewed the Plan for Physical Development of the Campus 1995-99 and recommended its adoption by the Board of Trustees. Upon motion by Mr. Wilson, seconded by Mr. Moore, the plan was adopted unanimously. (Copy on file with minutes material.)

The ad hoc committee to discuss ways of recognizing people by naming buildings, etc., presented its report to the Property and Buildings Committee. A proposal was made that a structure be provided where a bronze form of an open book could be placed with names inscribed of "Western Pioneers," this action to take place no earlier than five years after retirement or death. This structure would be placed in a high-traffic area such as near the Alumni Tower, the Centennial Garden, the Rose Garden, or between Bird and Breese buildings. No formal vote was taken, but the consensus was to go ahead with this project.

ESTABLISHMENT OF DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR ENDOWMENT FUND

Chancellor Wakeley explained the need to move forward with establishment of the Distinguished Professor Endowment Fund in order to secure funding for the new Cherokee professorship. The University must first raise its two-thirds share and then can apply to General Administration for the final one-third. Following discussion, Mr. Pine moved that the Distinguished Professor Endowment Fund be established. There were many seconds, and the motion was approved unanimously. Mr. Haire commented on the significance of this action and hoped it would be the first of many.

COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIRMAN

Mr. Woody asked all trustees to hold June 6 on their calendars for a dinner honoring retiring trustees and welcoming new ones.

CHANCELLOR WAKELEY'S COMMENTS

Chancellor Wakeley distributed copies of the Cullowhee Arts Festival brochure. This festival, which replaced the Cullowhee Music Festival, has many faculty and students involved and provides a good focus for the university community. Trustees asked to be sent copies next year. (Mrs. Key left the meeting at this point.)

Each campus has selected a faculty member to receive the Board of Governors' Teaching Award for Excellence which will be presented at a celebration in Chapel Hill. Dr. Scott Higgins, Associate Professor of Health Sciences, is the Western recipient. Dr. Higgins has been involved in Western's efforts toward developing a real appreciation of teaching and was on the task force which started the Carolina Colloquy, now participated in by faculty from all 16 campuses.

New street signs have been placed on the campus, and Chancellor Wakeley thanked those responsible for this improvement.

The budget picture is still not clear, with a great deal of political activity going on across the state. Much communication is taking place in the community with people we know to make sure that the voters know what the legislative votes are doing to the institutions. Any base budget reduction would be very serious and would cause Western to lose positions and to increase class sizes. The administration is preparing for the worst case but working to make sure that does not happen.

Chancellor Wakeley introduced Dr. Prochaska, who reported on the Southern Association self-study/NCAA certification process underway. The work is being directed by a 17-member Steering Committee, with Mr. Haire very ably and very capably representing the Board of Trustees. There are 19 committees studying the university in detail, and during the summer their reports will be compiled into the self-study report. During the fall the document will be reviewed and the visiting committee will be on campus in March, 1996. There appear to be no major problems at this point that would create difficulties in obtaining reaccreditation or in having the athletics program certified. Dr. Prochaska participated in a site visit as an observer and gained helpful information to aid the WCU process. He thanked Chancellor Wakeley and Vice Chancellor Stillion for their support, and Mr. Haire commended Dr. Prochaska for his outstanding service with this important work.

REPORT FROM STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION

Ms. Laverty discussed recent student elections and hopes to hold the fall elections in the second week of the new school year. The SGA offices will be moved to Camp Building while renovations of the University Center are underway. Budget hearings for campus student organizations have been held and notifications sent. The Stillion Award was presented at the SGA banquet.

REPORT FROM THE FACULTY

Dr. Wright told the Trustees of the Forum Assemblies that have been held on the campus this year: teaching evaluation and enhancing teaching, innovation in learning environment, our strengths and how to build on them, and core University values. An ad hoc committee is reviewing the role of faculty governance on the campus and the Faculty Senate's role and mission and will be proposing constitution and bylaw changes. The Faculty Senate also worked on a new curriculum process, the advisement policy, a resolution concerning athletics, the textbook rental policy, and the grading system. The Faculty Senate will have a referendum to the general faculty in the fall.

EXECUTIVE SESSION Open Meeting Act

Mr. Wilson moved that the Board go into Executive Session to prevent the disclosure of privileged information, to consult with the Board's attorney and protect the attorney-client privilege, and to consider the qualifications, competence, performance, condition of appointment of a public officer or employee or prospective public officer or employee. There were many seconds and the motion passed unanimously.

(Minutes of the Executive Session are not included here because of their confidential nature. They are a part of the official minutes.)

RETURN TO OPEN SESSION

The meeting was returned to open session by general consensus.

REPORT OF THE PERSONNEL COMMITTEE

Mr. Pine moved that personnel actions as discussed in Executive Session--one promotion, one designation of emeritus status, five faculty appointments, one athletics appointments, three staff appointments, and one tenure recommendation--be approved. Mr. Allman and Mrs. Allen seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

OTHER BUSINESS

Chancellor Wakeley told the Trustees that four candidates for the position of Dean of College of Business have been interviewed. He possibly will recommend that an interim dean be appointed and the search reopened.

Chancellor Wakeley thanked the trustees for their support during this year and invited them to attend the general faculty meeting and awards convocation later in the afternoon.

ADJOURNMENT

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