Western Carolina University - Office of the Chancellor

The Board of Trustees of Western Carolina University met in regular session on December 4, 1996, in Room 510, H.F. Robinson Building. The meeting was called to order at 1:45 p.m. by Chairman Kenneth F. Wilson.

ATTENDANCE

The following members of the Board were present: Ms. Key, Mr. Pine, Mr. Jones, Mrs. Davis, Mr. Haire, Mr. Moore, Mr. Brock, Mr. Bissette, Mr. Crocker, Mrs. Blankenship, and Mr. Wilson.

Others present included Chancellor Bardo; Vice Chancellors Carter, Dooley, Collings, and Jacobs; Dr. Dowell, Ms. Cook, Mr. Ramsey, and Mr. Reed, Assistants to the Chancellor; Dr. Kinnear, Chair of the Faculty; Mr. Walker, President of the Alumni Association; Mr. Kucharski, Legal Counsel; Mr. Travis, Director of Athletics; Dr. Kehrberg, Director of University Planning; Mr. Rowell, Acting Director of Public Information; Mr. Wooten, Associate Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs; and Ms. Welch, Assistant Secretary to the Board.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Mr. Pine moved that the minutes of the September 4, 1996 and the November 5, 1996 meetings be approved. Mr. Crocker seconded the motion, and it was approved.

SWEARING-IN OF NEW BOARD MEMBER

Mr. Andrew Brock, new Student Government Association President, was sworn in by Ms. Welch.

COMMENTS FROM CHANCELLOR BARDO

Chancellor Bardo suggested that, since the meeting had been called to order earlier than the appointed time, the committee reports be given later in the agenda. Mr. Wilson agreed and Chancellor Bardo proceeded with his comments.

Dr. Bardo gave a report on an incident with a football player who has been arrested for assault. The player has been removed from Athletics. The search for the new head football coach is coming to a conclusion. There is a very strong pool of candidates; we will not be considering anyone who has not been a head coach.

Dr. Bardo reported that Student Development is getting a handle on where we need to be. Behavioral issues will be high on the agenda for Student Development. He mentioned concern about housing issues. Housing policies will be re-done to fill as many rooms as possible. Alternative housing for students and housing for new faculty are other issues which need to be addressed.

Dr. Bardo reported on fraternity house problems. A draft plan for a code of conduct has now been completed and shared with student leaders. If this plan is approved, it will contain the following: During the week, there will be no open parties. If there is a party, fraternity members can bring one guest. On week-ends, open parties are allowed. Members can bring up to four guests. They will be required to have paid, uniformed, bonded, security guards. A minimum of one guard per 100 guests will be required.

Dr. Bardo reported that there is a lot of good news on the academic side. He stated that Western's faculty is the hardest working group of people he has ever worked with. There is work being done on raising standards including a return to required attendance and emphasis on writing and outside reading. The official SATS, reported at the last Board of Governors, have never been as high in Western's 25-year history as they are this year. The average in-state SAT scores have increased by 20 points. Accreditations are continuing.

It is expected that by January or February, interviews for the new Vice Chancellor for Advancement and External Affairs will be scheduled. The revised goal for the Annual Fund of $165,000 will be reached through the phonathon. There have been a number of asks, and things are moving along very well.

The University is in the midst of examining how we do business inside the University. Dr. Kinnear and Dr. Bardo are continuing to work on this issue. Dr. Ed Penson, a consultant recommended by AASCU, is working as a facilitator to review our governance processes on every level. Dr. Penson will run a full-day workshop for deans and vice chancellors to respond to these issues. Hopefully, a department heads workshop will also be held. The academic quality question and the question of how we govern the University are very important for the future of the University.

Mr. Haire asked about an item in the paper about a new formula funding model from General Administration. Dr. Carter explained the new model. The formula is different and is admission-based. Discussion of the new model followed.

REPORT OF THE ALUMNI AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

Ms. Key reported that the committee has reviewed the criteria for University honors and recognition and would like to adopt these in principle and in concept. (CRITERIA ON FILE WITH MINUTES MATERIAL). Mr. Wilson asked Dr. Dooley to review these guidelines for the Board. The Board has been working on these criteria for two years.

Dr. Dooley explained the four parts of the attachment: General Summary, University Honors/Recognition for Faculty and Staff; Proposed Expansion and Refinement of University Level Awards/Honors/Recognition; Name Designation for Facilities and Academic Units; and Examples for Name Designation. The proposal is to expand and enhance the available naming opportunities and call greater attention to the awards and honors which have been given.

Ms. Key made a motion that the Board approve these guidelines for University honors and recognitions. Mr. Pine seconded the motion, and it was carried unanimously.

REPORT OF THE ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE COMMITTEE

Mr. Moore reported on the actions thus far toward solidifying a design team for the performing arts center. A diagram of the design team was distributed. (DIAGRAM ON FILE WITH MINUTES MATERIAL). Mr. Moore reported that the committee, along with Dean DePaolo and the three department heads, has met with the design team, and is very pleased with this team. Mr. Moore thanked the committee and all who have contributed to this effort.

Discussion followed concerning the North Carolina architect who will be working on this project, Middleton, McMillan Architects. They have experience with State Construction, and the committee feels good about this firm. (Mrs. Davis and Ms. Key left the meeting).

Mr. Moore asked Dr. Carter to present the new 1997-1998 proposed fee schedule and explain the reasons for any changes.(PROPOSED FEE SCHEDULE ON FILE WITH MINUTES MATERIAL). Discussion followed concerning comparisons of WCU's fees with the other campuses. WCU still has a good value relative to the other schools in the system.

Mr. Moore moved that the Board approve the proposed fee schedule for 1997-1998. Mr. Pine seconded the motion, and it was carried unanimously.

Mr. Moore asked Dr. Carter to present the proposal for advance payment of tuition and fees and for housing charges and explain the reasons for these proposals. These proposals are aimed at getting a better handle on who really intends to be here in order to plan accordingly.

Mr. Moore moved that the Board approve: 1)an advance partial payment of tuition and fees, effective for enrollment in Fall semester, 1998. New students would be asked to remit an advance payment of $100 to reserve their place. Continuing students would be required to remit full payment of tuition and fees by August 1. 2)a $100 advance partial payment of housing charges for all new students requesting campus housing, and a $150 advance partial payment of housing charges for all returning students requesting campus housing, effective for enrollment in Fall semester, 1998. (FULL PROPOSAL ON FILE WITH MINUTES MATERIAL). Mrs. Blankenship seconded, and it was carried unanimously.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON BY-LAWS

Mr. Moore distributed the revised by-laws for final approval by the Board. He stated that the by-laws as presented (dated 12-4-97) represent the Board well without having to refer to the Code.

He explained substantive changes which the committee has proposed since the last meeting.

Page 7, Article III, Section I-A-1-a: Recommend that any person who has served two full one-year terms in succession in any office shall, for a period of one year, be ineligible for election to that office.

Page 9, Article VI, Section I-B: Recommend that University Honors Committee be deleted and that the duties of the University Honors Committee be assigned to the Alumni and External Affairs Committee, renaming that committee the Alumni, Honors and External Affairs Committee.

All other changes in the by-laws are words that have been removed or changed. Mr. Moore moved that the Board approve the final revision of the by-laws as presented. Mr. Pine seconded, and it was carried unanimously.

REPORT OF THE STUDENT AND ATHLETIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

Mr. Crocker reported on the search for the new Vice Chancellor for Student Development. Dr. Gayle Miller has been named chair of the search committee, and the hope is to have someone on board by June. The advertisement will be in The Chronicle. A search committee of faculty, staff, and students will conduct the normal search process.

Mr. Crocker asked Dr. Jacobs to report on the housing options and the need for having more complete information on who is coming. She reported on areas that are being looked at for more options.

Mr. Crocker asked Dr. Jacobs to report on the fraternity situation. Dr. Jacobs reported that a group has been working diligently on a relationship statement. This is a contract between the Greek organizations and the University concerning certain standards of behavior that will be necessary to be affiliated with the University. Dr. Bardo stated that this was a very important step for the University.

Mr. Crocker stated the University had received NCAA certification without provision. He also introduced Marcy Girton, the Senior Women's Administrator and Associate Athletic Director. Mr. Travis discussed Ms. Girton's credentials and informed the Board about some of her duties at Western. She administers several men's programs, including golf and track.

Mr. Crocker mentioned the new Athletics committee with Dr. Lovin as chair. Dr. Bardo stated that the work of the committee is moving forward. The intent is to turn over the responsibility for oversight of athletics to the faculty. Dr. Bardo also stated that the search for the new head football coach is underway.

REPORT FROM THE CHAIR OF THE FACULTY

Dr. Kinnear mentioned that the faculty is driving forward with the task force on enhancing the shared governance system on the campus. This will be a multi-year activity, so everyone needs to remain patient. The net result will have a dramatic effect on the way we do business.

Dr. Kinnear attended the Association of Governing Board's conference on shared governance with Dr. Bardo and Mr. Moore. They left feeling proud that we are heading down the right road towards shared governance ahead of the other institutions that participated.

Other issues Dr. Kinnear reported on were: examining the class schedule policy, the plus-minus grading system.

REPORT FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Mr. Walker reported that the Distinguished Alumni Award had been presented to Joyce Dugan and that the Distinguished Service Award had been presented to Doug Reed. He said that the key issues for the Alumni Association are strategies relating to academics and athletics. How can the alumni assist with media attention east of Asheville? The Association hopes to organize its efforts to contact alumni and others. He hopes to have more receptions for alumni and students, billboard promotions, more advertising efforts. They have come up with a budget of $100,000, and Mr. Walker stated that he has taken this as a personal challenge to raise this money with the Alumni Board.

ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT

Mr. Wilson asked Mr. Wooten to report on the 1995-96 Annual Financial Report. He asked the Board to read Page 7(FINANCIAL REPORT ON FILE WITH MINUTES MATERIAL) which is the Independent Auditor's Report. The report shows that WCU's records were good. He stated that Dr. Carter and he would be glad to answer any questions about the report.

REPORT FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION

Mr. Brock stated the behavior issues concerning alcohol and drug abuse are very crucial on our campus. The SGA is working diligently towards getting the by-laws and election and judicial rules in order. Another area of focus is trying to increase student activities in Jackson County. He thinks it is amazing that the issues that faculty and administration are working on are issues that students are concerned with, also. Everyone wants the same thing.

CLOSED SESSION Open Meeting Act

Mr. Moore moved that the Board go into closed session to consider the qualifications, competence, performance, condition of appointment of a public officer or employee or prospective public officer or employee. Mr. Jones seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. Dr. Bardo asked that Mr. Travis stay for the closed session. Dr. Collings was also present. (Mrs. Blankenship left the meeting).

RETURN TO OPEN SESSION

Mr. Moore moved that the Board return to Open Session. Mr. Jones seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

REPORT OF THE ACADEMIC AFFAIRS AND PERSONNEL COMMITTEE

Mr. Pine moved that actions as discussed in the closed session--four administrative appointments, one faculty appointment, four staff appointments, fourteen faculty reappointments, five recommendations for professor emeritus status, two recommendations for adjunct faculty status, and one request for a leave of absence--be approved. Mr. Crocker seconded, and the motion was carried unanimously.

Mr. Haire asked about the upcoming goal-setting and review of the Board. This will take place after the first of the year.

ADJOURNMENT

With no further business to be transacted, the meeting was adjourned at 4:30 p.m.