Western Carolina University - Office of the Chancellor

The Board of Trustees of Western Carolina University met in regular session on September 4, 1996, in Room 510, H.F. Robinson Building. The meeting was called to order at 2:00 p.m. by Chairman Kenneth F. Wilson.

ATTENDANCE

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

Others present included Chancellor Bardo; Vice Chancellors Carter, Dooley, and Collings: Dr. Dowell, Ms. Cook, and Mr. Ramsey, Assistants to the Chancellor; Dr. Jacobs, Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Development; Dr. Kinnear, Chair of the Faculty; Mr. Fowler, former 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; Dr. Prochaska, Associate Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs; Dr. Shiffler, Dean of the College of Business; Dr. Scott Higgins, Faculty Athletics Representative; and Ms. Welch, Assistant Secretary to the Board.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Mr. Pine moved that the minutes of the June 5, 1996, meeting be approved. Mr. Crocker seconded the motion, and it was approved.

OPENING REMARKS

Mr. Wilson welcomed Vice Chancellor Collings and Dean Shiffler to Western Carolina University.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Mr. Wilson asked Dr. Bardo to preside over the election of officers. Mr. Pine nominated Mr. Wilson as Chairman of the Board. There were several seconds. Mr. Crocker moved that the nominations be closed and that Mr. Wilson be recommended unanimously as Chair. It was approved unanimously.

Mr. Wilson resumed his duties as Chair. Ms. Key nominated Mr. Moore as Vice Chairman of the Board. Mr. Crocker seconded , and it was approved unanimously.

Mrs. Davis nominated Mrs. Blankenship as Secretary of the Board. There were several seconds, and it was approved unanimously.

Mr. Wilson thanked the Board for the vote of confidence.

ELECTION OF ENDOWMENT BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEMBER

Mr. Woody nominated Mr. Moore to a three-year term on the Endowment Board of Trustees. There were several seconds, and it was approved unanimously.

ELECTION OF DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION DIRECTORS

Dr. Dooley explained that each year a new class of directors is elected. The roster of nominations for the Class of 1999 includes: New members-Rocky Johnson, Reese Lasher, Bob Caldwell; Re-elected members-O'Brien Brooks, Allison Large, Arnold Isaacs. The nominees will be asked to accept after they are elected by the Board. The Board was also asked to ratify realignments of the Classes of 1997 and 1998 as recommended by the Board of Directors and the President of the Foundation. Mr. Jones moved that the above named Class of 1999 be elected as recommended and that the realignments in the Classes of 1997 and 1998 be affirmed. Ms. Key seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.

CONFIRMATION OF COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS

Mr. Pine moved that the committee appointments as recommended (LIST OF 1996-97 COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS IS ON FILE WITH MINUTES MATERIAL) be accepted. Mr. Crocker seconded, and it was approved unanimously. Mr. Wilson stated that the first meeting of the new committees had gone well. Committee chairs will continue to work on the new areas of responsibilities of each committee.

CONSIDERATION OF MODIFICATION TO BY-LAWS

Mr. Moore explained that, traditionally, the immediate past chair usually remains on the Executive Committee. Article VI, Section II-A-2, "Executive Committee", Sentence One, currently reads as follows:

The Executive Committee shall consist of the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees and the Chairman of each standing committee except the University Honors Committee.

Mr. Moore moved that this sentence be changed as follows:

The Executive Committee shall consist of the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees, the Chairman of each standing committee except the University Honors Committee, and the Immediate Past Chairman, providing he or she is a member of the Board of Trustees.

Ms. Key seconded, and it was approved unanimously. This means that Mr. Woody is now a member of the Executive Committee.

REPORT OF THE ALUMNI AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

Ms. Key explained the focus of the new committee. She then asked Mr. Travis to report on the situation with Terence Stokes, a football player who committed a property crime. He was placed by the court in a first time offenders program and is back in school. The football coach met with the seniors and the rest of the squad, and they voted to take him back on the team. He is taking double study halls and will work his way back to be able to play.

Ms. Key asked Dr. Bardo to report on several issues in Advancement. Approximately $24 million in asks are out right now. These include a $13 million high tech building, $6.5 million Center for Entrepreneurship, several asks for endowed professorships. He stated that Board members may be asked to call on these donors from time to time to "put in a good word".

Dr. Bardo also reported on a situation in the baseball program. A major donor, Lamar Hennon, may not be as committed in the future. Some scholarships may be reduced.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON BY-LAWS

Mr. Moore reported that a copy of the amendments made to the by-laws previously has not been distributed to the Board members because further changes are being considered at this time. Additional sections are being studied by the committee and recommendations will be made at a later time. Mr. Moore reported that Mr. Crocker has suggested that a copy of the by-laws be included in the Board notebooks so that they are readily accessible at Board and committee meetings.

REPORT OF THE STUDENT AND ATHLETIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

Mr. Crocker asked Dr. Prochaska to give a report on the SACS/NCAA site review findings. Dr. Prochaska stated that the NCAA report had 10 recommendations in areas where WCU was not in compliance. There were no major rules violations. Four of the 10 were very significant and work has been done in bringing the University into compliance. The four significant recommendations are as follows: 1) The re-formulation of the University athletics committee(fewer administrators, more faculty). Dr. Lovin will chair a committee to study these issues. 2)The role and mission statement of the athletic department should be reviewed university-wide. 3) and 4) deal with WCU's plans for promotion of gender and minority equity in athletics.

The equity self-study committee has been working on overseeing a review of these plans and a draft of these plans has been completed. (DRAFTS OF THESE PLANS ARE ON FILE WITH MINUTES MATERIAL.) In October, WCU will officially respond to NCAA and submit these draft plans. The NCAA will probably give conditional certification for one year and then ask for final plans for gender and minority equity and the new mission statement before giving final certification. Discussion followed concerning the NCAA review process.

COMMENTS FROM CHAIRMAN WILSON

Mr. Wilson reported that the past legislative session was very dramatic. Board members really made a difference. WCU came out of the session with planning money for the new building. Mr. Wilson thanked everyone for getting involved in the process.

Mr. Wilson reported that President Spangler has announced his retirement. C.C. Cameron (chair of the Board of Governors) has set up a process for this search. He sent a letter to board chairs which Mr. Wilson read to the Board. In this letter, Mr. Cameron asked for names for the search committee, which will be a broad-based committee. Mr. Wilson has submitted Mr. Woody and Ms. Key as names to represent WCU on this committee.

Mr. Wilson asked Dr. Bardo to explain why there is no SGA representative on the Board yet. Dr. Bardo explained that an election had been held, an individual had been elected, challenges had been made to the election. The decision was made that the election had not been properly handled and should be re-run this Fall. The elected individual had the right of appeal. Rich Kucharski was assigned to review the details of the prior proceedings. It was determined that further hearings and a review would be held. There will be no election pending the outcome of this review by a panel of faculty members. The appeal was heard yesterday. Hopefully, they will respond quickly and find some resolution to this issue. Mr. Kucharski explained the process of the appeal review.

COMMENTS FROM CHANCELLOR BARDO

Dr. Bardo thanked the members of the Board who jumped in and contacted legislators for support of the salary increases for faculty and staff.

He reported that the $2 million for the performing and visual arts center is very important. It will provide the funds to secure an architect, extend utility lines, and clear the field. He mentioned the strong support of Sam Neill, Orville Coward, Mark Martin, Dave Fowler, Clark Plexico, Marc Basnight, and Wallace Hyde and thanked them.

Dr. Bardo discussed the upcoming year. It will be interesting and has the potential to be better than last year, "getting down to brass tacks." The focus this year will affect lives directly. Last year, the focus was on quality. WCU attracted 10 National Merit Scholars to its freshman class. The number of National Merit offers will have to be limited to ten this year.

A committee is currently working on hiring an Honors College dean and on curriculum and admissions standards for the College. Fred Hinson has been very helpful in this endeavor

The four basic academic issues to focus on are 1)Class scheduling-we have moved away from Friday classes-Dr. Kinnear and the Faculty Senate are working on a university-wide scheduling policy. 2)Quality-formalized syllabus review process. 3)Advising. 4)Senior Level Assessment.

Dr. Bardo discussed the Student Development area. This year, work will begin on developing an agenda for this area. This will include examining the programming and the structure.

Dr. Bardo and Dr. Kinnear are working together to create a governance system that reflects the best national processes. This will involve a total review of the governance system.

Dr. Bardo mentioned other areas that will continue to be examined: technology(4,700 Internet connections on this campus-the first in the University system to have every residence hall wired-two ports in every room); budget submission process has changed; enrollment(Doyle Bickers, new direction of admissions-number of freshmen up by 20-transfer admissions look okay-graduate program admissions are down around 15%-enrollment is at the bottom of the threshold right now); the growth in new students is quite good(average SAT score up by 12-15 points).

Dr. Bardo mentioned several upcoming events. The Advisory Budget Commission will be on campus next week. He may ask Board members to come back for this meeting. Football season opens this coming week-end; volleyball has started. Mountain Heritage Day is September 28. He also mentioned the Appalachian football game and the Cincinnati basketball game.

Dr. Bardo asked Vice Chancellor Collings and Dean Shiffler to introduce themselves.

Dr. Collings introduced himself as the new Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. He stated that he felt a sense of excitement at WCU. He believes that the faculty is dedicated to teaching their students.

Dr. Shiffler introduced himself as the new Dean of the College of Business. He sees an opportunity to take the business program to the next level. He made a presentation on his goals for the College of Business.

REPORT FROM THE CHAIR OF THE FACULTY

Dr. Kinnear stated that he will support and work with the Board of Trustees in any way that he can. His goals for his next two years as chair of the faculty are: refinement of the +- grading system and scheduling of classes. His primary goal is to enhance faculty governance. He hopes to influence the faculty to stand on its own feet. The excitement if here; now is the time to formalize plans. He hopes that in two years the faculty will be playing a greater role in decision-making.

REPORT FROM THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Mr. Fowler stated that he was representing Mr. Walker who could not attend today. He assured the Board that Mr. Walker will work with the Board very well in the future.

CLOSED SESSION Open Meeting Act

Mrs. Blankenship 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 and to establish or instruct the staff or agent concerning the negotiation of the price and terms of a contract concerning the acquisition of real property. Mr. Moore seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. Dr. Bardo asked that Mr. Kucharski and Ms. Cook stay for the closed session. Dr. Collings and Dr. Carter also were present. Mrs. Davis and Mrs. Blankenship left the meeting.

RETURN TO OPEN SESSION

Ms. Key moved that the board return to Open Session. There were several seconds to 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--five administrative appointments, 38 faculty appointments, two NCCAT appointments, seven staff appointments, two athletic department staff appointments, three recommendations for faculty affiliate, and two recommendations for professor emeritus status--be approved. Ms. Key seconded, and the motion was carried unanimously.

REPORT OF THE ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE COMMITTEE

Mr. Moore stated that $2 million dollars was approved by the legislature to begin the building project. He asked Dr. Carter to review the policies for architect selection(PROCEDURES ARE ON FILE WITH MINUTES MATERIAL). The announcement for an architect will appear in the North Carolina Purchase Directory on September 7. The pre-selection committee will consist of Dr. Carter, Mr. Comrie, and Mr. Harris. The policy is open. Anyone interested will be considered. The process will move forward systematically. The committee will bring its recommendations to the Board by the November 5 meeting.

The committee has developed an action plan: it will listen to all departments involved and visit other buildings prior to the interview process. Mr. Crocker asked what the criteria for selection will be. Dr. Carter said that performance spaces and gallery experience will be important. Discussion was held concerning the importance of expertise in this particular kind of building. Mr. Pine asked what the projected completion date is. Dr. Bardo said that the money could be funded in the long session of the legislature. This should be a two-year project.

Mr. Moore made a motion that the Board authorize the chancellor to select a designer for two other capital improvement projects(underground electrical distribution and residence hall sprinkler systems) . Mr. Pine seconded the motion, and it was carried unanimously.

Discussion followed about the team approach to design.

ADJOURNMENT

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