The Board of Trustees of Western Carolina University met on November 5, 1997, at the Hospitality Room, Ramsey Center. The meeting was called to order at 11:00 a.m. by Chairman Jim L. Moore.

ATTENDANCE

The following members of the Board were present: Mr. Crocker, Mr. Walker, Mr. Monroe, Ms. Key, Mr. Jones, Mr. Wiggins, Mr. Bissette, Mr. Haire, Mr. Apodaca, and Mr. Moore. Members absent were: Mrs. Davis, Mr. Woody, and Mrs. Blankenship.

Others present included Chancellor Bardo; Vice Chancellors Jacobs, Collings, and Eldridge; Dr. Dowell and Mr. Reed, Assistants to the Chancellor; Dr. Kinnear, Chair of the Faculty; Dr. Kehrberg, Director of University Planning; Dr. Prochaska, Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs; Mr. Rowell, Director of Public Information; Mr. Grant, Director of Financial Aid; Mr. Studenc, Assistant Director of Public Information; Mr. Olson, Assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs; and Ms. Welch, Assistant Secretary to the Board.

SWEARING-IN OF NEW BOARD MEMBER

Mr. Phil Haire was sworn in by Ms. Welch.

SUSPENSION OF THE RULES  Open Meeting Act

Mr. Moore suggested that the rules be suspended and that no minutes or regular committee reports be presented. Mr. Haire moved, Mr. Jones seconded, and it was approved unanimously.

REPORT OF THE ACADEMIC AFFAIRS AND PERSONNEL COMMITTEE/STUDENT AND ATHLETIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

Mr. Moore stated that at the last Board meeting he had asked the Academic Affairs and Personnel Committee and the Student and Athletic Affairs Committee to meet jointly to consider the computer requirement. He asked Mr. Crocker, who chaired this joint meeting, to report.

Mr. Crocker stated that he would make the committee report in the form of a motion. He stated that the joint committee had met for three hours to consider all of the issues. He moved that the Academic Affairs and Personnel Committee and the Student and Athletic Affairs Committee recommend to the Board that all entering freshmen, beginning in the Fall of 1998, be required, as a condition of admission, to have an appropriate, networkable computer. Mr. Haire seconded the motion. Mr. Moore asked for discussion.

Mr. Crocker asked Dr. Bardo to present information about the computer requirement. Dr. Bardo stated that the information handed out at the meeting is updated from the hand-outs that were mailed. This information is being upgraded and updated often.

Dr. Bardo discussed the CATS brochure. This will go to prospective students to explain and answer questions. The 800 number will be running tomorrow. Students and other interested parties will be able to call toll-free to ask questions.

Dr. Bardo discussed the "Student Computer System" hand-out. The system would be guaranteed for four years. We would still have labs available for students with advanced needs. We have gotten a price of $1,300 for a Windows computer with software installed and $1,500 for a Mac without software. These prices should go down.

Dr. Bardo called on Mr. Grant. He explained the financial aid procedures. Since the computer requirement will be a condition of admission, financial aid will "kick in". We will be able to fund one half of the full-need students through grant funds and one half of the partial need. He explained the financial aid packets. Low income students will have a much better chance of having a computer this way with financial aid.

Dr. Bardo stated that the Web will be the primary source of information in the future. The decision to require computers is the single most important decision this Board will make this decade. This will put WCU in a position of leadership.

Notification of this requirement if it passes will be sent to every high school guidance counselor in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. It will be in many newspapers and the Chronicle of Higher Education. There is an Open House on Saturday, and Dr. Bardo will make a presentation to them.

Mr. Crocker stated that the Board's deliberation on this issue occurs only after the SGA and the Faculty Senate have voted to approve it.

Mr. Bissette stated that he felt the requirement was an incredibly positive step. It should bring WCU very favorable public relations. He wondered if we were ready for this. Dr. Bardo stated that we have been preparing for three weeks.

Mr. Jones stated that he felt it was important to let students know the financing options are not overwhelming. This information needs to be in the press.

Dr. Bardo stated that Dr. Coulter, Dr. Carter, and Dr. Wakeley listened early to these issues and started the process. The faculty has been driving the issue.

Mr. Wiggins stated that he was amazed that a computer can be purchased so inexpensively. He stated that he believe we need to institute this requirement; it is important. Mr. Olson stated that there are three vendors offering a low price at this time; the price will go down.

Mr. Monroe stated that it was very important that current students be educated about this process. Don't leave them behind.

Dr. Kinnear commented that the faculty seems to be proud that we are out front on this issue.

Mr. Moore stated that the three trustees not present, Mr. Woody, Mrs. Davis, and Mrs. Blankenship had all expressed their support of this requirement.

Mr. Moore asked for a vote on the motion pending. It was carried unanimously.

Mr. Moore congratulated Dr. Bardo for his hard work in helping to bring this idea to fruition. It is a new day, and we should all be proud.

Mr. Crocker stated that he was glad to see excitement at WCU that was not related to athletics.

Dr. Bardo stated that he appreciated the willingness of the faculty to take a leap of faith. It will change their lives. None of this would have happened if not for the faculty. He thanked Dr. Kinnear and Mr. Monroe for their leadership.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.