The Board of Trustees of Western Carolina University met in regular session on December 10, 1997, in Room 510, H.F. Robinson Building. The meeting was called to order at 2:00 p.m. by Chairman Moore.

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

Others present included: Chancellor Bardo; Vice Chancellors Collings, Carter, Eldridge, and Jacobs; Dr. Dowell, Ms. Cook, and Mr. Ramsey, Assistants to the Chancellor; Dr. Kinnear, Chair of the Faculty; Mr. Kucharski, Legal Counsel; Mr. Travis, Director of Athletics; Dr. Kehrberg, Director of University Planning; Mr. Studenc, Assistant Director of Public Information; Mr. Wooten, Associate Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs; Dr. Haggard, Dean for Student Development; Mr. Bickers, Director of Admissions; and Ms. Welch, Assistant Secretary to the Board.

Mr. Crocker moved that the minutes of the September 10, 1997 meeting be approved. Mr. Walker seconded the motion, and it was approved. Mr. Haire moved that the minutes of the special November 5 meeting be approved. Mr. Apodaca seconded, and it was approved.

Mrs. Kaye Davis and Mr. Phil Haire were sworn in by Ms. Welch.

Mr. Woody asked Dr. Carter to comment on the proposed new student fees. Mr. Woody stated that the committee moved to accept the student fees as proposed. Mr. Jones seconded the motion. Discussion followed as described. (COMPLETE PROPOSED INCREASES IN ATTACHMENT C-1).

Dr. Carter stated that it is the practice to set student fees for the year upcoming so admissions staff can discuss fees, etc. Some of the proposed increases are in the Athletics fee. This fee would increase by $3.50 per semester. These revenues are earmarked to address gender equity issues and, in particular, to launch a women's soccer program.

The second increase is in the Education and Technology fee, an $18.50 increase per semester. These revenues would provide help- desk training support. This service will be available to all students even if they do not fall under the new computer requirement.

Other fee increases include a health service fee increase, a student activities fee increase, a book rental fee increase, and a food service fee increase. Dr. Carter also explained the proposed increased housing fees and described how Western's costs compare to average national costs.

Mr. Crocker asked what the percentage increase was this year. Dr. Carter stated that it was 4.4%

Mr. Monroe stated that the E&T fee has been a big issue in the statewide SGA. Mr. Monroe thinks it is justified on this campus, but feels that the State should fund this, not students.

Dr. Carter stated that Dr. Jacobs and he had met with student leaders to explain these increases.

Mr. Woody's motion was approved unanimously.

Mr. Woody stated that the committee moved that designer selection be turned over to the staff for three projects which will cost over $500,000. The projects are new sprinkler systems, a new roof for Reid Gym, and modifications to steam lines. Mr. Walker seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.

Mr. Woody stated that the committee moved to authorize staff to begin the process of selecting three architects for the Board to interview for the second phase of Camp Lab. Two million dollars has been received from the legislature for this project. Mr. Apodaca seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.

Mr. Woody stated that the committee moved to authorize staff to begin the process of selecting at least three master planning firms for the Board to interview to create a new physical plant master plan. Mr. Apodaca seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.

Mr. Woody stated that the committee moved to authorize staff to begin the Workforce Development facility project and to approve the method of financing. Mr. Apodaca seconded the motion.

Mr. Moore asked Dr. Bardo to discuss this facility. Dr. Bardo stated that Congressman Charles Taylor has obtained two million dollars to begin planning a High Tech Workforce Development Center with the promise of an additional $5.5 million. We also have a grant proposal out to the Economic Development Administration for an additional one million and a half. The facility as proposed will cost approximately $7.5 million. The facility as proposed will be 35,000 square feet and will be built as the fourth tower of Belk Building. It would be known as the WNC Workforce Development Center. Its purpose would be to get current students and the current workforce the skills they need to make western North Carolina competitive economically. A video conferencing/video editing center, an audio recording and editing center, a CD production center, a sales marketing center, artificial intelligence, high end computing, robotics lab, lasers, will all be a part of the building as proposed. We will try to provide a center where our students and students at SCC and the current workforce can get access and be ready to work in a 21st century global economy. Dr. Bardo thanked Congressman Taylor for his help. Discussion of this Workforce Development Facility followed. This Center would support many of our current programs and would be a great marketing tool.

Mr. Woody's motion was carried unanimously.

Mr. Woody asked that Mr. Wooten explain the annual financial audit report. Mr. Wooten stated that he was pleased to report that the State Auditor gave WCU a good opinion. Financial trends over the past five years represent 4 1/2 to 5% growth. The University is in a strong position. (COPIES OF ALL FINANCIAL REPORTS ON FILE WITH MINUTES MATERIALS).

Dr. Carter explained the student supply store audit. The supply store is audited annually by an independent auditor. The audit this year was performed by Crisp, Hughes and Company. There were no audit exceptions; the audit was clean. Sales were flat from 96-97. The net has improved. We continue to use profits from the store for student scholarships. This is done in two ways: through direct funding of scholarships and through profits into a quasi-endowment.

Mr. Bissette reported that the committee had met by telephone to finalize the procedures for awarding honorary doctorates. He presented these procedures in final form. (COPY OF GUIDELINES FOR SELECTION OF HONORARY DOCTORATES ON FILE WITH MINUTES MATERIALS). Mr. Bissette moved that these procedures be approved as presented. Mr. Jones seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.

Dr. Carter explained the Development Foundation audit. The Development Foundation is also an independent audit. The growth of assets of the foundation has grown from $6.2 million to $7.75 million. The audit was clean with no exceptions.

Mr. Moore asked Dr. Eldridge for any comments. She stated that she hopes that the Development Foundation will increase in a favorable direction.

Mr. Haire stated this the committee recommends that the Board approve

"Greek Life: A Plan for Excellence." (GREEK LIFE PLAN ON FILE WITH MINUTES MATERIALS). Mr. Crocker seconded the motion.

Mr. Haire stated that this has been a report that has taken approximately two years to put together after reviewing reports from other institutions. Mr. Haire stated that he was pleased that two of the students who had prepared this plan had met with the committee, Stephanie Tolley and Chris Burnham. Mr. Haire asked Dr. Jacobs and Dr. Haggard to address.

Dr. Jacobs stated that this document sets the relationship of fraternities with the University. The committee was composed of faculty, staff, and students.

Dr. Haggard stated that the overall goal of the plan is to enhance the quality of student life by setting a plan to make the best chapters we could have on this campus. There will be self-study each year, an annual report with internal accreditation. They have been receiving positive feedback from the national offices. Discussion of the Greek Life Plan followed.

Mr. Haire's motion was approved unanimously.

Mr. Haire asked Mr. Travis to comment on athletics issues. Mr. Travis stated that behaviorally there have been no problems. Some parameters of excellence have been set. The volleyball team went to the Southern Conference championship tournament. The cross-country teams finished well. We will graduate 16 student athletes this Saturday. The attitude is positive.

Mr. Moore stated that he had attended a reception and dinner at the Board of Governors University Award to the Spangler family. He stated that the press has done a good job of keeping WCU in the news. He hopes that we will continue to "make noise" at this University. The Board is doing great things.

Mr. Moore stated that he is hopeful that everyone can contribute to the Loyalty Fund.

Dr. Bardo mentioned that this meeting would be Harry Ramsey's last official visit since he would be retiring in December.

Jim Newlin, Chief of Staff for the Higher Education Committee, visited the campus recently. Dr. Bardo had a chance to lay out for him what WCU is trying to accomplish.

Fundraising is going well. The Whitmire Chair in Environmental Science has been donated. The Catamount Club now has 2,500 members. The Phone-A-Thon has raised over $200,000. There is an increasing perception that the University is doing something.

Dr. Bardo discussed the Delta Sig hazing incident. The TV show "20/20" is on campus today. They have not interviewed anyone from campus thus far. As of yesterday, we have filed charges against the Delta Sigs. The eleven counts range from hazing to assault and battery. A hearing panel has been empowered. The on-campus charges are against the fraternity. Dr. Bardo cannot speak highly enough of the Sheriff and other officers.

The approval of the computer requirement has brought an incredible amount of interest both in the state and out-of-state. Dr. Bardo mentioned the WCU "Viewbook". It has been totally re-done this year. What is the computer requirement doing to our enrollment? Since the computer vote, all indications are that applications are increasing. Some trends are becoming apparent: students who we normally would have rejected are not applying. The current SAT of accepted students is 1,026, up about 16 points from this time last year. The average high school GPA is 3.37.

Dr. Bardo asked Mr. Doyle Bickers to talk about the status of the Admissions Office. Mr. Bickers thanked the Board from the admissions office for making their job easier. We are beginning to see the impact of the decisions being made. Phone calls are up; Open House was great.

Mr. Bickers identified the strengths of the University as he sees them:

1. Raising the bar: as colleges and universities have struggled financially, most have lowered the bar. We are having a positive response.

2. Technology: will help the students of this region; it will give our students an edge.

3. Behavioral expectations: this has tremendous possibilities with parents and with better students who want to focus on their academics.

A parent said to Mr. Bickers that a WCU student will get a private university education at a public university price.

Mr. Bickers explained some demographic information in the Admissions packet.(PACKET ON FILE WITH MINUTES MATERIALS). WCU needs to have something special to pull students out this far. He mentioned that campus visits are way up. They have standing room only most days. A lengthy discussion of admissions strategies followed. Dr. Bardo mentioned the "North Carolina Now" segment on WCU. They have given us the rights to reproduce and use in marketing. We have purchased 1,700 of these tapes and are sending them to every high school counselor in NC and other out-of-state schools. We are also sending to top 1,000 applicants.

All of these strategies are creating a repositioning of WCU. There has been a great response from students. The freshman class target is 1,250-1,300 students. We are moving toward a 2.8 GPA for our standard.

Mr. Crocker asked if the residence halls will be comfortable if we get all the freshmen we hope for. Dr. Bardo stated that Walker is now a dry residence hall. We will be reconfiguring the desks to accommodate computers. We cannot triple rooms because of computers. We will bring in freshmen for the Jump Start program.

Dr. Bardo stated that the Honors College Dean has had over 100 requests for information. Last year at this time he had no external requests.

Last year, WCU students submitted six papers to the undergraduate research conference. This year, they submitted forty-one.

Dr. Kinnear reported that he is continuing to hear from the faculty very favorable comments about the computer requirement. They have a real interest in their need to develop and move along on the learning curve. He mentioned The Abandoned Generation, a remarkable book. The author does a fine job of enhancing understanding of where this generation of students is coming from.

Dr. Kinnear stated that he was continuing work to enhance the level of community spirit. The Task Force on University Governance is continuing its work. The Senate will be working on post-tenure review.

Mr. Monroe reported that he is trying to increase awareness of SGA. He mentioned several SGA projects, including the Thanksgiving dinner for charity, money donated to various charities, toys donated to various constituencies. SGA is doing some positive things. SGA's spring semester mission is to finalize legislation; they are working on implementation of class officers into the SGA system. This would be important to foster more leaders. SGA is preparing a proposal to work with the WCU court system, including traffic court, superior court, and supreme court. SGA is also working on extended visitation policies. Students want to be treated like adults in their residence hall life.

Mr. Moore stated that Mr. Messer is not present today and will give a report at the next meeting.

Mr. Woody moved that the Board go into closed session 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 and to consider the qualifications, competence, performance, condition of appointment of a public officer of employee or prospective public officer or employee. Mr. Apodaca seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. Dr. Bardo asked that Dr. Carter, Dr. Collings and Mr. Kucharski stay for the closed session.

Mr. Bissette moved that the Board return to open session. Mr. Woody seconded, and it was approved unanimously.

Mr. Woody moved that the Board execute the proposed property exchange as discussed in closed session. Mr. Apodaca seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.

Mr. Crocker moved that the actions as discussed in closed session--two administrative appointments, two staff appointments, two faculty appointments, four recommendations for professor emeritus status, one recommendation for adjunct faculty status; one request for leave of absence, and twenty-four second year reappointments--be approved. Mrs. Davis seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.

Mr. Haire moved that the Board extend its appreciation, in the form of a letter, to Harry Ramsey for his thirty-four years of service to the University and for his years of service to the Asheville programs. Mr. Walker seconded the motion, and it was carried unanimously.

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