ATTENDANCE

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

Others present included: Chancellor Bardo; Vice Chancellors Carter, Collings, Caruso and Eldridge; Dr. Dowell, Ms. Cook, Mr. Reed, and Dr. Dooley, Assistants to the Chancellor; Dr. Kinnear, Chair of the Faculty; Mr. Messer and Mr. Reid, President and President-Elect of the Alumni Association; Mr. Kucharski, Legal Counsel; Mr. Travis, Director of Athletics; Dr. Kehrberg, Director of University Planning; Mr. Rowell, Director of Public Information; and Ms. Welch, Assistant Secretary to the Board.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Mr. Woody moved that the minutes of the December 10, 1997 meeting be approved. Mr. Bissette seconded the motion, and it was approved.

REPORT OF THE ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE COMMITTEE

Mr. Woody stated that the committee moved to recommend John Rogers and Associates to do the design for the Camp Building Renovation Phase II. Mr. Bissette seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.

Mr. Woody stated the committee moved to recommend Woolpert and Associates to design the campus master plan. Mr. Walker seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously. Dr. Bardo stated that this will be the first time since 1972 that a new master plan for the campus has been designed.

Mr. Woody stated that staff be authorized for advance planning for the Hinds University Center Expansion Phase II. Mr. Apodaca seconded the motion. Mr. Woody asked Dr. Carter to explain this project further.

Dr. Carter explained that the recently completed improvements to the Hinds University Center were directed to make the facility more functional and attractive but did not add footage to the building. The project was viewed as the first of probably three steps toward developing student life facilities that would accommodate the services necessary to make the campus environment fully inviting and engaging for students. It is now time to take the second step to add a significant amount of square footage. The present plans for the space include accommodations for student programming and activities, a retail mini-mall, movie theatre, additional meeting rooms, and a larger food court.

Advance planning would cover the appointment of an architect, undertake a schematic design, and produce cost estimates to formulate a method of financing. If approved, the committee would interview architects for advance planning.

Mr. Moore asked how advance planning will be paid for. The UC has capital reserves for such things and there is sufficient money in those reserves.

The motion was approved unanimously.

Mr. Woody stated that the committee recommends the authorization of a lease for office space in the Developmental Evaluation Center. Mr. Apodaca seconded the motion. Mr. Woody asked Dr. Carter to explain further.

Dr. Carter stated that the DEC is an outreach service operated by WCU. Its funding source is from various state and federal agencies. They have office bases in Cullowhee, Waynesville, and Murphy. The lease on the space in Waynesville is up for renewal for another 5-year period. This action would authorize the University to enter a lease; the State Property office would actually negotiate the lease.

The motion was approved unanimously.

Mr. Woody asked Dr. Carter to explain the State of North Carolina Audit for FY 1997. Dr. Carter reported that the State Auditor found no audit exceptions. They gave WCU a clean audit. Mr. Woody asked that everyone give Dr. Carter and his staff a hand for this fine report.(COPY OF AUDIT ON FILE WITH MINUTES MATERIAL).

REPORT OF THE ALUMNI, HONORS AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

Mr. Key reported that the committee went over the guidelines for selection of nominees for honorary doctorates and moves that the wording of the guidelines be changed as follows: reduce the size of the advisory committee from 14 to 6; the committee will now have representation from the faculty, the administration, and the alumni board president; the Chair of the Board of Trustees will cast a tie-breaking vote. Mr. Apodaca seconded the motion. After further discussion it was decided to amend the motion to include "or his/her designee" to alumni board president. The motion was approved, as amended, unanimously. (AMENDED GUIDELINES ON FILE WITH MINUTES MATERIAL).

Ms. Key stated that the committee moves to nominate John Parris as the recipient of an honorary doctorate. Mr. Jones seconded the motion.

Mr. Moore asked Dr. Bardo to address the qualifications of the nominee. He is very pleased with this choice. It is the first time in almost half a century that we have begun the process of honoring people. John Parris is truly special and has dedicated his life to the people of this region. The recommendation was unanimous from the selection committee.

Mr. Wiggins stated that Mr. Parris is particularly fitting because he is a Jackson County native.

The motion was approved unanimously. Mr. Parris will be notified today.

REPORT OF THE STUDENT AND ATHLETIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

Mr. Wiggins gave an update on student and athletic activities. The new Vice Chancellor for Student Development, Dr. Robert Caruso, had stressed to the committee that volunteerism will be high on the agenda for student development. Mr. Wiggins stated that Mr. Travis had reported to the committee that the Southern Conference tournament went well. Image projection is not an accident; it is due to a great deal of hard work. Mr. Wiggins stated that Mr. Monroe reported that the SGA had taken it upon themselves to raise the grade point average from 2.0 to 2.50 for people running for office.

COMMENTS FROM CHAIRMAN MOORE

Mr. Moore reported that he represented the Board in Chapel Hill at President Broad's home for dinner. He stated that it was a delightful evening with great discussion. He reported that a self-assessment process for trustees would be forthcoming. Board self-assessment would be one year; chancellor assessment would be the next year.

Mr. Moore stated that the chancellors' salaries were recently adjusted. Chancellor salary ranges also were adjusted after a national study which indicated the ranges were below other institutions. Supplements to chancellor salaries are now non-existent. All chancellors will now be paid from State funds; no foundation will participate in chancellor salaries.

Mr. Moore reported that a very thorough discussion of the University budget was held at President Broad's house. President Broad presented this budget to the Governor, and it was accepted. It is getting difficult to get the budget approved each year. Mr. Moore thanked Cliff Cameron for keeping the 1% reversion money. He also spoke with Mr. Cameron concerning the Fine and Performing Arts Center.

Mr. Moore asked President Broad about the tuition task force, where it was going, where the legislature is on this issue. President Broad stated that she has no preconceived notions of where it ought to go. It may be a back-burner issue with the legislature.

President Broad also talked about computing requirements at the meeting at her house. It was obvious that most of the other campuses are far behind. To bring the others where they should be, money will be requested from the legislature to wire the campuses.

Mr. Moore stressed again that the Board be 100% in giving to the University. He asked for a report from Dr. Eldridge's office. This report showed that 75% of the Board has given to some concern on campus. In 1995, the Board was 100% and has not been since then.

COMMENTS FROM CHANCELLOR BARDO

Dr. Bardo introduced Duane Reid, the President-elect of the Alumni Association.

He explained that the dominant Internet magazine right now is "Yahoo". Western was listed as the most networked small town in North Carolina in this "Yahoo" magazine.

Dr. Bardo stated that the Master's Degree in Project Management will be on-line in the fall. WCU is the first campus to make this operational.

In June, the Board will tour the new continuing education facility in the Camp Building. The distance education facilities are very sophisticated. Also at the next meeting the Board will be asked to re-name the Camp Building. Many of our outreach programs are being moved into this facility.

Dr. Bardo stated that the USA Today All-Academic Team has sixty students from around the country. WCU student Phillip Rash is in that top sixty.

At the national Undergraduate Research Conference, twenty-four students got papers accepted. This speaks well for what Dr. Railsback and a lot of committed faculty are doing here.

Dr. Bardo reported that we have now analyzed what is happening with "raising the bar". One out of every ten freshmen failed out at the end of the fall. Two out of every ten students is on probation. Dr. Bardo showed some slides explaining the movement, where are we going, enrollment trends, the tough decisions that have to be made. We need to get the standards up. Dr. Bardo also discussed learning communities.

Dr. Bardo explained that the National Merit program is going well. One student has committed; one is visiting today. We hope to end up with 5-7 of them in this freshman class. We have 33 North Carolina teaching fellows who have indicated they want to come to WCU. The Honors College will be filled up next year; what will we do the next year?

Dr. Bardo discussed the Fine and Performing Arts facility. President Broad met with the chancellors last week. She wants boards and chancellors to help the University system get the legislature to understand what the universities need. She will be pushing for a 6% faculty salary increase, to retain the reversion money and add another 1%, to re-fund the matching funds for professorships, and keeping the new building on the table.

Dr. Bardo is working on the committee to put together the base funds for technology. We will receive funds to move beyond the base.

Mr. Moore mentioned Mr. Harry Ramsey. He has had six or seven surgeries but is doing better now. The letter of appreciation to Mr. Ramsey discussed at the last meeting will be mailed today.

Mr. Moore mentioned the Endowment Board meeting this morning and asked Dr. Carter to share information about the growth in endowment funds. Dr. Carter reported that the Endowment Fund grew (the endowment & foundation) in a two-year period from $8.3 million to $15.7 million. At the end of 1997, the corpus was $16.2 million. Growth in calendar year 1997 was in line with the performance of the market, maybe a little better.

REPORT FROM THE CHAIR OF THE FACULTY

Dr. Kinnear reported that the Governance Task force has drafted several different models of governance. They have met with SGA and will meet with the Administrative Council and Faculty Senate next week. At the end of the month, the Task Force will hold a town meeting for all constituents to come together. Dr. Ed Penson will facilitate this town meeting.

The Senate is bringing to a close the local guidelines for post-tenure review. The proposal will be going out to the general faculty and the Senate will take action on the local document at its next meeting.

Dr. Kinnear mentioned phased retirement. The phased retirement document has been sent to all eligible faculty and Academic Affairs is now taking applications.

The general education review is still ongoing. This is a program which touches many faculty and many departments.

Dr. Kinnear stated that there is widespread support from the faculty for raising admissions standards and for helping with recruiting efforts. The Senate will take action at its April meeting with regard to learning contracts.

Dr. Kinnear expressed his thanks to the Chancellor and to the Board for allowing him to participate in Board meetings. This is not done now at all other universities. Dr. Bardo stated that he appreciates the partnership with Dr. Kinnear and the faculty and expressed his thanks to Dr. Kinnear.

REPORT FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Mr. Messer apologized for his absence at the last meeting. He introduced Mr. Duane Reid, President- Elect of the Alumni Association. He is a 1982 graduate of WCU with honors. He owns several Ford dealerships in North Carolina and South Carolina. Mr. Reid stated that he is honored to be a part of the alumni board. He stated that he feels he owes something to the University. Once we achieve something in life, we need to give something back.

Mr. Messer stated that there has been good progress with Western clubs. There are five clubs up and active.

Mr. Messer reported that the Alumni Association wants to start an annual event for interaction with graduating seniors. They want to convey to graduating seniors what the alumni association is doing. This first event will happen in early April. There will be food, a picnic atmosphere, and prizes. The Association will follow up with some receptions.

Mr. Messer mentioned the Special Projects Fund. This campaign is now closed. The funds have been transferred to advancement and will be used as part of a promotional campaign.

Mr. Messer reported on the WCU license tags. The Alumni Association will be proposing to IFC and Panhellenic to ask the Greek leaders to take on the sale of license tags as a service project. There have been 180 tags sold now. Three hundred tags are needed; cash prizes will be given for selling the most tags. This will be a short campaign.

REPORT FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION

Mr. Monroe reported that SGA is getting ready for the elections which will be held the last week of March. Therefore, this will be his last meeting as president. He went to a statewide meeting and has taken other students with him to all the meetings. WCU is in the running for best delegation in the Association of Student Governments. He is hoping to get a high voter turnout for elections. The candidates will have a debate on the radio.

Mr. Moore asked Mr. Travis to speak about the community involvement program in the Athletic Department. Mr. Travis stated that there are better ways to serve our constituents. He and others in the Athletic Department met with alumni, students, and local people. The reason for these meetings was for these groups to look at and see how athletics can better serve the region. The group of local people said that the best way to serve the region is to interact more with the community. Therefore, each administrator in athletics will join a civic organization. This will allow them to better communicate with people. They also will get student athletes out in the community. This will allow them to give something back to the community.

Mr. Moore asked Dr. Robert Caruso to say hello. Dr. Caruso stated that he was very happy to be here. He stated that he feels that the Chancellor has laid out an appropriate agenda for the institution. There are many challenges, but they are not insurmountable. The goals for his division are to help students to integrate into our environment, support academic achievement, support student life and active involvement in academic life, and create a strong community service component. They will work on facilities improvement. The discipline system still needs fine tuning. They need to do some very intentional retention activities.

Mr. Moore welcomed Dr. Caruso to the staff and also welcomed Mr. Reid

CLOSED SESSION  Open Meeting Act

Ms. Key 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 or employee or prospective public officer or employee. Mr. Jones seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. Dr. Bardo asked that Dr. Collings stay for the closed session.

RETURN TO OPEN SESSION

Mr. Jones moved that the Board return to Open Session. Mr. Apodaca seconded, and it was approved unanimously.

REPORT OF THE ACADEMIC AFFAIRS AND PERSONNEL COMMITTEE

Mr. Jones moved that the actions as discussed in closed session--two administrative appointments, one staff appointment, one new faculty appointment, sixteen recommendations for first year reappointments, forty-five recommendations for 3-5 year reappointments, seventeen recommendations for promotion, and sixteen recommendations for tenure--be approved. Mr. Apodaca seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.

Mr. Moore asked for a motion to commend Mr. Monroe for the job he has done as SGA President. Mr. Jones so moved, Ms. Key seconded, and it was done unanimously.

ADJOURNMENT