The meeting was called to order at 3:30 p.m.

Nancy Dillard welcomed members to the first meeting of the 2002-03 University Advisory Council.

• Introduction of members

Discussion of the functions and vision of the UAC

• Past Members Bill Haggard and David Whitaker shared their experiences.

Dr. Haggard told the Council that when the faculty began looking at faculty governance five years ago, they decided to explore university governance. A task force was created in which all four constituencies worked on a governance model. The history of the University Advisory Council is available online at http://www.wcu.edu/uac/history.html. The philosophy behind the Council was a desire for something different and unique.

Mr. Whitaker further reviewed the history of the Council and provided handouts to members. According to Mr. Whitaker, WCU is unique in the nation as having a governance body in which all four constituencies are represented. In closure, Mr. Whitaker reviewed the "Standards of Good Governance."
Introduction of Mr. Chuck Wooten, Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance

• Construction Updates

Vice Chancellor Wooten ensured all constituencies, particularly the faculty, that their concerns and interests have been represented during the construction process.

• Budget Situation

The House and Senate are making progress, and we may know more news by the end of the week. In the current proposed budget, SPA salary increases and early retirement do not appear to be included.

• Chancellor Bardo announced that as of "this morning," the UNC General Administration will take a five percent cut. In addition, all universities will take a 2.5 percent cut. If this cut is in the budget which eventually passes, Western will take monies that are currently reserved for vacant positions and use them to replace the 2.5 percent cut, therefore making it possible to avoid losing university employees. Dr. Bardo stressed to all governance bodies to help their constituencies understand that administrative positions that will suddenly began appearing have actually been vacant for a long time. They are not new positions, contrary to what many people may assume, but instead have been vacant and will simply be in the process of becoming filled.
• Vice Chancellor Wooten announced that the state is only allotting WCU 75 percent of non-salary funds.
• In regards to more construction updates, Mr. Wooten expects McKee to be ready for summer and fall of 2003. The Fine and Performing Arts Center is anticipated to be completed by October 2003. The new residence hall is under construction and is scheduled to be open next fall. Mr. Wooten is hopeful that the expansion of the University Center will be completed by spring break of 2003. A handout was provided to members that listed projects under construction, projects under design, and provided the budget for each project, as well as estimated completion dates and estimated bid dates. Next summer’s major project will be the road relocation which is currently under design. The main entrance to campus will be changed next summer, and a roundabout will be located in front of the HFR Administration Building. The catamount mascot will be relocated to the center of the roundabout.
• Chancellor Bardo offered clarification regarding the size of offices. He stressed that everyone needs to realize that the 10’x12’ office space measurements are standards set by the state, not WCU administration. In regards to McKee, Dr. Bardo said the university has been fortunate that the building’s structural integrity has held up in past years. Previous construction had not been properly completed, leaving concrete suspended in mid air. Western now has quality construction being completed in McKee, and new construction has added an elevator.
• In conclusion of budget matters, Dr. Bardo stated that according to the most recent budget proposal, 100 percent funding is secured for all salaries, and the two week vacation is allowed. Also, the teacher initiative is included, which allows for out-of-state students at WCU to pay the in-state rate in agreement to teach in North Carolina. Furthermore, an $11 million increase is included for Focused Growth Institutions. Western could expect to see $1 to $1.7 million of those funds. Western’s funding for next year’s expected enrollment is included in the budget as it now stands. Engineering is included in the House’s version of the budget, but not in the Senate’s version. Funds totaling $11.5 million for the Student Recreation Center are also included.
• In response to a question from Dr. Smith, Mr. Wooten stated that a construction website is available online at http://admfin.wcu.edu/capconstruction and a web cam is online for viewing construction. Dr. Smith requested that Chancellor Bardo and Mr. Wooten deliver a synopsis of the final budget to campus once it is passed.
• Mr. Wooten was thanked for sharing information with the Council.

Current Business

• Linda Beja provided the Council with an update from the Social Security Task Force. Ms. Beja announced that the task force has discussed disposal issues, the unnecessary printing of SSNs on some documents, and the possible use of an alternative identification number. The task force agreed to focus on a unique identifier number and take an inventory to reveal how, where, and why SSNs are being used. Ms. Beja stated that there is a general administration policy on SSN usage. The task force plans to address the campus systems that will be affected by converting to an alternative identification number, such as the University Bookstore and the Office of Financial Aid. Mrs. Dillard noted that it will be a massive undertaking to convert all systems, records, and software. The actual installation will be more problematic than implementation. Ms. Beja said the task force’s goal is to change the SSN from being the primary key. The alternative identification number will become the primary key. Debbie Beck voiced concern regarding the cost feasibility of having to change Health Services’ records in order to convert to an alternative identification number should the change be implemented.
• The task force was commended for its diligence.
• Keith Stiles provided an update regarding Health Benefits. University staff wishes to invite UNC General Administration’s Human Resources contacts and General Assembly legislators to Western to address the issue of health benefits. Invitations are suspended due to the lack of travel funds in budget constraints. Chancellor Bardo ensured Mr. Stiles that UNC’s GA supports WCU’s staffs’ concerns regarding this issue. He said the problem is that the legislature will not allow the University system to become a "group" that would then enable it to search on the open market for providers.

New Business

• Introduction and discussion of issues by members of the University Advisory Council
• The UAC’s website has been redesigned thanks to Bob Orr. The URL address is http://www.wcu.edu/uac and the issue form is still available to submit concerns online.
• Lex Davis was interested in the possibility of shortening Western’s academic calendar. Dr. Smith said the issue is on the agenda at the next Faculty Senate meeting. Discussion of the pros and cons of shortening the calendar are circulating campus so that an ultimate, informed decision may be made.

The Council was briefed on campus activities.

• Tom Franke is in the process of creating an Information Technology (IT) division in order to move away from the "computer center" concept.
• Enrollment is at an all time record. Total enrollment stands at 7,034 with 1,220 of those being freshmen. The goal is to continue increasing enrollment and the quality of students.
• Congressman Taylor is working on a high bandwidth project for Western North Carolina. An OC192 backbone would serve the region, and Western would have an OC12. There is also a concept for an Asheville Supercomputer Center that would of course bring jobs to the area. Western would partner with the new center.
• Dr. Bardo is extremely proud of the new Department of Residential Living, formerly known as the Department of University Housing. He said that "what has happened in Housing has been nothing short of miraculous" in his opinion and that he has "not had one negative e-mail about Housing" this year.
• The Advising Center will focus on initial direct intervention in an effort to help students choose majors as soon as possible.

• No report at this time

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Leadership Committee Report, Kathy Wong

• No report at this time

Communications Committee Report, Debie Connelly

• No report at this time

Open Comments

• Mrs. Dillard wished everyone an enjoyable week.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:00 p.m.  

Next Meetings
Executive Committee, October 10^th at 3:30 p.m. in 401 HFR
Full Council, October 15^th at 3:30 p.m. in the Catamount Room