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December 5, 2003

REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY

Room 510, H.F. Robinson Building December 5, 2003

The Board of Trustees of Western Carolina University met in regular session on December 5, 2003 in Room 510, H.F. Robinson Building. The meeting was called to order at 9:35 a.m. by Chairman Walker.

ATTENDANCE
The following members of the Board were present: Mr. Walker, Mrs. Hyde, Mrs. MacNeill, Ms. List, Mr. Worley, Mr. Burgin, Mr. Warren, Mr. Phillips, and Mr. Kiser.

The following members of the Board were absent: Mr. Carlisle, Mr. Plexico, Mrs. Wyche, and Mrs. Burda.

Others present included: Chancellor Bardo; Vice Chancellors Caruso, Wooten, Collings, and Metcalf; Ms. Lynch, Dr. Carter, and Dr. Grube, Assistants to the Chancellor; Dr. Smith, Chair of the Faculty; Mr. Compher, Director of Athletics; Dr. Franke, CIO; Mr. Kucharski, Legal Counsel; Dr. Barksdale, Director of University Planning; Ms. Tvedt, Associate Vice Chancellor for Public Relations; Mr. Benson, Chair of the Staff Forum; Mr. Stiles, Chair of the University Advisory Committee; Mr. Miller, Associate Vice Chancellor for Development; Mr. Studenc, Associate Director of Public Information; Mrs. Wong, Director of Human Resources; Mr. Ramsey, Director of Alumni Affairs; and Ms. Welch, Assistant Secretary to the Board of Trustees.

SWEARING-IN OF NEW BOARD MEMBER
Mr. Jerry Kiser, newly appointed member of the Board of Trustees, was sworn in by Ms. Welch.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Worley moved that the minutes of the September 5, 2003 regular meeting, the October 1, 2003 telephone meeting of the Executive Committee, the October 10, 2003 telephone meeting of the Executive Committee, and the October 29, 2003 telephone meeting of the Executive Committee, be approved as mailed. Mr. Warren seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.

CLOSED SESSION
Mrs. Hyde 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 prevent the premature disclosure of an honorary award or scholarship. Mr. Burgin seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously. Dr. Bardo asked that Mr. Wooten stay for the closed session.

RETURN TO OPEN SESSION
Mr. Worley moved that the Board return to open session. Mr. Warren seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.

REPORT OF THE ACADEMIC AFFAIRS AND PERSONNEL COMMIMTTEE
Mrs. Hyde explained that a task force to study faculty salaries was formed and that Dr. Smith had chaired the committee. Dr. Smith reported on the history of the task force. Phase I will address inequities that have been created because of no legislative raises for some time. Dr. Smith discussed the steps that the task force has taken. Phase II will address what to do next. He asked that the Board consider using local tuition to make salary adjustments. He understands that this is not the best way to go but right now may be the only way. Discussion followed. Mrs. Hyde commended the task force that this work was undertaken in a fair and impersonal manner and was done mathematically. Mrs. Hyde moved that the Board approve the faculty salary study and the use of local tuition to fund salary adjustments. Mr. Phillips seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously. (FACULTY SALARY STUDY REPORT ON FILE WITH MINUTES MATERIALS IN TAB C-1).

REPORT OF THE ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
Mr. Wooten reported that the committee is in the process of interviewing designers for Forsyth Building. Mr. Wooten also reported that the exit conference with the Office of the State Auditors has been held. The audit was a clean audit. The bookstore audit was also clean.

Mr. Wooten reported on the proposed lease agreement with Verizon Wireless. This installation will greatly improve the cellular service on the campus and throughout the Cullowhee valley. The business proposal provides a monthly rental of $1,250 ($15,000 annually) for an initial term of five years and four additional renewal terms of five year each with a 15% increase in rent for each additional renewal term. Mr. Burgin moved that the University authorize the State Property Office to negotiate a lease with Verizon Wireless for the installation of a rooftop pod on Scott Residence Hall. Mr. Worley seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.

Mr. Wooten did a short presentation on the proposed FY 04-05 tuition and fees. Mr. Worley moved that the Board approve the proposed local tuition in the amount of $300 for FY 2004-05 and FY 2005-06 and the approval of the proposed student fees, residential living fees, and food service fees for FY 2004-05. Mrs. Hyde seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously. (PROPOSED FEES ON FILE WITH MINUTES MATERIALS)

REPORT OF THE STUDENT AND ATHLETIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Mrs. MacNeill reported that the SGA has been very busy with information week, including speakers on the master plan, drinking and driving and other important topics. She also stated that Ms. List has brought forth a resolution to make the student member of the Board of Governors a voting member of that body. Mrs. MacNeill moved that the Board pass this resolution and forward it to President Broad. Ms. List seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously. (RESOLUTION ON FILE WITH MINUTES MATERIALS).

Mrs. MacNeill stated that with ETSU no longer in the conference, the Southern Conference is not actively seeking out another school to join the conference. Construction on the track and field/tennis complex has been delayed.

Mrs. MacNeill asked Dr. Caruso to report on the alcohol summit. The University Center will have a ribbon tying ceremony in January. The Greek Village groundbreaking is December 9.

REPORT OF THE ALUMNI, HONORS, AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Mr. Phillips asked Mr. Metcalf to give a short overview of what is going on in the External Affairs Division. Mr. Metcalf stated that a new Publications Director has been hired. Fundraising has been successful this year. Planned giving plans are coming to fruition.

COMMENTS FROM CHAIRMAN WALKER
Chairman and Mrs. Walker have decided to set up an endowed scholarship. He hopes to get $25,000 and will supplement every year. He also mentioned that two other alums are giving $15,000 to the Athletic Department.

Mr. Walker explained that the March Board dates have been changed to March 16 and 17.

PROGRESS REPORT ON ENROLLMENT AND COMMENTS FROM CHANCELLOR BARDO
Dr. Bardo stated that Western had over 18% of the growth that occurred in the system this year in the freshman class. We are committed to 8,260 headcount students for next fall. We have set a target for our freshman class of 1,900 students. We will increase our expectations for off-campus enrollment. Applications are up about 30% and admits are up about 30%. Jason Whaley, football team, has been recognized as one of the most outstanding scholar-athletes in the nation.

Dr. Bardo discussed the Millennial Campus. He also talked about the arson situation which was brought to a rapid conclusion. He stated that the staff did a great job. He also said that he cannot say enough good things about the Cullowhee Fire Department.

Dr. Bardo stated that the Board of Governors voted to provide bonuses to chancellors. He is uncomfortable with that and has plans, if given a raise, to give the money after taxes to set up a scholarship fund at Western in Mrs. Bardo's name. This scholarship will be for children of employees of the university.

REPORT FROM THE CHAIR OF THE FACULTY SENATE
Dr. Smith thanked the Board for taking action today on salaries. He stated that it was a pleasure to work as the leader of the task force. He said that our benefits package is still "broken" and he urges the Board to influence the legislature on that issue. The Senate has been re-structured and this re-structuring was passed unanimously. Ron Rash, the Parris Endowed Professor, will have his novel read on NPR Radio Reader. The Senate agreed for the College of Education to plan a doctorate in community college leadership. The Senate will work on a process to reward excellence and evaluate peers.

REPORT FROM THE CHAIR OF THE STAFF FORUM
Mr. Benson stated that the Forum is working on many projects, including outdoor seating areas, staff mentoring, having a town hall meeting for state employees with candidates for office. He stated that the Forum web site is now up. He thanked everyone for including SPA employees in the use of the local tuition money.

REPORT FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION
Ms. List commended the University for including the students in the fee discussions. She mentioned the fire situation and thanked the police and residential living for all of their help.

ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mr. Kiser moved that the meeting be adjourned. Mr. Burgin seconded the motion, and the meeting was adjourned at 12:15 p.m.




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