REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
Room 510, H.F. Robinson Building December 6, 2001
The Board of Trustees of Western Carolina University met in regular session on December 6, 2001, in Room 510, H.F. Robinson Building. The meeting was called to order at 9:40 a.m. by Chairman Crocker. ATTENDANCE
The following members of the Board were present: Mr. Crocker, Mr. Jones, Mrs. Burda, Mr. Walker, Mr. Apodaca, Mr. Beddingfield, Mr. Bissette, Mr. Carlisle, and Mr. Plexico.
The following members of the Board were absent: Mr. Story, Mrs. Hyde, Mr. Lyons, and Mr. Phillips.
Others present included: Chancellor Bardo; Vice Chancellors Collings, Wooten, Caruso; Acting Vice Chancellor McClure; Dr. Dowell, Dr. Carter, Ms. Lynch, Assistants to the Chancellor; Dr. Hurley, Chair of the Faculty Senate; Mr. Compher, Athletic Director; Mr. Rowell, Director of Public Information; Mr. Kucharski, Legal Counsel; Mr. Ritchie, Chair of the Staff Forum; Dr. Kehrberg, Director of University Planning; Mr. Powell, representing the Alumni Association; Mr. Orr, Chair of the University Advisory Council; Judge Davis; Dr. Alan Altany, and Ms. Welch, Assistant Secretary to the Board of Trustees.
SWEARING-IN OF NEW BOARD MEMBERS
Mr. Plexico and Mr. Carlisle were sworn in by Judge Danny Davis.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Jones moved that the minutes of the September 6, 2001 regular meeting of the Board, the September 26, 2001 telephone meeting of the Executive Committee, and the October 9, 2001 telephone meeting of the Executive Committee be approved as mailed. Mr. Bissette seconded the motion, and it was approved.
CLOSED SESSION Open Meetings Law
Mrs. Burda moved that the Board go into closed session to consider the qualifications, competence, performance, condition of appointment of a public officer or employee or prospective public officer or employee; 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. Walker seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously. Dr. Bardo asked that Dr. Collings and Mr. McClure stay for the closed session.
RETURN TO OPEN SESSION
Mr. Jones moved that the Board return to open session. Mr. Bissette 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--three recommendations for administrative appointments, one recommendation for staff appointment, two recommendations for faculty appointments, fifteen recommendations for second-year reappointments, and three recommendations for adjunct faculty status--be approved. Mr. Apodaca seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
REPORT OF THE ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
Mr. Walker asked Mr. Wooten to discuss the architect selection process for the Hospitality Management Center. Mr. Wooten explained that four firms were interviewed out of twenty-five who showed interest. Mr. Walker moved that the architectural firms interviewed on November 26, 2001 to serve as the design firm for the Hospitality Management Center be submitted to the Office of State Construction in the following order: 1)McMillan Smith and Partners; 2)Walter Robbs Callahan & Pierce; 3)Lee Nichols; and 4)CDA-Cline Design. Mrs. Burda seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Discussion followed concerning the resolution by the Board of Governors concerning utilizing North Carolina architects when practicable in connection with The University of North Carolina bond construction projects to the extent allowed by law. (COPY OF RESOLUTION ON FILE WITH MINUTES MATERIALS.)
Mr. Walker moved that Woolpert LLP be submitted to the Office of State Construction as the designer for road relocations, corridor links, and a new entrance to campus. Mr. Beddingfield seconded the motion. Mr. Wooten explained that since Woolpert is the firm that designed our Master Plan that they would be the best firm to do this work. The motion was approved. Mr. Walker stated that the budget for these projects totals $8,218,245 and the funding will come from Higher Education Bonds ($7,018,425) and from the North Carolina Department of Transportation ($1,200,000). Mr. Wooten thanked Mr. Dan Robinson and Mr. Conrad Burrell for their help with this project.
Mr. Walker moved that, contingent upon the availability of funding and the receipt of positive feedback from student focus groups, that advance planning through construction be approved for the development of plans to construct an indoor student recreation center. Mrs. Burda seconded the motion. Mr. Walker stated that this was a very important project for the students. The motion was approved unanimously.
Mr. Walker moved that the proposed local tuition increase of $200 per year be approved as presented. Furthermore, that the proposed fees for FY 2002-03 be approved as presented and forwarded to the Board of Governors for their consideration and approval. Mr. Beddingfield seconded the motion. Mr. Wooten explained that the fees are brought to the Board every December. He explained the proposed fee schedule. Dr. Collings explained the local tuition proposal. The motion was approved unanimously. (FEE SCHEDULE ON FILE WITH MINUTES MATERIAL).
Mr. Walker explained that the audit by the Office of the State Auditor was a clean audit. The book and supply store audit showed another successful year. There was a 4% growth in sales which goes toward scholarships.
Dr. Collings introduced Dr. Alan Altany, new Director of the Coulter Faculty Center.
REPORT OF THE STUDENT AND ATHLETIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Mr. Apodaca recognized Mr. Compher. Mr. Compher explained that the new Strategic Plan for Athletics is ready for endorsement by the Board. Mr. Apodaca stated that a tremendous amount of work went into developing this plan. Mr. Apodaca moved that the new strategic plan be approved as written. Mr. Bissette seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously. (PLAN ON FILE WITH MINUTES MATERIAL AT TAB F-2).
Mr. Compher stated that construction plans are proceeding and that the fall sports were very successful.
Mr. Apodaca recognized Dr. Caruso. Dr. Caruso explained that the Twenty-Four Hour Visitation Evaluation Pilot has gone well and it would be good to continue this. Mr. Apodaca moved to continue the pilot spring semester then come back with an expanded proposal at the March meeting. Discussion followed. Mrs. Burda seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Dr. Caruso stated that he hopes that the child care center will open next month. There will be availability for approximately 60 children. The ribbon cutting will be in January if all goes well.
Dr. Caruso further explained that the Greek Village concept has been introduced to alumni and students. A group of students went to Southeastern Louisiana and were impressed with their facilities. He stated that the Veteran's Day celebration was very successful. A veteran's club is emerging on campus.
Dr. Caruso further explained for information only that the Alcohol Policy had been approved by the Executive Committee.
COMMENTS FROM CHAIRMAN CROCKER
Mr. Crocker urged the Board to look carefully at the Board of Governors materials when they receive them. He made a suggestion that the March meeting be moved to March 21 and 22.
PROGRESS REPORT ON ENROLLMENT AND RETENTION AND COMMENTS FROM CHANCELLOR BARDO
Dr. Bardo explained that plans for the Cullowhee Jazz Festival are moving along well.
He explained that our applications are up. They are approximately 7% higher compared to the same time last year. The application quality is holding up.
Dr. Bardo talked about spending on construction and stated that most of the spending is going into academics. Athletics construction is about 8% of the construction total.
The construction management program is coming before the Faculty Senate today. He further stated that updating our housing facilities is a crucial thing. We need to plan how to deal with that in the future.
Dr. Bardo stated that the millennial campus is coming along. Senator Edwards has funds in a bill to help with that. The Pappas Group has done a lot of work with us, making recommendations in areas where business processes can be improved. They are also coming back to tweak the retention process. We are doing focus groups and surveys to parents of students who drop out to try and find out why.
REPORT FROM THE CHAIR OF THE FACULTY SENATE
Dr. Hurley stated that they are having a significant Faculty Senate meeting today. Topics will be faculty salary merit, faculty salary adjustment, faculty issues with retention, and senate restructuring. These are the issues they are dealing with right now.
REPORT FROM THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
Mr. Eric Powell represented Laura Leatherwood. Dr. Bardo and the Alumni Director met with an artist who is working on prints for fund-raising. The Western clubs in Gaston-Lincolnton and in Atlanta are the flagship clubs. They are working on a club for Raleigh-Durham and in Henderson County. Alumni Affairs is sponsoring Outlook 2000 for Western alums. Homecoming was a big success as was the parade. The Distinguished Service Award was presented to O'Brien Brooks; the Young Alumnus Award was presented to Brad Hoover; the Professional Achievement Award was presented to Dean Crisp.
REPORT FROM THE CHAIR OF THE STAFF FORUM
Dr. Ritchie stated that the Forum had been fairly quiet. The Staff Handbook is being prepared. The Staff Forum sponsors four Town Meetings each year. The Forum participated in the Campus Community Assembly. The Staff Forum has recommended that the July 4 holiday be observed on the Fourth this year. Social Security number protection is a concern which has been passed to the University Advisory Council. Participating in a service project on campus beautification has also been passed to the University Advisory Council. The Forum is looking at staff mentoring.
REPORT FROM THE UNIVERSITY ADVISORY COUNCIL
Mr. Orr reported that he is particularly pleased with the cooperation between the groups.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Chairman Crocker adjourned the meeting at 12:10 p.m.