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December 7, 2000

REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY

Room 510, H.F. Robinson Building December 7, 2000

The Board of Trustees of Western Carolina University met in regular session on December 7, 2000, in Room 510, H.F. Robinson Building. The meeting was called to order at 9:10 a.m. by Chairman Key.

ATTENDANCE

The following members of the Board were present: Ms. Key, Mr. Walker, Mrs. Burda, Mr. Crocker, Mr. Bissette, Mr. Apodaca, Mr. Phillips, Mr. Beddingfield, Mr. Rowe, Mr. Jones, and Mrs. Hyde.

The following members of the Board were absent: Mr. Wiggins, Mr. Story.

Other present included: Chancellor Bardo; Vice Chancellors Caruso, Collings, Eldridge, Carter; Dr. Dowell, Mr. Reed, and Ms. Lynch, Assistants to the Chancellor; Dr. Hurley, Chair of the Faculty; Mr. Kucharski, Legal Counsel; Mr. Compher, Athletic Director; Mr. Rowell, Director of Public Information; Mr. Orr, Chair of the Staff Forum; Dr. Kehrberg, Director of University Planning; Dr. Prochaska, Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs; Dr. Haggard, Chair of the University Advisory Council; Mr. McClure, Director of the Office of Regional Affairs; Mr. Wooten, Associate Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs; Ms. Knowles, Controller; Ms. Nickey Reago, Ms. Mary Lou Arguetta, Ms. Carol Murphy, and Mr. Dave Whittaker; and Ms. Welch, Assistant Secretary to the Board.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Mr. Apodaca moved that the minutes of the September 7, 2000 regular meeting and the November 27, 2000 telephone meeting of the Executive Committee be approved as mailed. Mr. Crocker seconded the motion, and it was approved.

ELECTION OF ENDOWMENT BOARD TRUSTEE

Ms. Key nominated Mr. Jones to a three-year term on the Endowment Board. Mr. Apodaca seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.

RESOLUTION

Mr. Crocker moved that Dr. Bardo be instructed to prepare a resolution honoring the work and service of C. Joseph Carter. Mr. Apodaca seconded the motion, and it was pproved unanimously.

CLOSED SESSION Open Meeting Act

Mr. Jones 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 and to establish or construct the staff or agent concerning the negotiation of the price and terms of a contract concerning the acquisition of real property. Mr. Apodaca seconded the motion, and it was approved. Dr. Bardo asked Dr. Collings, Dr. Carter, and Mr. McClure to stay for the closed session.

RETURN TO OPEN SESSION

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

REPORT OF THE ACADEMIC AFFAIRS AND PERSONNEL COMMITTEE

Mr. Crocker moved that the actions as discussed in the closed session--four recommendations for administrative appointments, four recommendations for staff appointments, one recommendation for faculty appointment, eleven recommendations for second-year reappointments, three recommendations for adjunct faculty status, and one recommendation for leave of absence--be approved. Mr. Walker seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.

Mr. Crocker also reported that the Executive Committee had made the recommendation to approve Mr. Chuck Wooten as Acting Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance and to extend Coach Bill Bleil's contract.

REPORT OF THE ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE COMMITTEE

Mr. Walker asked Dr. Carter to explain the proposed fees and charges for 2001-2002. Dr. Carter did a presentation on these proposals.(FEE MATERIALS ON FILE WITH MINUTES MATERIALS) Mr. Walker moved that the Board accept the fee proposals as submitted for 2001-2002. Mrs. Burda seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.

Mr. Walker asked Dr. Carter to discuss the west stands stadium project. Dr. Carter explained that there was a need to expand a previously approved project (SEE TAB D-2). Mr. Walker moved that the Board authorize construction of seating, restrooms, and concession facilities to accommodate approximately 4,000 or more spectators on the west side of Bob Waters Field; increase authorized funding of the Athletic Facilities Improvements project from $5,692,100 to $8,200,000 or more; and approve financing the increased funding authorization through a combination of revenue bonds, gifts, and investment income. Discussion of this motion followed. Mrs. Burda seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.

Mr. Walker asked Dr. Carter to explain the State processes that require approval to remove real property from campus. Dr. Carter described two structures, one on 669 Central Drive, and one in the area formerly used for skeet shooting (SEE TAB D-3). Mr. Walker moved that the Board approve removal of the real property as described from the campus. Mr. Jones seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.

Dr. Carter stated that the State Auditors report found no exceptions. He asked Ms. Knowles to give a brief snapshot of the Financial Report for the fiscal year ending on June 30, 2000. (AUDIT REPORTS ON FILE WITH MINUTES MATERIALS).

Ms. Knowles gave a briefing on the Financial Report. (FINANCIAL REPORT ON FILE WITH MINUTES MATERIALS).

Dr. Carter gave an update on current capital projects. He stated that the Camp Lab renovation project is underway. Drawings and final construction documents were reviewed for the Workforce Development Center and have been sent back to Raleigh. We are now awaiting the Department of Insurance to sign off on this project. The Hinds University Addition project is also waiting for the Department of Insurance. The Fine and Performing Arts Center is also at the Department of Insurance since the construction documents were completed more than six months ago. We will probably have bid dates on these three projects soon.

Mr. Walker asked the record to show the Board's appreciation for another great audit report.

REPORT OF THE ALUMNI, HONORS, AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

Mr. Bissette reported that the committee had received nominations from the Honorary Doctorate Advisory Committee. He stated that the Committee has nominated Ambassador Henry Richard Harold Fowler to receive the Doctor of Humane Letters (honoris causa) at a commencement ceremony in Jamaica in September. The other nominee is Mrs. Mary Kneedler, to receive the Doctor of Science (honoris causa). Mrs. Kneedler has a long history with WCU (TAB E-1). Mr. Bissette moved that the nominations for honorary doctorates be approved. Mr. Crocker seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.

Mr. Bissette mentioned changes in the Catamount Club gift categories that have been approved by the Catamount Club Board.

Mr. Bissette stated that the committee is looking at guidelines for naming policies from other institutions. Discussion of these policies and the issues surrounding them followed.

Dr. Bardo stated that the policy of the Board has been that once a person has been nominated for an honorary doctorate that all nominations would be kept indefinitely. This policy has led to a piling up of nominees. The Honorary Doctorate Advisory Committee has asked that a sentence be added on the nomination form which reads: "All nominations will stay in the file for consideration by the advisory committee for three academic years." Dr. Bardo asked that the Board consider this recommendation. Mr. Apodaca moved that this sentence be added to the nomination form. Mr. Jones seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.

REPORT OF THE STUDENT AND ATHLETIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

Mr. Apodaca recognized Dr. Caruso. Dr. Caruso introduced Nicki Reato, President of the Resident Student Association; and David Whittaker and Carol Murphy, members of the University Advisory Council. These groups have been involved in discussion of the issues of 24-hour visitation.

Dr. Caruso explained the current policy on visitation hours. The students have thoroughly discussed all of the issues and have written a proposal. Dr. Caruso would like to present this proposal to the Board for preliminary review. More detail work can be done for implementation of a pilot program which could be presented at the March meeting. Dr. Caruso asked the students present, including Mr. Rowe, to discuss these proposals. Mr. Rowe and the other students made a presentation on the issues of twenty-four hour visitation. A lengthy discussion followed. Dr. Bardo endorsed a pilot program in this area

Mr. Apodaca stated that he would like to have a specific plan in March to look at before implementation of a pilot program.

Mr. Apodaca asked Mr. Compher to give a report from Athletics. Mr. Compher stated that the Athletic Department is in the process of engaging the Exeter Group in helping with the strategic plan for the next five years. Mr. Apodaca will serve on this committee, representing the Board.

Mr. Apodaca asked Mr. Rowe to give the SGA report. Mr. Rowe reported on the "Beat App" week that the students had completed. SGA registered 538 students to vote in the November election. The State of the University address will be Monday night at 8:00 p.m.

COMMENTS FROM CHAIRMAN KEY

Ms. Key wished everyone a great holiday season.

PROGRESS REPORT ON ENROLLMENT AND RETENTION AND COMMENTS FROM CHANCELLOR BARDO

Dr. Bardo distributed the application report. The class for next year looks better. It could possibly be the largest class ever. We are up six and one-fourth percent on applications over last year. The average SAT is 1045 thus far for admitted students. We have admitted 137 students to the Honors College. We have over six National Merit semi-finalists who have expressed interest. Honors College students come from 47 counties in North Carolina. The top three counties for Honors College students are Haywood, Jackson, and Macon County.

Dr. Bardo mentioned the program review process. He discussed things that can be done concerning program review issues.

Dr. Bardo thanked everyone who assisted with the bond campaign. The impact of this campaign on this community will be incredible.

REPORT FROM THE CHAIR OF THE FACULTY

Dr. Hurley stated that the Senate will be approving the liberal studies program to be implemented next year. He said that the retention task force is moving slowly. Two small task forces on faculty salary inequities have been formed. The Senate is discussing re-structuring the Senate. The goal is to have a smaller and more streamlined body that will be able to act more quickly.

REPORT FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Dr. Eldridge stated that new alumni directories have been published. She stated that the Catamount Club website is being built. She passed out a summary of the national merit challenge fund promotion.

REPORT FROM THE CHAIR OF THE STAFF FORUM

Mr. Orr stated that he would forego his report until the next meeting. He wished everyone a safe holiday season.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, Chairman Key adjourned the meeting at 12:45 p.m.

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