REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
Room 510, H.F. Robinson Building June 14, 2000
The Board of Trustees of Western Carolina University met in regular session on June 14, 2000, in Room 510, H.F. Robinson Building. The meeting was called to order at 2:00 p.m. by Chairman Key.
ATTENDANCE
The following members of the Board were present: Ms. Key, Mr. Story, Mr. Phillips, Mr. Walker, Mr. Beddingfield, Mr. Rowe, Mr. Wiggins, Mr. Jones, and Mrs. Burda.
The following members of the Board were absent: Mr. Crocker, Mr. Bissette, Mr. Apodaca, Mrs. Hyde.
Others present included: Chancellor Bardo; Vice Chancellors Carter, Caruso, Collings, Eldridge; Dr. Dowell, Mr. Reed, and Ms. Cook, Assistants to the Chancellor; Dr. Kinnear, Chair of the Faculty; Dr. Hurley, newly elected Chair of the Faculty; Mr. Kucharski, Legal Counsel; Mr. Cantler, Associate Athletic Director; Mr. Rowell, Director of Public Information; Mr. Orr, Chair of the Staff Forum; Mr. McClure, Director of the Office of Regional Affairs; Mrs. Bedford; and Ms. Welch, Assistant Secretary to the Board.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Rowe moved that the minutes of the March 1, 2000 regular meeting, the April 13, 2000 Executive Committee Conference Call Meeting, and the April 18, 2000 Executive Committee Conference Call Meeting, be approved as mailed. Mr. Jones seconded the motion, and it was approved.
SWEARING-IN OF NEW BOARD MEMBER
Mr. Teddy Phillips was sworn in by Ms. Welch.
CLOSED SESSION Open Meetings Act
Mr. Wiggins 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. 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. Mrs. Burda seconded, and it was approved unanimously.
REPORT OF THE ACADEMIC AFFAIRS AND PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
Mr. Jones moved that the actions as discussed in the closed session--twelve recommendations for administrative appointments, one recommendation for staff appointment, twenty-four recommendations for faculty appointments, two recommendations for professor emeritus status, two recommendations for adjunct faculty status, and two recommendations for promotion--be approved. Mr. Wiggins seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Mr. Jones reported that the Committee reviewed four faculty members not promoted or not reappointed. Mr. Jones moved that the Board confirm the actions of the Executive Committee. Mrs. Burda seconded the motion, and it was approved.
REPORT OF THE ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
Mr. Walker asked Dr. Carter to explain an action concerning a design firm for capital projects to improve athletic facilities. Dr. Carter stated that seventeen firms were interested. The Committee interviewed three firms which are presented in Tab D-1 in order of preference.
Mr. Walker moved that Stewart Engineering, Inc. be selected as designer for the Athletic Facilities Improvement project. Mrs. Burda seconded, and the motion was approved unanimously.
REPORT OF THE ALUMNI, HONORS, AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Dr. Eldridge stated that the Alumni, Honors, and External Affairs Committee had no report to present.
REPORT OF THE STUDENT AND ATHLETIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Mr. Story asked Dr. Caruso to update the Board on Student Affairs activities. Dr. Caruso reported on activity in Health Services. Some renovations in the facility have been implemented. After consultation with key groups on campus, the institution of modest fees for service have been approved. This will be in effect on July 1. Preparations for a child care center are being made to open, hopefully, in the fall of 2001. The academic requirements for first semester freshmen to be able to rush have been upgraded.
Mr. Story asked Mr. Cantler to report on Athletics. Mr. Cantler stated that the women's track team won the Southern Conference championship in both indoor and outdoor track. Danny Williamson was named Coach of the Year. The new coaching staffs are in place. Mr. Cantler further reported that Hunter Yurachek has been named the new Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Affairs.
Mr. Story asked Mr. Rowe to report on the SGA. Mr. Rowe reported that the Spring Retreat for the Association of Student Governments was held on April 15. Western had never hosted the ASG. Mr. Rowe reported that he has been re-elected to a second term as President of SGA.
COMMENTS FROM CHAIRMAN KEY
Ms. Key stated that the Board needed to discuss the new schedule for the upcoming year. The consensus was that Wednesday and Thursday would be the better days of the week. The meetings will be the first week in the month.
PROGRESS REPORT ON ENROLLMENT AND RETENTION AND COMMENTS FROM CHANCELLOR BARDO
Dr. Bardo stated that Western has received the National Merit designation. We are the fourth in the state to receive this designation. We will have eight national merit scholars this fall. Western was named the 68th most wired campus in the country by "Yahoo Internet Magazine." The Board of Governors' staff is helping with our fund raiser to advertise and market the national merit designation. Funds that come in through June 30 will be matched dollar for dollar by the Board of Governors. We have raised $76,000 toward this effort. These funds will purchase billboards, radio spots, etc.
Dr. Bardo further reported that the Carolyn Plemmons Phillips and Ben R. Phillips Professorship in Musical Theatre is now completely funded. This is Western's sixth endowed professorship. Western is the fourth in the UNC system in million dollar professorships.
Dr. Bardo reported that Western made the NY Times concerning our computing technology. We were included in a story on Wake Forest.
Dr. Bardo reported that Dr. Carter is retiring. He will stay on a part-time basis. We hope to have a recommendation for a new vice chancellor by the time of the Fall retreat.
Dr. Bardo reported that the athletics program now seems like a light switch was turned on. Some emerging plans include the possibility of a family midway area during football games without alcohol. Mr. Compher has shown himself willing to make hard decisions. Work on the athletics facilities is beginning. The first phase of the west stands is in fabrication right now. They will be here before August 1. They will be approximately thirty rows deep.
Dr. Bardo asked Mr. McClure to talk about the millennial campus. We have authored a prospective bill and sent it to the Board of Governors. They liked the idea very much and rewrote the bill for the entire system. The higher education committee has debated the bill, and it will be in the finance committee next week. Mr. McClure explained that the bill would authorize the Board of Governors to authorize the creation of a Millennial Campus on any of the fourteen campuses which do not have a similar program already. The Board of Governors would be authorized to designate real estate owned or acquired by the University to create this campus. For example, a company could lease land and build its own building on this land. Bonds can be issued to pay all of the costs of infrastructure, etc. The bill would exempt a Millennial campus from the Umstead Act. Any funds from the Millennial campus would go to a trust fund. Mr. McClure explained that NC State has developed public-private partnerships. There are many collaborative possibilities. There are about 10,000 people associated with NC State's Campus. The passage of this bill would help diversify the region's economy.
Dr. Bardo discussed enrollment and retention. The system as a whole is up six percent in in-state applications. We are up seven and a half percent in total applications and up ten percent in in-state applications. The number of admitted students is not up as high yet because the standards have been raised. It looks like the freshman class will come in at around 1,220. If this happens, it would be the second largest class in a decade. We will probably break 1000 SAT. Deposits are running solidly. We have indication that our continuing students will probably be the same as we started with so retention seems to be up a bit. Private residences in the area seem to be filling up.
Dr. Bardo stated that we still need to fix retention. We are still the lowest in the system in retention rates. The work of next year is to be introspective and to focus the attention of the University and the faculty on the things we do to chase students away. This will be very difficult and uncomfortable. It will involve much soul-searching. The number one mission of Western is teaching and learning. Lengthy discussion of all of these issues followed.
Ms. Key presented a resolution concerning retention. Mr. Story moved that the Board endorse this resolution. Mr. Walker seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously. The resolution is as follows:
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY COMMENDING EFFORTS TO IMPROVE STUDENT RETENTION
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees is aware that the retention rate of first-time freshmen at Western Carolina University is a matter of concern to the Administration and Faculty, and,
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees desires to express its endorsement of plans being developed for the improvement of the retention rate; and,
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees is charged, under The Code of The University of North Carolina, with serving as an advisor to the chancellor concerning the management and development of the institution;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY THAT
1. The Board of Trustees takes note of the need for an examination of the retention rate of the University and of the reasons that affect it;
2. The Board of Trustees endorses the plans of the Chancellor and the Faculty for undertaking such an examination and review; and,
3. Further, the Board of Trustees, in evidence of its interest in and support for this undertaking, invites the Chancellor and the Chairman of the Faculty to provide periodic progress reports to the Board.
Dr. Bardo stated that he will pass the resolution along to the faculty in the summer news letter.
REPORT FROM THE CHAIR OF THE FACULTY
Dr. Kinnear stated that for the past four years, a great deal of the faculty have focused on Dr. Bardo and the senior administration waiting for this moment. The need for cultural change has been recognized by this faculty four or five years ago. Dr. Kinnear says he has learned patience over the past four years. Faculty governance has changed over the past few years. The nature of faculty conversations has changed. Dr. Kinnear introduced Dr. Hurley who is the incoming new chair of the faculty. Dr. Kinnear thanked the Board for its willingness to work alongside the faculty during his tenure as chair of the faculty. Ms. Key thanked Dr. Kinnear for his work.
REPORT FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
Dr. Eldridge reported that Mr. Reid could not be at the Board meeting today. Dr. Eldridge reported that Western has finally made the quota with the Department of Motor Vehicles to have the personalized license tags. Dr. Eldridge thanked all who participated.
REPORT FROM THE CHAIR OF THE STAFF FORUM
Mr. Orr reported that the Staff Forum became aware of surveys done in the state that showed that Western is thirteenth in the system for salaries but fourth in the system for longevity. Dr. Carter asked his staff to help determine the best way to resolve this problem. The upshot is that funding was found to positively impact the salaries of approximately 314 employees. This project shows that staff and administration can work together collaboratively on a project.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mr. Walker moved that the meeting be adjourned. Mr. Wiggins seconded the motion, and Chairman Key adjourned the meeting at 5:00 p.m.