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March 1, 2000

REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY

Room 510, H.F. Robinson Building March 1, 2000

The Board of Trustees of Western Carolina University met in regular session on March 1, 2000, in Room 510, H.F. Robinson Building. The meeting was called to order at 1:00 p.m. by Chairman Key.

ATTENDANCE

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

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

Others present included; Chancellor Bardo; Vice Chancellors Carter, Collings, Caruso, Eldridge; Dr. Dowell, Mr. Reed, and Ms. Cook, Assistants to the Chancellor; Dr. Kinnear, Chair of the Faculty; Mr. Kucharski, Legal Counsel; Mr. Compher, Athletic Director; Mr. Studenc, Associate Director of Public Information; Dr. Kehrberg, Director of University Planning; Dr. Prochaska, Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs; Mr. Orr, Chair of the Staff Forum; Ms. Jeanine Knowles, University Controller; Mr. and Mrs. Bedford; Mr. Perry Newsome from the North Carolina Board of Ethics; and Ms. Welch, Assistant Secretary to the Board.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Mr. Jones moved that the minutes of the December 1, 1999 regular meeting, the January 10, 2000 Executive Committee telephone conference call, and the February 10, 2000 Board of Trustees telephone conference call be approved as mailed. Mr. Apodaca seconded the motion, and it was approved.

PRESENTATION BY DIRECTOR, NORTH CAROLINA BOARD OF ETHICS

Mr. Perry Newsome, Executive Director of the North Carolina Board of Ethics did a presentation on Boards of Trustees responsibilities involving ethics. He discussed Executive Order 127. The Governor's appointees to the Board are covered by this order, but Mr. Newsome stated that everyone on the Board could voluntarily follow the Order. He said that Section Seven, Rules of Conduct for Public Officials, is very important. The chancellor and vice chancellors are also covered under this order. (INFORMATION ON FILE WITH MINUTES MATERIAL).

CLOSED SESSION Open Meetings Act

Mr. Crocker 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. Apodaca seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. Dr. Bardo asked that Dr. Collings, Ms. Cook, and Mr. Kucharski stay for the closed session.

RETURN TO OPEN SESSION

Mr. Rowe moved that the Board return to open session. Mr. Walker 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, one recommendation for staff appointment, two recommendations for faculty appointments, one recommendation for professor emeritus status, one recommendation for adjunct faculty status, one recommendation for leave of absence, ten recommendations for first year reappointments, forty-seven recommendations for 3-5 year reappointments, nineteen recommendations for tenure, and twenty recommendations for promotion. (Mr. Beddingfield recused himself from voting). Mr. Walker seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.

REPORT OF THE ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE COMMITTEE

Mr. Walker asked Dr. Carter to explain a resolution concerning tuition differentiation at campuses who did not request tuition increases. This issue causes concern about the need for a policy that guides all the sixteen institutions. We would like to convey to President Broad and the Board of Governors that parity needs to exist between all campuses, particularly among similar institutions. Mr. Rowe stated that he approves of the resolution on behalf of SGA and the entire campus. Mr. Walker moved that the Board adopt the draft resolution found under Tab E-1 and further moved that the Chancellor preface this resolution with a letter to President Broad expressing the concern of this Board that similar levels of tuition should be maintained among UNC institutions of similar mission class. Mr. Apodaca seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously. (RESOLUTION ON FILE WITH MINUTES MATERIALS).

Mr. Walker asked Dr. Carter to discuss the Annual Financial Report.(REPORT ON FILE WITH MINUTES MATERIALS) Dr. Carter introduced Ms. Knowles to present this report. She explained that we received a clean audit. Mr. Walker stated that an excellent job was done by Dr. Carter and his staff on this clean audit.

Mr. Walker asked Dr. Carter to explain Tab E-2 concerning chancellor delegated designer appointments under one-half million dollars.

Dr. Carter explained Tab E-3, which describes the action of the Executive Committee on January 10 to select a design firm for the 30-bed residence hall. The firm chosen is Walter Robbs Callahan & Pierce.

REPORT OF THE ALUMNI, HONORS, AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

Mr. Bissette reported that the Paul A Reid Selection Committee had met. There were excellent nominees, and it was a difficult job to select a winner. All nominees deserve special recognition. The winners will be announced in April.

Mr. Bissette explained that there is a committee which deals with the policies and procedures for the awarding of honorary doctorates. It has come to the Committee's attention that the graduate school has not been represented on that policies and procedures committee. Mr. Bissette moved to add the dean of the Graduate or his/her designee to the committee. Mr. Rowe seconded the motion, and it was carried unanimously.

Mr. Bissette further discussed the petition from former students of Dr. Charles Schrader to name the soccer field after him. The Committee has looked at the proposal in detail. Mr. Bissette stated that a proposal is in the planning stage for a new track and soccer complex. The committee feels that, under the policies for name designation, Dr. Schrader's service to the University merited the consideration of naming the existing soccer field for him. This designation would apply only to this soccer field which will remain a practice field when a new complex is built. Mr. Bissette moved to name the current soccer pitch the Charles W. Schrader Field. Mr. Story seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.

Mr. Bissette discussed the request by Mrs. Bedford regarding Founders Auditorium. This has been an issue for a long time. The Committee discussed two items concerning this issue. The first issue is the historic marker on the highway. The Department of Transportation will make some minor changes in this marker, and the Committee will not deal with this issue. Mr. Bissette further explained the next issue which concerns re-naming Founders' Auditorium. Mrs. Hyde stated that there was discussion about the pictures outside the Auditorium being labeled with appropriate labels. Mr. Walker moved to change the name of Founders' Auditorium to The Mountain Heritage Center Auditorium. Mr. Story seconded the motion, and it was carried unanimously.

Mr. Bissette mentioned that the Committee looked at a draft of changes in naming policies. This issue will be considered at a later time.

REPORT OF THE STUDENT AND ATHLETIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

Mr. Apodaca asked Mr. Rowe to discuss student government. Mr. Apodaca stated that the Committee is impressed with the job that SGA is doing. Mr. Rowe explained that with the help of Dr. Carter and Public Safety, we are ready to roll with the pilot program shuttle bus. SGA will get reactions from students to see if this works. The Safety Escort Program will go into effect after spring break. The SGA High School Leadership Conference was held on February 19 with forty students from eight different schools. Ms. Key was the keynote speaker and did a fabulous job. The Association of Student Governments' Spring Retreat will be here on April 15.

Mr. Apodaca asked Dr. Caruso to discuss several items. Dr. Caruso mentioned that Mike Creason, Director of Intramurals, is the winner of Intramurals Professional of the Year. Americorps/Vista volunteers will be on campus in the next month or two. The Academic Residential Community pilot program will begin in the fall. This is another attempt to bring residential life and academic affairs closer together.

Mr. Apodaca introduced Jeff Compher, the new Athletic Director. Dr. Bardo stated that he would like to give Mr. Travis a vote of thanks for his eight years of service. He inherited a program that had been in financial difficulty. During his tenure here he brought it in balance and maintained it. He attracted and kept some superb coaches. We won our first men's basketball championship. We have had a number of Academic All-Americans; our graduation rates overall have improved. Mr. Travis is leaving Mr. Compher a program that is on the verge of being ready to really run.

Mr. Apodaca moved that the Board issue a formal thank you to Mr. Travis. Mr. Crocker seconded the motion, and it was unanimous.

Mr. Apodaca asked Mr. Compher to make any comments. Mr. Compher stated that he is happy to be here and looks forward to the future. We are set on platform for growth and success.

REVISION TO BY-LAWS

Ms. Key explained that a proposed amendment to the By-Laws of the Board of Trustees of Western Carolina University was before the Board. Mr. Bissette moved that the amendment be approved. Mr. Apodaca seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously. The amendment is to Article VII, Section I, Paragraph B, first sentence. The amendment reads as follows:

The Board of the Endowment Fund shall consist of six members: the Chairman of the Board; the Chancellor; the Chairman of the Administration and Finance Committee of the Board; and three members elected by the Board, upon nomination by the Chairman of the Board, and may or may not be members of said Board.

COMMENTS FROM CHAIRMAN KEY

Ms. Key asked Dr. Eldridge what the status of the WCU license tags is. Dr. Eldridge reported that we have thirty tags to go.

PROGRESS REPORT ON ENROLLMENT AND RETENTION

Dr. Bardo discussed the application report. He is estimating a freshman class of 1350 with a low band of around 1250, a high band of 1450. He said that prepayments are up over 150 right now. The largest single source of students will be from the Raleigh and Triangle area.

COMMENTS FROM CHANCELLOR BARDO

We are progressing with our scholarship program where every student in the top ten percent of their high school class with a 1050 SAT is offered a scholarship. This program is generating a fair amount of interest.

Dr. Bardo mentioned the Athletics Task Force report. He encouraged all Board members to read the report. The report is already having a tremendous impact.

We have received a base budget grant of over $570,000 through the Board of Governors to allow us to massively enhance our retention programming. This includes three faculty positions, support services, nine advisors, and other positions.

Dr. Bardo stated that another endowed professorship estate has cleared. We are awaiting the match which will produce a one-half million dollar professorship in musical theatre. This is our sixth endowed professorship. We are fourth in the system for million dollar endowed professorships.

Dr. Bardo mentioned the two Chancellor's Speaker Series performances, Felix Justice and Danny Glover, and Senator John Edwards. Both of these evenings were excellent. Last Minute Productions had John Amos in for a one-man show.

Dr. Bardo discussed legislative issues. This will be a tight year with all the statewide natural disasters. The joint commission is grappling with issues. We need to keep before the candidates the fundamental question of capital construction.

REPORT FROM THE CHAIR OF THE FACULTY

Dr. Kinnear stated that he would postpone his report until the June meeting.

REPORT FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Dr. Eldridge reported that the Alumni Association is pleased to welcome Tammy Haskett, the new Alumni Director.

REPORT FROM THE CHAIR OF THE STAFF FORUM

Mr. Orr stated that he would postpone his report until the June meeting.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, Mr. Apodaca moved that the meeting be adjourned. Mr. Story seconded the motion, and Chairman Key adjourned the meeting at 4:30 p.m.

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