Skip to main content

March 24, 2006

REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY

H.F.R. Room 510 March 24, 2006

The Board of Trustees of Western Carolina University met in regular session on March 24, 2006 in Room 510 of the H.F. Robinson Administration Building. The meeting was called to order at 9:30 a.m. by Chairman Warren.

ATTENDANCE
The following members of the Board were present: Mr. Warren, Mrs. MacNeill, Mr. Worley, Mrs. Little, Mr. Grasty, Mr. Burgin, Mr. Phillips, Mrs. Hyde, Mrs. Wyche, Mrs. Burda, and Mr. Metcalf.

The following members of the Board were absent: Mr. Kiser and Mr. Carlisle.

Others present included: Chancellor Bardo; Vice Chancellors Carter, Caruso, Metcalf, and Wooten; Mrs. Lynch, Chief of Staff; Mr. Kucharski, Legal Counsel; Mr. Chip Smith, Athletic Director; Dr. Proffit, University Advisory Council Chair; Mr. Studenc, Associate Director of Public Information; Dr. Newt Smith, Faculty Senate Chair; Mr. Riouff, Staff Forum Chair; Mrs. Ashe, Administrative Assistant; and Ms. Welch, Assistant Secretary to the Board of Trustees.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Worley moved that the minutes of the December 2, 2005 regular meeting be approved as mailed. Mrs. MacNeill seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously. Mrs. Burda moved that the minutes of the February 28, 2006 telephone meeting of the Executive Committee be approved as mailed. Mr. Grasty seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.

CLOSED SESSION
Mr. Burgin 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. Grasty seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously. Dr. Bardo asked that Dr. Carter stay for the closed session.

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

REPORT OF THE ACADEMIC AFFAIRS AND PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
Mr. Worley moved that the recommendations for tenure and promotion be approved as mailed. Mrs. MacNeill seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.

Mr. Worley mentioned that they had a presentation at their committee meeting from RTCAR (Revitalization of Traditional Cherokee Artisan Resources) to preserve and promote Cherokee artisan resources.

Mr. Worley further mentioned that the committee was notified of other personnel actions that were presented as informational items. Mr. Worley stated that the committee had an introduction to the college redesign report and that the report will be coming back to the committee for discussion at a later time for action.

REPORT OF THE ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
Mrs. Burda reported that the committee had one action item and asked Mr. Wooten to explain it. Mr. Worley moved that the amended resolution delegating authority to the Chancellor to add other designated entities from which full scholarships may be provided be approved. (This is an amendment to the resolution that was approved in December 2005) Mrs. Burda seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously. (AMENDMENT ON FILE WITH MINUTES MATERIALS IN TAB D-3)

Mrs. Burda stated that the committee reviewed preliminary design proposals for a new dining facility to replace the existing Dodson Cafeteria. She further stated that the designer was requested to reconsider the exterior design toward a more traditional design with characteristics similar to the Center for Applied Technology and the University Center. Mrs. Burda asked Mr. Wooten to comment. Mr. Wooten mentioned that the building will be two levels; the first level being a retail food outlet and the second level being an all-you-care-to-eat option with multi-stations. He further mentioned that the building will also have outdoor areas and a convenience store and will hopefully be completed by Fall 2008.

Mrs. Burda asked Dr. Bardo to speak about the budget from General Administration. Dr. Bardo explained that Erskine Bowles has created a budget based on needs and that the budget is very fair. Dr. Bardo further explained that Mr. Bowles involved the chancellors and made them a part of the process.

Mrs. Burda reported that the Board of Governors approved the tuition and fee rates.

Mrs. Burda further reported that a copy of the audit report for the Catamount Clothing and Gifts and the Catamount Books and Supplies was included with the agenda materials. These entities received a clean audit for the FY 04-05 fiscal year.

Mrs. Burda explained that the Internal Auditor updated the committee on actions being considered by the Board of Governors that, if adopted, will require the Trustees to take a more active role in reviewing and monitoring the internal controls and systems of the University. She further explained that one of the Board of Governors recommendations is to establish a separate audit committee or to rename an existing finance committee to assume responsibility for audit oversight. Mrs. Burda mentioned that a formal recommendation to rename the Administration and Finance committee will be presented at our June 2006 meeting.

Mrs. Burda asked Mr. Wooten to speak about the Unisys audit. Mr. Wooten reported that the University will be changing student identification number from their social security number to a non-related number. He further reported that the committee will have these recommendations in place before the SACS visit. (COPY OF THE REPORT ON FILE WITH MINUTES MATERIALS) Mr. Wooten stated that the internal auditor will ask for input from all Trustees to identify areas that the audit should pay attention to and that they will soon be receiving packets.

Mr. Wooten asked everyone to look at the master plan presentation and to ask any questions. Dr. Bardo talked about the core concept and how it will be a different way of thinking about the University. He further explained that the University would like to redesign both sides of the highway so that we have neighborhoods of interest based on coherency of academic programs. It will interlace community activities, educational activities and living activities in one space. Discussion of these issues followed.

REPORT OF THE ALUMNI, HONORS, AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Mr. Phillips reported that the Campaign for Western and fund-raising specific to the current academic year are proceeding successfully. An organizational chart identifying the campaign volunteer leadership structure was distributed. The campaign is focusing this spring on selected prospects in the Leadership Division and the Family Gifts Division, which is comprised of the Board of Trustees, the Foundation Board, the University’s senior administrators, and retired faculty. We will each have an opportunity to make our own commitments to the campaign in the next few weeks, as a prelude to the broader campus campaign which will begin during the fall semester.

Mr. Phillips stated that there were two items for action. First, proposed amendments to the naming guidelines adopted several years ago will update these guidelines for honoring distinguished service and naming University facilities and endowed funds. Mr. Phillips moved that the amendments to the Board’s Guidelines for Honoring and Recognizing Distinctive Achievements and Contributions to the University and to the Guidelines for Naming University Facilities, Academic Units, and Endowed Funds be approved. Mr. Worley seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously. (NAMING POLICY ON FILE WITH MINUTES MATERIALS IN TAB E)

The second item for action is approval of the Jackson County Land Development Plan which will support Jackson County’s request to the State for a study of traffic loads and patterns on NC 107 and recommendations for improvements. Mr. Phillips moved that the Jackson County Land Development Plan be approved. Mrs. MacNeill seconded, and it was approved unanimously. (JACKSON COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT PLAN ON FILE WITH MINUTES MATERIALS IN TAB E)

REPORT OF THE STUDENT AND ATHLETIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Mrs. MacNeill asked Mr. Grasty to give his report on the Student Government Association. Mr. Grasty reported that the traffic court will be expanding on what they hear on appeals. He further reported that the SGA will be donating a spirit rock to be placed on the University Center lawn. Mr. Grasty stated that the association will be creating the HCL Award in honor of Heather Christine List to award faculty and staff who serve students. He further stated that he is introducing a new plan in the Senate called the The Healthier Campus 2007 Plan to promote a healthier lifestyle on campus. Mr. Grasty also reported that the SGA is looking at a dual-route CAT-TRAN system next year. Mr. Grasty mentioned that the ASG has a meeting with Erskine Bowles in April. Mr. Grasty further mentioned that the RSA will be hosting the state conference here on campus.

Mrs. MacNeill commended Mr. Smith and staff for the increase in spirit and attendance. Mrs. MacNeill reported that the Men’s Basketball team finished their regular season with a 13-16 overall. She further reported that the softball team has done well. Mrs. MacNeill mentioned that football practice starts in April. She further mentioned that there is an upcoming jersey retirement ceremony for former baseball coach, Keith LeClair. Mrs. MacNeill stated that there will be a student athletic awards banquet in April.

Mrs. MacNeill reported that the University offered alternative spring breaks in Panama and the Gulf Coast. Many students participated in this project. She further reported that Student Affairs will be having their first ever fund-raiser on March 31. Mrs. MacNeill stated that the 5th annual gender conference will be held on March 29. She further stated that the new booklet for mandatory health insurance is ready and the program is going very smoothly.

COMMENTS FROM CHAIRMAN WARREN
Mr. Warren mentioned that at its last meeting, the Board passed a resolution in support of salary adjustments. He further mentioned that, since that time, he has received letters and calls thanking the Board for this action. Mr. Warren stated that he is proud of the Board and the action that was taken. Mr. Warren commended the Office of Public Relations for their efforts in promoting Western. He also stated that the Master plan presentation is extraordinary. Mr. Warren further stated that people can see a consistent theme about where the University is going. Mr. Warren commented “What do you get when you combine a great facility with great talent and an engaged community. In one word, last night, it’s Oklahoma.”

COMMENTS FROM CHANCELLOR BARDO AND PROGRESS REPORT ON ENROLLMENT
Dr. Bardo reported that the Banner implementation has been an overwhelmingly huge project and the staff is doing an amazing job. He further reported that he believes enrollment will be between 8900 and 9000. Dr. Bardo stated that 8920 is the number we have to achieve to be within the two percent band. He further stated that Erskine Bowles is focusing Western on retention. Dr. Bardo mentioned that Western has been surveying parents of students who dropped out who are in academic good standing.

Dr. Bardo further mentioned that he will bring forth a proposal to the Board that recommends that we move forward with a wellness orientation to alcohol and drug abuse, rather than a punitive orientation. He also mentioned that the softball team has the best winning percentage in the Southern Conference right now. Dr. Bardo commented that next year we will be looking at a Risk Management Program. He further commented that, at this time, there are no plans in North Carolina to deal with possibility of people from a disaster in the Atlanta area coming into Western North Carolina. Dr. Bardo stated that we need to have an emergency plan.

He further stated that Western has twenty endowed professorships. Dr. Bardo mentioned that the i7 conference will be held on April 5. He further mentioned that the College of Education was named the number one college of education in the United States this year by the Association of Teacher Education; congratulations to all of education faculty.

REPORT FROM THE CHAIR OF THE STAFF FORUM
Mr. Riouff reported that the Staff Forum is in middle of its election process. He further stated that the Staff Forum is still working on its scholarship fund. Mr. Riouff mentioned that the Jackson County Arts Council yard sale is tomorrow and that the Forum will have booth proceeds that go to its scholarship fund. Mr. Riouff stated that several presidents of the Staff Forum met with Leslie Winner to try to convince Erskine Bowles to create a system-wide staff assembly. He further stated that they will continue video conferences with each campus. Mr. Riouff reported that they had their annual conference last week and that the meeting was well-represented. Mr. Riouff stated that the Staff Forum has realized that they have not done a good job of sharing information with the rest of the campus. He further stated that the Forum will try to promote a voter registration drive on campus. Mr. Riouff reported that the Forum has tried to share with the staff how enrollment affects everyone. Mr. Riouff mentioned how he continues to boast about the level of support that the Chancellor, Board of Trustees, and faculty give to the Western staff. He further mentioned that other campuses do not seem to be getting that level of support.

REPORT FROM THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT
Mr. Warren stated that Mr. Cooper could not be here, but passed along that the updated version of the Purple & Gold was a big hit with Alumni. Mr. Warren further stated that the Catamount Club Auction will be June 17. Mr. Warren mentioned that the alumni scholarship fund is up and running.

REPORT FROM THE CHAIR OF THE FACULTY
Dr. Smith reported that the chairs met with the Faculty Assembly and Erskine Bowles. He further reported that Mr. Bowles asked for an example of a faculty day because he is tired of hearing that faculty do not work. Dr. Smith gave to the Board some examples of the things that take up faculty time. They are: Banner, IT issues, re-examination of computer requirements, reorganizing and redesigning our website, SACS, and college redesign. Dr. Smith mentioned that the literary festival is taking place next week. He also asked the Board to be the faculty’s voice in the public and to help raise money for scholarships.

Mr. Burgin asked what the expected completion date of Banner is. Mr. Wooten said that advancement was on-line January 1, 2005; that student information was on-line March 1; finance will be on-line July 1; and Human Resources will be on-line January 2007. We have condensed over 12-18 months the initial implementation of the system.

Mr. Burgin asked about the campus website redesign. Dr. Bardo explained that keeping up with the technology is a hard task.

ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mr. Burgin moved to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Worley seconded the motion and the meeting was adjourned at 12:30 p.m.

Office of Web Services