REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
Room 510, H.F. Robinson Building September 6, 2001
The Board of Trustees of Western Carolina University met in regular session on September 6, 2001, in Room 510, H.F. Robinson Building. The meeting was called to order at 9:30 a.m. by Chancellor Bardo.
ATTENDANCE
The following members of the Board were present: Mr. Crocker, Mr. Jones, Mr. Story, Mrs. Burda, Mrs. Hyde, Mr. Walker, Mr. Lyons, Mr. Apodaca, Mr. Beddingfield, Mr. Bissette, Mr. Phillips.
The following members of the Board were absent: Mr. Carlisle, Mr. Plexico.
Others present included: Chancellor Bardo; Vice Chancellors Collings, Wooten, Caruso; Acting Vice Chancellor McClure; Dr. Dowell, Ms. Lynch, and Dr. Carter, Assistants to the Chancellor; Dr. Hurley, Chair of the Faculty; Mr. Compher, Athletic Director; Mr. Studenc, Associate Director of Public Information; Dr. Ritchie, Chair of the Staff Forum; Dr. Kehrberg, Director of University Planning; Ms. Leatherwood, President of the Alumni Association; Mr. Whittaker, representing the University Advisory Council; Mr. David Chesley; and Ms. Welch, Assistant Secretary to the Board of Trustees.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Dr. Bardo called for nominations for Chairman of the Board. Mr. Apodaca nominated Mr. Crocker; Mr. Bissette seconded the nomination. Mrs. Hyde moved that the nominations be closed; Mr. Jones seconded the motion. The motion to close the nominations was approved unanimously. Mr. Crocker was unanimously elected Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
Mr. Crocker called for nominations for Vice Chairman of the Board. Mrs. Burda nominated Mr. Walker; Mr. Apodaca seconded the nomination. Mr. Jones moved that the nominations be closed; Mrs. Hyde seconded the motion. Mr. Walker was unanimously elected Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
Mr. Crocker called for nominations for Secretary of the Board. Mr. Bissette nominated Mr. Apodaca; Mrs. Hyde seconded the nomination. Mrs. Burda moved that the nominations be closed; Mr. Jones seconded the motion. Mr. Apodaca was unanimously elected Secretary of the Board of Trustees.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Apodaca moved that the minutes of the June 7, 2001 regular meeting of the Board be approved as mailed. Mr. Story seconded the motion, and it was approved.
ELECTION OF ENDOWMENT BOARD MEMBER
Mr. Crocker nominated Mrs. Hyde to the Endowment Board of Trustees. Mr. Apodaca seconded the nomination. Mrs. Burda moved that the nominations be closed; Mr. Jones seconded. Mrs. Hyde was unanimously elected to the Endowment Board of Trustees.
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 instruct the staff or agent concerning the negotiation of the price and terms of a contract concerning the acquisition of real property. Mrs. Burda 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. Story moved that the Board return to open session. Mr. Apodaca seconded, and it was approved unanimously.
REPORT OF THE ACADEMIC AFFAIRS AND PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
Mr. Crocker moved that the actions as discussed in closed session--seven recommendations for administrative appointments, thirty recommendations for faculty appointments, four recommendations for staff appointments, two recommendations for leave of absence--be approved. Mr. Jones seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
REPORT OF THE ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
Mr. Walker asked Mr. Wooten to explain the committee process for the selection of architects for renovations to Killian Building and Breese Gymnasium. Mr. Wooten explained that eighteen firms submitted formal proposals for these two projects. From this pool, four firms were selected for in-person presentations. The committee heard these presentations on August 31. Mr. Walker moved that, in accordance with requirements of the Office of State Construction, the following ranking of architects for each of the projects is recommended:
Killian Building: 1)Woolpert, LLC; 2)McMillan, Smith and Partners; 3)Cort Architectural Group; and 4)HSMM.
Breese Gymnasium: 1)Cort Architectural Group; 2)Woolpert, LLC; 3)McMillan, Smith & Partners; and 4)HSMM.
Mr. Apodaca seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Mr. Wooten explained the changes being proposed in State Construction procedures. He gave an update on capital improvement projects. Discussion followed of reasons for construction delays.
Mr. Wooten discussed the annual audit report of athletics that is required by the NCAA. This audit covers revenues and expenditures from every source. Discussion of this audit report followed.
REPORT OF THE ALUMNI, HONORS, AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Mr. Bissette asked Mr. Story to give the committee report. He stated that the committee had received an update on the search for the Vice Chancellor for Advancement and External Affairs from Dr. Bardo, which had already been discussed in the closed session.
REPORT OF THE STUDENT AND ATHLETIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Mr. Apodaca recognized Mr. Lyons. Mr. Lyons reported that the SGA has completed its executive staff. SGA will have a retreat this year. They are working on a keynote speaker from the legislature. SGA has worked on redeveloping the shuttle bus system with Mr. Wooten and Mr. Tim Jacobs. The shuttle service now runs every fifteen minutes and makes three stops. The service needs more publicity. Homecoming activities are being planned. Elections for homecoming court may be online this year and online for SGA in the future.
Mr. Apodaca recognized Mr. Compher, who explained the proposed changes in the drug education-screening-counseling program. Proposed changes are marked in bold on the attachment. Mr. Compher stated that the athletic department requests approval of the proposed changes. Mr. Jones moved that the Board adopt the changes as proposed. Mr. Walker seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously. (ATTACHMENT F-1WITH APPROVED CHANGES ON FILE WITH MINUTES MATERIAL).
Mr. Compher further stated that the Cats remain undefeated after a full week of competition. The spring semester GPA for all student athletes 3.01. The Athletic Department is currently in negotiations for instituting a sports medicine institute in conjunction with the local orthopaedic group and the hospital.
Mr. Apodaca recognized Dr. Caruso, who stated that the move-in was smooth. The residence hall population is up over 100. Welcome Week has gone well. Student Affairs is continuing to investigate the Greek Village feasibility. They are in the process of appointing an advisory committee to the project. A Delta Sig consultant is on campus today to explore how to get going again. We have installed a new fraternity, Kappa Sigma. This is the first year we are initiating deferred rush so freshmen do not have to rush until second semester. We are awaiting news on an Alcohol Education grant. We know we will be the recipient of this grant but do not know the amount. We are experimenting with a trash chute pilot in Walker Hall by which students will deposit trash in the dumpster. Student Affairs will embark on a strategic planning process.
Mr. Apodaca stated that he would like to thank faculty and staff for the job they did moving students in. This makes a great first impression on new students.
COMMENTS FROM CHAIRMAN CROCKER
Mr. Crocker gave out committee assignments. He talked about the importance of committee meetings and attendance at these meetings. He also mentioned the Disclosure of Substantial Interest forms, due to the Office of the President before October 1. The Board retreat is Friday, November 16.
PROGRESS REPORT ON ENROLLMENT AND RETENTION AND COMMENTS FROM CHANCELLOR BARDO
Dr. Bardo stated that we have had a 3 1/4 % increase in applications. We will hold the standards for next year. Our estimated enrollment is 6,875, up about 175 from last year. The most growth has been among adult learners; our standard students are slightly down. The credit hours are up significantly; we have every probability of making our funded enrollment. The average SAT is 1012; the average SAT in the Honors College is 1237. We are opening with over 600 Honors College students. He stated that we are not happy with retention. The Pappas group is coming back to look at simplifying business processes and helping with our retention. Our retention rate is about 70%. The system average is 80%.
Dr. Bardo stated that our volleyball team is a top ten academic team nationally.
Dr. Bardo stated that he has broached with the faculty the issue of using a local tuition to make part-time faculty full time.
Dr. Bardo stated that the Ramsey Center has been reorganized. The Center now reports to Student Affairs, named the Office of University Events. Mr. Bill Clarke is now the Acting Director of this Office.
REPORT FROM THE CHAIR OF THE FACULTY SENATE
Dr. Hurley stated that both he and the chancellor spoke to the opening faculty meeting. He said that the faculty at Western is about looking at themselves and saying "Where are we good and where could we be better?" The three areas where that question is being asked are retention, collegial review, and the faculty governance structure.
REPORT FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
Ms. Leatherwood stated that the Alumni Board will name alumni recipients at its next meeting. They also will look at the scholarship they are establishing and where to get the money for the scholarship. They are working closely with SGA on homecoming activities. They are attempting to start an alumni travel program. The "Purple and Gold" contains the homecoming schedule. Alumni Affairs is updating its alumni data base.
REPORT FROM THE CHAIR OF THE STAFF FORUM
Dr. Ritchie stated that the Staff Forum meets monthly. They are working on a staff handbook and an upgraded web site. They have been working closely with Human Resources on staff training. Staff members are now on at least ten campus committees that staff have never been on in the past, including search committees. There will be a series of Town Hall meetings throughout the year. Dr. Bardo will be the first speaker. Salary equity is still a concern of the Forum.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Chairman Crocker adjourned the meeting at 12:15 p.m.