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September 6, 2002

REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY

Room 510, H. F. Robinson Building September 6, 2002

The Board of Trustees of Western Carolina University met in regular session on September 6, 2002, in Room 510, H.F. Robinson Building. The meeting was called to order at 9:30 a.m. by Chairman Crocker.

ATTENDANCE
The following members of the Board were present: Mr. Crocker, Mrs. Burda, Mr. Carlisle, Mr. Bissette, Mrs. Hyde, Mr. Davis, Mr. Beddingfield, Mr. Phillips, Mr. Plexico, and Mr. Story.

The following members of the Board were absent: Mr. Apodaca, Mr. Walker, and Mr. Jones.

Others present included: Chancellor Bardo; Vice Chancellors Metcalf, Caruso, Wooten, and Collings; Dr. Dowell, Ms. Lynch, Dr. Carter, Assistants to the Chancellor; Mr. Smith, Chair of the Faculty; Mr. Compher, Director of Athletics; Dr. Franke, Chief Information Officer; Mr. Rowell, Director of Public Information; Mr. Kucharski, Legal Counsel; Mr. Stiles, Chair of the Staff Forum; Ms. Leatherwood, President of the Alumni Association; Mrs. Dillard, Chair of the University Advisory Council; and Ms. Welch, Assistant Secretary to the Board of Trustees.

Mr. Crocker welcomed everyone to the new academic year

ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Mrs. Burda moved that the current slate of officers be re-elected and that the nominations be closed. Mr. Beddingfield seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Bissette moved that the minutes of the June 7, 2002 regular meeting of the Board of Trustees, the minutes of the July 29, 2002 telephone meeting of the Executive Committee, and the minutes of the August 5, 2002 telephone meeting of the Executive Committee be approved as mailed. Mrs. Burda seconded the motion, and it was approved.

ELECTION OF ENDOWMENT BOARD OF TRUSTEE MEMBER
Mr. Crocker moved that Mr. Carlisle be elected to the Endowment Board of Trustees for a three-year term. Mrs. Burda seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.

CLOSED SESSION
Mr. Crocker moved that the Board go into closed session to prevent the premature disclosure of an honorary award or scholarship and to consider the qualifications, competence, performance, condition of appointment of a public officer or employee or prospective public officer or employee. Mr. Bissette seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously. Dr. Bardo asked that Dr. Collings, Mr. Wooten, and Mr. Metcalf stay for the closed session.

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

REPORT OF THE ACADEMIC AFFAIRS AND PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
Mr. Crocker moved that the actions as discussed in closed session—fifteen recommendations for administrative appointments, 36 recommendations for faculty appointments, and one recommendation for a staff appointment—be approved. Mrs. Burda seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.

Mr. Crocker explained that the Board needs to adopt a process for appeals based on faculty disciplinary actions. Mr. Story moved that the Board delegate to the Academic Affairs and Personnel Committee the duty of hearing oral arguments from both the appealing faculty member and the chancellor’s representative. The arguments are to be limited to 30 minutes from each side and are based upon the written record of the hearing held by the Faculty Hearing Committee. The proceeding is to be tape recorded. The committee is to made a recommendation to the full Board within the 45 day time limit so the Board can make a decision within that time limit. Mr. Phillips seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.

REPORT OF THE ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
Mrs. Burda asked Mr. Wooten to present items for approval. Mr. Wooten explained that during the summer, we advertised for designer services for the renovation of the Stillwell Science Building. This is the second largest project in our bond projects with a budget of $14 million. Thirty-one firms responded to our request for proposals. The staff reviewed these proposals and reduced the number to 8 firms for consideration by the A&F Committee. The top three firms were interviewed last Friday in Hickory. This interview process included the A&F Committee, staff from the Administration and Finance Division, Dr. Robert Vartabedian, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and Dr. David Butcher, Chair, Department of Chemistry.

The procedure for selection of architects requires that Western submit a prioritized list of designers to the Office of State Construction for contract negotiations. In the event that a contract cannot be negotiated with our top selection then State Construction would go to the next. Also, in the event that our top choice defaulted on their contract responsibilities then the next firm in line would be engaged to complete the project.

Mr. Wooten also explained the construction manager-at-risk process. Mrs. Burda moved that the Board approve the following prioritized list of designers for the renovation of the Stillwell Science Building: 1)Calloway Johnson Moore West, 2)Clark Nexson, and 3)Perkins Will. Mr. Carlisle seconded the motion, and it was approved.

Mr. Wooten further explained that Western is now ready to complete the financing arrangements for the improvements to Athletic Facilities that were authorized by the Board in 2001. We will be participating in the UNC System Series 2002 Pooled Revenue Bond Issue. Nine campuses will be issuing debt under this pooled bond series totaling approximately $45m and Western’s share will be $5,692,100. The Bond Attorney for the UNC System has presented a resolution for our consideration and adoption. The resolution authorizes Western to enter into a loan agreement with the Board of Governors and authorizes the issuance of special obligation bonds.

Mrs. Burda moved that the Board adopt the Resolution Approving the Issuance of Special Obligation Bonds. Mr. Carlisle seconded the motion, and it was approved.

Mr. Wooten reported on the Intercollegiate Athletic Audit Report. We received a clean opinion.

REPORT OF THE ALUMNI, HONORS, AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Mr. Story asked Mr. Metcalf to give an update. Mr. Metcalf explained that income to the foundation is up 17.7% to $1.4 million. He further stated that income passing to the endowment was up to $1.7 million, an increase of 15%. The percentage of donors is up 11% to 6,000. He stated that his division is improving their online systems. The Newswatch emails go to all of campus. This is a summary of news events in the whole state. They will be doing weekly electronic communication to alums. They will be organizing homecoming this year around departments. Mountain Heritage Day will be September 28. UNC-TV will be here filming for three days to produce a half-hour documentary on the festival.

Dr. Bardo stated that there is movement in the house and senate since everyone is being called back. We are working closely with people in the legislature. He asked if Board members could talk to legislators concerning key issues. He stated that he had spoken at length with Marc Basnight. The University’s relationship with Congressman Taylor is very strong. He is committed to increasing funding in engineering and biotechnology. He asked that we impress on legislators that we are falling behind in salaries. We are losing good candidates due to fringe benefits.

REPORT OF THE STUDENT AND ATHLETIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Mr. Story reported that the tailgating policy needs to be updated to expand to three additional parking lots and asked Mr. Compher to explain the change. (Mr. Bissette left at 11:25 a.m.) This update amends the alcohol policy approved earlier. (AMENDMENT ON FILE WITH MINUTES MATERIALS). Mr. Story moved that the Board approve the amended tailgating policy. Mrs. Burda seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.

Mr. Story asked Dr. Caruso for a report. Dr. Caruso stated that housing is going through a transformation. They have changed the name of the department to the Department of Residential Living, better reflecting the nature of living and learning. The time for exterior door lockdown has been extended to 24 hours. The orientation function is moving from Student Affairs to Academic Affairs. The Master’s program in College Student Affairs is in line for approval by the Board of Governors.

Mr. Story asked Mr. Davis for a report. He mentioned the Vote for America campaign that is focused toward getting people to vote instead of just registering them to vote. They will email voting reminders. The SGA is working with the community on the Relay for Life. The SGA will name a Task Force on Campus Safety.

COMMENTS FROM CHAIRMAN CROCKER
Mr. Crocker reported that he attended the previous Board of Governors’ meeting that was Chairman Ruffin’s last meeting as chair. In his remarks, Chairman Ruffin suggested that the Board of Governors find a better way to fund the University of North Carolina schools. He also suggested that each of the schools pay better attention to their own schools and not let them fall into disrepair. He cautioned that the system universities also be careful with local tuition increases. Mr. Crocker stated that he would have a report on the chancellor assessment at the retreat. The retreat will be November 1. He thanked the Board for showing its confidence in him by re-electing him as Chair.

PROGRESS REPORT ON ENROLLMENT AND RETENTION AND COMMENTS FROM CHANCELLOR BARDO
Dr. Bardo stated that the official enrollment is 7,034. This is the first time we have broken 7,000. The closest we came was in 1975, with an enrollment of 6,912. The freshman class is 1220; the SAT remained constant at 1012. The high school GPA went up to a 3.25. This is the best qualifed class that we have had. The Honors College enrollment is approaching 750. The freshman retention rate is up to 71.12%. The sophomore-junior rate is up to 57.8%. There has been a 27% increase in African-American students.

Dr. Bardo further stated that the current management in housing seems to understand that their primary job has to be to help kids to build community. Things in the residence halls are going very well and are achieving what we have been trying to accomplish. They are trying to get control over the noise in the residence halls; consequently, calls to the police are down.

Dr. Bardo further stated that the advising model is being worked on and is getting better.

He reported that we are engaged in a parking study. We will probably get a recommendation to build a two-level deck. Mr. Beddingfield suggested that perhaps we have some kind of special parking for commuters who take one class. Discussion of this suggestion followed.

Dr. Bardo reported that the 501c3 R &D Corporation has met and has approved the Greek Village project.

Mrs. Burda moved that the Chair recognize the efforts of the housing and advising personnel. Mr. Beddingfield seconded the motion, and it was approved.

REPORT FROM THE CHAIR OF THE FACULTY SENATE
Dr. Smith reported that before the year started the faculty were demoralized because there was no budget. It sounded as if the local tuition was going away perhaps. Things seemed grim. Dr. Smith stated that he was happy to report that a lot has changed. The faculty has been kept up to date with what is happening in Raleigh through the Newswatch emails. Even though there is bad news, a lack of information makes people feel powerless. He stated that the legislature seems to be tending to intervene in local issues. He stated that he was happy that the local tuition is likely to be saved. He reported that our Senate stated its reaffirmation of academic freedom. He said that the Chancellor is holding focus groups with faculty.

Chairman Crocker asked Dr. Smith about the letter from Dr. Gretchen Bataille addressing her areas of concern about our productivity. Dr. Smith stated that he wants to send a copy of the letter to all faculty so that everyone knows where some of the big questions are coming from. He is charging all the Senate councils with addressing the areas of concern. He stated that he will give updates on the faculty’s progress towards Dr. Bataille’s concerns at each Board meeting.

REPORT FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
Ms. Leatherwood reported that there has been much activity in Western clubs. The Alumni Board meeting is September 14.

REPORT FROM THE CHAIR OF THE STAFF FORUM
Mr. Stiles reported that the Forum has set many goals for the upcoming year. He said that salary and benefit issues were at the top of the list. The Forum is trying to do fund-raising to endow some scholarships. They are researching a staff mentoring program to allow staff some professional development opportunities. They are also looking at a staff adopt-a-student program to make them feel like they are part of a community. The Forum is investigating the feasibility of GED classes for staff members who do not have high school diplomas. He stated that he hopes to be able to report that the Forum has accomplished some of these goals.

ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Chairman Crocker adjourned the meeting at 12:25 p.m.

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