REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
Room 510, H.F. Robinson Building June 8, 2012
The Board of Trustees of Western Carolina University met in regular session on June 8, 2012 in Room 510 of the H.F. Robinson Building. The meeting was called to order at 9:30 a.m. by Chair MacNeill.
ATTENDANCE
The following members of the Board were present: Mrs. MacNeill, Mrs. Williams, Mr.
Broadwell, Mrs. Coward, Mrs. Kaemmerling, Mr. Little, Mr. Forsyth, Mrs. Battle, Ms.
Saunooke, Mrs. Wellmon, Mr. Townsend, Mr. Metcalf, and Ms. Page.
Others present: Chancellor Belcher; Mr. Hudson, Alumni Association President; Mr. Lavigne, Staff Senate Chair; Mr. Fowler, CIO; Dr. McNelis, Faculty Senate Chair; Mr. Edwards, Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance; Ms. Woody, Budget Officer; Mr. Painter, Staff Senate Chair Elect; Mr. Eaton, Athletic Director; Ms. Lochner, General Counsel; Ms. Ashe, Administrative Assistant; Mrs. Lynch, Chief of Staff; Ms. Browning, reporter; Mr. Studenc, Senior Director of News Services; Ms. Wong, Director of Human Resources; Dr. Wargo, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Institutional Planning and Effectiveness; and Ms. Welch, Assistant Secretary to the Board.
SWEARING-IN OF NEW BOARD MEMBER
Ms. Page was sworn in by Ms. Welch. Mrs. MacNeill welcomed Ms. Page
ETHICS STATEMENT
Mrs. MacNeill read the following: “As Chair of the Board of Trustees, it is my responsibility
to remind all members of the Board of their duty under the State Government Ethics
Act to avoid conflicts of interest and appearances of conflict of interest as required
by this Act. Each member has received the agenda and related information for this
Board of Trustees’ meeting. If any Board member knows of any conflict of interest
or appearance of conflict with respect to any matter coming before the Board of Trustees
at this meeting, the conflict or appearance of conflict should be identified at this
time.”
There were no conflicts disclosed.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Little moved that the minutes of the March 9, 2012 regular meeting and the minutes
of the May 11, 2012 special telephone meeting of the Executive Committee be approved.
Mr. Forsyth seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
CLOSED SESSION
Ms. Williams moved that the Board go into closed session to consult with our attorney
to protect the attorney-client privilege to discuss a legal issue; to consider and
give instructions concerning the handling or settlement of a potential or actual claim,
administrative procedure, judicial action, mediation or arbitration; to consider and
give instructions concerning an existing lawsuit titled The Estate of Ja’Quayvin Smalls
v. Smith et. al.; an existing lawsuit titled Dr. Donald Jensen v. McMahan, et. al.;
an existing lawsuit titled Dr. John Patterson v. Stone et. al.; and an existing lawsuit
titled Dr. John Patterson v. WCU and UNC; to discuss matters relating to the location
or expansion of business in the area served by this Board; 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; and to consider the qualifications, competence,
performance, character, fitness, conditions of appointment, or conditions of initial
appointment, of a public officer or employee or prospective public officer or employee;
discuss matters relating to the location or expansion of business in the area served
by this Board. Mr. Townsend seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.
Dr. Belcher asked Mr. Edwards and Ms. Lochner to stay for the closed session.
RETURN TO OPEN SESSION
Mr. Townsend moved that the Board return to open session. Mrs. Williams seconded
the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Mr. Townsend left at 11:15 a.m.
REPORT OF THE ACADEMIC AFFAIRS AND PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
Mrs. Williams stated that quarterly reporting of all salary increases to the Offices
of State Personnel and Budget continues. Mrs. Williams stated that the committee
heard a report on the Total Student Experience.
Mrs. Williams thanked Dr. Lofquist for her help with getting the committee into a
wonderful place in terms of the structure of the reports and the content. Dr. Belcher
thanked Dr. Lofquist for her work for the past year as Interim Provost. Dr. Belcher
personally thanked Dr. Lofquist by saying that she leaves us in a far better place
than she found us. Mrs. MacNeill thanked Dr. Lofquist.
REPORT OF THE ADMINISTRATION, GOVERNANCE AND TRUSTEESHIP COMMITTEE
Mr. Little moved on behalf of the committee to re-elect Frank Brown, III, Joe Crocker,
Linda Jones Hudson Gilbert, Roland Johnson, Dick Jones, Roger Plemens, and David Steed;
and to elect Wes Elingburg, and Gaither Keener for the Foundation Board Class of 2015;
to elect Susan Jenkins for the Foundation Board Class of 2014; and to elect Ken Hughes,
Phil Drake, and Bob Thomas as alternates. The motion was approved unanimously.
Mr. Little welcomed Ms. Page and asked her to report on behalf of the Student Government Association. Ms. Page stated that she is very excited about this upcoming year and that the SGA needs to grow as the campus grows. She also stated that she was excited to be working with the Board. (SGA REPORT ON FILE WITH MINUTES MATERIALS)
REPORT OF THE FINANCE AND AUDIT COMMITTEE
Mr. Broadwell described four pieces of property that will be recommended for demolition.
Highlands Biological Station, through Western Carolina University, seeks authority
to demolish and dispose of the Illgess Cottage (WCU Building Asset #135) located on
its campus in Highlands, NC. This two-story building, originally constructed in 1941,
is a wood frame, shingle roof, fourteen bed, residential structure of 1,970 gross
square feet that has seen little to no major repairs or remodels during its useful
life. The facility has currently been offline since fall of 2005 due to continuing
accessibility and safety concerns for its potential occupants.
Western Carolina University seeks authority to demolish and dispose of the Claxton
House (WCU Building Asset #131) located on its campus. This one-story house with partial
basement, originally constructed in 1958, is a wood frame, shingle roof, residential
structure of 1,800 gross square feet that has seen little to no major repairs or remodels
during its useful life. The house has been unoccupied since its purchase in 2003 and
has only been used for storage due to continuing accessibility and safety concerns
for its potential occupants.
Western Carolina University seeks authority to demolish and dispose of the old Telephone
Exchange building (WCU Building Asset #031) located on its campus. This single story
building, originally constructed in 1946, is a concrete and brick masonry structure
of 338 gross square feet. This facility has not been used for any purpose in thirty
plus years and has dilapidated to the point where the old roof has now fallen in upon
itself.
Western Carolina University seeks authority to demolish and dispose of the Jenkins House (WCU Building Asset #069) and associated garage (WCU Building Asset #069A) located on its campus. This two-story house with sub-grade basement, originally constructed in 1942, is a wood frame, shingle roof, residential structure of 3,872 gross square feet that has seen little to no major repairs or remodels during its useful life. This asset has currently been offline since June 15, 2011 when it suffered major property damage during a severe thunderstorm as a result of a large tree falling directly on it.
Following approval for demolition and disposition, the abatement of asbestos-containing materials and lead paint will be performed so that these buildings can be demolished.
Mr. Broadwell moved on behalf of the Committee that the Board approve the four resolutions authorizing demolition of the Illgess Cottage, the Claxton house, the Telephone Exchange building and the Jenkins house. It was approved unanimously.
Mr. Broadwell gave a budget update for 2012-2013 comparing the Board of Governors requested budget, the Governor’s proposed budget and the House of Representatives proposed budget.
Mr. Broadwell updated the Board regarding progress toward consolidating our programs in Asheville at Biltmore Park. Mr. Broadwell continued by saying we anticipate moving to this location August 2nd. He added that the facility includes a simulated operating room complete with medical gases and all equipment. Mr. Broadwell stated that we are currently working on a comprehensive communication plan to students, community and the area announcing this move. This is a collaborative effort among all divisions on campus.
Mr. Broadwell provided the Board an update on the two major capital projects under construction, the Health and Human Sciences building and the Harrill Hall renovation. He also provided information on the HFR Administration Building projects and the renovation of the Coker Lab at the Highlands Biological Station.
Mr. Broadwell also updated the Board on audit activities.
COMMENTS FROM CHAIR
Mrs. MacNeill stated that Installation Week was very successful. She thanked the
staff for the coordination of the Board of Trustees and Foundation Board joint meeting.
She stated that it would be good to make this an annual event. She stated that the
Governor recently conducted a telephone meeting of all of the Board chairs in the
system to discuss the tremendous economic development force that the University System
is for the State. Mrs. MacNeill thanked Mr. Lavigne for his service this past year.
She mentioned that the Trustee evaluation forms need to be completed and explained
that we are using the comments from the evaluation forms to make changes. She mentioned
that the Board needs to look at a self-evaluation at the retreat.
STRATEGIC PLAN /COMMENTS FROM THE CHANCELLOR
Chancellor Belcher asked Dr. Wargo to present the final Strategic Plan. She explained
the process and presented highlights of the plan. Chancellor Belcher stated that
he was proud of the process and the product. Mrs. Williams asked how the work of
the Board will support this plan and how the Board can plan its work to know, through
the Board’s oversight, that the goals are being achieved? Mr. Little moved that
the Board adopt the final Strategic Plan as presented. Mrs. Williams seconded the
motion, and it was approved unanimously. Chancellor Belcher thanked Dr. Wargo for
her hard work.
Chancellor Belcher informed the Board that President Ross has allowed the campuses to advertise the North Carolina Education lottery at athletic events and that it is our intention to do so. President Ross feels that the lottery is very well established and provides financial aid for students in the UNC system. There are very extensive guidelines for this advertising: it can only be at athletic events, it must be consistent with the vision and mission of the UNC System, and it must be tasteful and provide information about scholarship funding. The advertising will not condone gambling and must be consistent with the lottery commission Code of Ethics and all other laws. General Administration reserves the right to prohibit specific forms of advertising as well as specific content. We must comply with NCAA and athletic conference standards regarding the venue and broadcast advertising. All institutions who engage in the advertisement of the lottery are going to remit 5% of revenues to General Administration to assist them in implementing and monitoring university initiatives related to intercollegiate athletics and lottery advertising.
COMMENTS FROM THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT
Mr. Hudson reported on activities of the Alumni Association. He stated that the Purple
and Gold Reunion will be held here on campus July 20-22 and that the African American
Alumni Friends reunion held in April was very successful. Mr. Hudson asked everyone
to mark their calendars for Homecoming on October 6th! All the festivities and activities
will be finalized soon! He also reported on the Cullowhee Lily Initiative (ALUMNI
ASSOCIATION REPORT ON FILE WITH MINUTES MATERIALS)
COMMENTS FROM THE STAFF SENATE CHAIR
Mr. Lavigne gave his last report to the Board in the context of the goals that the
Senate set for itself. He then introduced the new Staff Senate chair for 2012 – 2013,
Mr. Caden Painter. (STAFF SENATE REPORT ON FILE WITH MINUTES MATERIALS)
COMMENTS FROM THE FACULTY SENATE CHAIR
Dr. McNelis reported on the activities of the Faculty Senate this past year, including
Liberal Studies, issues of collegiality, and child care. She stated that it has been
an honor to represent WCU. Mrs. MacNeill thanked Dr. McNelis. (FACULTY SENATE REPORT
ON FILE WITH MINUTES MATERIALS)
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mrs. Williams made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Mr. Forsyth seconded the motion, and the meeting was adjourned.