March 15, 2006
10:00 a.m.
Teleconference Meeting
1. Call to Order and Determination of a Quorum
A quorum being present, the meeting was called to order by Chairman, R.T. “Ted” Rogers. Board members present: Dr. Deborah Akers; Mr. James Brown, Esq.; Mr. Jesse Call; Mr. J. Franklin Long, Esq; Dr. Darrin Martin; Mr. Wayne Meisel; Mr. Jim Miller; Ms. Amy Pitzer: Ms. Margaret Sayre; Mr. R.T. “Ted” Rogers. Others participating: Dr. Jerry Beasley; Dr. Hugh Campbell; Mr. James Cannon; Mr. Michael Curry; Mr. Rick Dillon; Mr. Bill Hardee; Ms. Sharon Manzo (recorder); Ms. Anita Moody; Dr. Bill O’Brien; Mr. Jared Tice; Dr. Dean Turner; Ms. Loretta Young. Unable to participate: Mr. Eugene Fife.
2.
Approval of Minutes
Upon a motion by Ms. Pitzer, seconded by Mr. Call, and passed unanimously, the minutes of the December 14, 2005, meeting were approved as mailed.
3. President’s Report
Dr. Beasley thanked the Board and others for helping celebrate Charter Day. He said it was a good way to honor Mr. Meisel and Dr. Sharp, and to reaffirm Concord’s relationship with the School of Osteopathic Medicine.
While the formal legislative session concluded March 11, Governor Manchin extended the session for the purpose of fashioning the budget. A conference committee is working to reconcile the differences between the House and Senate versions of the budget. HB 4049 capped tuition and fee increases beginning in FY 2007-2008 at 7.5% on a rolling four-year average. The past statutory cap of 9.5% governs what we do this year.
A number of people have helped CU with the Aramark Claim. Aramark was required to pay $557,000 prevailing wage and the Court of Claims, in its report to the State Senate, did everything they could to help us. The Senate version of the Court of Claims bill provided for an appropriation of $557,000 to pay that bill. The House amended the bill in such a way that it originally appeared that CU would have to pay, but the House put in its version a $557,000 appropriation to pay the bill. Those differences will be reconciled this week.
The best we can possibly expect is that there will be an earmarked appropriation for that bill that would not be subtracted from any other appropriation Concord receives. The Senate Budget has provided $7,000,000 that would be allocated to institutions for peer equity. We stand to benefit substantially provided that this Aramark claim is not taken out of that appropriation. The best we can anticipate is both an earmark for the Aramark bill and an appropriation for peer equity. Our enrollment growth puts Concord in a good position for peer equity money.
Faculty increment pay is also in the budget which will give faculty $50 for each year of service up to a maximum of 20 years. Dr. Turner and Ms. Pitzer stated the 20-year cap has been removed. We are hoping full funding will be in the final budget so the institution does not have to supplement funding.
We are working on finishing fund raising for the Chapel-Alumni Center. We have about $500,000 left to raise. The building committee has reviewed architects and we are in conversation with IKM, which was number one on the list. Negotiations are ongoing to see if their charges are reasonable, if not we will move down the list to others.
We are still attempting to raise money for endowing the Entrepreneurial Studies Program and improving our athletic facilities.
We are in the midst of screening candidates for the full-time Dean of Students position. We have nine candidates and a well-balanced committee helping to screen for the position.
There is a report from SREB (Southern Regional Educational Board) which shows West Virginia is clearly at the bottom of the SREB states in state funding per student; there is little commitment at the state level to remedy this. Dr. Beasley has been in conversation with presidents at the smaller four-year institutions about coming together to act in concert to do something about this. Average appropriation in WV is about $3700 per student; for the South, approximately $6400 per student; Concord's appropriation is just over $3000. WV students pay a significantly higher rate for higher education. One counter trend in WV has been the significant funds for PROMISE scholarship and more modest funding for the West Virginia Higher Education Grant program, which is need based. Reaction to this report was requested.
Amy Pitzer mentioned the Executive Council of Classified Employees met recently with the Governor who assured them next year will be “the education year.”
Dr. Beasley thanked Mr. Rogers and former Senator Leonard Anderson who have worked diligently to try to get state support; he mentioned Delegates Eustace Frederick and Cliff Moore, he also expressed his appreciation to staff of the Court of Claims for the way they presented the case to the Legislature.
4.
Administrative
Reports
Dr. Beasley reminded the Board that administrative
reports were previously mailed and asked if there were questions. See
attachments. (Academic Affairs, 4.a; Admissions and Financial Aid, 4.b; Area 003 (Business and Finance), 4.c.1; Mid-year report (Business and Finance), 4.c.2; Beckley Center, 4.d; Development 4.e.1, Development Office Monthly Report, 4.e.2, Development Office Monthly Report Feb, 4.e.3; Student Affairs, 4.f)
Dr.
Beasley mentioned the recent visit of the National Council for the
Accreditation of Teacher Education, and referred the Board to the action agenda
prepared by Dr. Martin, which had been mailed to them. Dr. Turner summarized the results of
NCATE. He said the University did
not meet two standards and we need additional work on three others. Not met with regard to Candidate
Knowledge, Skills, and Dispositions were art education, business education, music education, math
education, and reading specialist.
Lacking recognition in this same category were pre-school/special need,
health education, multi categorical special education, and social science
education. With regard to
Assessment System and Unit Evaluation we lack history, we need alignment with
standards and we need analyzation
Individuals have been assigned to work on these tasks and he expects a
positive assessment from NCATE for 2006.
Dr. Turner also reported that Interim Chancellor Flack has approved our
request to initiate planning a new Master of Social Work program.
.
He concluded by
reporting that Dr. Joseph Manzo, Professor of Geography, was recently named the
Faculty Merit Foundation of West Virginia 2005 Professor of the Year. He said this honor reflects well on the
institution.
5.
Action Items
a. Alcoholic Beverages on Campus Policy (click on link for attachment)
Rick Dillon and
individuals in his area of responsibility drafted this policy. Jesse Call reported that a group of
students is reviewing the student life policy and a policy on alcohol is
included. After brief discussion
it was determined the policy should be tabled until next board meeting. Jesse Call moved to table, Mr. Long
seconded, passed unanimously.
(Click here for comments by Board of Governors student representative, Jesse Call.)
b. Faculty and Administrators Emeriti Policy (clink on link for attachment)
Dr. Turner was responsible for this policy and he addressed the questions previously raised by Jesse Call. He said the policy is designed to be permissive rather than prescriptive so we do not lock ourselves in with every specific instance that may arise. Dr. Turner suggested an addition to 3.1.3 to read “of meritorious teaching, scholarship and/or service.” Dr. Martin moved to accept the policy as amended, seconded by Mr. Jim Brown, passed unanimously. (Click here for comments by Board of Governors student representative, Jesse Call.)
c. Policy on Assessment, Payment, and Refund of Fees (click on link for attachment)
Mr. Cannon drafted the policy. Ms. Sayre asked if this policy differs from the University catalog. Mr. Cannon said it does not. Ms. Sayre
moved for adoption, Mr. Long seconded, unanimously passed.
d. Sabbatical Leave (click on link for attachment)
Dr. Turner prepared this policy. Ms. Sayre noted the need to change the adoption date from 2005 to 2006. With this change, Mr. Brown moved for adoption of the policy, seconded by Ms. Sayre, unanimously passed.
e. Social Justice (click on link for attachment)
Rick Dillon authored the draft of this policy. He stated, since this is a new policy, he talked with colleagues at Marshall and West Virginia University. Dr. Beasley pointed out that the responsibilities described in this policy will be folded into the responsibilities of the Dean of Students. Mr. Dillon concurred. Ms. Pitzer questioned the meaning of section 3.1.a “. . .or disability from student life.” Mr. Dillon said he would review this section. Ms. Young suggested the elimination of the comma following the word life in the same section. Dr. Martin suggested a change in 4.1 to read, “The social justice officer, as designated by the President, . . .”Ms.Young questioned 3.2 with regard to action, responsibility, responses. She asked that this be looked at more closely to make sure our end goals are the right goals, and we need clarity in the policy. Ms. Pitzer suggested that 5.1 needs to provide a procedure for action, responsibly, responses. Mr. Rogers suggested that this policy is not ready for passage. Mr. Call moved to table until the next board meeting, Dr. Martin seconded, passed unanimously. Mr. Dillon will revise.
f. Student
Academic Rights (click on link
for attachment)
Mr. Dillon drafted the policy. Mr. Call suggested an addition of 3.1.5 which would hold the academic advisor responsible for a student meeting the criteria for satisfactory academic progress and completion of the program. During discussion, it was pointed out that students may obtain a progression sheet from the Registrar’s Office at any time at no charge. Students do not always follow through with instructions from advisors and there have been cases where students sign their course schedules. The question was raised as to whether or not documentation of this activity would need to be maintained. It was determined the policy is not ready for passage. Mr. Long moved to table until the next meeting, Ms. Pitzer seconded, unanimously passed. Mr. Dillon will rework the policy. (Click here for comments by Board of Governors student representative, Jesse Call.)
g. Student Rights and Responsibilities (click on link for attachment)
Mr. Dillon authored the policy. Mr. Call suggested the addition of the words “or personal belongings” in section 4.4.2. Ms. Sayre moved to accept the policy as amended, Jim Brown seconded, passed unanimously.
h. Use of Facilities (click on link for attachment)
Mr.
Dillon was the preparer. It was
suggested that the addition of “/or” be added in 5.1 to read “. with the
University and/or upon written approval of
the President or his designee.” A
question was raised about 4.1.7.
Mr. Dillon stated that groups using the facilities must come with
insurance and proof of this is obtained prior to
their coming. Ms. Sayre moved for approval
of the policy as amended, Mr. Call seconded, unanimously passed.
i. Approval of Fine Arts Lighting Project (click on link for attachment)
Mr. Cannon prepared this action item and explained this project is to replace theatre lighting, adding a dimmer system, and controls for lighting in both theatres. This facility is a teaching tool for theatre students. Brown Electric has proposed the low bid and Dr. Beasley has made additional money available. Mr. Tice said the students endorse this policy since they are currently learning on technologies of the ‘50s and ‘60s. Dr. Turner stated the Fine Arts faculty endorses this as well. Ms. Pitzer asked if there is any money for this project from the Policy Commission. Mr. Cannon stated there will be $50,000 available depending on how the final budget is approved. Mr. Call moved to approve project, Ms. Pitzer seconded, unanimously passed.
6. Other Matters
Dr. Beasley said the Honorary Degree Committee had a report to bring to the Board. Pursuant to WV Code § 6-9A-4, Ms. Pitzer moved to go into executive session, Dr. Martin seconded, motion carried.
Upon conclusion of executive session, the Board reconvened in open session. The suggestion of conferring honorary degrees to Ms. Ruby Webb Carter and Senator Robert C. Byrd was presented. Ms. Sayre moved to confer an honorary degree upon Ms. Carter, Mr. Long seconded, passed unanimously. Mr. Brown moved to confer an honorary degree upon Senator Byrd, Dr. Martin seconded, passed unanimously.
Dr. Beasley mentioned the need for the Board to meet again prior to the scheduled April 19 meeting to discuss tuition and fee increases for the next year. The date of April 6 was decided upon via teleconference, Mr. Rogers suggested a 9:00 meeting.
7. Adjournment
Upon a motion by Mr. Brown, seconded by Ms. Pitzer, and approved unanimously, the meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
R.T. “Ted” Rogers, Chair
Margaret Sayre, Secretary
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