November 17, 2006
The Board of Regents of Washington State University met pursuant to call in Open Meeting at 9:30 a.m., on Friday, November 17, 2006 at Lighty Student Services 405, Pullman, Washington.
Present: Regent Kenneth Alhadeff, Chair; Regents, Elizabeth Cowles, Francois Forgette, Laura Jennings, Christopher Marr, Connie Niva, Kyle Smith, V. Rafael Stone, and Michael Worthy; President V. Lane Rawlins, Provost and Executive Vice President Robert C. Bates, Vice President for Business Affairs Greg Royer, Vice President for Information Systems Mary Doyle, Vice President for University Relations Sally Savage, Vice President for Equity and Diversity Mike Tate, Vice President for Development Len Jessup, Senior Assistant Attorney General Antoinette Ursich, Faculty Senate Chair Chuck Pezeshki, ASWSU President Zach Wurtz, GPSA President Jason Doss, Alumni Association President Doug Tracey, Chair of WSU Foundation Board of Governors Larry Culver, WSU Vancouver Chancellor Hal Dengerink, WSU Spokane Chancellor Brian Pitcher and WSU Tri-Cities Chancellor Vickie Carwein.
1. Chair of the Board of Regents. Regent Alhadeff welcomed everyone to the Board Meeting. He welcomed new Regent Michael Worthy who was recently appointed. He also commended former Regent Joe King for his 10 years of service to the University.
The Board passed a resolution commending former Regent
Joe King for his service and commitment to Washington
State University.
2. Presidential Search Update. Chairman
Alhadeff asked Regent Stone to provide an update on the
Presidential Search. Regent Stone reported that the
Regents Search Advisory Committee had many conversations
with various constituencies on where we all think the
University should be in 3-5 years. He said that the
responses and input has been very rewarding with respect
to the strategic plan. He added that they've also had
conversations with potential candidates and that the
Advisory Committee will be holding a committee meeting
this afternoon.
3. President of the University. President Rawlins also welcomed Regent Michael Worthy to the Board of Regents. He presented Vice President for Business Affairs Greg Royer with a certificate of service for 35 years at Washington State University. He also thanked Joe King for his service to the University. He added that Mr. King has been instrumental in his role as a Regent, and that his passion advocacy of student issues. President Rawlins presented him with a Cougar Bronze, and Mr. King made heartfelt remarks to the Board about his many positive experiences as a Board Member.
4. Minutes. It was moved and seconded
that the Board of Regents approve the minutes of the
October 20, 2006, meeting. Regents Forgette and Niva
requested clarification to be made in the minutes under
the Presidential Search Committee Update and the
University Development, University Relation and Athletics
committee Report. Carried.
5. Reports from University Groups:
Faculty Senate Chair Chuck Pezeshki reported that since the last board Meeting, Faculty Senate has asked the Early Childhood Education and Care Committee to generate a business plan for the Early Childhood Education and Care facility. He also reported that they are in the process of creating a System-Wide Faculty Salary Committee who will examine the problems of retention and salary compression and will also update the original report from the Faculty Salary Committee.
GPSA President Jason Doss reported that GPSA has
finalized TA/RA/GA Excellence Awards Nomination process.
This program recognizes and promotes the excellent work
of Teaching Assistants, Research Assistants and Graduate
Assistants. They are nominated by the students they teach
as well as their peers and faculty. The awards committee
will decide the winners who will be invited to a spring
awards dinner. He also reported that the begun planning
for the Wiley Research Exposition. He also added that for
the first time ever, GPSA has assigned its first
legislative liaison to work with the Washington Student
Lobby. The liaison will collaborate with other schools
within the Washington Student Lobby to produce a
legislative agenda to push in Olympia. The liaison will
report back to the GPSA Senate regarding legislative
items that are being discussed.
ASWSU President Zach Wurtz reported on the multicultural
fundraising reception and thanked the Regents for
attending and for their support. He added that they will
be holding their annual multicultural student fundraising
dinner in Seattle this year in February. He reported that
ASWSU is eager to work with President Rawlins to make an
institutional approach in the area of sexual assault on
campus. He also said that collaboration has been key to
their success this year. They have been reaching out and
working with as many groups in as many ways as possible
which has allowed them to do the things they have set out
to do in May with ease.
Alumni Association President Doug Tracey reported on the
busy schedule the Alumni Association has been engaged in.
He reported on the 2006 "Rally in the Valley" which had
over 160 alumni and friends in attendance. Proceeds from
the rally will help expand the WSUAA scholarship program.
He also reported that WSUAA Multicultural Alliances are
actively involved in the recruitment and retention of
students of color. The alliances have identified
opportunities for community outreach and have conducted
several recruitment events in those areas. He added that
the Alumni Relations team will soon complete work on the
new WSUAA's innovative web-site related electronic
communication vehicles which will enhance the
effectiveness and efficiency of the alumni communications
efforts. He also reported that WSU Alumni Association
members now enjoy more benefits than ever before. Members
can take advantage of discounts in the Pullman/Moscow
area, across the state and nation, and online. He added
that Tully's coffee will begin to offer Crimson Roast, a
new coffee blend, in all of its Washington locations.
Proceeds will to the WSUAA programs. Lastly, he reported
on the success of the Wine-By-Cougars Wine Club.
Membership after six months is double what was expected
to be achieved in the first full year. The Club's mission
is to further establish the relationship between WSU and
the state's wine industry, support Cougar-connected
wineries, and provide members with the opportunity to
enhance their knowledge of and appreciation for premium
wines.
WSU Foundation Board of Governors Chair Larry Culver
announced the appointment of seven new Governors to the
WSU Foundation Board of Governors. He also reported on
the 27th Annual Board of Trustees meeting that was held
at the Spokane Davenport Hotel in October. He added that
the meetings and events were deemed a tremendous success.
He indicated that they will hold next year's annual
meeting at the same locations. He added that the
Governors reaffirmed their enthusiasm in October to
aggressively move forward to assist and advise the
university and the Foundation during their planning
stages of their Campaign and that they look forward to
working with the Board of Regents throughout the Campaign
and will continue to provide progress updates.
6. Executive, Planning, and Budget Committee. Regent Alhadeff reported that the committee received updates on potential football Bowl scenarios, a Campaign Strategy report, a Legislative Strategy report and a report on Trust Lands. The Committee also discussed the Cougar Achievement Scholarship Program for the purpose of making a world-class university education accessible to every Washington resident. He added that the University Chancellors provided updates to the Committee on matters pertaining to their campus locations.
7. Regional Campus and System Reports.
WSU Spokane Chancellor Brian Pitcher started off by
thanking the Board for their support in attending last
months groundbreaking and added that the city of Spokane
is still buzzing from the many WSU events held in Spokane
acknowledges our presence and is an excellent way to
integrate with the community. He reported that in an
effort to identify opportunities where collaboration best
responds to community needs within the role and mission
of WSU Spokane, they have agreed to jointly sponsor the
Math, Engineering, and Science Achievement program in
Spokane with Eastern Washington University. He added that
they are continuing to develop a math and science
initiative with Spokane Public Schools and the Community
Colleges of Spokane by creating a formal partnership to
systemically impact more well-prepared students. He also
said that WSU Spokane and the WSU Office of Research
partnered with Connect Northwest and Sirti to present a
public forum in October on "The Impact of Research and
Regional Economics." The program featured a case study of
university/community research relationship in San Diego,
and a discussion of the WSU Applied Sciences Laboratory
in Spokane.
WSU Tri-Cities Chancellor Vicky Carwein reported on a
major initiative to support the students for the first
freshman class in fall 2007. The initiative has three
components: (1) Mentors: Which will provide each freshman
with a mentor who can provide career insight and
encouragement throughout the year. (2) Internships: Where
students will be matched with service learning projects
in the community beginning their first year. By the time
they are seniors, they will be placed in an independent
internship with a business in the region, and (3)
Scholarships: Providing each freshman enrolled at WSU
Tri-Cities for fall 2007 will receive a $3000.00 "First
Class" scholarship award. This will be matched by a
second award of $3000.00 during their senior year. The
second scholarship encourages students to complete their
degrees at WSU Tri-Cities. Chancellor Carwein added that
they have been meeting with the community to gain their
support for this initiative. Lastly, she reported on the
construction of the Bioproducts, Science and Engineering
Laboratory that will be finished next fall.
WSU Vancouver Chancellor Hal Dengerink reported on the success of the campus lectures that have been taking place on the Vancouver campus. He also reported that WSU Vancouver's first Speech and Debate team was created this fall and recently competed again 19 other schools at the 34th annual Lower Columbia College Speech and Debate Tournament. He added that over 75 debate teams competed in various events. WSU Vancouver students brought home a finalist award in Editorial Commentary and a third place award in impromptu speaking. In addition they placed in the top ten speakers for debate and finished with a 2-3 record overall. Lastly, Chancellor Dengerink reported that WSU Vancouver has continued to develop programs and establish partnerships that seek to impact the pipeline of middle and high school age students as they prepare for and make decisions about their future plans in higher education. A partnership between WSU Vancouver, WSU Clark County Extension 4-H and community partners established the WSU Vancouver Center for Youth Workforce Preparation.
System Report. Special Assistant to the President Hal Dengerink and Interim Vice President for Student Affairs Al Jamison reported that as the functioning of the multi-campus university system matures, the area of Student Affairs is symbolic of the on-going negotiation and thinking regarding centralization and decentralization of policies, program and services that enhance student success. They indicated that quarterly meetings between Student Affairs leaders from all campuses, including Distance Degree Programs, have routinized multi-campus planning efforts. The discussions are guided by a set of draft assumptions that acknowledge the need for efficient and effective programs and services to ensure quality and integrity across the system, yet provides for the distinctiveness of campus and the unique student bodies they serve.
8. Academic, Faculty, and Equity and Diversity Committee. Regent Niva reported that the committee had excellent discussions on Student Retention Programs and Strategies. She indicated that they went into depth regarding the hard work it has taken to attract highly qualified students to attend WSU, but that we need to find ways to keep them. Robert Olsen, Associate Dean for the College of Engineering and Architecture attended the meeting and reported that the College of Engineering and Architecture recognizes that there is a need for more engineers in the nation and more specifically in the State of Washington. At the same time, enrollment in engineering both nationally and in the State of Washington is flat. She noted that the percentage of the WSU freshman class with an interest in engineering has increased by 20% over the last few years. To increase the number of engineering graduates, the College is trying to improve the retention rate from the unacceptably low rate of less than 50%. She also noted many of the students who are leaving the College are well qualified to continue. To improve the retention rate, the College is using several methods that been validated by research that was conducted at WSU. The first is the establishment of a living learning community in the Gannon and Goldsworthy dormitories. Research on a pilot living learning community has shown that the rate at which students leave engineering can be cut in half by doing this. They are also making an effort to reduce class size for freshman and sophomore courses and to place some of their best instructors in these classes. The research has shown that these actions can improve the retention rate by 10-15%. Regent Niva commended Dr. Olsen for the work that the College is doing and for trying new strategies in retaining these well qualified students. Regent Niva also reported that Manual Acevedo presented on Retention of Multicultural Students: The Student Mentor Program and a brief report on the Multicultural Student Retention Summit. Studies have shown that mentoring and cultural events seem to be a major feature for students to stay. She also reported that the committee discussed AAU Membership.
9. Report from the Provost and Executive Vice President. Provost Bates reported the issue of retention is clearly on all minds and commended Regent Niva for providing such an in-depth overview on the Academic Affairs and Equity and Diversity Committee Meeting. He added that although we have many programs in place, we don't have the full understanding why students are leaving the University. He added that they are currently having discussions with our peers to see how we compare with to them. Provost Bates also discussed membership with the Association of American Universities.
10. Report from the Vice President for Equity and Diversity. Vice President Tate thanked the student leadership for putting on a successful multicultural fundraising reception in such a short amount of time. He also thanked the Board of Regents for their support in attending the event.
11. Business Affairs and Information Technology
Committee. Regent Jennings reported that the
committee received a review of Administrative Systems
from Vice President Doyle. She also reported that the
committee reviewed the bond issuance in support of Phase
I and Phase II of the martin stadium renovation, which
focus on the student experience. She acknowledged and
thanked the students for their work to make these two
phases possible. She also indicated that it is important
that the Board recognize the tremendous amount of work
has been done by Business Affairs in this effort. Regent
Jennings also reported that the Committee also discussed
a future action on WAC Code Revisions on public records;
and discussed the status on capital projects and capital
construction reports.
The Board took action on the following:
Martin Stadium Project Financing Plan. It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve a Revenue Bond Resolution to authorize the issuance and sale of bonds to be used for the Martin Stadium Renovation projects, Phases I and II. Carried.
12. Report from the Vice President for
Information Systems. Vice President Doyle
reported on the Administrative Systems Executive Summary
She indicated that various groups have been working on
issues related to administrative systems are efforts have
been directed at identifying basic institutional needs
and are looking at alternative ways to improve or replace
our systems. She also reported that the applications for
the Vice President for Student Affairs are currently
being reviewed and hope to have a viable pool by
December.
13. University Development, University Relations
and Athletics Committee. Regent Forgette stated
that the committee had received updates from the areas of
University Relations, University Development and
Athletics. He reported that University Relations is
working on ways to reach out in terms of recruiting since
more students seem to be going to unknown locations. He
asked Vice President Savage to show the three excellent
video spots that were presented during their committee
meeting in October.
14. Report from the Vice President for University Relations. After showing the new TV Ads, Vice President Savage reported that it has been five years since the first TV ad campaign ran and that is was now time to update the ads in our changing world. She added that the new ad campaign is pivoted differently in the overall overarching influencer audience. This campaign is targeting people who can influence the future of this institution and is also laying the foundation of our fundraising campaign. She added that none of this is possible without the support of President Rawlins.
15. Report from the Vice President for University
Development. Vice President Jessup provided a
year-to-date progress report. He also reported on the
successful meetings held in Spokane during their annual
meetings and that the Foundation couldn't be in better
hands with Larry Culver and Scott Carson as their Chair
and Vice Chair for the Board of Governors.
16. Report from the Director of
Athletics. Athletic Director Jim Sterk thanked
the Regents for the approval of the bond sale for Martin
Stadium and everyone else for their work and support in
this important action that will make a huge difference in
the years to come. He reported that the first two phases
of Martin Stadium will begin December 5 with the Phase I
consisting of development of restrooms and concessions at
the east end of the stadium and new restroom facilities
on the south concourse. Phase II will include a widening
of the north concourse, in conjunction with the
development of new restroom and concession facilities.
Mr. Sterk also highlighted areas of academic excellence
of the Cougar Athletes.
17. Student Affairs Committee. Regent
Stone reported that the committee had a discussion on
recruitment of outreach strategies and looks forward to
continuing that discussion at the next committee meeting.
He reported that the committee went over the actions
regarding the Revisions to the Washington Administrative
Code regarding Standards of Conduct for Students and
Policies and Regulations for Student Living Groups. In
reference to the Codes of Conduct he indicated that the
revisions seek to clarify university policies on
discrimination and harassment, while adding details
regarding academic integrity violations, interim
suspensions and the review procedures for student conduct
decisions. In reference to the revisions to the Student
Living Groups, he stressed that university police in the
residence halls still would be guided by constitutional
guidelines on search and seizure and the privacy of
student rooms would be protected. The revised rule
clarifies the policy on guests, exempting police officers
and other WSU personnel on university business from being
required to be accompanied by a resident of the floor
when going into the common areas of the residences.
The Board took action on the following:
WAC Code Revisions-Standards of Conduct for Students: Recommendation to Repeal WAC 504-25 and Add a New Chapter, WAC 504-26. It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve the recommendation to repeal WAC 504-25 and add a new chapter, WAC 504-26, thereby revising the WSU Standards of Conduct for students. Carried.
WAC Code Revisions-Policies and Regulations for Student Living Groups: Recommendation to Amend WAC 504-24-020 (Social Policies and Procedures section) and Add a New Section, WAC 504-24-025 University Staff Access to Residence Halls). It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve the recommendation to amend WAC 504-24-020, and add a new section, WAC 504-24-025, thereby revising the Policies and Regulations for Student Living Groups. Carried.
18. Report from the Interim Vice President for Student Affairs. Interim Vice President Jamison thanked the Regents for taking action on the WAC Code revisions. He added that a lot of hard work has gone into the two actions due to the fact that students feel very passionately about them. He also said that there was a great deal of professional interacting among the students and he appreciates their commitment. He also indicated how moved he is by the Boards' concern for the students of Washington State University.
19. Presentation: "Making WSU a Global University: An Overview of International Programs." Lance LeLoup, Associate Vice Provost for International Programs provided an overview presentation on International Programs.
20. President's Report. President
Rawlins commented on the significance of approving the
Martin Stadium Financing Plan. He also highlighted on the
Joint Board Meeting that will be held along with numerous
events surrounding the Apple Cup football game as well as
looking forward to December Commencement.
21. Final comments and adjournment.
Chairman Alhadeff thanked everyone for attending the
Board Meeting and for their continued commitment to the
institution.
At 12:30 a.m. the Regents' Meeting adjourned.
Approved by the Board of Regents at its meeting held on January 26, 2007, at Lighty Student Services, Room 405, Pullman, Washington.
SIGNED COPY AVAILABLE IN THE PRESIDENT'S OFFICE