January 27, 2006
The Board of Regents of Washington State University met pursuant to call in Open Meeting at 9:00 a.m., on Friday, January 27, 2006 in Lighty Student Services Building, Conference Room 405, Pullman, Washington.
Present: Regent Elizabeth Cowles, President; Regents Francois Forgette, Laura Jennings, Justin Leighton, Christopher J. Marr, Connie Niva, and V. Rafael Stone; 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, Interim Vice President for Student Affairs Alton Jamison, Senior Assistant Attorney General Antoinette Ursich, Faculty Senate Chair Ken Struckmeyer, ASWSU President Isaac Wells, GPSA Vice President LaDeidra Lockhart, Alumni Association President Larry Arcia, Chair of WSU Foundation Board of Governors Mikal Thomsen, WSU Vancouver Chancellor Hal Dengerink, and WSU Tri-Cities Interim Chancellor David Lemak.
1. President of the Board of Regents. Regent Cowles welcomed everyone to the Board Meeting.
2. President of the University. President V. Lane
Rawlins also welcomed everyone to the Board Meeting.
President Rawlins introduced three academic Deans who
were appointed in the last academic year, Daniel
Bernardo, Dean, College of Agricultural, Human, and
Natural Resources Sciences; James Kehrer, Dean, College
of Pharmacy; and Eric Spangenberg, Dean, College of
Business and Economics.
3. Minutes. It was moved and seconded that the
Board of Regents approve the minutes of the November 18,
2005 Board meeting and the minutes of the November 18,
2005 Joint WSU/UW Board of Regents Meeting.
Carried.
4. Reports from University Groups:
Faculty Senate Vice Chair Chuck Pezeshki reported for Ken Struckmeyer. He reported that the Faculty Senate is in the process of building educational quality of programs with students. He added that more information on this topic will be provided in the near future. He also reported they are working with various constituents to address the lack of daycare facilities for faculty members in Pullman. He added that faculty have voiced concern regarding the risk of jeopardizing careers because of daycare challenges. He also reported that Faculty Senate is working with the Provost’s Office on a faculty leadership training program that will focus on embracing change. They are also working a program called Cougar 2020 which is vision of what the educational experience should be like for students in 2020.
GPSA Vice President LaDeidra Lockhart reported for GPSA President DaVina Hoyt. Vice President Lockhart informed the Board that their first annual winter social was a huge success. She said that the purpose of the winter social is to thank GPSA Senate and families for their hard work throughout the semester. She also reported that the William Wiley Expo will take place on March 22, 2006. The expo is a way for graduate and professional students to display academic work to their peers, faculty and the general public. She added that GPSA will continue leadership training for the remainder of this semester. Preparations are also underway to be ready for the upcoming elections.
ASWSU President Isaac Wells reported that they are gearing up for the new ASWSU officer election. He added that the CUB relocation project is beginning to move forward and that some tenants are beginning to move out of the CUB to their new temporary locations. He reported that the student regent application packet has been approved by all campuses and will be available to all WSU students in February. The are allowing more time to complete the application and essay packet this year in order to attract more campus leaders to apply for the position. He reported that this year they will have the largest number of students in ASWSU history participate in Coug Day at the Capital in Olympia. They are excited to give student the opportunity to meet with their state representatives. He also reported on the upcoming annual Multicultural Scholarship Fundraising dinner.
Alumni Association President Larry Arcia
highlighted the increasing membership for the Alumni
Association. He added that the additional 3,594 new
members this year brings their total over 20,000 members,
the highest alumni association membership in WSU history.
He also reported that they have launched their first of
many changes to the Alumni Association website. One
particular feature was added for international alumni and
they have provided a more comprehensive events calendar.
He reported the success of some of events that the Alumni
Association has hosted as part of their ongoing efforts
to expand the involvement of alumni of color in
WSU’s diversity initiatives. Additional events that
will allow alumni volunteers to exchange information on
the needs of higher education and interact with
legislators.
WSU Foundation Board of Governors Chair Mikal
Thomsen reported on the upcoming Board of Governors
winter meeting in Palm Springs. He also report that the
endowment is at an all time high and has shown great
progress both from the fundraising aspect that Len Jessup
has directed along with the Investment Committee in
keeping the earnings high. He reported that the Board of
Governors is interacting more with the WSU Research
Foundation.
5. Executive, Planning, and Budget Committee. Regent Cowles reported that the committee received a legislative update and a current supplemental budget update. She added that the Life Sciences Building remains at the top of the priority list. She added they also had a discussion on the Capital Budget prioritization process. She also reported that construction on the Golf Course is expected to begin this spring. The Committee had a discussion on the Real Estate Foundation. She added that the Board will receive a presentation at a future meeting on the processing of real estate gifts. She said the Committee also discussed the current action items.
The Board took action on the following:
Facilities Naming – WSU Farm 5,
Puyallup – It was moved and seconded that
the Board of Regents approve the recommendation to name
Washington State University Farm 5 in Puyallup the Goss
Research Farm. Carried.
Facilities Naming – Cunningham Agronomy Farm – It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve the recommendation to name Cunningham Agronomy Farm the Cook Agronomy Farm. Carried.
6. System Report. Assistant to the President Hal Dengerink reported that the progress is being made in receiving authority to evolve WSU Tri-Cities to a four-year university. He also reported that the search for the Chancellor for WSU Tri-Cities is well under way. The WSU System Implementation of Phase II continues to move forward.
- Academic, Faculty, and Student Affairs Committee. Regent Cowles Chaired the Academic, Faculty and Student Affairs Committee for Joe King who was unable to attend. She reported that the committee received an update on the search for vice president for student affairs. They received an update on the student code of conduct which will go to a public hearing and will come back to the academic affairs committee for action at the May Meeting and that the Regents will be able to review the comments from the public before they take action. She added that the committee also received an update on the Human Rights Task Force Recommendations. She added that the tracking process from the report is being sent to the Commission even though the Commission did not require it. The committee also had a discussion on the Housing and Dining Rates and the impact of increasing energy costs. They also discussed the name change for the College of Business and Economics.
The Board took action on the following:
Name Change for the College of Business and
Economics – It was moved and seconded that
the Board of Regents approve the name change from the
College of Business and Economics to the College of
Business. Carried.
A motion to waive the Bylaw of First Reading was approved.
esolution reaffirming and Support for WSU Tri-Cities Transition to a Full Four-Year University. It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents reaffirms support for the WSU Tri-Cities transition to a full four-year University. Carried.
8. Report from the Provost and Executive Vice President. Provost Bates provided an update on the search for the Dean of Architecture, Director of Libraries and the Vice President for Student Affairs. He complemented the leadership of Al Jamison as interim Vice President for Student Affairs. Provost Bates also provided an update on the strategic plan implementation and mentioned that they have hired a consultant to look at the university’s undergraduate programs. He added that the Regents will receive a copy of the consultant’s report as soon as it becomes available.
9. Report from the Interim Vice President for Student Affairs. Interim Vice President Jamison reported on the partnerships among Student Affairs, Provost’s Office, and Information Technology and how these partnerships have helped to achieve the goal of providing the best possible undergraduate experience. He reported that 80% of freshmen were enrolled in the Freshman Focus Program which co-enrolls floor mates of residence halls in two of the same classes. He added that the intent is to get them intellectually engaged, create friendships around an academic theme and to enhance their experience in residence hall life. He feels it has been successful and also helps encourage healthy activities.
10. Report from the Vice President for Equity and Diversity. Vice President Tate reported on the upcoming events to celebrate Black History Month. He also reported on the Equity and Diversity Strategic Plan. He added that in developing both internal and external partnerships, they have come together with the University of Washington Minority Affairs Office and will be meeting with them on a regular basis to work together toward common issues.
11. Business Affairs and Information Technology Committee. Regent Niva reported that the State Auditors joined the first part of the meeting and reported that WSU has received a perfect audit for the seventh straight year. She also indicated that the committee went over the current action items and reviewed future action items. They received reports on the status on Capital Projects, a Capital Construction report, Housing and Dining Rates for FY06-07, WSU Tri-Cities Refinancing of Outstanding COP’s, 2005 University Financial Report and the Students Book Corporation Financial Statement.
Architect George Shawl gave a presentation on the WSU
Spokane Riverpoint Campus Nursing Buiding before Board
Action.
The Board took action on the following:
WSU Spokane, Riverpoint Campus, Intercollegiate College of Nursing, WSU College of Nursing Building, Revised Schematic Design. It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve the Revised Schematic Design documents and grant authorization to proceed provided a Maximum Allowable Construction Cost can be established within funds available. Carried.
WSU Vancouver, Purchase of the Students Book Corporation Building. It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents delegate to the President or his designee, the authority to purchase the Students Book Corporation Building located on WSU Vancouver campus, and to execute all documents necessary for the purchase. Carried.
12. Report from the Vice President for Information
Systems. Vice President Doyle and Student Regent
Leighton presented on myWSU. The myWSU portal allows
convenient access for students to receive information on
many aspects of student engagement: financial, academic
records, academic planning, etc.
13. University Development, University Relations and
Athletics Committee. Regent Jennings Chaired the
University Development, University Relations and
Athletics Committee for Regent Marr who was unable to
attend. She reported that the committee went over the
responsibilities of the campaign organizing committee and
also the timeline of the campaign phases and key tasks.
She reported that according to the report given to the
committee great progress is being made on the endowment.
Regent Jennings reported that the committee received an
update from University Relations and that there is great
work being done to convey the messages of WSU’s
strong science and research areas out to the media. She
also reported that they were updated on the stadium
project and the student referendeum.
14. Report from the Vice President for University Relations. Vice President Savage reported that they are moving the Innovators program around the state this spring to Seattle and Bellevue. She added that the target audience for these programs are influencers and people not familiar with WSU. She added that at the next meeting she provide information on the data tracking methods used to measure the success of the Innovators programs by the number of companies and research groups who have discovered WSU through them. She praised the marketing staff for their work on the Innovators program that received awards in the categories of public relations, advertising, and visual design from the Council on the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).
15. Report from the Vice President for University Development. Vice President Jessup thanked Mikal Thomsen for his continued leadership and generosity. He also thanked Regent Jennings for her contributions with the Campaign Committee. He went over the steps that are currently taking place on the campaign timeline. He also provided an update on the endowment performance and thanked Regent Cowles for her contribution.
16. Report from the Director of Athletics. Athletic Director Jim Sterk gave an update on all the current sports activities. He also mentioned that there will two former Cougars on the starting lineups in the upcoming Super Bowl. He reported that they hope to start construction on the Stadium before next season. Lastly, he reported that WSU has been named a recipient of the “Overall Excellence in Diversity” award presented by the Laboratory for Diversity in Sport at Texas A&M University. The Diversity in Athletics Award, which is presented on an annual basis by the organization, recognizes the NCAA Division I-A athletic departments that excel in the area of diversity. In addition to earning the overall excellence honor, WSU also earned an award in the Title IX compliance category.
17. Public Employment Relations Commission Notice.
Official notice was read by Karen Fischer (Exhibit
A).
18. Executive Session. The Regents convened in
Executive Session to discuss potential litigation against
Dr. Bernardo Gallegos. After 10 minutes of discussion,
the Regents reconvened and reported that they did not
have adequate information at this time to make an
affirmative finding that Dr. Gallegos acted both in good
faith and within the scope of his duties at this time of
the actions giving rise to this matter.
19. President’s Report. President Rawlins
thanked the Board and his staff for their continued work.
He added that he was looking forward to the next Board
Meeting that will held on the Tri-Cities Campus in early
March.
At 11:45 a.m. the Regents Meeting adjourned.
Approved by the Board of Regents at its meeting held on March 3, 2006 at WSU Tri-Cities, Consolidated Information Center 210-214, Richland, Washington.
ORIGINAL SIGNED COPY AVAILABLE IN THE PRESIDENT'S OFFICE