March 4, 2005

The Board of Regents of Washington State University met pursuant to call in Open Meeting at 9:00 a.m., on Friday, March 4, 2005 at Student Services, Room 129, Vancouver, WA.

Present: Regent V. Rafael Stone, President; Regents Elizabeth Cowles, John M. Fabian, Peter Goldmark, Steven R. Hill, Brady Horenstein, Joe King, Christopher J. Marr, and Connie Niva; President V. Lane Rawlins, Provost Robert C. Bates, Assistant Vice President for Business Affairs Glenn Ford, Vice President for Information Systems Mary Doyle, Interim Vice President for Equity and Diversity Mike Tate, Senior Assistant Attorney General Antoinette Ursich, Faculty Senate Chair Chuck Pezeshki, ASWSU President Brea Thompson, GPSA President DaVina Hoyt, Chair for WSU Foundation Board of Governors Mikal Thomsen, Chancellor of WSU Vancouver Hal Dengerink, Chancellor of WSU Tri-Cities Larry James, and Chancellor of WSU Spokane Brian Pitcher.

1. President of the Board of Regents. Regent Stone welcomed everyone to the Board Meeting and thanked Chancellor Dengerink for hosting the Regents on the Vancouver Campus.

2. President of the University. President V. Lane Rawlins also welcomed everyone to the Board Meeting. He also took a moment to thank Chancellor Dengerink for hosting the Board Meeting on the Vancouver Campus and asked him to comment.

Chancellor Dengerink introduced the senior staff at WSU Vancouver. He also introduced Casey Watters, ASWSU Vancouver Student Body President.

ASWSU Vancouver President Casey Watters reported on the upcoming elections. He also indicated that they are busy beginning planning to become a four-year institution and are considering the addition of a Director of Legislative Affairs position for ASWSU-V. He also reported that are currently in negotiations with Clark Community College and C-Tran to schedule regular bus schedule service between the two campuses which would be extremely beneficial to students taking classes on both the Clark and WSU Vancouver campuses. He reported on the upcoming lecture series and indicated that Howard Dean will be speaking, and they had to relocated the lecture to Skyview High School as their auditorium is not large enough to accommodate the number of expected guests. He also reported that they are currently looking into ways to fund a student union building.

Regent Stone asked about the interaction between ASWSU Pullman and ASWSU Vancouver. He indicated that communication and interaction has been very good.

3. Minutes. It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve the minutes of the January 28, 2005 Board meeting. Carried.

4. Reports from University Groups:

Faculty Senate Chair Chuck Pezeshki reported that the Faculty Salary Report was distributed to the Board. He also commented that it is difficult to implement new and innovative ideas when there is a loss in faculty ranks. He reported that the work on academic realignment is progressing. He added that Faculty Senate is concerned about the climate issues on campus. He will be sharing some ideas with Vice President Tate before bringing them to the Regents. He commented that there are some problems but there are a lot of successes also.

GPSA President DaVina Hoyt briefly reviewed her report. She also mentioned that the international survey conducted by GEMS (Graduate Educators Mentoring Students—an official WSU student group) was accepted to present at an international conference on diversity in Italy and the presenters are currently trying to secure the funding to attend the conference. She also thanked President Rawlins, the administration and International Programs for their continued support.

ASWSU President Brea Thompson reported on the many projects ASWSU is in the process of concluding. She reported that the Multicultural Fundraising Dinner was a huge success and she thanks Regent Stone for being the keynote speaker at the event. She mentioned that the students will be able have their voices heard on the CUB renewal project during the upcoming referendum election. She is optimistic that the students will support the referendum. She reported that Coug Day at the Capital was a great opportunity for the students to learn more about the legislative process and to lobby their representatives. She added that they have awarded ASWSU Leadership Scholarships to ten students who display influential leadership. She also mentioned that they are in the process of accepting applications for the next Student Regent.

WSU Foundation Board of Governors Chair Mikal Thomsen reported on the departure of Vice President Frisch who has accepted an position at Boise State University. He assured the Board that the Foundation would not lose sight of their goals. He provided an update on the endowment report and also reported on the upcoming Board of Governor’s Meetings.

5. Executive, Planning, and Budget Committee. Regent Stone said that the committee reviewed and discussed the future action items on tuition rate setting, S&A fee rate setting, Board election of officers and on the committee structure. He said they also were given updates on the operating and capital budgets and an update on the legislative session. They heard reports from the urban campus chancellors and on the WSU System. The Board also discussed the recent issues regarding racial tension on the Pullman campus and that they have asked President Rawlins to readdress the processes to see if there are any recommendations that need to be made. He also said the Board discussed issues regarding trust lands.

6. System Report: Chancellor Hal Dengerink reported that the system mechanisms are in place and things are moving along quickly. He reported on HECB recommendations for WSU Tri-Cities and WSU Vancouver. He also reported that prior to the HECB presentation, House and Senate legislators drafted bills that would significantly impact the structure and nature of all the branch campuses in Washington. At the beginning of the Legislative session a bill was introduced in the House that would grant baccalaureate authority to all four of the branch campuses. The companion Senate Bill 5411 has had a favorable hearing in the Senate Education committee but amendments are being drafted to bring it more in line with the HECB recommendations. House Bill 1794 is more comprehensive than the previous one. In addition to giving baccalaureate authority to WSU Vancouver, it reaffirms the continued role of upper division transfer and specifically grants authority to admit freshmen beginning in the fall of 2006. The bill will give WSU Tri-Cities authority to offer some lower division classes but specifically prohibits admission of Freshmen until completion of further study and recommendation from the HECB

7. Academic, Faculty, and Student Affairs Committee. Regent Hill indicated that the committee has chosen to not to take action on the recommended WAC Code Revisions on Student Conduct at this time. In light of recent issues the Regents have asked Student Affairs to review and perhaps refine again before action will be taken. He also reported that the committee had a lengthy discussion on S&A Fee allocations, S & A guidelines, and on the current delegation of authority. He indicated that they had a brief discussion on Academic Realignment and Tenure and Promotion.

8. Report from the Provost and Academic Vice President. Provost Bates provided an update on the searches for the Associate Vice Provost for International Programs, Dean of CAHNRS, Dean for the College of Liberal Arts, Dean for the College of Engineering and Architecture, and Dean of Pharmacy. He also provided an update on Academic Realignment and the budget preparation process at the college level.

9. Report from the Interim Vice President for Equity and Diversity. Vice President Tate reported that as a follow-up from the January Board Meeting, the Office of Equity and Diversity should have a Strategic Plan in place along with Benchmarks to support it. He also reported that they are at a stage right now where the University must do and have been doing is listening, and engaging in discussions with the students. It is obvious that we must address the issues that have been demonstrated and brought forth. He indicated that all students are interested in helping to make Washington State University better than what it is today.

Vice President Tate introduced Candice Goucher, Professor of Liberal Arts at WSU Vancouver and Luz-Maria Gordillo, Diversity Faculty Fellow to provide an overview of the diversity initiatives in place on the Vancouver campus as part of his report.

10. Business Affairs and Information Technology Committee. Regent Cowles reported that the committee reviewed the action items and discussed the future actions involving bylaw changes to the Students Book Corporation and the construction project on the Consolidated Storage Building on the Pullman campus. She also reported that the committee received updates on Collective Bargaining, Status on Capital Projects, a Capital Construction Report and a real estate update. The committee also discussed the upcoming vote on the Compton Union Building renewal project referendum.

The Board took action on the following:

WSU Pullman, Indoor Baseball Practice Facility. It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve the construction project, grant authorization to proceed, and delegate authority to the President or his designee, the Vice President for Business Affairs, to advertise for bids and award a construction contract, provided costs are within funds available. Carried.

WSU Pullman, Rotunda Dining Center Renovation, Budget Increase & Schematic Design. It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve the budget project increase, schematic design documents, grant authorization to proceed, and delegate authority to the President or his designee, the Vice President for Business Affairs, to advertise for bids and award a construction contract, provided costs are within funds available. Carried.

Recommendation to Increase Delegation of Authority. It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve the increase of delegation of authority of capital construction transactions from $500,000 to $1,000,000. Carried.

Parking System Refunding Bond Resolution. It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve the Parking System Refunding Bond Resolution authorizing the issuance and sale bonds to refinance a portion of the University’s outstanding Parking System Revenue Bonds, 1999. The Resolution authorizes the issuance of refunding bonds in an amount not to exceed $9,500,000 and with a maximum true interest cost not to exceed 4.50%. The Board also approved the delegation of authority to the President or his designee, the Vice President for Business Affairs, to sell bonds, determine the final bond size, maturity schedule, redemption provisions, timing and method of sales of the bonds. Carried.

Housing and Dining System Refunding Bond Resolution. It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve a Housing and Dining System Refunding Bond Resolution to authorize the issuance and sale of bonds to refinance a portion of the University’s outstanding Housing and Dining System Revenue Bonds, 1999. The Resolution authorized the issuance of refunding bonds in an amount not to exceed $17,000,000 and with a maximum true interest cost not to exceed 4.75%. The Board also approved the delegation of authority to the President or his designee, the Vice President for Business Affairs, to sell bonds, determine the final bond size, maturity schedule, redemption provisions, timing and method of sales of the bonds. Carried.

Student Recreation Center Refunding Bond Resolution. It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve a Student Recreation Center Refunding Bond Resolution to authorize the issuance and sale of bonds to refinance a portion of the University’s outstanding Recreation Center Revenue Bonds, 1998. The Resolution authorizes the issuance of refunding bonds in an amount not to exceed $46,000,000 and with a maximum true interest cost not to exceed 4.50%. The Board also approved the delegation of authority to the President or his designee, the Vice President for Business Affairs, to sell bonds, determine the final bond size, maturity schedule, redemption provisions, timing and method of sales of the bonds. Carried.

11. Report from the Vice President for Information Systems. Vice President Doyle reported on the IT Forum scheduled for March 14-15 at the CUB in Pullman. This is an opportunity to bring the technical staff from across the WSU system together for professional development and discuss projects they work together on such as IT security, ecommerce, and copyright issues.

12. University Development and University Relations Committee. The UDURA committee did not meet, however, Regent Hill provided an investment performance analysis report.

13. Report from the Director of Athletics. Athletic Director Jim Sterk gave an update on all the current sports activities. He added that men’s basketball clinched a spot in the Pac 10 Tournament. He also went over the football schedule for the next seven years, the proposed facility fee for Martin Stadium renovation and he provided an update on the academic reform program being instituted by the NCAA.

14. Other Business.

The Board took action on the following:

Request for Defense – Indemnify Defendants in Litigation. It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve the recommendation to not provide defense by the Attorney General nor indemnification by the state requested by Erick Huffstutler. Carried.

15. President’s Report. President Rawlins commented on the recent student demonstration on the Pullman campus. He told the Board that he appreciated their decision not to take action on the WAC codes at this time. He said that when there are issues of racism and harassment that may be pertinent, that the processes need to be reexamined because they have widespread implications. He noted that he will be asking Academic Affairs, Student Affairs and the Office of Equity and Diversity to review these processes and have a progress report to provide to the Board at the May meeting.

President Rawlins also highlighted the upcoming Showcase event that will recognize the achievements of faculty and staff. He also thanked Faculty Senate Chair Chuck Pezeshki for his effort on faculty salaries. He thanked the student leaders for their excellent leadership.

At 11:40 a.m. the Regents Meeting adjourned.

Approved by the Board of Regents at its meeting held on May 6, 2005 in the Lighty Student Services Building, Room 405, Pullman, Washington.

ORIGINAL SIGNED COPY AVAILABLE IN THE PRESIDENT’S OFFICE