May 5, 2006

The Board of Regents of Washington State University met pursuant to call in Open Meeting at 9:00 a.m., on Friday, May 5, 2006 at Lighty Student Services, Room 405, Pullman, Washington.

Present:  Regent Elizabeth Cowles, Chair; Regents Kenneth Alhadeff, Theodore Baseler, Francois Forgette, Joe King, 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, Senior Assistant Attorney General Antoinette Ursich, Faculty Senate Chair Ken Struckmeyer, ASWSU President Isaac Wells, GPSA President DaVina Hoyt, 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.            Chair of the Board of Regents.  Regent Cowles welcomed everyone to the Board Meeting.  She indicated that the Board received reports from many areas during committee meetings and will not need to report during the Board Meeting due to the need to adjourn the meeting on time and attend WSU Spokane Commencement Ceremony.  Regent Cowles also welcomed former Regent Peter Goldmark to the meeting and asked the Regents to approve a resolution recognizing his contributions to the University.

                Recognition of former Regent Dr. Peter Goldmark.  Regent Cowles read a resolution commending Peter J. Goldmark for his dedication and service to the University and the Board of Regents since 1996.  Carried.

2.            President of the University.  President V. Lane Rawlins also welcomed everyone to the Board Meeting.  He thanked Dr. Goldmark for his service and also introduced Interim Executive Budget Director Joan King.   

3.            Minutes.  It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve the minutes of the Mach 3, 2006 Board meeting.   Carried.

4.            Reports from University Groups:

                Faculty Senate Chair Ken Struckmeyer reported that Faculty Senate will continue working on childcare services for faculty members, and to provide faculty leadership for young faculty members.  They are in the process of appointing an advising task force to review faculty advising at the undergraduate level.  Faculty Senate is also appointing a committee to look at the general education program to review any new opportunities in that area.  He introduced Chair Elect Chuck Pezeshki. 

                 GPSA President DaVina Hoyt introduced new leadership Jason Doss and Erika Miller.  She reported that she sums her tenure as GPSA President as moving GPSA and the University “From Diversity to Unity to Community”.   She also thanked Vice President Tate and President Rawlins for being mentors to her and for their leadership and support.  Lastly, she reported that GPSA wrapped up another successful year with the Dr. William K. Wiley Exposition of Graduate Studies and the GPSA Student Recognition Luncheon and Award Ceremony.    

ASWSU President Isaac Wells reported on the successful year of ASWSU.  He reflected on the high voter turnout for the Martin Stadium Renovation election that had more students voted than in any other election.  The students showed an overwhelming support of 64% who favored the renovation.  He also thanked Mike King for his leadership as Vice President, Student Regent Justin Leighton for always keeping the students interests first and he thanked President Rawlins along with the entire University administration for their tireless work and dedication for making the educational experience for all students a positive one.  Lastly, he introduced President Elect Zach Wurtz and Vice President Elect Janeen Heath.

                Alumni Association President Larry Arcia reported that there were great accomplishments this year and added that none of it was possible without the fine staff and volunteers of the Alumni Association.  He reported that President Elect Doug Tracey is well prepared to continue the momentum. He highlighted that in the past year alone membership has increased by 4,000 new members, which represents the highest single-year increase ever and also has exceeded the initial goal of 19,500 members.  They currently have more than 20,500 members and are striving to reach 23,500 members next year.  He also reported on a new club they recently launched called Wine-By-Cougars that showcases the premium wines of Washington and WSU alumni. 

                WSU Foundation Board of Governors Chair Mikal Thomsen reported on the upcoming Foundation Spring Meeting in Seattle.  He added that at the meeting they will discuss the campaign, the progress that is being made as well as what still needs to be done.  He provided an overall progress report that indicates a year to date alumni participation rates increase to 16%, as compared to 14.6% last year.  He added that the President’s Associates membership numbers are up over this same period last year with 3,919 for FY 2006, compared to 3,809 for FY 2005.  The endowment has increased $31M in the first eight months of this fiscal year and result in on overall increase in the endowment to $263.6M compared to $231.8M at the beginning of this fiscal year. 

Regent Cowles read and presented resolutions to Ken Struckmeyer, Faculty Senate Chair; DaVina Hoyt, GPSA President; Isaac Wells, GPSA President; and to Larry Arcia, Alumni Association President commending them for their service to the University and as representative to the Board of Regents.

5.            Executive, Planning, and Budget Committee.  Regent Cowles reported that the committee reviewed the action items.  She also reported that the committee received an educational report on WSU’s Trust Lands and that they will go into a more in depth discussion on Trust Lands at the summer retreat. 

The Board took action on the following:

2007-09 Operating Budget Request.  It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve the recommendations for the 2007-09 Operating Budget Request (Attachment A) and that the Board delegate authority to the President to approve minor changes or adjustments that may need to be made before the submission is finalized for presentation to the Office of Financial Management.  Carried.

2007-09 Capital Budget Request.  It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve the recommendations for the 2007-09 Capital Budget Request (Attachment B) and that the Board delegate authority to the President to approve minor changes or adjustments that may need to be made before the submission in finalized for presentation to the Office of Financial Management.   Carried.

(Note to record: Regent Marr voted to oppose)

2007-09 Public Baccalaureate Institutions.  It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve the 2007-09 Public Baccalaureate Institutions Prioritized Capital Project List.  Carried.

(Note to record: Regent Marr voted to oppose)

S&A Fee Rate Increase.   It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents set the Services and Activities Fee for the academic year 2006-07 at $455 for all full time students.  Carried. 

Regent Alhadeff commented to the fact that we need to make sure services are increasing to the students the fees are increasing.

(Note to record: Regent Leighton voted to oppose)

Regents’ Distinguished Alumnus Award.     It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents designates Phyllis Campbell as the recipient of the 2006 Regents’ Distinguished Alumnus Award.  Carried. 

6.            System Report.  Hal Dengerink reported that the state of the system is strong.  He added that three years ago, the Board of Regents approved a set of recommendations for the WSU campuses in Spokane, Tri-Cities, and Vancouver.  These recommendations began the implementation of a process to establish WSU as a statewide university system.  Evidence is beginning to appear that this effort has been a success. Whether initiatives are materializing or not, it is unlikely that, without the University System, WSU would have been invited to participate in the Spokane Institute for System Medicine, to partner with PNNL on the Bioproducts, Sciences and Engineering Laboratory, or to host a branch of the Washington Technology Center in Vancouver.  As a result, the University Council has begun the process of identifying benchmarks for assessing the performance of WSU as a statewide research university.

7.            Academic, Faculty, and Student Affairs Committee.  Regent King reported that the committee reviewed the action  items to merge the Departments of Geology and Regional Planning along with the S&A Fee Allocations for the 2006-07 Academic Year.  He also reported that the committee heard updates on undergraduate initiatives, graduate programs and the Health and Wellness Services Fee Increases.   

The Board took action on the following:

Departments of Geology and Regional Planning Merger.  It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve the merger of the Department of Geology and the Department of Environmental Sciences and Regional Planning to form the School of Earth and Environmental Science to be effective August 15, 2006.  Carried.

S&A Fee Allocations 2006-07.  It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve the allocation of the Services and Activities for Summer 2006 and Academic Year 2006-07 and that the Board of Regents approve the allocation of Services and Activities Facilities Fees for Academic Year 2006-07 in Exhibit C.  Carried.

(Note to record: Regents King and Leighton voted to oppose)

8.            Report from the Provost and Executive Vice President.  Provost Bates reported on AFSA Committee Conference Call that was held due to needed follow up from the last Board Meeting.  The main topic of the conference call was financial aid and retention.  He also provided an update on the search for the Director of Libraries and the Vice President for Student Affairs and noted the Health and Wellness Services Fee Increases for FY2006-07.

9.            Business Affairs and Information Technology Committee.  Regent Niva reported that the committee had updates on the Status on Capital Projects, a Capital Construction Report, and Real Estate Update.  They also received an update on the Energy Saving Performance Contract along with an update on the joint Legislative Audit and Review committee.  She reported that the committee also reviewed the action items.

The Board took action on the following:

                WSU Pullman, Mandatory Student Stadium Fee.   It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve collection of a $25 per semester Mandatory Student Stadium Fee for the Pullman campus.  Carried.

WSU Pullman, Martin Stadium Renovation, Phases I and II, Schematic Design.  It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve the Martin Stadium Renovation Schematic Design for Phases I and II, grant authorization to proceed and delegate authority to the President or his designee, to advertise for bids and award a construction contract, provided costs are within funds available.  Carried.

WSU Tri–Cities, Bio-Sciences and Engineering Laboratory.  It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve the amendment to Resolution 051118-274 which reflects that the Board has delegated authority to the President or his designee the authority to negotiate and execute the lease agreement, service agreement, and all other necessary documents for the Bioproducts, Sciences and Engineering Laboratory at the Tri-Cities campus.   Carried.

10.          University Development, University Relations and Athletics Committee.  Regent Marr highlighted the Foundation Quarterly Report and then turned his report over to Vice President Jessup. 

11.          Report from the Vice President for University Development.  Vice President Jessup provided an update on the status of the campaign preparation.  He reported that membership in the President’s Associates Category is up 16% along with record numbers in alumni giving.  He thanked President Rawlins for his help in connecting with key prospects.  He also reported that the Spring Foundation Board of Trustees meeting will be held in Seattle.

12.          Report from the Director of Athletics.  Athletic Director Jim Sterk gave an update on all the current sports activities.  He also reported on a number of facilities projects that will be taking place over the summer.  He added that new surfaces will be replaced in Hollingbery Fieldhouse and the outdoor tennis courts, and that the turf in Martin Stadium will be replaced.  He thanked the undergraduate student leaders for their leadership and support in the Martin Stadium renovation initiative this past year.  

13.          Other Business

The Board took Action on the Following: 

2007-08 Board of Regents Meeting Schedule.  It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approved the 2007-08 Board of Regents Meeting Schedule. Carried

Election of Officers.  It was moved and seconded that by the Board of Regents that Regent Kenneth Alhadeff be elected to serve as Chair of the Board of Regents for the year beginning May 15, 2006, and that Regent Connie Niva be elected to serve as Vice Chair of the Board of Regents for the year beginning May 15, 2006, with the understanding that she shall act as Chair pro tempore in the absence of the Chair, with the power to preside at the meetings and to sign all documents required to be executed by the Board of Regents.  Carried.

14.          Recognition of Regent Justin Leighton.  Regent Cowles read a resolution commending Student Regent Justin Leighton for his dedication and service to the University and the Board of Regents during his term as the eighth student regent for the 2005-06 academic year.  Carried.

15.          Recognition of Regent Elizabeth Cowles.  President Rawlins presented a gavel to Regent Cowles commending her for her service as Board Chair for the 2005-06 term.

The meeting of the Board of Regents was recessed, and the meeting of the Shareholders of the Students Book Corporation was declared open.

16.          Meeting of Shareholders, Students Book Corporation, Confirmation of Directors.  It was moved and seconded that the Shareholders of the Students Book Corporation elect the following individuals to serve on the Board of Directors: 

                Brett Larson, Graduate Director, two year term

                Frances Strosahl, Undergraduate Director, two year term

                Lisa Waananen, Undergraduate Director, two year term

                Brian Kazemba, Undergraduate Director, One year term

                Jutta Tobias, Alternate Graduate Director, two year term

                Adele Durfey, Alternate Undergraduate Director, two year term

                Ryan Hart, Alternate Undergraduate Director, two year term

                Ron Mittelhammer, Faculty Director, two year term

                Jean Johnson, Faculty Director, one year term

Carried.

17.          Meeting of the Shareholders, Students Book Corporation, Bylaws Revisions.  It was moved and seconded that the Shareholders of the Students Book Corporation approve the revisions to the Students Book Corporation Bylaws in Exhibit D.  Carried.

The meeting of the Shareholders of the Students book Corporation was declared closed and the meeting of the Board of Regents was reconvened.

18.          President’s Report.  President Rawlins indicated on how much he enjoyed working with all the University leadership this year.  He thanked Regent Leighton for his commitment; he also thanked Regent Cowles for her leadership as Board Chair and also looks forward to working with Regent Alhadeff this next academic year. 

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

Approved by the Board of Regents at its meeting held on September 15, 2006  at The Westin Hotel, Vashon Conference Room, Seattle, Washington.

                SIGNED COPY AVAILABLE IN THE PRESIDENT’S OFFICE