May 6, 2011

The Board of Regents of Washington State University met pursuant to call in Open Meeting at 8:30 a.m., on Friday, May 6, 2011, in the Compton Union Building, Room 204, Pullman, Washington.

Present:  Regent Laura Jennings, Chair; Regents Theodor Baseler, Scott Carson, Ericka Christensen, Harold Cochran, Connie Niva and V. Rafael Stone; President Elson S. Floyd, Provost and Executive Vice President Warwick Bayly, and Executive Assistant to the President and Board of Regents Christine Hoyt.

1. Report from the Chair of the Board of Regents.  Regent Laura Jennings welcomed everyone to the Regents’ Meeting.  She also thanked the Regents for going to Olympia to participate the coordinated statewide effort to explain the needs of higher education and the impact the budget cuts have on the institution.  She added that WSU had a very strong presence and that it was recognized and appreciated by the legislature.

2. Report from the President of the University.  President Elson S. Floyd thanked the Board for the opportunity to report. He began by talking about the legislative special session in Olympia. He said that it is their hope that the legislature will adjourn within the 30-day limitation associated with a special session but that there were still a number of outstanding issues including the operating and capital budgets for the state and specifically for WSU.  He said that they are continuing to work in a coordinated way with the leadership in both the House and the Senate to make sure that it is as favorable as it possibly can be.  He said that there is very big spread between proposals associated with tuition ranging from 11 percent (Governor’s proposal) to 16 percent (Senate’s proposal).  He added that as soon as this has been decided, he will ask the Regents to convene in a special telephonic session to consider tuition and make the necessary approvals. 

Dr. Floyd reported that WSU will have one of, if not the largest, freshman class coming into the University this fall.  He added how pleased he is with how attractive WSU is to current and prospective students alike.  He also said that it will also be one of the most diverse classes in the history of the institution. He commended all involved for their service and engagement because this large freshman class will stretch resources within the institution, and he wants to make sure that the best Cougar experience is provided for incoming freshman students. He said that enrollment in the Tri-Cities and Vancouver will remain flat and that is consistent with what the expectations were for those campuses. 

Dr. Floyd said that research funding continues to be very aggressive.  He indicated that Dr. Howard Grimes, WSU researchers, and others within the institution are doing an amazing job. He said for this fiscal year, WSU will be at $400 million in terms of extra real funds coming into the institution, which is clearly the most successful fiscal year in the history of the University.

President Floyd acknowledged Regent Carson for his leadership associated with the Campaign for WSU. He noted that WSU is breaking virtually every record which is even more compelling given the overall economic circumstances.

President Floyd reported that WSU is still very much desirous of joining the ranks of AAU. He said we have a strategic plan that is very much in line with this goal, but that membership may be a bit more challenging. He noted that the University of Nebraska-Lincoln had recently been asked to leave AAU, and they were voted out in part because AAU as an organization is not recognizing agricultural research funding in the same way that it recognizes other competitive grant funding.  He said that this will be a challenge, but it is still achievable for Washington State University. 

President Floyd said that many of the Regents have read about the media rights agreement with the Pac-10 and that one of the great things about the agreement is the fact that the revenues are shared equally among all of the members of the Pac-12.  He said that because of where WSU started financially with the athletic programs, it will have even a greater impact in a positive way on WSU as an institution. He said he looks forward to executing the remaining parts of that contract and that there is still a second wave that needs to occur in the context of television rights. He said that there is quite a bit that still needs to occur in the future but it is now the most lucrative contract of any of the athletic conferences. 

President Floyd thanked the Board for being a part of the celebration honoring Dr. Jim Cook (recently awarded with the Wolf Prize).  He added that Dr. Cook is a fabulous individual, teacher, and researcher, and he continues to bring great recognition to the institution. He noted that he appreciated the Board’s engagement at the reception. 

President Floyd also reported that Dr. Terry McElwain was invited into the National Academies Institute of Medicine, and WSU is pleased to have yet another faculty member within those ranks.

President Floyd announced that graduation is upon them.  He said that it is an exciting time at all campuses and he thanked the Regents for also participating in the ceremonies that will take place over the next two weeks.

Lastly, President Floyd commented how much he appreciates the leadership that the Regents provide for this remarkable institution. He expressed his gratitude towards Chair Jennings and indicated how much he has enjoyed having her serve as Chair over the last academic year. 

3. Minutes. It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve the minutes of March 25, 2011.  Carried.

4. Reports from University Groups.  Regent Jennings commented that this is the last meeting for Max Kirk, Leslie Little, Jason McConnell, Robert Williams and Jake Bredstrand, as representatives of their constituent groups. She thanked them for their service and said that the Regents have enjoyed working with them this past year.  Representatives from each of the university groups—Faculty Senate, Administrative and Professional Advisory Council, Associated Students of Washington State University, Graduate and Professional Student Association, Foundation Board of Governors, and the WSU Alumni Association—reviewed their reports as submitted. Alumni Association President Elect, Rhonda Kromm reported for Robert Williams who was unable to attend. (Individual written reports may be found online at the Board of Regents website or requested from the President’s Office.)

5. Executive Committee.  Regent Jennings reported that the Committee reviewed the Board of Regents Meeting schedule for the year 2012; the appointment of Treasurer of the Board of Regents; and the election of officers to the Board. She stated that they also discussed the choice for this year’s Regents’ Distinguished Alumnus Award, and that this was a difficult decision, because all of the candidates were distinguished alumni of WSU

The Board took action on the following:

Establishment of the 2012 Board of Regents Meeting Schedule. It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve the schedule for the 2012 Board of Regents Meetings; and delegated authority to the President of the University or his designee to select and designate appropriate meetings places, establish meeting times, establish the agenda and prepare agenda items, dispatch all official notices to meet the state Open Public Meetings Act or other notice requirements, publish minutes and maintain records of meetings, and take other necessary action as required for the orderly conduct of Board Meetings. Carried.

Regents’ Distinguished Alumnus Award.  It was moved an seconded that the Board of Regents designate Dr. John E. Olerud, a 1965 graduate of Washington State University, as the recipient of the 2011 Regents’ Distinguished Alumnus Award. Carried.

Appointment of Treasurer to the Board of Regents.  It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents appoint Roger Patterson, Vice President for Business and Finance, to the position of Treasurer of the Board of Regents, effective July 1, 2011, superseding and revoking all prior appointments.  Carried.

Election of Officers to the Board of Regents.  It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents elected Theodor Baseler to serve as Chair of the WSU Board of Regents for the year beginning May 16, 2011. The Board also elected Scott E. Carson to serve as Vice Chair of the WSU Board of Regents for the year beginning May 16, 2011, with the understanding that he shall act as Chair pro tempore in the absence of the Chair, with the power to preside at the meetings and to sign all instruments required to be executed by the WSU Board of Regents.  Carried.

6. Finance and Audit Committee.  Regent Scott Carson reported that the Finance and Audit Committee received a quarterly update from Internal Auditor Heather Lopez.  He added that her role is critically important to the sound business practices of the institution, and she continues to do a great job.  He also reported that the committee reviewed three future action items. He said the first of those three remains strongly on the minds of everyone and that is what the tuition rates will look like for the 2011-2013 and clearly they have to wait until the legislature decides what they are going to do and the implications of their actions will have on the institution. Regent Carson also reported on amendments to the investment policy that will be coming before the Board along with the schematic design for Martin Stadium. 

Regent Carson reviewed each action item before Board Approval.

The Board took action on the following:

WSU Pullman, CAHNRS Institute for Biochemistry, Biofuel Research/Greenhouse Addition. It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve the Greenhouse Addition project with a total budget not to exceed $1.1 million, and authorized the project to proceed under a traditional design, bid and build process, and further delegated to the President or his designee authority to enter any and all contracts necessary to complete the project. Carried.

WSU Spokane, Proposed Sale of the Jensen Byrd Land and Structure.  It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents delegate authority to the President or his designee to sell the land and structure commonly referred to as the Jensen Byrd Building in Spokane, Washington, and execute the related purchase and sale agreement.Carried. (Note: this section of the minutes were corrected at the November 18, 2011, Board of Regents Meeting, Tab OB-1.)

WSU Pullman, Northside Residence Hall (Waller Hall Building Replacement). It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents authorize the Waller Hall Building Replacement to proceed to design and construction using the Design-Build process pursuant to RCW 39.10, and further delegated authority to the President or his designee to select a Design-Build contractor and enter into any and all contracts necessary to complete the project, within the budgeted amount. Carried.

Debt Management Policy.  It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve the Debt Management Policy attached in Exhibit A.  Carried.

Services and Activities Fee Increases for Academic Year 2011-2012.  It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents authorize a zero percent increase in the Services and Activities Fees for all WSU campuses for the academic year 2011-2012.  Carried.

Services and Activities Fees Committee Allocations for Summer 2011 and Academic Year 2011-2012.  It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve the allocation of Services and Activities Fees for summer 2011 and Academic Year 2011-2012 as recommended by the Services and Activities Fees Committees and the Service and Activities Facilities Committees representing the Washington State University System. Carried. (Approved Services and Activities Fees allocations approved by the Board of Regents may be found online at the Board of Regents website or requested from the President’s Office.)

Student Recreation Center Rates for Academic Year 2011-2012 and Summer 2012.  It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve a 1.73 percent increase to the Academic Year 2011-2012 and Summer 2012 Student Recreation Center Rates (for the academic year, a 1.73 percent increase brings the rates to $147.00 per semester; and for summer, a 1.73 percent increase brings it to $87.50), or the amount equal to the percentage change in the resident undergraduate tuition as approved by the legislature, whichever is less, effective Fall 2011. Carried.

• Academic and Student Affairs Committee Report.  Regent Cochran reported that the Academic and Student Affairs Committee received reports from each of the Chancellors who discussed their vision statements for their campuses, their community engagement, and their advisory boards.  He added, also, that Provost Bayly and the Faculty Senate have been working hard on WSU’s core requirements. He commended them for the speed in which this has occurred.   Regent Cochran also reported that the Committee had discussed the following:

• Merger of the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences with the Department of Natural Resource Sciences to form the School of the Environment;
• Merger of the Department of Comparative Ethnic Studies, American Studies, and Women’s Studies to form the Department of Critical Cultures, Gender, and Race Studies;
• The reactivation of the Ph.D. in Human Nutrition, the name change from the Ph.D. in Human Nutrition to the Ph.D. in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology, and the extension of the degree to WSU Spokane; and
• The name change from Ph.D. in Language Literacy Education to the Ph.D. in Language, Literacy, and Technology.

Regent Cochran asked Vice President Grimes to provide a brief update on the year-end Research and Graduate Education. Vice President Grimes indicated that research performance continues to dramatically increase. He added that there is still more room to grow upward but the strategy revolves around supporting the faculty to do “heavier lifting” in their grant and proposal activities. He said they have implemented a series of activities to bring the faculty together around known funding opportunities that they have lined out of Washington D.C. months in advance. He added that multidisciplinary approach has resulted in the number of $1 million and over grants doubling in the last three years and the number of those types of proposals tripling in the last years. 

Regent Carson commended Dr. Grimes for his activity.  He also said that he had an opportunity to attend the Innovators Luncheon when Dr. Grimes presented.  He said that he did the best job of capturing the research implications of the current Campaign that he has heard anyone do.  He thanked Dr. Grimes for the remarks he made. He said they were articulate, heartfelt, and touched the entire audience.

Regent Cochran continued his report and said that the Committee had also received an enrollment update from Vice President John Fraire and that WSU will have an incoming freshman class of up to 4,400 which originally was thought to be around 3,500.  He congratulated Vice President Fraire on a job well done.  He added that we expect close to 25 percent of the incoming class will be persons of color.

Regent Jennings echoed Regent Cochran’s comments about the size of the incoming freshman class. She added that it is fitting with WSU’s mission as the State’s University, particularly during this time of crisis, that WSU steps forward to educate more kids. She said that she knows next year will be a difficult one, as we put this record incoming freshman class through the system. However, she thinks it demonstrates WSU’s partnership with the citizens of the state and stated that it will be tremendously exciting next year to have that much energy on the Pullman campus.

The Board took action on the following:

WAC Revisions: Standards of Conduct for Students (WAC 504-26) It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve amendments and changes to the Washington Administrative Code (WAC), section 26-602, as outlined in the attached proposal (Exhibit B). Carried.

Regent Jennings and President Floyd also presented Student Regent Ericka Christensen with resolution. 

Recognition of Regent Ericka Christensen.  The Regents passed a resolution commending Student Regent Ericka Christensen for her dedication and service to the University and the Board of Regents during her term as the thirteenth student regent for the 2010-2011academic year.  Carried.

8. External Affairs Committee Report.  Regent Ted Baseler reported that the External Affairs Committee heard from Kevin Harvey, Associate Vice President for University Development, who provided a Campaign update and year-to-date-progress report. He also reported that Associate Vice President Colleen Kerr provided a legislative update, and Associate Vice President Joan King provided an update on the pending tuition setting authority. Regent Baseler said they also went into more detail on the budget process in Olympia.

9. Other Business. 

 Request for Defense of University Employee.  It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents delegate to President Floyd the authority to approve, on the recommendation of the WSU Attorney General’s Office the defense of any Washington State University employee, including student employees, or agent in any case brought by David Jesse Brown.  Carried.   

Regent Jennings recessed the meeting of the Board of Regents declared the meeting of the Shareholders of the Students Book Corporation open.

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

One-year term to expire in May 2012:

Melissa Ang, Alternate Undergraduate Student Director
Kevin Chastagner, Graduate Student Director
Brandon Graviet, Alternate Graduate Student Director
Dane Hagenson, Undergraduate Student Director
Paul Ziegler, Alternate Undergraduate Student Director

Two-year term to expire in May 2013:

Terry Boston, Administrative Director

Caroline Grotheer, Undergraduate Student Director
Barry Johnston, Administrative Director
Dr. Robert Rosenman, Faculty Director
Deven Tokuno, Undergraduate Student Director

Carried.

Regent Jennings declared the meeting of the Shareholders closed and reconvened the Board of Regents meeting.

11. Adjournment.  In closing, Regent Jennings said that it had been an honor to serve as the Chair this past year.  She thanked everyone for allowing her to serve. She also said that she looks forward to hearing about the great commencement ceremonies that will take place over the next couple of weeks.

The meeting adjourned at 10:00 am.

Approved by the Board of Regents at its meeting held September 2, 2011, at the Tulalip Resort, Chinook 1 Conference Room, Tulalip, Washington.