August 29, 2008
The Board of Regents of Washington State University met pursuant to call in Open Meeting at 9:30 a.m., on Friday, August 29, 2008, at the Seattle Sheraton Hotel, Aspen Conference Room, 1400 6th Avenue, Seattle, Washington.
Present: Regent Francois Forgette, Chair; Regents Kenneth Alhadeff, Scott Carson, Harold Cochran, Elizabeth Cowles, Derick En’Wezoh, Connie Niva, and Michael Worthy; President Elson S. Floyd, and Executive Assistant to the President and the Board of Regents Christine Hoyt.
1. Report from the Chair of the Board of Regents. Regent Forgette welcomed everyone to the meeting. He welcomed newly appointed student Regent Derick En’Wezoh, and the new university group representatives Bill Cofer, Chair of the Faculty Senate; Jessica Moore, President of GPSA; Brandon Scheller, ASWSU President; and Gina Meyers, Alumni Association President.
2. Report from the President of the University. President Elson S. Floyd reported on WSU’s outstanding leadership team. He commended the chancellors for record high enrollments at each campus. He also reported that this year’s freshman class has not only set a record in enrollment, but has also set records in academic strength and diversity. He reported that there is much construction going on at the Spokane and Pullman campuses. He said that Compton Union Building is now open and that the student government offices have moved in on the top floor of that building. He added that the core of the entire facility is focused on student convenience. He also reported that the Martin Stadium renovation was finished on time and within budget and that the Palouse Ridge Golf Course is now open. He added that this is a remarkable time at Washington State University. He thanked members of his leadership team for their excellent work and commitment.
3. Minutes. It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve the minutes of May 2, 2008. Carried.
4. Reports from University Groups.
Faculty Senate Chair Bill Cofer reported that Faculty Senate has not yet met this fall, but has kept active in a number of areas. He said that the Academic Affairs Program Prioritization report was released in May and over the summer, the Senate leadership met with the Registrar and representatives from the Provost’s Office to finalize the procedure for curricular changes. He added that they are looking forward to working with Provost Hoch and have met with him to discuss their agenda for the coming year, including revisions to the process for academic program reviews and a number of “faculty friendly” actions that have also been proposed. He added that the Faculty Senate will be holding a retreat and will discuss General Education Reform that will be an on-going topic. Lastly, he reported that Faculty Senate leadership was part of the committee to draft a Performance Agreement with the state legislature.
Administrative Professional Advisory Council (APAC) Chair Francis Benjamin reported that the move of the APAC Office has been beneficial. He said that the move has improved their support of WSU’s Administrative Professional employees, has provided opportunities to collaborate with the Faculty Senate, and has improved access to the WSU administration. He also reported that their annual retreat was productive and that they focused on issues of training, professional development, benefits, compensation and classification, communication, and networking opportunities. He reported that the 2nd edition of the APA Connection was distributed in August. He indicated that APAC honored two individuals for the 2008 Administrative Professional Contribution Award. This award recognizes individuals who have made unique contributions to the University and/or community. Lastly, he mentioned that the flexible scheduling of a four-day work week has improved morale among all campuses.
Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA) President Jessica Moore reported that GPSA leaders have been busy visiting with various departments to promote GPSA. She reported that they have completed their 2008-2009 Strategic Plan. She also reported that they are working on a subsidy for evening childcare at the WSU Children’s Center. The subsidy will provide evening care for up to 16 children of graduate and professional students. An individual will be able to take advantage of this subsidy twice a week. She reported that GPSA is undertaking the initial steps to complete a remodel in the Graduate and Professional Study Center in Holland Library to meet the evolving needs of graduate and professional students. Lastly, she reported that GPSA is working with a group of students to develop a constitutional International Students Committee. The purpose of this committee is to create a connection between international and domestic students and develop programming to enrich the international student experience and make the transition to WSU easier.
Associated Students of Washington State University (ASWSU) President Brandon Scheller reported that it is a great time to be a student at Washington State University. He said that student voice has never been stronger. He also reported that they have been busy planning a campaign for student safety on campus. Their goal is to raise $100,000 to increase lighting on College Hill, provide an on-foot chaperone service, and provide grants for the Self Defense and Personal Safety Program on campus. He also reported that they have been busy trying to improve the Bookie buyback system. He said that text book prices are one of the biggest hurdles facing students and the buy-back program marks the most feasible way them to immediately help. They have already started circulating letters to key coordinators on the Bookie deadlines. He reported that they have launched a new weekly program, the “PB&J
Club.” Each week, a special guest will help serve free PB&J sandwiches in the CUB Lair.
The purpose of this weekly gathering is to provide opportunities for students to network with each other, and create a more open and approachable means for students to get involved or connect with administrators and other prominent campus figures. Lastly, he reported that ASWSU has added three new positions to their staff: Director of Greek Affairs, Director of Philanthropy & Outreach, and Director of Academic Affairs.
Alumni Association (WSUAA) President Gina Meyers reported that the WSUAA continues to provide more opportunities for alumni and friends to become engaged with the University and is providing additional opportunities for President Floyd to meet with Cougars to build further support for the Campaign and other university initiatives. She also reported that through WSUAA membership, the WSU Foundation has added 1,482 first-time donors to its roster during the past two years. WSUAA membership dues have also accounted for $1.2 million in Campaign dollars. She added that WSUAA is working with the WSU Foundation to expand Campaign communication by adding “Give to WSU” messaging to the WSUAA homepage, CougNews emails, and other WSUAA marketing materials. She reported that WSUAA Career Support program has proven to be a much needed and valuable tool that has benefited alumni. She said that the web pages have received over 1,200 user hits in July, reflecting continued growth from the previous two months. She added that more than 900 alumni have joined the WSU alumni group on “LinkedIn,” and the Cougar Business Network (CBN) is populated with over 200 businesses. Lastly, she reported that even at a time when many peer institutions have experienced slowdowns in alumni association membership growth, the WSUAA continues to experience solid growth in both annual and life membership.
WSU Foundation Board of Governors’ (WSUFBOG) Chair Larry Culver reported that the WSU Foundation experienced a historic year as more than $143.69 million in gifts, grants, pledges, and revocable commitments were recorded during fiscal year 2008, which ended June 30. He said that this is an increase of more than $51.6 million (or 56 percent) over the previous fiscal year. He also reported that the Foundation’s endowment increased from $316.7 million to $324.2 million during fiscal year 2008, and more than $18.6 million gifts and other additions were designated the endowment during fiscal year 2008, with $16 million in distributions supporting a variety of programs across Washington State University. He said despite a weakening market, the endowment earned $4.9 million (or 1.06 percent) in investment returns. Lastly, he reported on the upcoming Board of Governors meeting and the Annual Fall Meeting of the Board of Trustees.
5. Executive Committee. Regent Forgette reported that the Committee discussed the changes that needed to be made in the Board of Regents Bylaws. He also reported that the Board of Regent conducted Dr. Floyd’s annual review at its retreat over the summer and they are now prepared to take action on his contract.
The Board took action on the following:
Board of Regents Bylaw Changes. It was moved and seconded by the Board of Regents approve the changes to the Board of Regents Bylaws outlined in Exhibit A. Carried.
Before taking action on President Floyd’s contract, Regent Forgette reported that Dr. Floyd is an outstanding leader in higher education, and the Regents strongly believe he should be compensated as such. He added that during his first year of leadership, the University has made great strides and that they look forward to more progress in the years ahead.
Regent Niva reported that the Regents conducted a very thorough outreach to augment their evaluation of Dr. Floyd. She added that they contacted several administrators, alumni, faculty and foundation leaders. They are pleased of Dr. Floyd’s performance and wanted to assure him of their support and approval of the job he is doing.
Approval of Amendment to the President’s Contract. It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve an increase of the President’s base salary to $725,000 and a retention package in the amount of $500,000. Carried.
6. Finance and Audit Committee. Regent Michael Worthy reported that the Committee reviewed and recommends approval of the delegation of authority on the Collective Bargaining Agreements and the Data Center-Phase I for the WSU Spokane Riverpoint Campus. He also said the Committee discussed upcoming actions that the Board will be asked to approve in the future, including the 2009-2011 tuition rates, the 2009-2011 services and activities fees and the wireless campus project. He said that the Committee heard reports on the status of capital projects, the 2009-2011 Biennial Operating Budget Request, the 2009-2011 Biennial Capital Budget Request, the I-960 Fee Inventory, and also a Capital Construction Report.
The Board took action on the following:
Delegation of Authority – Collective Bargaining Agreements. It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents delegate authority to the President to ratify the 2009-2011 collective bargaining agreements negotiated under Chapter 41.80 RCW with the exclusive representatives of bargaining units of Washington State University classified employees (Washington Federation of State Employees), the bargaining unit of the police officers (Police Guild), and the new steam plant bargaining unit (Teamsters Union). Carried.
WSU Spokane Riverpoint Campus, Data Center-Phase I, Plan Approval. It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve the plan for Phase I of the WSU Spokane Riverpoint Campus Data Center, 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.
7. Academic and Student Affairs Committee. Regent Cochran reported that the Committee reviewed and recommends approval on the revisions to the Strategic Plan, and the delegation of authority to the President to implement Academic Affairs Program Prioritization. He also reported that the Committee heard reports from faculty members regarding the faculty salary policy revisions to the Faculty Manual and also received an update from Vice President Tate on Student Support initiatives.
The Board took action on the following:
Revisions to the Strategic Plan. It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve the revisions made to the 2008-2013 Strategic Plan. Carried.
Delegation of Authority to the President to Implement Academic Affairs Program Prioritization. It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents delegate full discretion to the President to act upon the recommendations contained within the Academic Affairs Program Prioritization process. Carried.
8. External Affairs and Athletics Committee. Regent Alhadeff reported that the Committee received a report from Vice President Wilson-Hale on the internal launch for the Campaign. He said that they previewed many of the materials that will be used in the Campaign. He said that they will be defined in specific areas of interest with goals and objectives that are meaningful to the potential donor.
9. Adjournment. The Board of Regents meeting adjourned at 11:15 a.m.
Approved by the Board of Regents at its meeting held October 17, 2008, Lewis Alumni Centre, Regents Room, Pullman, Washington.