March 6, 1998
The Board of Regents of Washington State University met pursuant to call in Open Meeting at 1:30 p.m., on Friday, March 6, 1998, in the Lewis Alumni Centre, Pullman.
Present: Richard R. Albrecht, President; Regents: Kenneth Alhadeff, Richard A. Davis, Robert D. Fukai, William D. Marler and Carmen Otero; President Samuel H. Smith, Provost Gretchen Bataille, Vice President for Business Affairs Sallie A. Giffen, Vice President for Extended University Affairs Thomas L. Purce, Vice President for University Advancement Connie Kravas, University Counsel Sally P. Savage, Acting Division Chief Toni Ursich, Faculty Senate Vice Chair Robert Greenburg, Staff Senate President Sandra Brabb, Alumni Association President Denny Jones, GPSA President Micki Archuleta, and ASWSU President Neil Walker.
Also present were: Vice Provost for Student Affairs K. J. “Gus” Kravas, Vice Provost for Human Relations and Resources Ernestine Madison, Executive Director of Budget and Planning Gregory P. Royer, Assistant Vice President for Business Affairs Ernest Renfro, Executive Assistant for Business Affairs Robert Hoon, Assistant Vice Provost for Human Relations Felicia Gaskins, Director of News and Information Services Barbara Petura, and Assistant Director for Branch Campus Development David Smith.
1. Welcoming Remarks and Introductions. President of the Board Richard Albrecht welcomed everyone to the meeting. President Sam Smith introduced the following individuals: Pete Jacoby, Associate Dean, College of Agriculture and Home Economics; and Raymond Wright, Chair, Animal Sciences.
2. Minutes. It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve the minutes of the meeting of January 16, 1998. Carried.
3. Granting of Degrees. It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve the recommendation of the faculty that the candidates appearing in Exhibit A be advanced to the degrees set above their names as members of the Class of December 20, 1997. Carried.
4. Planning Committee Report. Regent Ken Alhadeff reported that the Planning Committee had met and had discussed the legislative action on higher education in Spokane. He said the Regents are sensitive to Spokane and Eastern Washington University as to how we interrelate and provide leadership, guidance, and structure. He said, however, we must allow everyone to understand that this is a very important and vibrant issue. In addition, Regent Alhadeff reported that the Committee discussed the budget and in particular, issues related to salaries of faculty and staff; enrollment and the quality and diversity of students; and the administrative structure and the multi-campus system.
5. Reports by University Groups. Faculty Senate Vice Chair Robert Greenburg reported on the following issues: the consideration of new degree programs for the Pullman and branch campuses; on-going work on the Faculty Manual; recent discussions on the American Cultural Diversity GER; review of the University complaint procedures; and review of the intellectual property policy.
Staff Senate President Sandra Brabb reported that the Staff Senate is currently reviewing the Administrative and Professional Handbook and the University complaint procedures. Ms. Brabb also provided background information regarding the unfair labor practice lawsuit filed by the Washington Federation of State Employees and indicated that the bottom line is that the Staff Senate can exist if there are no classified staff included as members of the Staff Senate. Ms. Brabb introduced Mr. Tony Rogers, Maintenance Custodian Supervisor; Francis Benjamin, Engineering Technician II; Lana Redman, Program Coordinator; and David Grimes, Fire Officer II. Each of these individuals provided comments in support of the Staff Senate. In addition, Ms. Brabb read a statement by Gretchen Arend, Fiscal Specialist from WSU Spokane who was unable to attend the Regents’ meeting in person.
GPSA President Micki Archuleta reported on the following: GPSA Committee work; her attendance at the Faculty Senate Meeting regarding curriculum reform and her suggestion that curriculum reform include a strong component of public service; the new African American GPSA; and enrollment.
ASWSU President Neil Walker reported on the following issues: curriculum reform; the ASWSU Transportation Committee; financial aid and options open to high school students; ASWSU’s support of the legislation concerning higher education in Eastern Washington; the issue of a student on the Board of Regents; and the Students and Activities Fees allocation that will be voted upon by the Regents at the May Regents’ Meeting.
Alumni Association President Denny Jones reported on the following issues: the Alumni Association’s internal study of organizations and programs; a survey of alumni groups to get input into possible areas of improvement for the Association; the possibility of modeling some of the WSU Alumni Association programs after some of the University of Washington Alumni programs; the upcoming spring Alumni Directors Meeting; the election of new directors and a new second vice president; the kickoff of the Centennial; a recent successful alumni event held in Palm Springs; the upcoming Golden Grad Reunion; and the move of the Victory Bell from College Hall to the Alumni Centre.
6. Provost’s Report. Provost Gretchen Bataille provided information from a report from The Chronicle of Higher Education highlighting the top institutions relative to federal research-and-development expenditures for 1995 and 1996 which shows WSU in the top 100 institutions, as well as another report showing WSU as one of the top 100 institutions relative to its endowment. Provost Bataille also reported on the revised complaint procedures that are being reviewed by the Faculty and Staff Senates, which will return to the Provost’s Policy Committee for discussion once they have been reviewed. She also reported on the Administrative and Professional Handbook that has gone out for review, summaries of the Deans’ searches, and various aspects of the biennial budget proposal. In particular, Provost Bataille mentioned faculty and staff salaries as related to the budget and introduced Dr. Carolyn Clark, Associate Professor of Economics and Legislative Representative and Chair of the Council of Faculty Representatives to the State Legislature.
7. Faculty Salary Presentation. Dr. Clark’s presentation focused on the issue of how faculty pay has not kept up with inflation and provided important statistics to demonstrate this issue. She indicated that faculty and administrative professional employees do not get incremental salary increases and that they are subject to promotions and promotional raises. Again, Dr. Clark provided data to support this conclusion. She said that we are not asking for semi-automatic pay increases but that we would like this fact taken into account when we have opportunities for pay increases at the time of biennial requests. Dr. Clark also pointed out issues such as faculty who are approached by other institutions or who depart WSU for new positions and presented data showing professionals at other state institutions whose salaries are significantly higher than those at WSU, as well as professionals within the entire United States who have higher average income levels but the same educational level as those who work at WSU. Dr. Clark said that what is at stake is the quality of faculty at the state’s public university as pay levels have fallen far below those offered at our peer institutions. She said WSU has lost good faculty because of low pay levels and provided information in support of her statements.
The Regents were pleased by the clarity and straight-forwardness of Dr. Clark’s presentation and said it was very compelling. The Regents suggested that we continue to emphasize that higher education is treated inequitably relative to salary issues.
8. Academic Affairs Committee Report. Regent Carmen Otero reported that the Academic Affairs Committee discussed the issues of salaries and budget. Also discussed at the Academic Affairs Committee were the following issues: the possibility of working with alumni groups in conjunction with their work with the legislature; the dean searches; international partnerships; curriculum approvals; recruitment; and higher education in Eastern Washington.
9. Finance, Audit and Capital Committee Report. Regent Dick Albrecht provided a report on the Finance, Audit and Capital Committee meeting and said the following issues were discussed: The Teaching and Learning Center; prospective financing concerning the Recreation Center; the budget and salary issues; a review of the settlement with the general contractor for the Vancouver campus; pending construction projects; a review of the search for a cash manager to deal with cash management of University funds; and the WSU Research Foundation and intellectual property issues.
10. Contract under Previous Delegation of Authority (under $500,000). Vice President for Business Affairs Sallie Giffen reported that on the authority delegated to the President of the University or his designee at the meeting of January 24, 1986, she had approved entering into contract with the following:
Mike Coman Construction, Spokane, for Part 1 remodel of the Wood Research Lab at the WSU Research Park, for a total cost of $12,507, including sales tales tax and contingency, to be paid from 1997-99 Wood Materials and Engineering Lab Departmental funds.
11. Contract under Previous Delegation of Authority (over $500,000). Vice President for Business Affairs Sallie Giffen reported that on the authority delegated to the President of the University or his designee at the meeting of June 28, 1996, she had approved entering into contract with TLH Abatement, Inc., Seattle, for Bohler Gymnasium Renovation Demolition, for a total amount of $728,603, including sales tax, to be paid from 1993-95, 1995-97, and 1997-99 State Building Construction funds and 1993-95, 1995-97, and 1997-99 WSU Building Account funds.
12. Completion of Contracts over $2,500. Vice President for Business Affairs Sallie Giffen reported that on the authority delegated to her at the meeting of June 24, 1994, she had approved satisfactory completion of the following contracts:
Mike Coman Construction, Inc., for the Deionized Water Production Facility and Sheet Metal Fabrication Shop Facility Addition in the final amount of $568,966.
Cecon Corporation, for underground storage tanks in Whitman County in the final amount of $301,079.
Palouse Empire, Inc for air conditioning at the WSU Child Care Facility in the final amount of $155,117.
Mike Coman Construction, Inc., for a remodel of the first floor dean’s suite in Dana Hall in the final amount of $125,119.
Hilliard’s Heating and Plumbing for air conditioning in rooms 203 of McCoy Hall in the final amount of $90,334.
Mike Coman Construction, Inc for a remodel of room 514 in Science in the final amount of $87,622
3-H Mechanical for a culinary steam supply in the Pilot Plant in the final amount of $54,987.
Hilliard’s Heating and Plumbing for air conditioning revisions in Murrow West in the final amount of $37,005.
Johnson Mechanical Corporation for air conditioning in room 122 of Hamilton Hall at IAREC (Prosser, WA) in the final amount of $19,009.
13. Annual Report of Appointments of Architects and Engineers under Delegation of Authority. Vice President for Business Affairs Sallie Giffen reported that at the meeting of January 24, 1986, authority was delegated to the President or his designee the Vice President for Business Affairs, to select and approve entering into contracts with architects and engineers for projects in which the estimated total project costs are less than $500,000. As per this delegation, Vice President Giffen provided a report to the Regents which they reviewed as part of their agenda packets prior to the meeting.
14. WSU/WSU Foundation Consolidated Endowment Fund Report. Vice President for Business Affairs Sallie Giffen reported on the Washington State University/WSU Foundation Consolidated Endowment Fund for the quarter ending December 31, 1997.
15. WSU Vancouver Physical Plant Maintenance Shops. Assistant Director for Branch Campus Development David Smith provided a presentation of the schematic design documents for the WSU Vancouver Physical Plant Maintenance Shops.
It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve schematic design documents, grant authorization to proceed with design development, and delegate authority to the President of his designee, the Vice President for Business Affairs, to approve construction documents, advertise for bids, and award a construction contract for the WSU Vancouver Physical Plant Maintenance Shops, if a budget can be established within the funds available. Carried.
16. Valley Road Multi-Use Recreation Fields—Phase 2 Development. Mr. David Hepp, Project Manager, and Principal of RCA/Huitt-Zollars, Inc., provided a presentation of the schematic design documents for the Valley Road Multi-Use Recreation Fields—Phase 2 Development.
It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve schematic design documents, grant authorization to proceed with design development, and delegate authority to the President or designee, the Vice President for Business Affairs, to approve construction documents, advertise for bids, and award a construction contract for the Valley Road Multi-Use Recreation Fields—Phase 2 Development, if a budget can be established within the funds available. Carried.
17. Student Recreation Center. It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents delegate authority to the President or designee, the Vice President for Business Affairs, to issue final determination to utilize the General Contractor/Construction Manager (GC/CM) process pursuant to RCW 39.10.030; and subject to issuance of the final determination, select a GC/CM for the Student Recreation Center, and award a contract provided a maximum allowable construction cost can be established within available funds. Carried.
Regent Richard Albrecht noted that the Finance, Audit, and Capital Committee reviewed this action and that it concurred with the GC/CM process as is being utilized for the Student Recreation Center.
18. The Teaching and Learning Center. It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents delegate authority to the President or designee, the Vice President for Business Affairs, to issue final determination to utilize the general contractor/construction manager (GC/CM) process pursuant to RCW 39.10.030; and subject to issuance of the final determination, select a GC/CM for the Teaching and Learning Center, and award a contract provided a maximum allowable construction cost can be established within available funds. Carried.
19. Executive Session. At 4:00 p.m., the Regents met in Executive Session for approximately 20 minutes to discuss pending litigation with legal counsel. There was no action taken as a result of the Executive Session. After the Executive Session, the Regents reconvened in open meeting.
20. Report by the Vice President for Extended University Affairs. Vice President for Business Affairs Les Purce reported on the following issues: Golf Course funding and a report entitled “The Economic and Social Impact of Washington State University” that was shared with the Regents that will be used in communities around the state for communication purposes. Vice President Purce introduced Dr. Ernst Stromsdorfer, Professor of Economics, who provided comments about the report. Dr. Stromsdorfer talked about WSU’s impact on the lives and the economic fortunes of the citizens of the state, the impact of an educated workforce, the return on investment for WSU graduates, the research and service impact on economic development, and how state dollars support and produce a much larger economic impact on the economic commerce and production in the state.
21. WSU Gift Report for January 1998. Vice President for University Advancement Connie Kravas reported that the donations and private grants to date totaled $23.6 million and donors are up 19 percent from last year.
22. Gift Planning Program Presentation. Vice President for University Advancement Connie Kravas introduced Mr. Dan Peterson, Director of the Gift Planning Program. Mr. Peterson provided an overview of the Gift Planning Program, including a review of policies, oversight issues, resources, and an introduction of staff. In addition, he spoke about the Gift Acceptance Committee of the Foundation and its role, as well as the Gift Acceptance Subcommittees; the Planned Giving Advisory Boards, the retained counsel; and Kaspick and Company, which manages planned gift assets and provides trust management. Mr. Peterson also reviewed planned gifts by constituency, some of the specific trusts that are currently being managed, real property that has been bequeathed to WSU, and retained life estates.
23. Establishment of Dates for Meetings of the Board of Regents. It was moved and seconded that the Board of regents adopt meetings for the calendar year 1999 according to the Resolution attached as Exhibit B. Carried.
24. Election of Officers. It was moved and seconded that Regent Carmen Otero be elected to serve as President of the WSU Board of Regents for the year beginning May 1, 1998; that Regent Peter J. Goldmark be elected to serve as Vice President of the Board of Regents for the year beginning May 1, 1998, with the understanding that he shall act as President pro tempore in the absence of the President, with the power to preside at the meetings and to sign all instruments required to be executed by the WSU Board of Regents; and that Ernest J. Renfro, Interim Vice President for Business Affairs, be appointed to serve as Treasurer of the Board of Regents beginning May 1, 1998, until his successor is appointed. Carried.
25. Presentation to Regent Richard Albrecht. Newly elected President Carmen Otero presented a certificate to Regent Richard Albrecht in acknowledgement of the Regents’ grateful appreciation for his excellent leadership and outstanding counsel as President of the Board of Regents during 1997-98. President Smith added his sincere thanks for the time, effort, and high quality of service Regent Albrecht provided to the University as Board President.
At 4:30 p.m., the Regents’ meeting adjourned.